Real Road Test: 1995 Daewoo Espero! Mint 21k mile example

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  • čas přidán 27. 07. 2021
  • (Replaces a broken video that I need to re-edit) The Daewoo Espero took the running gear of a Mk2 Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Ascona, and clothed it in a discarded Bertone-designed styling proposal for the Citroen Xantia. But is it any good?
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Komentáře • 722

  • @richh7872
    @richh7872 Před 3 lety +179

    Who looks at a car in that condition and thinks "Yeah, I'll scrap that" Glad it was saved

    • @mfbfreak
      @mfbfreak Před 3 lety +44

      Sadly, a staggering number of people think that when a car is old, it is per definition unreliable, uncomfortable and not worth of keeping.

    • @ratchetfox8111
      @ratchetfox8111 Před 3 lety +21

      Happens so often and I'll never understand it, like even if you aren't into cars surely you would recognise that a older car in good condition is worth something?

    • @Thanos.m
      @Thanos.m Před 3 lety +21

      Honestly the cars I've seen getting scrapped it's very sad had summer job years ago in mg rover/JLR specialist and I saw quite a few mint cars been brought in for scrap just some on top of my head a 38k mile Rover 620Ti, a 54k mile Rover R8 416GSi with ac. And a 60k miler Rover 800 vitesse Turbo. It was heartbreaking

    • @wordsmith52
      @wordsmith52 Před 3 lety +11

      Ignorant fools?

    • @VeyronBD
      @VeyronBD Před 3 lety +8

      Usually its simply ignorance, if I had a penny for everytime a car that is worth, very considerably, more than scrap value is sent over the scales I'd be rich. Most of these cars would be on the market for an hour max if sold at scrap value.

  • @micheltebraake7915
    @micheltebraake7915 Před 3 lety +50

    This shows once again that no bad cars were made, but that there were many bad motoring journalists who wrote everything that wasn't Mercedes, BMW or Porsche into the ground.

    • @simoncoulson983
      @simoncoulson983 Před 3 lety +7

      I had a proton personna 1.6 briefly and agree, I didn't think it was as bad as car mags had rated it! Okay it was an average car but Mitsubishi underneath, comfy, performed well, and i sold for more than i paid for it! Nuff said

    • @Deadguy1988
      @Deadguy1988 Před 3 lety +4

      you should thank them as it keeps these cars cheap

    • @andrewfrancis3591
      @andrewfrancis3591 Před 3 lety +1

      @@Deadguy1988 Too right they always ragged on Lexus ES300's / Toyota Windom, the James may purchase. The best car I have ever owned.

    • @rich_edwards79
      @rich_edwards79 Před 3 lety +9

      Yes I used to read my Dad's cast-off Top Gear magazines in the mid-90s and I remember their utter contempt for Daewoo, Hyundai and other 'budget' brands. I thought it was a pretty car for 1995 when everything had gone ridiculously bubble-shaped; still a fan of the styling to be fair.

    • @EVISEH
      @EVISEH Před 3 lety +7

      I care very little about what some motoring journalist's opinion is of a car. Most of those tossers wouldn't reconise good engineering or value for money, even when it was staring them straight in the face. I had a Daewoo Nubura. Boring mundane but utterly reliable. It did what it was designed to do, provide basic competent A to B transportation at an affordable price.It was these attributes which enabled Daewoo to become a respected maker of cars

  • @cpqnx7010
    @cpqnx7010 Před 3 lety +99

    Imagine scrapping a car as clean as this and then being able to sleep at night.

    • @MattBrownbill
      @MattBrownbill Před 3 lety +9

      I am guessing the relatives were wealthy, and only put a low monetary value on the car, not an emotional one?

    • @cpqnx7010
      @cpqnx7010 Před 3 lety

      @@MattBrownbill Yeah, you got a point

    • @MetalTrabant
      @MetalTrabant Před 3 lety +7

      It's a very sad and wasteful mentality in wealthy countries, scrapping a perfectly good car in great condition just because it's old and not very valuable...

    • @lucasbarton1773
      @lucasbarton1773 Před 3 lety +4

      @@MetalTrabant that is the issue in the UK, most cars get scrapped just because they are old, not because there are huge issues

    • @MetalTrabant
      @MetalTrabant Před 3 lety +2

      @@lucasbarton1773 In Hungary we mostly use cars until they don't collapse under us from all the rust...
      I've seen cars in quite unbelievable conditions, rusted through everywhere, but they still ran. We don't waste cars :)
      Of course, our MOT is not so strict in reality, and can even be bought in some places...

