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-   -   WTB: Used Chevy Optra 1.6 or 1.8 ?? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sedans/100161-wtb-used-chevy-optra-1-6-1-8-a-2.html)

To pull out best mileage from any car greatly depends on how it’s kept and how it’s driven. I strongly believe in this.

My 2004 Optra (1.8) gives me a regular average of 8.5-8.75Kmpl in Bangalore’s bumper to bumper traffic. On highway it gives me 15.5+ provided I’m not heavy on my right foot.

If interested to read more, go through http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...n-product.html.

Actually dhanush is completely correct.

An Optra 1.8 picked up for about 2L can require a lot of further inputs from your side later towards suspension, power x, y, z components etc.

Do factor for that and do give weightage to condition of the car. If you are not able to increase your budget presently beyound 2L then once bought if the car develops a major fault it will end up remaining in the garage unrepaired and you would loose even more money on it.

An optra can be bought as a great deal, but one also needs to be prepared to spend lavishly as and when required to enjoy it properly.



Rudra totally agree with the contention of kmpl depending on the maintenance and usage style. I used to get 7 kmpl on the cielo AT though it was always reported as a 4-5 kmpl car in AT form.

Yet most don't get that great a FE from the Optra and possibly you would have fared even better with the 1.6 (especially the newer post 2005 end engine) I have driven that one around a fair bit and got about 10 kmpls roughly but am not really a great driver for FE as I tend to keep the car in lower gears much longer to hear the grunt. It was in this context that I rather than giving a FE figure mentioned a 3 kmpl difference vs the 1.6 also a lot of 1.8s were AT, if yours is indeed also an AT then the FE that you got is incredible. I know of a guy who has been close to 6 kmpl for a 1.8AT right from the start for a daily run of about 20 kms in mumbai western subs.

thanks for the link. I've kept my purchase budget near 2 Lacs keeping in mind the later expenses on 60K service of Optra. Also after reading the post by ashthedivx it seems spare prices are ok, but matter is that the expenses should not occur repeatedly/frequently.

Thank you Rudra Sir for posting the link, I've read your ownership review many times and it driving my interest towards the Optra 1.8. I want to know about the current scenario regarding the spares availability and reliability of the car.

People I have been using an Optra from 2004. Its a 1.8LT and I am sorry to say it does not give me anything below 8.5-9 Kmpl in city driving. On highways I have been getting over 13 which is respectable for this size of an engine.

On the maintenance side, the car has been flawless. The only thing that I have changed is the O2 sensor. One can say that the 1.6 is comparable to the 1.8 in city, but besides that it is not close.

1.6 1.8
0-60 5.23 Sec 4.29 Sec
0-100 12.49 Sec 10.69 Sec
*Autocar India Figures

Can any any Optra owner can assist me in inspecting a used Optra? Please tell what things to check in a pre-owned Chevy Optra before buying it.

Finally i found few good deals on Optra 1.6(at dealer) and 1.8(individual) and among them 1.6 option is more interest arousing! it has 32K kms done 1.6 LS May-06 model and the price offered is within my budget :D. And another one is 1.8 LS Oct-05 model 42.3K kms done and price is little above than my budget but seems it can be bargained.

Now I need to visit the two places to check the cars physically and know about their past and present conditions. So i need some help from Optra owners in finding out the things that are important to know before buying it...:confused: help.

Rahul, 1.6 seem to be the winner in every aspect (Mileage, age, price)
I hope the post 2005-Sep model 1.6 deliver a good FE (please correct me if i am wrong) Have your eyes wide open in inspecting the car, especially with the engine & transmission parts. Better to take a reliable mechanic (Optra specialist)

What is this VGIS in Chevy cars? Is it a technique used to provide optimal air intake by the engine in an attempt for a stable torque curve? Can fitting a CAI to a non-VGIS Optra will produce equivalent or better performance or this not a relative between these two technologies...

Hey Rahul, you seem to be terribly inclined towards a 1.8?. Or the '06 1.6 doesnt have VGIS? :p.

Coming to the topic, VGIS means, Variable Geometry Intake(air) System, otherwise known as VLIM or Variable Length Intake Manifold.

AFAIK, This is achieved by using two intake ports, one short and wide, and other long and narrow. A valve controls either of them, so that lower rpms(cruising) get the long and narrow one and higher rpm's or pedal to metal get the short and wide one.

Benifit is better engine performance across the entire rpm range, and hence driveabiltiy and hence Fuel Efficiency to an extent.

Unfortunately, a CAI is not in any way similar to VGIS, instead, IMO, an FFE should give you much better drivability.

Thanks for the information :thumbs up. I'm seriously looking forward to Optra 1.6 as the deal i found is much better buy than the deal on 1.8. Yeah its true that I'm looking for the reasons to satisfy myself for buying the 1.8 Optra but can't as the diff b/w the two in performance is not that wide...and practically 1.6 Optra seems to be ahead.

P.S.: I don't know how to drive yet sorry:...but will learn it afap. This car will be going to serve me for a long period...hence buying carefully. Also I don't know any expert Optra mechanic who can scrutinize the car for me before I buy it, as I'm living in Greater Noida since the last year only. :confused:

rahul, my 2 cents: be sure to get the NOC of the car if it's Delhi/Noida registered since you plan to keep the car in Bareilly. This will be a must if you want to sell it later for any reason. After reading the thread, the PS in the last post brings a smile. Hope you learn driving soon.

^ I think I may be wrong there, the NOC has limited life it seems with more complications after getting it. So disregard that, my apologies.

Please somebody tell me about any good car mechanic having good knowledge of Optra. I don't know whom should I go with to check the vehicles.

Hi Rahul,

If you;re in greater noida, you could check out the Bosch Workshop(German Motorworks) in Sector-10 Noida. The guys name is Amit and when I was staying in Noida, I got my Optra serviced from him. He also got me a genuine Chevy AC Compressor when mine failed for about half the price what Chevy quoted but without warranty. Luckily, its been working perfectly for about a year. Let me know and I'll PM you his number.

Cheers