Junkyard Gem: 2008 Suzuki Reno

Subsequent time you are internet hosting a car-trivia evening at your native junkyard/bar (hey, such locations exist), you would possibly attempt to stump your visitors with a actually powerful one: What was the final US-market automobile to be designed solely by Daewoo previous to the GM takeover? Positive, Individuals might purchase the Daewoo-badged Lanos, Nubira, and Leganza for just a few years within the early 2000s, and the Verona was actually only a barely up to date Leganza with Suzuki badges pasted on. The Chevy Aveo/Pontiac G3 was the descendant of the Lanos, however that particular Daewoo sauce had been diluted by different GM flavors by the point it hit our shores. I say the reply is the Daewoo Lacetti — sure, that Lacetti — which was bought in the US because the Suzuki Forenza (in sedan type) and Suzuki Reno (as a hatchback). This is an instance of one of many final Renos you possibly can purchase right here, present in a automobile graveyard close to Denver, Colorado.

The South Korea-built Reno by no means made a lot of an impression on the reviewers at this — or, I am fairly certain, any — publication, regardless of having been styled by Giugiaro, although it was very fairly priced throughout its 2005-2008 American gross sales run. My solely expertise driving the Reno comes from the time I rented one in South Carolina for simply $9.98 a day. For that worth, I assumed it was a wonderfully serviceable transportation equipment.

Suzuki had been constructing vehicles for GM because the first Cultus hit American showrooms because the 1985 Chevrolet Dash, and ties between the 2 corporations grew to become stronger because the twentieth century grew to become the twenty first. They joined forces to purchase bankrupt Daewoo in 2004, with American Suzuki promoting the hastily-rebadged Nubira beginning the subsequent 12 months. After a bit of pleasure over the promising Suzuki Kizashi, American Suzuki filed for chapter in 2012 and ceased promoting vehicles right here the next 12 months. Do not feel too unhealthy for Suzuki, although — in Japan, the corporate has had years of smash gross sales success with the Hustler, and naturally Suzuki bikes and ATVs stay standard right here.

How a lot was this little Daewoo when new? With the bottom five-speed handbook transmission, the MSRP on the bottom ’08 Reno was $13,839, or about $19,425 in 2022 {dollars}.

Nevertheless, this automobile has the automated transmission, an $1,100 choice ($1,545 now). 

You did get air-con and an AM/FM stereo within the base ’08 Reno. This automobile has the optionally available CD participant with AUX enter.

Honda had VTEC and Daewoo had D-TEC. This engine was rated at 126 horsepower, whereas the model within the factory-hot-rod Reno SWT (Suzuki Works Techno) made … 126 horsepower. Sadly, the SWT package deal (additionally obtainable on the Aerio) was simply alloy wheels and a few decorations, in the identical vein because the OZ Rally Mitsubishi Lancer.

This automobile made it to age 12, with the unique proprietor’s handbook nonetheless inside on the finish. The physique and inside look pretty clear, so we will assume that some expensive mechanical drawback forcibly retired this Daewoo Suzuki.

There was as soon as a princess on board, in happier occasions.

The princess had a child. I ponder what sort of automobile they’re in immediately.

You may be not very shocked to be taught that the Reno did not get an excessive amount of US-market tv promoting. This is a Lacetti hatchback industrial for the Netherlands.

Being a member in good standing of the GM Empire (which it remained till simply a few years in the past), Holden obtained a model of this automobile often known as the Viva.

This Egypt-market advert for the Chevrolet-badged Lacetti tells such a dramatic story that I needed to embody it right here, although the starring automobile is a sedan somewhat than a hatchback.

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