  • @phill9958
    @phill9958 Před 3 lety +81

    My uncle had one of these for over 10 years he used it as a taxi was on nearly 400,000 miles when he sold it 😂

    • @thomasgray5406
      @thomasgray5406 Před 3 lety +3

      If he is a taxi driver, 400,000 miles was probably one trip for a passenger to his local train station!!! Seriously, though, that is impressive with all the wear and tear that it would have been subjected to.

    • @phill9958
      @phill9958 Před 3 lety +2

      @@thomasgray5406 he serviced it every few thousand miles he was always working on it in the weekends. He only sold it as he moved away and retired, when he sold it he took the seat covers off he had and apart from a few dings to the bodywork it was still immaculate.
      I never liked it always thought it was ugly preferred his London cab he had before it. 🤣😂

  • @jamesblake3846
    @jamesblake3846 Před 3 lety +60

    I'd never spotted the similarity to the Xantia before, but now you've said it, I can't unsee it!

  • @JamesG75
    @JamesG75 Před 3 lety +37

    I was fascinated by these as a kid. Over 20 years later they've aged incredibly well in my view

    • @jayswarrow1196
      @jayswarrow1196 Před 3 lety +4

      Like that mom next door, who still cooks amazing and knows, how to wear a 21st century stuff, to look idealy-lined between hot and settle.
      ...yet, she wouldn't ask much, even tho she needs abit of care.

    • @bozorxonhasanov1542
      @bozorxonhasanov1542 Před 2 lety

      Bu moshinaga qarab minib yursa! Yuraveradi metali juda qalin hozirgi moshinalar 5 yilda qarib qolyabdi bu qarimaydi

    • @dannnsss8034
      @dannnsss8034 Před 2 lety +1

      Me too! I went to a Daewoo showroom in New Zealand when I was 5 with my parents, and it left an impression. I wanted it!

  • @fairbourne
    @fairbourne Před 3 lety +52

    Much better equipped than my MK2 Cavalier, still looks nice even today. Never considered one of these (when secondhand) due to snooty car magazine reviews. I think I missed out.

    • @rimmersbryggeri
      @rimmersbryggeri Před 3 lety +8

      You mean the same magazines that would ahve praised the Passat for exactly the same features that were all better on this car?

    • @jayswarrow1196
      @jayswarrow1196 Před 3 lety

      @@rimmersbryggeri You can't blame the magazines for praising the VAG, since it had a reputation in sleazy marketing since Hilter march ;)
      ...altho, they *were* lowdown, cheeky baaste'e'ds!

    • @gunnarkvinlaug7226
      @gunnarkvinlaug7226 Před 3 lety +1

      Remindes me more of a Mrk III Cavalier or Opel Vectra A wich is from the same timeperiode!

  • @Shinyodd
    @Shinyodd Před 3 lety +91

    Love the Espero! :)

    • @nikonordman7624
      @nikonordman7624 Před 3 lety +3

      I wouldnt expect you here :)

    • @danieleregoli812
      @danieleregoli812 Před 3 lety +2

      @@nikonordman7624 why?

    • @Ciaran3681
      @Ciaran3681 Před 3 lety +4

      Hey shinyodd! I bought a espero as my first car! almost 60k miles on it and it brings a smile to my face everytime i drive it! :)

    • @dew62169
      @dew62169 Před 3 lety +2

      @@Ciaran3681 good luck

    • @dew62169
      @dew62169 Před 3 lety +2

      @@Ciaran3681 you'll need it

  • @jo05dk
    @jo05dk Před 3 lety +23

    It seems like such a decent car, for very little money when new. It absolutely blows my mind that anyone would consider scrapping this lovely car.

  • @jonathanfrankel6787
    @jonathanfrankel6787 Před 3 lety +30

    Used to have them on the rental fleet where I worked back in the mid 90’s. We used to fight for the keys on a hot day because they were the only ones with AC as standard .

    • @sp19822
      @sp19822 Před 3 lety

      I know someone here in Australia who bought one of these new as a one off for their fleet in 1996, the clincher that got the deal over the line was the standard CD player and aircon, as well as the Holden engine, it was on fleet for about 4 years(replaced with a Magna) and was quite oddball, compared to the Commodore, Falcon,Magna and Camry stablemates. It was OK for reliability but needed silly little repairs. They bought a Nubira in 1998, but it did not last long and was traded on another Magna.

