[danbuc]

I can't even type this with a straight face....hehehe :histeric: Anyway, my friend had on as a rental this week at school, while his car was in the shop getting some body work done. He asked me if I wanted to drive it, so I said sure, as long as he would let me try and brake-stand it. Needless to say, it is a complete POS (being a Daewoo I expected it to be), but I did get the tires to chirp, especially when I floored it over that big speed bump. It handled like crap, it took 8 second to from 25mph to 45mph (we timed it), but it redlines above 6000rpm, so it pretty much a race car. Especially when your manually shifting it like I was..hehe. I just thought that since I had the oportunity to drive one of these rolling s**t boxes, that I would let you all know how it went. Mods, feel free to move this anywhere you want to. Oh, almost forgot, my friend said he almost rolled it on his way to school..hehe.

 

[Playdrv4me]

Those things are painfully small and cant hold a candle to anything Hyundai/Kia makes.

 

[davesdeville]

Yeah that would be fun to have one to mess around with for a day.

 

[Ralph]

They are SO UGLY! I could LIVE with a Cobalt happily over an Aveo! Too light for serious winter traction also....

 

[Night Wolf]

eh, for something CHEAP to go back and fourth to work everyday, if you have a long commute, they aren't a bad car.

 

[ben72227]

eh, for something CHEAP to go back and fourth to work everyday, if you have a long commute, they aren't a bad car.

It would be better just to get a good used car though (i.e. an early 90s Cadillac:lildevil: ) than to buy one of those things new.

I don't even see why Chevy degrades itself like that. Let the Cobalt be the low end vehicle, its decent and MUCH nicer than that Aveo thing. It would help Chevy trim some too...

 

[Night Wolf]

I think it is good for Chevy.....

the Caviler used to be the lowest car... it was thought of as a POS....

the Cobalt is a huge step up... but to keep it from being the most bottom line car... when someone comes in and says, I want the cheapest new car, they don't have the Cobalt, since it is a higher model, there is the Aveo.

People forget what the thing was designed for... when you factor that in, it really isn't a bad little car... I mean come on now, it isn't trying to be a McLaren F1 here.

While the 90's Cadillac is good for us, and specifically those of us who can work on our own cars, for many people, it isn't... much higher maintenace costs, as (any) luxury car gets older, it'll have alot more problems then normal sedans... so a 15 year old Cadillac can end of costing alot more then a new Aveo if you gotta take it to the shop.

Plus, the Aveo is new, it has a warrantee... when it brakes, you bring it back, they fix it... simple.

Plus, if someone is looking for a cheap car to go from place to place.... and they would normally be in an Aveo/Hyundai/Corolla etc.... do you really want to see that person in a Cadillac? even an older one? I see it some times, it is a disgrace to Caddy... the cars get banged up and trashed, and they don't really care etc.... I'd say spare the Caddy and just new the new car with a warrantee.

 

[ben72227]

they would normally be in an Aveo/Hyundai/Corolla etc

Whoa there. Hyundai and Toyota don't sink quite to that level, especially the Corolla, its more on a level with the Cobalt than the Aveo.

The Aveo is on a level with Kia. Ughhh, the utter mention of that automaker makes me nauseous. :vomit:

 

[illumina]

An Aveo? Oh dear God...Just leave the poor little thing alone... :histeric:

Ok, my take: Umm...I...Think that the Aveo is good for...Ummm...Fuel economy...?

 

[Ralph]

People forget what the thing was designed for... when you factor that in, it really isn't a bad little car... I mean come on now, it isn't trying to be a McLaren F1 here.

People aren't forgetting what it was designed for, they (like me) are trying to forget it is a Korean car badged as a Chevy.

Now if it were a true Chevy, and not so damn fugly, (esp. the hatchback) and actually had some decent trunk space without having to fold down the rear seats, I might consider one but only after a half-dozen other small cars, and that's still only after the Japanese cars I would consider over it. I would NOT feel safe in it, especially if something like Dave's '75 plowed into me! The front safety rating is good though. It's like a little coffin, they'll just bury you in it. :thehand: (yes, I'm aware some small cars have good safety ratings)

MUST PEDAL FASTER, MUST PEDAL FASTER!!!!! :suspense:

The VIDEO ROADTEST....

http://www.drivingtelevision.com/se...archStatus=1&keyword=aveo&segment=2&segtitle=

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Veh...nd_Coupes/2004_Chevrolet_Aveo.S180.A6646.html

 

[mccombie_5]

Ah the Chevrolet Kalos here.......

