Work on the Geely CK started in 2003 in partnership with the South Korean company Daewoo. The production version debuted in 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. On the Chinese market, the car was called "ship of freedom" — 自由艦 (Ziyoujian). Such a name was not suitable for Europe, so the car received the CK index. But in Russia it is known as Geely Otaka.
Despite its modest dimensions, this is almost the only budget sedan equipped with a multi-link (!) rear suspension.
In 2008, Geely showed the second generation of the model, called СК-2. In Ukraine, the sedan in updated form began to be produced in February 2009 at (KrASZ). Only one body type is available — sedan.
Description:
Body type: sedan
Dimensions (length x width x height): 4152 mm x 1680 mm x 1440 mm
Wheelbase: 2434 mm
Ground clearance: 170 mm
Gross weight: 1377 kg
Fuel tank capacity: 45 l
Turning radius: 10.5 m
Engine:
Petrol, four-cylinder, inline, transversely mounted
Displacement, cc: 1498
Power, hp/rpm: 94/6000
Torque, Nm/rpm: 128
Valves per cylinder: 4
Drive: front
Gearbox: manual, 5-speed
Brakes front/rear: disc/drum
Suspension front/rear: independent, MacPherson/independent, spring, multi-link
Body
The CK body cannot boast of rigidity. This is noticeable when driving over bumps and in corners. The metal of the body panels is thin and not of the best quality. Therefore, even after a minor accident, workshop technicians more often advise replacing the damaged part rather than trying to repair it.
The Geely CK has no galvanization. Owners often complain about poor corrosion resistance. The paintwork also leaves much to be desired — the paint is thin, so chips appear quickly, followed by rust.
Suspension
The car's character on the road is contradictory. On one hand, the suspension is stiff and energy-intensive, on the other — in corners the car leans noticeably, which can be frightening. On broken roads, it's easy to count every seam and joint, and this is not enjoyable. Getting used to such duality is not easy even after long driving experience. A novice might think the chassis is faulty or needs adjustment.
Factory shortcomings can be corrected by replacing the standard shock absorbers with products from German or Italian manufacturers. If you also replace all rubber bushings, the car's behavior can change dramatically. Tires also affect the feel: the ones installed from the factory are, to put it mildly, not the best choice. Replacing them with better quality ones is one of the steps to improving safety.
The rear suspension is multi-link, which means that during repairs you will have to replace more parts than on cars with dependent or semi-dependent schemes. But there is a plus: before serious intervention, it usually lasts 120-140 thousand km.
Interior
Owners have no serious complaints about the interior (except for the hard plastic). Inside is quite spacious, and the trunk can easily hold more than one bag of potatoes.
However, there are instances where after 3-5 years the plastic trim parts begin to "live their own life" — squeak, hum, crack. This usually applies to cars with mileage over 100 thousand km. There are also cases of power window failure, instrument lights going out, or individual buttons sticking.
Sound insulation is weak, especially in the area of wheel arches and trunk. Side mirrors are somewhat small. Even in the top trim, there is no heated washer nozzles or heated glass in the wiper rest zone.
Transmission
There are no special tips for checking the transmission when buying a used car. It is worth checking the input shaft bearing, seals, and steering rack. Any faults in these components may indicate the overall condition of the car and the previous owner's attitude towards it.
The gearbox itself is quite reliable. In 90% of cases, breakdowns occur due to improper operation. The weak point is the clutch. It lasts on average about 80 thousand km. Also, the clutch does not like slipping — it is easy to burn it out, and then only replacement will help.
Electrics
The alternator often fails. Before buying, it is worth checking the condition of the contact brushes. Also inspect the wiring harnesses — Chinese engineers could have routed them so that the wire rubs against the body. Pay attention to the headlights: fogging is a common problem of the Geely CK.
Conclusions
The Geely CK is a decent car for the money. With careful operation, it does not bother with frequent breakdowns. The main work is scheduled maintenance and replacement of consumables. If the car is often driven on dirt roads and broken roads (which is likely), the owner will have to replace shock absorbers, silent blocks, and rubber bushings more often. The clutch disc and cover can safely be considered consumables — they last 75-85 thousand km. Fortunately, they are inexpensive. At such mileage, you should also be prepared for the fact that the cabin will be filled not only with the sounds of the radio.
The main plus of the Geely CK is the price. In addition, after five years of operation, the car loses about 30-36% of its original value. For Chinese cars, this is a very good indicator.
A five-year-old car in good condition and with a "quiet" interior costs on average about $5-6 thousand. Notably, seven-year-old examples are only $200-300 cheaper. More details — in the used car catalog.
Pros
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Prices for some spare parts (UAH):
Timing belt/tensioner 205/93
Spark plug 26
Oil filter 32
Air filter 46
Fuel filter 67
Front shock absorber 520
Rear shock absorber assembly with bump stop and dust cover 578
Front wheel bearing 280
Front brake pads 273
Rear brake pads 182
Clutch disc 976
Clutch cover assembly 245
Front bumper 624
Rear bumper 412
Front headlight 482
Front fender 443
Rear view mirror 274
Prices are for original spare parts. Non-original ones can be 2-3 times cheaper.