  • @Ty4ons
    @Ty4ons Před 3 lety +28

    The 16V 1.5 1997 model hauled our family for years. My parents struggled to make the ends meet in the 90s and needed something cheap and reliable. Sadly the engine was too small for our long trips and struggled up mountain passes. I always loved the styling, it didn’t look like a cheap car from the outside.
    I sadly never got to drive it myself since it was crashed before I got my license, nobody was hurt thankfully.
    Some of my earliest memories are of the test drive on a very grey day when it was compared to a much more basic used Corolla.
    Edit: We used that ski hatch a lot being Norwegians haha

    • @KaterChris
      @KaterChris Před 2 lety +1

      My dad bought the 1.5 in 1997 too after his used W123 Merc 230 Estate literally fell apart on a busy intersection...after dad retired 5 years later, it basically was my first car for about 10 years...sadly it had no A/C but a leaky sunroof installed by the dealer we bought it from...haha! The huge space always came good when hauling stuff around, as long as there were no hilly sections on the motorway 😃. Had to sell it for 150 Euros in 2010 to a backstreet dealer as the vehicle inspection failure brought out too many faults which were too costly to fix...but I was mourning 😞

  • @tiagodeniz1422
    @tiagodeniz1422 Před 3 lety +30

    Always remember these being the big prize on family fortunes in the 90s 😂

    • @thepowerman1000
      @thepowerman1000 Před 3 lety

      Celebrity Squares too I think 😀

    • @bentullett6068
      @bentullett6068 Před 3 lety

      Those old game shows can be found on TV channel Challenge. Usually the car prize was either a Daewoo, Suzuki Vitara or a Kia of some type.

    • @darwenrover8910
      @darwenrover8910 Před 10 měsíci

      Providing you got all the top answers

  • @tomoreilly9932
    @tomoreilly9932 Před 3 lety +12

    Please bring back velour seats.they're like a hug from your granny :-)

  • @Ciaran3681
    @Ciaran3681 Před 3 lety +2

    I bought a espero as my first car. Brings a smile to my face everytime i drive it!

  • @timthatcher6131
    @timthatcher6131 Před 3 lety +26

    My Grandfather had one of these brand new, after 2 years there was quite noticeable rust in the roof and A and B pillars, To be fair to Deawoo they took the car back and replaced it with a brand new Laganza

  • @gtafan9584
    @gtafan9584 Před 3 lety +20

    As Mr Ian has stated in the video, Daewoo has expanded to countries such as Poland and Romania. Well, speaking of Romania, Daewoo was present in the country between 1994 and 2007. Daewoo Romania has made many Daewoo models such as the Cielo/Nexia, Tico, Matiz, Espero also, Nubira, Leganza and Tacuma, which were sold mostly in Romania itself and neighbouring countries. The cars were produced in the city of Craiova, after Daewoo bought the old Oltcit factory in 1994. With that I can say that all the Daewoo cars made in Romania can be considered as the Oltcit's spiritual succesors. The factory was eventually bought in 2008 by Ford Romania which has been producing cars there ever since, cars including the new Ford Puma.

  • @p24hrsmith
    @p24hrsmith Před 3 lety +8

    I was working at a car supermarket when these were in their hay day and despite the "What a Daewoo cheap and nasty" syndrome the supermarket sold a lot of them. The thing they most importantly for me as a mechanic shared with the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 was they were sooo easy to work on

  • @frglee
    @frglee Před 3 lety +43

    I remember having at look at one of these in a Daewoo showroom in the 90s, with refreshingly relaxed sales assistants, whose 'pressure selling' involved nothing more than " Welcome. Do have a look at the cars and if there's anything you'd like to know, just ask."
    A nicely done review of the Espero - that'll be the Hubnut.

    • @L5GUK
      @L5GUK Před 3 lety +5

      I guess that comes from a person who is paid simply on a salary and not pressured for commision!

    • @660einzylinder
      @660einzylinder Před 3 lety +4

      A couple of years ago we asked a machinery rep to quote us for a new piece of Dutch agricultural equipment. When we asked "why should we buy one of your machines?" he looked at us across the table, said "because they are the best", and sat back in his chair! Sales pitch done.

    • @accacc4816
      @accacc4816 Před 2 lety

      @@660einzylinder o

    • @dannnsss8034
      @dannnsss8034 Před 2 lety

      I saw this when I was about 5 with my parents at the dealership. We didn't buy it but I wanted it!

  • @Bwlvych1
    @Bwlvych1 Před 3 lety +15

    CD Autochanger was optional when I got mine. In fact when I went to collect the car (from Leicester) they had forgotten to fit it and claimed the car has failed its PDI and I'd need to come back a week later to collect it (they quickly whipped it round to the local Halfords to get one fitted). I recall gettign a call from Daewoo customer services on the way home asking how I was ejoying my new Espero, they were not impressed when I told them I was still in my old car! :)

  • @oliverstemp9132
    @oliverstemp9132 Před 3 lety +9

    I never knew about the Citroen link, but I can see a lot of Xantia and XM now.

