Nah, timing belt is easy to get if u know the right source.....ori ones cost RM500 with the bearings and etc....

My Optra5 has been running for a year without problem and im quite happy with it. I need a 2nd car with auto gearbox for city driving and it certainly fits the bill

On the high side....city driving gets you 8kms/litre....

1.6 models got common problem with the throttle body and thermostat....

The interior is freaking cool

Which owner did u heard from ...Im staying in Ipoh and no problem for 3 years already...Spare part is cheap if u know where to find and have the right guidance

Gearbox does not kong easily...so far most of the gearbox problem is due to the wiring harness, which can be easily solve by servicing it/replace with new one....Symptoms of a wiring harness problem is that the idling is not stable and sudden jerks when changing from neutral to drive....Also, most of those who bought this car during the sales did not replace the ATF fluid...once u service the wiring and change the fluid with recommended ATF, the ZF transmission (1.8 models only) is very reliable.

I agree with ericmaxman on the vibration part. The usual suspects for this are the hydromounts and absorbers....mounts are few hundreds a piece while the absobers can be replaced with OEM Hyunkia at RM2++ per pair. Can get HWL adjustables oso if u want.

These are the usual problems with the Optra. I wouldn't say this is a bad car coz I have owned a Hilux Vigo and MRS prior to this and still have a civic, accord and CRV at home. Compared to the Honda and Toyota brand, resale is of course poor due to Cergazam and Hicom poor handling of the brand. Prices are way2 overprice at their service centres due to charging of service labour hours. Most chevy owners would just take a trip across the border to replace major parts and have a nice holiday in hatyai.

If u want less problems, try sourcing a 1.8 model either Optra 1.8 LT or O5.....I'm driving an O5 and so far happy with the space and build. NVH is much lower than the jap cars but the FC and resale is definitely a turn off. My current FC is about 8km per litre for 50% highway and 50% town driving. On the highway it averages about 10-11km/l, average speed 120-140kmph

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Added on January 4, 2010, 5:20 pmNaza has taken over the Chevy dealership today....i would say good news since it would mean CKDed Captiva, Cruze & Zafira.....

Lets hope the price would be as competitive as the KIAs....

This post has been edited by jeremy0: Jan 4 2010, 05:20 PM

Can service your car and your body also there...very good!....Im going over to krabi service centre doing the CNY breaks, maybe can get some contacts if possible....

The wire harness to service is about RM180 in ipoh. I assume that you are in kl and so I think you can get better prices there. U can choose Shared Auto, Glenmarie/Volcar PJ/Exodus Sunway....This are the ex-service centres which are much2 better than cergazam themselves.

Replacement dunno how much bcoz most of the owners got this changed b4 the warranty expired. Hope this helps

This post has been edited by jeremy0: Feb 27 2010, 05:26 PM

If u mean authorize centres, it would still be the same ones under cergazam. In Ipoh, only Leeborn has the TECHII diagnostics as I know of.

In future, Chin Cars might take over since they are under Naza but nothing is concrete yet.

For myself, I only go to LB when the check engine is on. Drop me a pm if u want to know a reliable korean car service centre in bercham.

KL plenty of mechs for your optra so no need to worry

PJ Volcar....Jalan 222 / Exodus @ Sunway

Im driving 1.8 hatchback....T18SED Engine 120hp, 170nm torque, 4 speed zf auto gearbox, no autocruise.....

Both hatch and sedan comes with automatic aircond, sedan 1.8 lt comes with wooden trim, while 1.8 hatch has plastic trim and leather steering and shift knob

Both can either come with 15" Normal Rims or 16" Enkei Rims, Bodykit and Leather. Cd player can include eclipse, kenwood or clarion depending on your luck.

Hope this helps when you are buying an optra

Timing belt u can get for rm350 dayco brand from forumer airline. Comes with bearings and seals.....then u need to change v-belt as well....that one forgot how much....lastly, water pump is optional but recommended at 60k kms.....rm500 is cheap but please ask what items he change....if u bring ur parts in labour would be around rm150-200.

Sounds like ur RCV valve is kong already....same thing happened to mine....but my optra sold already last mth...

Most air-con shop ask to change compressor....but u must find someone to dismantle and change the valve....

Here, hope it helps

1) timing belt need to change - Makesure change fullset belt & bearings/vbelt/water pump...all will cost u around 1.2-1.5k at shared auto glenmarie
2) wiring - cost 1k+ (cos hold light blinking and car not moving)....hold light blinking - SPSS sensor (common problem)....about rm300-400 to replace

Recommended workshops in KL = PJ Volcar/Shared Auto glenmarie

volcar and exodus

OMG eric, sorry to see that accident....care to elaborate further of the mishap?