D Is For: 1992 Daihatsu Mira vs 2001 Daewoo Leganza

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?