  • @owenjwilson5202
    @owenjwilson5202 Před 3 lety +2

    What a marvellous example…So glad it was spared a visit to the crusher!

  • @brianiswrong
    @brianiswrong Před 3 lety +10

    Nice to see Howard from last of the summer wine make a guest appearance at 1:10 😀

  • @mattw8332
    @mattw8332 Před 3 lety +8

    Absolutely perfect! Despite the age of the design it's still an attractive looking car - I guess that was Bertone working their magic. So pleased this example was given a last minute reprieve. 😃

  • @DaraM73
    @DaraM73 Před 3 lety +6

    Your love of the humble is quite refreshing. Cheers pal.

  • @davebassman5339
    @davebassman5339 Před 3 lety +2

    I absolutely love that interior. Velour, the simple dash design without all the horrendous modern over-styling....... Lovely!

  • @EdsPlasticCars
    @EdsPlasticCars Před 3 lety +17

    That's a funny looking Fairmont, I'm sure that's what I was watching a minute ago :)

  • @dcanmore
    @dcanmore Před 3 lety +12

    probably the first time that ski bag has been unfurled.

  • @wirdy1
    @wirdy1 Před 3 lety +2

    Never thought I'd like a daewoo, but having owned & loved 3 xantia's & 4 XM's, I can now see the styling influences.

  • @darrensmith6999
    @darrensmith6999 Před 3 lety +4

    Very impressive car actually! I have the feeling that at the time Daewoo first came to Britain with there way of selling was not liked by other motor manufacturer's. I had a friend and her husband traded in his 1.6 Montego for one of tease and was extremely happy with it back in the day.

  • @petergouldbourn2312
    @petergouldbourn2312 Před 3 lety +2

    You are a man after my own heart Ian. I love to listen to you talking all things motoring. Your values are very similar to mine also. Keep up the good work. Pete Birmingham 🇬🇧

  • @mpersad
    @mpersad Před 3 lety +8

    I can remember going into a Daewoo accredited Halfords and using a computer terminal to spec an Espero and then printing off an "offer and reference" which, if I had wanted to, I could have used to ask for a build by Daewoo! Way, way ahead of the time. Great video.

  • @TheVintageApplianceEmporium

    What a wonderful old thing! So glad it got saved

  • @rekord1969
    @rekord1969 Před 3 lety +2

    Always liked the look of these and had forgotten all about them… must be very few left.

  • @bttfsof
    @bttfsof Před 3 lety +3

    one very key way of seeing it's indeed a design proposal for the xantia, is seeing the panels "cut", see how the rear bumper, doors and front bumper are cut in the exact same way as the final design on the xantia.

  • @idiotbiker6828
    @idiotbiker6828 Před 3 lety +14

    Was just going to watch part 2 of the fairmont import but at least another vid to watch 👍

    • @graemew7001
      @graemew7001 Před 3 lety +3

      I was lucky as I watched that first as it's now classed as a private video 🤷‍♂️......maybe it was a HubNut oops moment, I'll not spoil it for you though 👍

  • @Mrcento
    @Mrcento Před 3 lety +4

    I remember there were a couple of Espero taxis near me when i was a kid. Rode in one of them and back then, the standout thing was how soft the ride was.

  • @uksteves
    @uksteves Před 3 lety +1

    This channel often makes me feel old. I remember when these were brand new, a friend having one on an extended test drive over a weekend. At the time, I couldn't see past it being a quirky looking Vauxhall Cavalier. But actually, 26 years later, I think the design has aged very well. This one being super clean, and in white, no doubt helps.

  • @cresto9325
    @cresto9325 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you so much for road testing this masterpiece! I've always wanted you to road test this. One of my all time favourite cars :)

  • @shakedown1979
    @shakedown1979 Před 3 lety +3

    I remember going with me dad to a Daewoo showroom as a young-ish teenager somewhere in Kent and sitting in an Espero and loving it. For its time... Was definitely ahead of its time in the tech front. Fantastic example that, great vis as always. I'm forever scouring eBay for one - do they ever come up... I've not seen one, apart from perhap scrappers.

