Chevrolet Kalos -- bad?

jase1

I am currently looking around for a cheap little runaround for a relative, and have found a 2008 Chevrolet Kalos with low mileage, for under 2 grand.

I've had Daewoos before and I know their vices and virtues (poor handling, tinny feel but usually solid mechanicals), but has anyone any recent experience with this model specifically?

I know the engine is belt-cam (presumably an old Ecotec 16v). Do these still have the problems with the cambelt tensioners?

Are there any specific weak spots? I'm not too bothered about the driving dynamics on this car -- just whether it's generally solid enough to take being driven carefully for about 6000 miles/year for maybe the next 6 or 7 years.

Mr_Mink

Not sure how much help this is but Honest John doesn't have a lot of bad reports on the car:

honestjohn .co.uk/carbycar/chevrolet/kalos-2005/?section=bad (sorry, I'm a newbie so not allowed to post a full link)

Though this could be due to not many people owning the vehicle.

The MOT results on the summary page provide a bit of insight. It's a bit below average but not a lot and the bulk of the failures are lighting related so it sounds like a reasonably sturdy car.

Just be sure to check for any recalls on the car and that they have been done. This can be checked here:

vosa .gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/ (and again)

Also, if safety is a concern, the 2* crash test scores might warranty further inspection.

ballyblack

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/chevrolet/kalos-2005/?section=bad

fivetide

I've seen some with horrific rust around the front arches so i'd make sure it was solid if i were you.

jase1

Hmmm. Rust would be a problem given this is a potential long-term keeper -- at what age was the "horrific rust" present?

fivetide

it was an 06 car I believe.

Basically the outlaws had one but got shot for a Berlingo, needed more space.

It pulled up next to me in a car park and when I say rusty I mean proper holes in the arches rusty on both sides. Now it might have had a very hard life of been smashed/repaired but even given the age I was amazed by just how bad it was. I'd be surprised if it passed another MOt like that.

Hardly a representitive sample but certainly worth looking for if you are considering holding on to the car is all.

Beachview_2

Wouldn't touch a chevrolet with a bargepole. Absolute heap of dirt. Family member had a chevrolet Matiz which was bought new, they didn't even keep it a year it was so bad. Electrical faults, problems with the starter, too much stuff to list here. OP, do yourself a favour and buy anything other than a chevrolet. And as another poster mentioned, the extremely poor ncap rating should be enough to scare you off never mind anything else.

jase1

Fair enough -- it's out.

This isn't the first time I've been told that the newer Daewoos are shockers, so I'll go back to my earlier thought of finding them something a little older, and Japanese/German.

interstellaflyer

Contrary to what beachview says, We bought a new Matiz for my late father back in 2009, sold it last year, I used it more than he did as he had to give up driving, the car was fine for the price, did what it said on the tin, in 3 years we never had any problems, just a cheap, basic car.

fivetide

If it helps, my friend has a Hyundai Getz that has been horribly abused and apart from wear and tear, never given an issue.

As above, cheap car, does and behaves exactly as you'd expect.

jase1

Yes, I've always been a fan of the little Getz, they're canny little cars.

I was hoping that the Kalos provided more of the same really. It's disappointing regarding their potential unreliability (and I'm sure this won't be universally true, but I am suitably put off the idea now).

Problem with the Getz is that over the last few years, as Hyundai have moved mainstream, their older cars have been de-stigmatised and as a result don't seem all that cheap any more. But if I could find a good one, I'd have it.