Chevy Aveo Hatchback

woodsmanmn

Will be picking up my bright blue hatchback this week. It has air and auto, can't wait to take it out on the road.

marko43

I recently bought a leftover (new) 2004 Aveo SVM Hatchback. Can anyone who has a 2004 SVM tell me if the rear cargo cover was a standard item on the hatchback? I just realized mine doesn't have one. Of course the dealer said it was not standard and I can't find the window sticker to see if it was listed. Thanks.

muffin_man

Not sure why the Aveo would do better than the others. Have you just observed this from various forums, or do you have any statistics? Our Aveo has been flawless for 13,000+ miles - except that the window rolling handles keep falling off.

poncho167

I am not sure about the cover, but the dealer should be able to provide the window monrony label. It is illegal for a new car not to have one, and it is supposed to come with the car.

oldmopardog

There was a great deal on 2005's at our local dealership. We went to look just for fun and ended up buying 2 Aveo 5-doors with auto trannies, an Aqua for my 16 year-old son and an Orange one for our 25 year-old daughter (OK, colors seem reversed but the Aqua one had a spoiler and aluminum wheels--stuff a tene-age boy would want!).

Everyone in the family is impressed with the handling, roominess, and build of the cars. It's a car that provides more than expected.

Only complaint is from the kids since their cars only had AM/FM radios

chrisducati

I'm not sure why this is. I am assuming it is because of what plant the cars are made at. Suzuki is part of GM so I would think that quality would be the same. I know that the Verona has be very problematic. The Forenza less so. The Forenza/Reno use a GM-Holden engine and so does the Aveo but of different sizes. I was afraid that the Daewoo's would hurt Suzuki. They should have made their own larger cars. They have better engines and ect... The suzuki engines do not have timing belts to change which is a great thing. Yes I am a Suzuki fan. We bought a new Suzuki in late 1995 and still have it. over three hundred thousand miles. It still shines like new. We traded a almost new Neon in for this car. The neon had a folder three inches thick of repair invoices. So I know the headaches a bad car can cause. Would I buy a Suzuki, yes, if it were built by Suzuki. As for the Aveo, It is proving that Daewoo can design a good car. Why their cars get worse the bigger they are I have know Idea. The Thing is Chevy sells the cars Suzuki is selling here in the states everywhere else in the world. How is that affecting their image around the world? Will it come to be known that Chevy stands for junky cars? Lets hope not. GM better make sure quality is above and beyond the standards they have set for the plants. I read that GM is about to take the last Old Daewoo plant back. Better have some damage control on line if the quality is low par from this plant.

dlane

I just finished putting the first 1000 miles on my victory red 2005 AVEO SVM and am very pleased with the car and with the fuel economy. The car seems very tight with no rattles, and all the pieces seems to line up and fit right. I also own a 2005 Town & Country that came with several options I didn't want (RATTLES). The sheet metal on the AVEO seems a little thin and time will tell how it holds up being we live in the snowbelt.
Economy wise my AVEO is on target. The first fillup was at about 150 miles and provided me with 29.5 mpg. The next 3 fillups were higher between 30.5 to 31.5. This is combo driving (city/highway) with quite a bit of stop and go. I haven't done any pure highway driving, but expect that 35 mpg is very realistic.
All in all I'm very pleased with car. and would rate it a "9" (Nothing is perfect)
without reservation. Designed by Italians, built in Korea, badged with a bowtie
the Aveo is a true winner.

poncho167

I went to a couple of sites on google to check on the specifications for the 2004 Aveo, which showed the standard equipment, and neither one listed the cargo cover.

marko43

Thanks. I had checked a couple of sites also and couldn't find anything. I was hoping someone who had purchased a SVM hatchback could confirm.

deric

OK 2005 Hatchback owners do me a favor. Walk out to your Aveo and stand behind it. Look across the roof line down each side where that long black strip is. You know the long strip above the doors that runs the length of the roof from front to rear. At about the midpoint of the strip, kind of where the front and rear doors meet, on the roof there is a small ripple in the roof. This ripple is evident on both sides of the car. The ripples are between the black strips but right next to them. It is very easy for me to see these ripples. If you don't see them right away then move around and try to get the lght to reflect off the roof differently.