  • @patrickyorke7339
    @patrickyorke7339 Před 3 lety +1

    Fantastic looking car and such a great condition. I retired from the UK to Southern Italy and down here they don't throw much away. It's great to see 30 plus year old Astras and Novas, badged as Opel, first generation Pandas. Second hand cars here are seriously more expensive than they are in the UK which may be the reason for not throwing them into the scrap heap. Great video, thanks.

  • @m__r1100
    @m__r1100 Před 3 lety +2

    I had one as a loan car after an accident, a new demonstrator in green.
    It felt brilliant to drive then, particularly when the garage swapped the Espero for a golden Proton in GL flavour. Mmmmm.
    Amen to the return of our Polo mk2 estate...

  • @simoncoulson983
    @simoncoulson983 Před 3 lety +3

    Made great minicabs back the the mid 90s, decent price plus the free servicing package a no brainer, reliable as well! A shame they've all but disappeared, saw one recently in Grantham and that was a good one,

    • @bentullett6068
      @bentullett6068 Před 3 lety

      Toyota Carina's also used to be everywhere as minicab's now they are a really rare sight now. Today's minicab's are either people carriers or Toyota Prius's, Peugeot estate cars or the odd Audi or Lexus as luxury travel taxis

  • @TheStwat
    @TheStwat Před 3 lety +1

    They've aged really well. That sound takes me back to my MK2 Cav Gli. :)

  • @the.internet
    @the.internet Před 3 lety +7

    Family Fortunes, anyone? Great review Ian. Never knew a whole lot about Daewoo until a couple of years back when I went to Poland and happened to learn about the factory out in Warsaw. Tonnes of odd looking Daewoo-badged stuff on the roads.
    Hats off to the neighbours of the gentleman who passed away for keeping his pride and joy going.

  • @volvo480
    @volvo480 Před 3 lety +4

    The fun with old, low mileage cars is that you can actually experience them how they were when new, because they are. I've owned a Volkswagen Golf II with 22,600 miles which was 16 years old when I bought it from the 88 year old first owner, and since then I know how those Volkswagens drive when new. Two years later I sold the car to a friend for 500 € and from that moment I've driven (very briefly) Citroën, Peugeot/Talbot and Renault for many years, because I wanted cars that were comfortable and refined...

    • @660einzylinder
      @660einzylinder Před 3 lety +2

      In 1995, I bought a 1977 HC Viva advertised as having covered 32,000 miles for £300. It was a typo, it had covered 23,000! I couldn't get my wallet open fast enough

  • @alpcns
    @alpcns Před 3 lety +2

    You're absolutely correct: that's a beautiful, elegant car. Always liked the glorious rear design and lights.

  • @markdyas7321
    @markdyas7321 Před 3 lety +1

    That has to be kept like that what a lovely old car I remember them back in the day always thought they were crap now this is a fantastic piece of motoring history

  • @scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain

    Every day is a school day I too never knew the Citroen link, now I cannot unsee it. Excellent review as always Sir.

  • @FISHINGMINTY
    @FISHINGMINTY Před 3 lety +4

    The accounts guy at one of my customers had a burgundy one of these in 1999. It must have made financial sense if an accounts guy had one. He smoked like a chimney though so that one probably smelled like a working men’s club. I loved the smooth nose front end and single bar heckblende rear styling.

  • @simonc858
    @simonc858 Před 3 lety +3

    Seems a good car, fabulous rescue story. I had a P reg Escort, it had power steering and central locking but not much else, I certainly remember the keep fit windows in it!

  • @JohnnyPaton
    @JohnnyPaton Před 3 lety +1

    My mate worked for Daewoo/Halfords as a mechanic from the launch until about 2000 when he jumped ship to Peugeot. They gave all the staff the opportunity to get brand new Daewoo on lease I think so they could promote the brand. He took a gold Nexia and he quite liked it.

  • @histriamagna1014
    @histriamagna1014 Před 3 lety +1

    I remember a gentleman who was working as a salesman back in the nineties having one of these. It was an automatic and he put 300.000km in few years with no issues.

  • @digitalclock
    @digitalclock Před rokem +1

    I love the fact they actually added me to the car.

  • @frothe42
    @frothe42 Před 3 lety +6

    Too bad Daewoo did not import this to the US, I think it might have done very well!
    The steering wheel is definitely Daewoo, the rest, well, I like very much!
    Even Daewoo vehicles here are extremely rare as they were disposable, especially when Daewoo went bankrupt in a very dramatic fashion!
    And the exterior styling I really love, right down to the bootlid lock. Certain American vehicles had the lock hidden like this Daewoo, most of them were more expensive cars like Buick, Lincoln, Cadillac. This gives this Daewoo a but of exclusivity!