How awful is it?!?

If i wanted a cmall car to commute in i would buy a VW Polo or a BMW 116....

 

[Night Wolf]

lol, ANY small car is not safe.

and... Kia is bad but Hyundai is good? are we forgeting they are the SAME car? Hyundai bought Kia, or vicea versa.... the Rio is just as ceap as the Accenter... persoanlly I like the Kia Optima, it is a decent car for cheap.

all i am saying is, for like $8,000 freakin dollars, brand new, someone can get a relibale car that is cheap to run to go to work and back, come on now guys, this isn't rocket science.

 

[mccombie_5]

Something i wondered about it....why did they put those awful headlamps on the Chevy model? THe Deawoo/Chevrolet Europe car has a much nice front end..

http://www.in.gr/auto/dokimes/pr_dokimes_in/Daewoo_Kalos_1400_5D/big/in_Daewoo_Kalos_67.jpg

http://www.wheels.ca/jpg/4688.jpg

 

[ben72227]

and... Kia is bad but Hyundai is good? are we forgeting they are the SAME car? Hyundai bought Kia, or vicea versa.... the Rio is just as ceap as the Accenter... persoanlly I like the Kia Optima, it is a decent car for cheap.

Yes Hyundai is good. In case you don't know, they've pretty much done a 180 turn. Look up the Hyundai Azera and the Equus to see what I mean...

 

[Ralph]

lol, ANY small car is not safe.

and... Kia is bad but Hyundai is good? are we forgeting they are the SAME car? Hyundai bought Kia, or vicea versa.... the Rio is just as ceap as the Accenter... persoanlly I like the Kia Optima, it is a decent car for cheap.

all i am saying is, for like $8,000 freakin dollars, brand new, someone can get a relibale car that is cheap to run to go to work and back, come on now guys, this isn't rocket science.

Hyundai's are VERY good quality, I've found articles that show they are as good as Toyota now, and they got there by copying everybody else. Kia is very near the bottom of JD Power quality ratings, along with VW, etc. so they are getting better but apparently have a way to go....

Is it REALLY true that "all small cars are not safe?" There are some very good rated small cars and the Aveo gets 5 stars for frontal rating (If you watched my video review above) however, if you'll recall, I said I wouldn't FEEL safe in a small car, that's just my personal feeling on the subject. If I bought a small car, I would have to adjust psychologically because after coming from large cars in the past, it would be a change allright.

I would have to agree with Ben on this one. Sure, it may be a bargain and "fairly" good on gas, but I personally wouldn't trust the quality just because it has a Chevy badge on it.

 

[Night Wolf]

Ralph, you seem to like all those ratings, tests and other stuff... that dosn't mean anything to me.

I NEVER said hyundai was bad... I simply said Hyundai and Kia are basically the same freakin car.

an Aveo gets 5 stars... IMO yes, it isn't safe. weather you feel safe in it or not isn't what I am talking about.

sub compact cars are rated on a different scale then midsize, full size or SUV's etc...

an Aveo gets 5 star front crash, a Town Car gets 5 star front crash... which would you rather be in?

so if the Aveo gets 5 star, then it is a "safe" "sub compact" but in the real world anything "sub compact" isn't safe.

the VW Polo and BMW 116, I am sure they are nice little cars to compete with the Aveo... but 1 problem *they are not sold here in the US* and i am pretty sure a BMW, if similar size and offerings as the Aveo, would still go for more then $8,000usd.

GM bought out Daewoo when they went under... basically to people who bought new Daewoo's (which, at the time were a pretty decent car) they went to a GM dealer for warrantee work... now GM is trying to make a buck by taking a Daewoo car, updating it a little, throwing the Chevy badge on it, and selling it... whats wrong with that!?!?

I personally think its a great idea... it automatically puts the Cobalt on a higer status, so it works in more then 1 case.

