Getting the balance right - Isle of Man Today

24 Business updateIsle of Man Examiner, May 2005MOTORINGStrike goldwith thisbargain buyPhil Vaughan finds great value in the Chevrolet Lacetti station wagonTypical, isn’t it: Daewoo spentmillions on advertising in the1990s getting us all to say thevery name properly, and then ditches thatidentity this year in favour of a fine oldAmerican handle, Chevrolet, one that tripsoff the tongue as richly as Rolls-Royce does.But the global motoring machine that isGeneral Motors knows that the legacy ofLouis Chevrolet, who first began selling carsin the US in November 1911, will servethem better in the long run, and allow forthe renowned US muscle motors to impacton showroom loyalty, too.At the very least, expect Chevrolet sales tosnowball in the next couple of years —Daewoos were always good for the money,and Chevrolet can only build on that,especially when the all-important Matiz cityrunabout arrives in the UK this June.A fine example of the continuing drive tooffer excellent value is the Lacetti Wagon, orestate — an absolute bargain at £10,995.There’s just the one model, the 1.6 litrepetrol SX, with an automatic option, butyou get quite a lot of load carrier for theoutlay.Despite smatterings of sportiness on theChevrolet Lacetti Wagon, such as theradiator grille, and the smooth, deeplyskirted lines, the 1598cc engine’s note isrightly that of workhorse rather thanracehorse.The combined-cycle fuel figure is given as36.2mpg, but the actual average is nearerthe 33mpg mark, and the Wagon can do the0-62mph sprint in 11.4 seconds. Top speedis 116mph, and it’s comforting to know thatthis Chevrolet’s driving dynamics are allbumpertobumperChevrolet Lacetti 1.6SXStation Wagon £10,995. Onlyone version, saloons andhatchbacks available.Bodyshell/drivetrain: 4.58m by1.72m, 5-dr estate; 1598cc,107bhp four-cylinder engine,driving front wheels through5-speed manual gearbox.Company car tax liability: 181gper km C02 emissions (21% ofcost of car when new, taxed).there, from good roadholding to reassuringsteering and suspension responses.There are no aches or twinges over longtrips, so the seating provides good support,and the Lacetti Wagon can run through ahost of cargo permutations. The 1,410 litreseats-down capacity is reasonable, andthere are alloy roof rails to handle biggeritems.Performance/economy: topspeed 116mph, 0-62mph in11.4 seconds.Official fuel figures: city27.4mpg, country 44.8mpg,combined 36.2mpg.Fuel tank: 60 litres.Insurance group: 7.Warranty: three years/60,000miles, three years' freeservicing.Website: www.chevrolet.co.ukSome of the kit that comes with theLacetti Wagon you won’t even see on sub-£30,000 prestige marques — such as thecooler box in the glove compartment, theheated door mirrors, and the cargo bay’sluggage net — so that overusedspecification word, generous, onlyunderstates the Chevrolet’s comprehensivefittings.While most cars today get power steering,an engine immobiliser and central locking,only luxury versions will standardise itemssuch as tinted glass, alloy wheels, airconditioning, four powered windows withone-touch for driver, powered door mirrors,steering wheel audio controls, all-roundanti-lock disc braking, and leather wheeland gear knob.But, wait, there’s more.The after-sales package is second only toHyundai’s five-year cover deal: Chevroletprovides three years’ free servicing on top ofthe standard three-year/60,000 mileswarranty, plus full AA back-up for the sameperiod.With that virtually cutting 36 months’running costs down to just road tax andinsurance (grouped at a low 7A), you’d beextremely hard pushed to do better for themoney.Indeed, the colour of the Chevrolet ‘cross’badge on the Lacetti tells you exactly whatyou’ve struck when buying this estate car:gold.