  • @willswheels283
    @willswheels283 Před 3 lety +2

    Not seen an Espero in years, I never realised how much GM there was under the bonnet!
    I shouldn’t be all that suprised really since the Nexia was basically a mk2 Vauxhall Astra under the skin.
    Strange they never used Corsa or Nova mechanicals for the Matiz, those were different.
    Great review Mr Seabrook!👍

  • @torresalex
    @torresalex Před 3 lety +4

    I haven't watched all the video yet but I had to stop and comment. It's a perfect Hubnut car, with odd but attractive looks and way too underappreciated because it isn't from a fancy brand. Great choice!

  • @heitorbernardes7977
    @heitorbernardes7977 Před 3 lety +5

    I woke up today thinking about buying one... I guess that i'll have to now 😅

  • @jichoi3962
    @jichoi3962 Před 2 lety

    Nice review! Our family owned 92MY Espero 25 years ago and it was absolutely marvellous car. Enjoyed your video!

  • @JS-1983
    @JS-1983 Před 3 lety +1

    Love the look of that car, especially rear-end with all of those windows and taillights 😎
    We didn't get those in Finland, if i remember correct they started to sell Daewoos when there was Matiz, Kalos, Tacuma, Nubira, Lacetti and Evanda-models.

  • @niklaswejedal463
    @niklaswejedal463 Před 3 lety +3

    Back when these were new, I thought they were the coolest - then I did not know about the Citroën connection, but I loved the Citroën look of the design. I think I have seen one or two here in Sweden - sadly, they were never common here. Great video!

  • @mfbfreak
    @mfbfreak Před 3 lety +2

    5:30 i still have that car radio in storage for if i ever buy a car again. It's a great souding unit, and very sensitive on medium and long wave.
    The cassette mechanism also always worked flawlessly.

  • @MaximilianvonPinneberg
    @MaximilianvonPinneberg Před 3 lety +2

    thanks for explaining about the styling. these always looked like a XM'd Xantia saloon.

  • @jamief1799
    @jamief1799 Před 3 lety +1

    Thats what i love about hut nut straight to the point proper reviews i never heard of one of these until now its pure automotive history and what a lovely example hats off to the folks that saved it and kept it in such good condition 😊👌

  • @adamlawson8752
    @adamlawson8752 Před 3 lety +1

    this is peak hubnut, excellent

  • @matthewgodwin3050
    @matthewgodwin3050 Před 3 lety +1

    Funny what time can do. When these were new, they were considered boring and uninspiring by many, and the User Choosers simply overlooked them in favour of a Mondeo or Vectra. 25 plus years later, and the Espero now looks stylish and interesting, especially in white. I must admit, I'd rather like one.

  • @davidhinkson8856
    @davidhinkson8856 Před 3 lety +1

    Don't know the last day I saw one of these cars up and running! They all disappeared from our local roads about 10-15 years ago. White was probably the best color on them and it's amazing to see one in such good condition.

  • @neilwilliams2907
    @neilwilliams2907 Před 3 lety +4

    9:47 - I had exactly the same ski hatch in my P reg Deawoo Nexia 1.5 saloon. I used it to transport some long bits of wood a few times from the DIY shops. Handy for that too.

    • @ajfurrell3744
      @ajfurrell3744 Před 3 lety +1

      I had one on my Peugeot 405STi too, used it for the same thing, the look on people's faces when you opened the boot of a saloon car and fed in a 2M length of wood! haha

    • @srichgtr
      @srichgtr Před 3 lety

      My old Audi has the same ski hatch design as well! Never seen it on another car before owning that either.

    • @MrPaukann
      @MrPaukann Před 3 lety

      @@srichgtr, are you British, like the author of the video? Is skiing (cross country or downhill) popular in Britain? I have a feeling it's something new to him, because they are not offered as original accessories, because skiing isn't popular.

    • @neilwilliams2907
      @neilwilliams2907 Před 3 lety

      @@MrPaukann Yeah British...to be precise we are both Welsh. No there isn't much call for cross country skiing in South Wales. It was not a feature I was looking for when I bought the car. I almost cut it out a few times!

  • @bombakdik
    @bombakdik Před 3 lety +2

    From the angle in the beginning watching the car, it makes me think of a Ford Sierra. Especially the doorlines starting from the A pillar all up to the C pillar.
    I remember that the car always intrigued me as a kid. I was well aware of the fact that it was always quite a rare sight on the public road and that made me think that it was for the upper class and the rather rich executives. Also wondering as a kid how the interior was.
    Nice review and cheers from windy and slightly sunny Belgium. Summer hasn't treated us yet here...

