1999 Daewoo Lanos Review
1999 Daewoo Lanos Review
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Used Lanos for sale
Appraise This CarDaewoo Lanos types
- Hatchback
- Sedan
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Pros
- When you're desperate for a car, the cheaper the better.
Cons
- A slightly used Acura Integra is an even better buy.
What’s new
This entry into the subcompact class is Daewoo's attack on the Honda Civic.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Daewoo Lanos SE 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$153/mo for Lanos SE
Lanos SE
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Daewoo, Korean for "Great Universe," has decided to take the U.S. market by storm with the Lanos. Trouble is, the U.S. market is already flooded with underpowered subcompact cars. Nevertheless, Daewoo is diving in, aiming sales squarely at loan-saddled college students. Interestingly, if you rearrange "Lanos" you get "Loans."
Available as a three-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, the Lanos is about the size of a Hyundai Accent. Because the Lanos is a small subcompact, anyone over six feet tall should not bother trying find a comfortable seating position. But the price matches the car's size.
The Lanos is available in three trim levels: S, SE and SX. Each comes with a 1.6-liter DOHC 16 valve engine that makes 105 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 107 foot-pounds of torque at 3400 rpm. A five-speed manual transmission is also standard, but buyers may choose a four-speed automatic, an $800 option.
While the S model is the base car, you have to go to the mid-level SE in order to purchase the optional ABS. SX trim buyers get a CD player, air conditioning, alloy wheels, fog lights and a tilt steering column. A moonroof is optional only on the SX.
Prices for this entry-level car range from about $9,000 for the bare bones model to just over $13,000 for a decently equipped SX. But with Daewoo's factory stores, modeled after Saturn's no-haggle price system, we have to wonder what the incentive is to drive away in an unproven Korean car of questionable reliability, when the Honda dealer down the street offers tried-and-true Civics and used Acura Integras for a similar price. And while you're at it, don't forget to shop the Dodge Neons, Saturn coupes and sedans, Nissan Sentras, Ford Escorts, Mercury Tracers, Mazda Proteges and Volkswagen Golfs. This segment is loaded with value.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Daewoo Lanos.
5 star(40%)
4 star(46%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(6%)
1 star(8%)
15 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
It's really not bad!
experienceduser, 07/07/2003
1999 Daewoo Lanos S 2dr Hatchback
I'd heard a lot of talking low about
korean cars. But my daewoo lanos 99
surprised me. I bought it a pre-owned 3
years ago and have driven it over 36k.
It never had a reliablity and quality
problem. I recently drove it many times
of long distance. It runs very smooth
and accelates fast (imagine it's a 95hp
small car!). It's actually fun driving
it.
1.13 out of 5 stars
Horrible Car
MellyXCore, 01/01/2007
1999 Daewoo Lanos SX 2dr Hatchback
I would not recommend buying this car at all. It lasted 1 year. It's had a ton of maintenance problems. Many of the problems seem to be electrical. So far we've had to fix the transmission, replace the battery, and the car dies as soon as I put gas in it. The parts for the car are also cheap so everything will be falling apart within the first 3-5 months as I noticed. The windows get … stuck when you try to roll them up. The sun roof doesn't work. It's very hard to keep clean. I thought this would be a first good car. I would definitely not recommend buying this or any Korean car.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Don't be afraid
lovethelanos, 03/06/2002
1999 Daewoo Lanos SX 4dr Sedan
I wasn't sure if I should gamble on a Daewoo, but after over 50,000 miles, I am still delighted. I have found my Lanos sedan to be extremely reliable and fun to drive. For the price paid, I don't know how I could have gone wrong. After driving small domestic cars for years (like the Ford Escort), I forgot what is was like to NOT be on a first name basis with the dealer's service … department. I haven't had one reliability problem or complaint with my car.
4.25 out of 5 stars
The Good and the Bad
birdgs, 08/05/2003
1999 Daewoo Lanos S 2dr Hatchback
I love driving my little sport's car.
I've put over 49,000 miles on it and
don't worry about the transmission or
engine. The car is very responsive.
Since owning the car, I've had the
battery replaced, and my air
conditioning compressor has broke. It
has been real hard find a salvage A/C
compressor since I can't find brand new
parts. Also, on windy days, the …
outside mirrors make terrible
howling/whistling noises. Finally, I
have a terrible rattle in the dash. It
makes a lot of noise on all but the
smoothest roads.
1999 Lanos Highlights
Hatchback
SX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $153/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 8.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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