 

[psykiv]

I think Hyundai makes pretty good cars. A friend of mine had an 03 Tiburon a while back, and I was actually impressed with it. It was decently quick, the interior was nice, it felt pretty strong, and was actually pretty comfortable.

My dad's friend has a KIA and he's had very good luck with it. He has over 100,000 miles on the clock and hasnt had a problem with it yet.

 

[LaneWvr]

My dad bought a Suzuki Forenza, thats not a bad car at all. No problems so far, looks alright and has good torque for a economy car. I didn't mind driving it, alot nicer than his old Sentra. That Aveo couldn't be any worse than the Metro auto 3 cyl. rental we had a couple years ago, wouldn't spin the tires in the rain!

 

[Ralph]

an Aveo gets 5 star front crash, a Town Car gets 5 star front crash... which would you rather be in?

This was my whole point to begin with, and I explained it stating I wouldn't FEEL safe in a dinky car, but some dinky cars are passing with excellent crash tests, even the Smart car. The structure can actually be more ridged than a larger car supposedly, but like I said, size is a psychological safety concern with some people. (and we seem to agree on this point, as we would both rather be in a larger car in any accident, correct??) The Canadian Govt. has more strict safety standards than the U.S. and I value those as well.

Hyundai is a world better than Kia. (see attatchment) If I were forced to buy a Korean car, it would definately be a Hyundai, not a Kia.

I think JD Power ratings, etc. do mean something because they are usually reported by the owners of specific vehicles who might know a thing or two about their purchase. After all, what else can we go by other than what the biased salesman would tell us, or the personal opinions of people on car forums...it's good to also hear their complaints, and that's why I like MSN reviews, etc. They may not mean "anything" to you or many other people, and that is just fine.

Many car enthusiasts are not fooled by rebadging. Many people weren't fooled by the Catera being a German car in disguise, look at it's reputation now. Many people aren't fooled by the BLS, and the automotive enthusiast will know that it is just a Saab with a Cadillac badge.(I think it will fail miserably in Europe because Europeans know it is a Saab, and wil not pay more for a Saab with a Cadillac badge, and overall they are more critical of American cars in Europe to begin with. Many people are not fooled by the new GTO (not available in Canada) essentially an Australian car and NOT a "true" Pontiac, already getting a bad rap for that reason alone by many. Rebadged cars leave a sour taste in my mouth, because historically many fail miserably and end up with a bad reputation in the end, not to mention end up hurting the reputation of an entire division or company. That is my problem with rebadging, and that includes the car named Aveo. I also do NOT like the GM badges on all the new GM cars because if I buy a new Cadillac STS, I do NOT want the same badge on it that is on the lowly Saturn Ion, or Pontiac Pursuit! I want my Cadillac to be specifically CADILLAC, and not thrown into the same mix as the others. Historically, that is how GM divisions became great, namely their distinction, and NOT by clumping them all together.

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[Ralph]

That Aveo couldn't be any worse than the Metro auto 3 cyl. rental we had a couple years ago, wouldn't spin the tires in the rain!

My fiance owned a Sprint 3 cyl. and I had to drive it 3.5 hours on the HW one time. I could not imagine a worse car! My GF 10 years ago had a Skoda and it was like a Cadillac compared to the Sprint! My 1970 Plymouth Fury was a better quality car. The Sprint was topped at 90 kph and would not go faster, when you pressed a button for the wipers (surrounded the gauges) and then pressed them off, they would literally fly across the inside of the car, and almost caused me an accident because I couldn't believe what a POS it was. You would also get thrown around pretty good in a strong crosswind on the HW, and you don't want to know how scary it was having a semi pass me on icy conditions in such a stupid, light little coffin! Needless to say, dinky cars like these are not ideal for winter conditions, but they would be "OK" for summertime commuting around town, as long as the buttons don't pop off and go flying into your face at 50 or 90 kph.

When I buy any new car, you can bet I will be reading every review and quality survey I can to make sure I am getting a "good" vehicle! It can't hurt. I do value peoples opinions on their vehicles, etc. and to a large degree, that's what quality surveys do, get the info from people and report the findings.