  • @MattBradshaw
    @MattBradshaw Před rokem

    Excellent review, Ian.
    I mean, I never expect anything less, AND I’m never disappointed. But you had such a genuinely happy retro experience with the Daewoo, it was a really fun watch. As always, thank you.

  • @MrMecabih
    @MrMecabih Před rokem

    My Parents had one. in 1995 they bought it brand new in green. I remember as a kid we traveled Europe in it. It was quite an attraction for locals literally everywhere we went to. I remember once in Denmark a group of people gathered around it at the car park. My dad was petrified that something happened to it, burned down or someone smashed windows or whatever. It turned out they were just very curious, started doing a photos etc. In Holland, everywhere we went people always started chatting to my dad about the car. It was a car i learned how to drive. My dad sold it to our neighbour, a Polish guy, in 2009, as he was in love in Esperos in general (they were quite popular in Poland). He took it there. Believe me or not this guy still owns it and he says it might actually be the only one Right Hand Drive example in Poland and its still, a real attraction. Great memories! Long life Espero!

  • @urbanrider403
    @urbanrider403 Před 3 lety

    Very comprehensive review Ian,think that’s one of your best.Lovely car.

  • @Brimstoneandfire
    @Brimstoneandfire Před 9 měsíci

    I’d love to own one of these. I was 16 when these hit the UK market and always loved our Mk2 cavalier as a child. Here was a beautiful 😍 design. So clean cut and I always loved the way the tail lights illuminated. I’d love to drive one!❤

  • @kieranwhite6647
    @kieranwhite6647 Před 3 lety +1

    Always liked the look of these, I can remember that these always used to be the prize on Family Fortunes back in the 90s!

  • @nu_foz
    @nu_foz Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you very much for pointing out the Citroen design cues, Ian 👍🏻👍🏻 Never realised before, but now that you've mentioned it....the Espero's 6-light greenhouse comes across like a shrunken XM greenhouse (minus front quarter glass) stuck onto a 3-box saloon. Even the Espero rear lights with full-width reflector strip looks a bit XM-esque (but upside down) 😄

  • @neilpye6089
    @neilpye6089 Před 3 lety +3

    2 vids in one day! 😊 Did enjoy the Betty vid and thought the last shot when you talked about Betty in Wales was great

  • @RichieRouge206
    @RichieRouge206 Před 3 lety +1

    It’s definitely got a Citroen Xantia vibe about it! It’s aged very well indeed! Love the twin indicators at the back especially. Great review Ian

  • @tristanpage6805
    @tristanpage6805 Před 3 lety +1

    Wiper action will always be welcome. Would like to see more. Don’t sensor for the haters. Wiper action rules!

  • @Kai-Peter.Schellhase
    @Kai-Peter.Schellhase Před 3 lety +1

    I remember the Espero and the Nexia from my youth. Great review, Ian!👍

  • @connelp72
    @connelp72 Před 3 lety

    I remember these being a bit of a joke when they came out, but it has aged surprisingly well and I very much like the look of it now. Like Ian says, the equipment level for that era of car is astounding. I very much enjoyed that review, nice one Ian.

  • @southofthemersey2019
    @southofthemersey2019 Před 3 lety +3

    Even though there’s the GM/Daewoo Ford/Hyundai link up of the time I think the front end of this looks like a Mark 2 Sierra to me!

  • @aslandama
    @aslandama Před 3 lety +1

    Another clever car I didn't know existed till your review, cheers!

  • @whitemoor66
    @whitemoor66 Před 3 lety

    This is lovely. Always liked the styling and I love the looks of the Xantia, so now I know why I liked this so much! I seriously considered buying one new, as back then I was doing a daily 160 mile round trip commute, and the warranty and servicing package was really good. The fact that the mechanical bits were known Vauxhall items added to the appeal. In the end I bought a used Cavalier 1.8LS MK3 which is still one of the best cars I have ever owned for reliability, comfort, economy and fitness for purpose.

  • @daniellee9015
    @daniellee9015 Před 3 lety +2

    Beautiful car I had A cdx In the day wish I still had it Brilliant video Ian 👍

  • @paulie-Gualtieri.
    @paulie-Gualtieri. Před 3 lety +2

    Found these to be very interesting at the time, does suit you Ian.

  • @ebutuoyYT
    @ebutuoyYT Před 3 lety +3

    After uni, I brought a 6 year old Daewoo Leganza, I don't remember exactly what I paid, but depreciation must have been brutal for the 1st owner, as I don't remember paying over 2 grand, not bad for a 2 litre CDX, it was far more comfortable / faster than the typical main brand supermini, young people are encouraged to buy.

