DetN's Burgess Defends the Indefensible: The Chevy Aveo5
The Chevy Aveo has been on TTAC’s Ten Worst List since we inaugurated the public service. In 2008, it remains at the top of the steaming pile, garnering a gong at the number three spoty. To quote from this year’s encapsulation: “The Aveo continues to offer a snap-crackle-pop interior, mediocre gas mileage, roly-poly handling and gutless onramp terror.” So how in the world could Detroit News carmudgeon Scott Burgess find anything nice to say about Chevy’s Korean American revolution, never mind a whole column’s worth? Let’s s-s-s-s-sample. “It’s roomy, peppy and comes with more personality than similarly priced competition.” Oh really? Vera, Fit, Yaris? “The hatch helps the Aveo5 stand out. It’s a good look, and it plays multiple utilitarian roles, such as making it extremely easy to park as well as load big things in the back. Few other exterior features add to its looks. It’s not like the designers had a lot of sheet metal to work with.” So… it’s a hatchback. Gotcha. “Chevy upgraded the interior materials, though there is a certain economical feel to this vehicle. Every part of the cabin feels well built, though it’s difficult to know how it will hold up over the long haul.” “Economical feel.” Is that a synonym for horrifically cheap?
“The power rack-and-pinion steering had a well-weighted feel, especially around town, where the Aveo5 excelled. The original Aveo, the cheapest new car to own according to Edmunds.com, is nice. The Aveo5 is nicer.”
And a single bullet wound is better than a spray of machine gun fire. Personally, I prefer neither.
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Hey Guys, well spoken and reasonable responses to my 'LL' crack. Nice to be posting with adults. My GM gets about 22mpg when I use it strictly to and from work. Of course, bumble around town and the mileage goes in the toilet. But I have been very surprised (as I was here) with the mileage some of these fuel-efficient cars get. How can a car like the Aveo get only a few more miles to the gallon than my boat? Who's designing these things? And believe me, if I could've found a job closer than 30 miles from my house, I would've. I think a large number of people are stuck with sizable commutes that they don't have much choice about.
Hello TTAC, new poster. I have been lurking for months, but decided to register so as to start posting. I live in Detroit, but am not in the Auto business, nor a car afficienado, but have friends who are so I know how you guys and gals think. I have read the Aveo being raked over the coals multiple times. I must defend the poor Aveo. All the comments may be true in aggregate, but they don't match my experience. My wife has a 07 aveo hatchback that we bought new. My wife wanted to trade in her T&C minivan for something economical fuel-wise as she went back to college about 2 years ago. For very unusual reasons we were able to buy a car, any car, for about $10,000 less at a particular Chevy dealer, so I picked the Aveo Hatch. She loves it. Nothing has broken at all in 2+ years. 32 MPG in combo driving. Handling? I haven't a clue. Probably not F1 class, but neither is my wife. Interior? Looks fine to me. We have had maybe 20 cars over the years. The Aveo is on the GOOD side of the ledger for us. And even without the wierd $10,000. The Aveo was about 20% less in Detroit than Fits or Yaris, when I was looking. I have lived all over the US and prices do vary regionally, so maybe it Aveos and Fits are equal $$ where you are. But not then in Detroit.
An Aveo with similar equipment, for example side and side curtain air bags and ABS is not 20% less expensive than a Fit. I have driven both cars at length. The Honda is a waaaaaaaaaay better car. And you know, for the $50 a month more to drive a Honda, it is worth it.
An Aveo5 would probably cost around $1k less than an identically equipped Yaris or Fit (street price after discounts). Given the penalties in all categories (save price), I'm not sure it would be worth the savings. In typical GM marketing fashion, Aveo's are regularly advertised at unbelievably low prices. I remember months ago briefly seeing a supposedly new one for $8k in the local newspaper. However, when you look at the fine print (completely stripped 5-speed sedan with none of the amenities like A/C or radio, i.e., the traditional, one-off, loss-leader designed solely for the classic bait-and-switch), well, the more expensive Aveo5 doesn't look like such a bargain in comparison.