Good morning! We’re up to the letter D, which today stands for “derelict, until you do a minor repair.” We’re turning our attention to the Far East today, with one post-25-year-rule Japanese import and one failed South Korean venture. They both just need one little thing to get them going.
Yesterday, one of our cars needed one big thing to get it going – an entirely new and different engine – and I figured that would make it a hard sell. When its competitor is a nice clean good-running personal luxury coupe, there’s just no contest. Smiles, smiles everyone; the Chrysler Cordoba takes an easy win this time.
Except… when I showed the Checker Marathon to my wife, she was smitten. If it were up to me, I’d take the Cordoba in this situation, but somehow I don’t think it would be up to me. But maybe I could talk her into a different Marathon, one not afflicted with that spawn-of-Satan diesel engine.
Now then: You didn’t really think I was going to go with Dodge versus Datsun, did you? Please.
1992 Daihatsu Mira Si – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: Overhead cam inline 3 of unknown displacement, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Roslindale, MA
Odometer reading: 101,000 kilometers
Operational status: Runs great, but the clutch cable is broken
We talk a lot about importing cars from Japan around here, but there is an easier way to fulfill your right-hand-drive fantasies: Look for a car that’s already here. You might not get exactly what you’re looking for, but you’ll get something that’s already titled and in the system, which saves you some paperwork and hassle. Something like this little Daihatsu Mira hatchback, for example.
The Mira was sold in a bunch of different configurations. All models fit within the Japanese Kei regulations for overall size, but a larger and more powerful engine was offered in other markets. I don’t actually know whether this one is the Kei-spec or not, and the seller doesn’t say. Whatever size it is, it’s a fuel-injected inline 3 that runs well, but has a noisy exhaust. Sadly, the clutch cable recently broke, so this car isn’t going anywhere on its own. It sounds like a new cable is included, along with some other parts; the seller just hasn’t had a chance to replace it yet. If they do get around to fixing it, the price goes up. Do it yourself and save, I guess.
There is definitely a default late-80s/early-90s Japanese car interior feel, isn’t there? This car looks so much like so many other small economy cars that we’re used to, just with the dashboard reversed. It’s in really nice condition, though it could use some attention with a shop vac.
It’s clean outside as well, with just a few blemishes. The ad shows two different sets of wheels on it; these tri-spokes are what’s included. If you want the chrome disc wheels, the seller wants more for them. Personally, I like the tri-spokes better anyway.
2001 Daewoo Leganza SX – $1,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter overhead cam inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Harlan, KY
Odometer reading: 75,000 miles
Operational status: Needs a starter before we can find out
Korean automakers got off to a rocky start in America. Hyundai and Kia both built a lot of stinkers before gaining the reputations they have now. And Daewoo’s introduction to the US market was through the frankly embarrassing Pontiac LeMans, a badge-engineered Opel Kadett built (badly) in South Korea. Daewoo’s introduction as its own brand in the US in 1997 consisted of three models in three different sizes: the Lanos, the Nubira, and the Leganza.
The Leganza was meant to compete with the Accord and Camry, a task for which it was woefully inadequate. On paper it measured up: it had a 2.2-liter four-cylinder from GM’s Australian division Holden, and reasonably handsome styling by Giugiaro, but it was coarse and of poor quality compared to the Japanese models. We don’t know how well, or even whether, this one runs because it needs a new starter. The seller also says the valve cover gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced. Both the starter and the gasket are available from Rock Auto; I checked. You could put this car back on the road for $150 and a Saturday afternoon – assuming nothing else is wrong.
Surprisingly, even though it’s filthy, this one looks like a decent example. It only has 75,000 miles to its name, so in theory it should still have some life in it. The upholstery looks all right, but it looks like the dash top is delaminating or something. We don’t get many photos, so it’s hard to judge, but I think if you spent a little time cleaning it up, it might actually look like something resembling a car interior.
It’s surprisingly clean outside, except for that little blemish on the rear bumper. This is probably one of the nicest Daewoo Leganzas left, for whatever that’s worth. It even has all four of its original hubcaps!