  • @ciaranburke3243
    @ciaranburke3243 Před 3 lety

    Great review hubnut, im glad it wasn't scrapped its a really nice car 😀

  • @tedburnard841
    @tedburnard841 Před 3 lety +1

    Spot on Ian! Family 2 engines, made in Australia. Powered our Holden Camira as well as Vauxhall and Opels, later also Daewoos. Probably Holden’s biggest export.

  • @edanalytics9336
    @edanalytics9336 Před 3 lety

    Always loved these so much!

  • @jaggass
    @jaggass Před 3 lety +1

    I remember when you could win an Espero on Family Fortunes later a Nubria. I once got a lift home in a Nexia in the mid 2000's and was pretty quick. The styling and interior was very much like a mk2 Astra. That's a car worth reviewing if you can find one.

  • @V8Bluebottle
    @V8Bluebottle Před 3 lety +1

    "Always accompanied by four beeps" *car beeps five times*

  • @alansimpson835
    @alansimpson835 Před 3 lety +1

    Another car which I don't feel like I properly appreciated when it was on sale. I knew about the Mk2 Cavalier links but not the French connections. Most interesting. What a lovely example and I love the ski cover. I find mine drip all over the place.
    Perhaps the most extensive rear indicators ive ever seen too

  • @southerndiy1
    @southerndiy1 Před 3 lety +2

    I remember when these were sold new over here, and thinking how stylish it looked for a Korean car (at a time when Hyundai were putting out some pretty agricultural machines). Never knew about the Bertone and Citroen connection but it explains a lot 👍

  • @grootzijl
    @grootzijl Před 3 lety +1

    Very nice design which has aged very well. The windows remind me more of a Citroen XM than a Xantia personally. A shame that you don't see these on the road anymore

  • @ajfurrell3744
    @ajfurrell3744 Před 3 lety +2

    There's one of these parked in a garden on my morning commute, would love to get my hands on it! Been there years!

  • @Mladjasmilic
    @Mladjasmilic Před 2 lety

    I bought 2000 Daewoo Lanos when it was 16 years old. It was a garage queen. So nice to drive, minimal issues, no mechanical issues. I drove it 80.000km in 4 years. Been to Russia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Autobahn (there is nothing else). I even went to FSO factory where it was made.
    Then it was T-boned 200m from my home by another Korean Car - Ssangyong Rexton. Suv on snow on bald summer tires who run stop sign with driver having 4 year old in his lap.

  • @adamlee3772
    @adamlee3772 Před rokem

    Great. Idea, thanks for sharing. Lovely car too. Mid 90’s, all mid range cars like the Cavalier MK3 and Mondeo definitely had PAS by then. The Daewoo, whilst I wouldn’t have bought one back then, was certainly exceptional value. And I now appreciate that car was saved.

  • @jonathanbignall1198
    @jonathanbignall1198 Před 3 lety +1

    I seriously considered buying one of these back in the day, but ended up with a mk1 Mondeo instead. I always liked the look of these, nice to see this one was rescued! 😊

  • @mihrdat
    @mihrdat Před 2 lety

    My uncle had one in the same colour. Nice car for it’s time and thank you for the thorough review, I like your attention to detail

    • @20promo
      @20promo Před 2 lety

      IMHO, the Daewoo Espero's design is better than Citroën Xantia one's. Too bad they didn't make a wagon version like Xantia Break

  • @gerardbooth40
    @gerardbooth40 Před 3 lety +1

    You do this type of review better than anyone else on CZcams. Can’t believe I’m now feeling warm emotions towards the Daewoo Espero . Wasn’t even slightly interested in them back in the day.

  • @garyhardman8369
    @garyhardman8369 Před 3 lety +1

    I owned one of these about 15 yrs ago. I seem to remember paying my Father-in-Law £350 for it. It was a 1.8L automatic, so not a 'road burner'.
    I drove it for maybe two years, the the head gasket started to leak, so I ordered a new one (plus new head bolts, as they were one use 'stretch' types).
    Head gasket replaced, I drove it for a few more months, until one of the fuel lines corroded through. On asking for a replacement fuel line from my local Vauxhall dealer, I was told that they were not available, so I spliced-in a section of flexible line. It was at that point that I chopped it in for another car, receiving slightly more than I had paid for it.
    Overall, I concur with your assessment; I was a comfortable, well equipped car, which did not really deserve the dealer nickname of Daewoo Despairer.