Do you have any ripples? I don't remember them when I bought the car in March '05. Should I be concerned?

I'll try to get a pic and link it soon.

randydriver

went and looked at my car. No ripples here. but will keep a watch out

dlane

My 2005 Aveo SVM came with a cover over the luggage area. Whether or not the 2004 did I don't know. I don't see any wrinkles on my roof.

poncho167

I wouldn't worry about it. I am sure if you looked closely at a Toyota you would find something wrong with that to.

sparxxx

I have been patiently waiting for the 06 aveos to go on sale due to the addition of cruise, side airbags etc. It appears that there are a few 06 hatchbacks trickling onto dealer lots in my area (NC), and I have a couple questions for current owners of the aveo hatch before I really get serious:

1) How exactly does the "flip and fold" feature work for the rear seat? How much stuff have you been able to load into the car with the seat folded down?

2) I have read a few articles that sing the praises of the aveo in all areas except acceleration...basically it doesn't have the power to tackle an up-ramp onto a freeway. Is this true?

3) Does anyone have the 6 speaker upgrade package, and if so, how does it sound?

thanx from NC

jkramer

Has anyone installed the Rostra Cruise Control on the 4-speed manual transmission? I am interested to know what the add on part 250-4371 is for.

Here is a link, you can click on the picture to get a better look.
Rostra 250-4371

randydriver

The car has more that enough power to get on the on ramp........why wouldn't it?? I have the 5-speed and I nearly ran into people in their truck and suv's on the on ramps because they poke along so slow and don't know how to merge with the traffic. But yes it is very sufficent to do the job. The seats work like to one's in the old Ford Festiva. I bought the sedan and my sister has about a 30 mile comute and it is all open road and she loves the room in the back. She stops to pick up some cow feed in 50lbs bags and the fit really well.

doohickie

I recently bought a leftover (new) 2004 Aveo SVM Hatchback. Can anyone who has a 2004 SVM tell me if the rear cargo cover was a standard item on the hatchback? I just realized mine doesn't have one. Of course the dealer said it was not standard and I can't find the window sticker to see if it was listed. Thanks.

I had a Ford Aspire and none of those came with cargo covers. I made one out of a sheet of thin plywood, reinforced with a 2x4 along the part just behind the rear seat so it wouldn't bend with a couple of dowels at the corners so it could pivot up. I covered the whole thing with a hunk of automotive carpeting I bought at Pep Boys (in a shade of gray that perfectly matched the interior). I even added the little straps attaching it to the hatch so that it moved up when the hatch opened.

I bet you could do the same, especially if you could borrow someone else's cargo cover and use it as a pattern. It's well worth the effort; it cut the road noise in my Aspire considerably.

poncho167

My 1988 Pontiac Lemans (Daewoo) had 74 hp and a four-speed. It had more than enough oomph to get up and go on an on ramp or anywhere else. The HO Lemans had 100 hp and was considered a screamer for its size at that time, sort of like the Geo Sprint Turbo, pocket rocket. The Aveo with either auto or manual out performs the Kia and a couple other small sub compacts.

poncho167

I am not sure what it is for other than it saying it's for the manual transmission. There is an 800 # that you can call for tech questions.

rannug

I ordered a 2006 Aveo hatchback LT two weeks ago, everything but the block heater and engine immobilizer. I am no horse trader, so I won't mention the price. Should take delivery in the middle of November. I liked the 15" tires, the McPherson strut front suspension, the side air bags and other things not on the 2005. I was able to drive only one Aveo, a sedan with automatic. I was very impressed with the car. I am 6'1" and entry and exit is very east for me. It has plenty of power and handles nicely. Really looking forward to it. Our Bravada averages 16.7 mpg according to its own computer.

doohickie

I liked the 15" tires, the McPherson strut front suspension, the side air bags and other things not on the 2005.

What kind of front suspension does the 2005 have? I would be shocked if it was anything but McPherson strut.

dlane

Sounds like a good idea I'm sure it must cut down on the road noise. It. amazes me how quiet the car is when you get up to cruise speed. On the way home from work today I had my left arm resting on the door arm rest cruising at about 50 and could hear my Timex ticking. Speaking of armrests, I saw a center armrest on EBAY which was going for about 60 bucks. It looks pretty nice and it folds up when needed, and has a storage bin. I think I'm going to get one. Has anyone put one in there Aveo?

randydriver

I have seen armrest on ebay also. Who makes them? I would like to get one just for the storage unit .

poncho167

All Aveo's are McPherson.

groth12345

Hi:

This person makes them himself. I bought and installed one on my Aveo and other than the fact that it is a slightly brighter (grey), it is a quality piece. Very impressed with it. It's worth every penny.