I figured we were due for some cars more in our typical price range; the last few days have gotten a little expensive. Of course, that means that there’s some work to do. Neither one of these cars needs repairs that are particularly difficult, but they’ll both prevent you from taking a test drive, so you’re kind of shooting in the dark. Which one are you willing to roll the dice on?
20 years ago I had my Protege in for service at the dealer and they gave me a Daewoo Lanos as a loaner for a day. It might have had 30k miles on it and it felt like 130k. Everything was floppy, rattly, and loud. I doubt the Leganza is much better.
I’m team Mira. Low weight and a wheel at each corner mean these things are as close to a road legal go-kart as you can get, it’s like the original Mini but screwed together and with an engine that actually makes power (albeit not a lot). The 3 cyl takes a hell of a lot of abuse and is best driven at full throttle all the time, and they sound awesome too!
I hadn’t thought of that. If it sounds anything like my Skidoo 900 ace triple, I’m on board!
I’m pretty anti-RHD, but that Daewoo is a monster turd that I don’t want anything to do with. I’ve replaced a couple clutch cables in my time, neither was very difficult. Seems like a simple thing to do before sale.
That’s a minor red flag – why won’t the seller take an hour (or less) to replace the cable?
The noisy exhaust is another red flag. It’s also missing the wheel center caps, so it’s on a downhill slide to looking like the Daewoo if it doesn’t get some TLC very soon.
The Daewoo looks like depression in vehicular form. You can’t get anything for 1,500 these days, and that’s just his asking price. Talk him down to a grand, have it detailed, fix the problems, and you’ll be two grand into a car that’s worth less than that. Maybe for a teen who needs a car to get to high school and a bit of humility, but anyone who needs a dependable, reasonably good car should keep looking.
My choice by far is the Daihatsu. 50 MPG and a manual transmission, and too small for the mother-in-law to fit in. Just check with your local DMV if you can register it in your state.
Mira for me. The clutch cable is bound to be a relatively easy fix and then it’ll be a fun car.
The Daewoo Lethargic looks like it was pulled from a lake. Fix it up and you have a car no one wants.
The Mira is at least a little interesting, albeit a little too little for my taste (and I drive a Mini). But a 5 spd in a tiny car can be fun in the right circumstances.
I dunno how others feel, but I’m OK with stretching the “shitbox” classification up to $5-6k. These two just aren’t very inspiring.
That said, I’m really interested to see if you can find two makes for sale for tomorrow’s “E” or if you have to resort to the model name. I can think of two makes, but I’d think it’ll be challenging to find two CL or FB ads for these. One probably, but the second? Good luck!
I second the stretching shitbox rules to 5 or 6k, anyone want to put it up for a vote?
The Daihatsu for $3,500 is a better deal than the Daewoo for a mere $1,500.
Oh, you want me to pay that much? I thought you were going to pay me to take either one of these piles off your hands.
Hard pass.
It’s too bad that it’s the wrong model to be able to say, “You just got killed by a Daewoo Lanos MFr!”.
Also, Queen Latifah had a great line in Taxi – “nah nah, you open the door. I don’t want Daewoo on my hands”
That pretty much sums up my feelings about the brand.
We have a couple of mystery machines here, as in whether or not the sellers are being honest about everything these cars need is a mystery. Anyone else wondering why the Daewoo has a random chunk of concrete right behind the rear wheel, in the classic “Please don’t roll away” placement?
Neither for me. I’d consider the Daihatsu if the seller replaced the broken clutch cable and could prove it had nothing else wrong with it. The Daewoo is a lump of scrap metal and I don’t have a crusher in my backyard, so hard no on it regardless.
This morning we woke up to about an inch of snow in SE Wisconsin. Driving my kid to school I was lamenting my lack of a rear wheel drive car, just for the LOLs of sliding around and scaring him. Is the Mira really RWD? If so it’s the easy choice.
No it’s FWD, possibly AWD but unlikely.
That’s what I thought. Too bad. Still voted for it.
Shoot. No, it’s FWD, that’s a typo. Sorry I didn’t catch it.
No worries Mark. Keep up the great work!
I had a college buddy with a Leganza. The seals around the windshield and the rear window both leaked badly when it rained. It was an alright car, but build quality makes early Teslas look like Rolls-Royces.
