##daenube.jpg --Right##SPEC and more spec has to be the biggest selling factor for Daewoo's first attempt at an estate car. At a little over ú14,000 for a top of the range vehicle loaded with every gadget under the sun, the Daewoo may well seem like a bargain just too good to be true. But when settling back into its leather seats and slipping it into first gear the truth starts to out.

Upon accelerating the gear lever jumps violently around. There are no noises or performance indicators to suggest something is wrong, it simply appears the gearbox is quite mobile.

The same then follows as I climb through the gears, but aside from being a little disconcerting this isn't something which seems to have any impact on the running of the car. And performance is quite good, with the 2.0-litre engine putting out 132bhp, providing a 0-60mph time of 8.8secs and a top speed of 115mph. Not bad for a family estate. This increased performance does come at a cost on the economy front. It is most noticeable about town when fuel consumption ends up near the teens.

But don't forget about those gadgets. On the CDX these include anti-lock brakes, driver and front passenger airbags, immobiliser, remote central locking, ultrasonic alarm, air conditioning, electric windows, electrically heated and operated door mirrors and lumbar-adjustable front seats.

Ride is bouncy and the suspension could do with stiffening up, as could the power-steering, which at times is too light. I find it hard to give the Daewoo too much of a battering, because I'm sure that if a driver is looking to change from an older car, they may well find it a refreshing alternative, well loaded and quite nippy. And residual values are creeping up at 33% after three years/60,000 miles - compare that to a Ford Mondeo estate, which comes in about 35%.

The interior is spacious, including a big load section, and there is plenty of leg-room for rear passengers. The seats are comfortable, and well designed - no moans about aches and pains even on long runs. But the Nubira does suffer from its plastic fittings - they look cheap and Daewoo does little to hide the fact.

Where do you draw the line between a bargain and cheap and cheerful? The fuel consumption and plastic interior would eventually see me say no thank you - but I would still miss the gadgets.

John Linstead