Two days in a row I’m thinking that I’m going to go one way and by the time I get to the bottom, I vote the other way well done. I struggled with an annoying broken clutch cable in my old jeep commando so I didn’t wanna deal with it, but then I saw that got awful mess and voted for the broken clutch cable.
Wow people really don’t understand that it takes about a minute to take things off of and out of a car and wipe it down before you take pictures of it to sell it. Like minimal effort people.
Little blemish? Missing badges, broken antenna, suspicious reflections that could be dents down the C pillar and along the trunk line. Interior door panel coming apart, AND the passenger window left open. Passing on the Korean mold pit.
Running is always going to be the winner for me over non-running. Sure the sketchy FB market place person may be telling me the truth or they might be trying to get more than scrap value for a turd. Plus I have a soft spot for the Mira due to Mighty Car Mods. The owner certainly thinks highly of his labor though if the clutch cable replacement is worth over $4k. It may be a PITA job (I don’t know) but I question if it’s a $4k job…
I’m not sure my vaccinations are up to date so I’ll skip the grungy plague ship Daewoo.
Also, the Mira would probably be a fun car to hoon around, albeit slowly, on weekends.
Overhead cam inline 3 of unknown displacement, five-speed manual, RWD
Its 660cc…like pretty much all kei cars. And Unless it started out as an TR-XX, no way its anywhere near RWD.
There was also an 847cc version available, and since we don’t know for sure, I went with “unknown.” And RWD is a typo; I’ll try to get someone to fix it.
Ugh, I’d take both in for scrap. Tough one today!
Going with the Mira mostly by default because I’ve always despised the Leganza. That car gets lumped in with all of the other faceless/nameless sedan dreck of the aughts to me – I mean, what’s with the grille…it’s gotta be vertical OR horizontal – NOT BOTH. I’ve never driven a Mira, but with the all white and decal marks on the flanks, it appears to be cosplaying as a hot hatch of the era. Oh, and I’d have to figure out the whole right hand drive on right lane roads thing, but I’d do it because I dislike the Leganza that much.
Mira easy win.
The Leganza is perfect to be used as a buck to make fiberglass panels for my new Model 3 disguise kit. I think I will need The Bishop to take a look at the CyberTruck kit, it’s not working out, the skate boarders still use it as a ramp.
Delightful Daihatsu deserves daily driving. Dirty, dingy, dilapidated Daewoo doesn’t deserve daylight.
Dude, don’t do drugs.
I see what you did there.
I say “Si” to the Mira Si!
Hell yes, gimme that Daewoo, and yes I’m being serious. In about 10 years U.S.-spec Daewoos of any kind are going to be essentially extinct, imagine the glee with which people will watch you pull into a cruise night with this thing. I’ve done this with a Yugo so I assure you, you’ll have a lot of conversations. Yes they were terrible when they were new too, that’s kind of its charm isn’t it?
Plus, it’s fun to say. Daewoo. Daewoo. Daewoooooo. If this thing was closer I’d probably already be on it. That is, if I wasn’t sure my wife would kill me afterward.
I’m relatively close to this thing but I wouldn’t go near it.
But it is fun to say Daewoo. Every time I see the name the commercials from the local dealers in the 90s come right back.
Dae-woo woo woo!
It would be a very satisfying project. The work we’re told it needs, anyway, is minor, and a weekend of detailing would make a world of difference.
Why is there a rock behind the tire?
Suspicious .
The Mira is just too small for my driving environment. This Daewoo, however, is one of the best Daewoos available. So it wins.
I would go the other way if I lived in Manhattan or something.
If this Daewoo is one of the best Daewoos available, what do the other ones look like?
Well, most of them have probably been crushed by now. Some reside in boneyards.
I’d bet that the percentage of Daewoos still on the road is pretty low, like under 1%. So yeah, relative to other Daewoos, this one is stellar.
Damn, gimme that Mira already! As a teen I replaced the clutch cable in our 84 Champ. Even though I was a young wrench it was an easy job. Not as easy was driving the car home without a clutch
I have never wanted a RHD vehicle, but there is no way I’m voting for that dreadful Leganza. I’ve ridden in one when it was fairly new and it was the epitomy of “I’d rather walk than drive”.