Steve

tvent

I own the 05 hatchback special value model and I've achieved 36mpg on the highway, driving around 70mph. My question is, is there anything the dealer could check on the car to determine if gas consumption is optimal? So far the car has gone 3800miles with out a problem and I also took the car to a dealer for the software upgrade.

dkuhajda

36mpg at 70mph is very good given the epa ratings.
If you check the epa information at fueleconomy.gov it gives a detailed explanation of how they test and many factors that affect fuel economy. They have a very good list of standard things like air filters, tire pressure, wheel alignment, etc that all can affect economy.

FYI the highway ratings are tested with an average speed of 48mph and a top speed of 60mph for 10 miles. How many people actually drive with a top speed of 60mph on the highway?

rannug

That's good. The only thing my 2005 brochure says is "The front and rear suspension structures on Aveo are perfectly tuned to provide a comfortable ride." Production is scheduled for the week of 24Oct.

poncho167

I drove a 2005 hatchback yesterday at GM's autoshowinmotion.com and thought it was real nice. It had above average acceleration, especially for an automatic, and handled very well on the tight road course. I also sat in the back seat with the drivers seat all the way back and it was pretty comfortable. My legs did touch the back of the seat, but the seat backs material seems like it was designed with give in it so your legs have more room, not bad. You could conceivably carry three average sized adults in the back for short trips.

dkuhajda

You mean the car would not carry 5 pro-basketball players with tons of extra leg room like the commercial?

woodsmanmn

I have a 05 hatchback approaching 1000 miles. What software upgrade did you get from the dealer? So far, I'm barely getting over 30 mpg. Hoping it improves with more miles on it.

woodsmanmn

Is the rear cup holder still accesible with the center arm rest installed?

deric

First thing in the morning the AC smells stale. It gets better within a minute or two. I have tried running it with just outside air for a few days but the smell continues. Any suggestions?

mister_yaris

Run it with the AC on high and all the windows open for 10 mins or so.

Run it with the AC on and window open for a couple of mins just before you stop for the day.

I think there's a mold or bacteria that can grow in the air ducts with condensation from the AC so opening the windows helps get rid of any moisture.

5port

Make sure your AC is NOT on recirc before you try this: With the AC on High hold a can of Lysol a few inches above the external vents (near the winshield) and spray for ten to fifteen seconds. The Lysol will help to kill the mold.

After using the AC , before you get to your destination turn on the heat that will help to dry out the AC ducts so mold will not build again.

dlane

I left a message with the person who makes the center armrest asking him about the rear cup holder. Didn't here back from him yet.

dlane

Look under Aveo on Ebay Motors and you will see the armrest. The person selling them said that the armrest doesn't interfere with either the hand brake or the rear seat cup holder.

Dave

oyveyo

Just installed the Rostra Cruise Control on my '05 5spd manual. Works great & not too bad to install.

jkramer

Hey oyveyo, please read post #753. Can you tell me what the bracket (250-4371) is for?

As soon as I scrape together 200 bux I would like to order a Rostra kit and install it myself.

heirmuller

Just received a recall for some 2004 and 2005's pertaining to the throttle body and PCV system freezing in -20C temperatures. I have an appointment tommorrow and they will look to see if my 2004 needs the modification.

oyveyo

The standard Rostra kit is for the automatic. If you have a manual, you must use the optional mounting bracket and wiring harness. The solenoid which pulls on the throttle must be moved to well under the battery tray to clear the taller manual transmission housing. This is what the bracket is for. Hope this helps.

jkramer

Yes, this helps. Thank you. By the way I think your user name is quite creative and funny..

tvent

Lately, I've noticed when I close the driver's side door I get a small electrical shock. Has anyone else noticed something like this?

oyveyo

All the time. It's my understanding that it's the cheap stock Kumho tires which generate lots of static elec. as they roll on the road. Sounds a little suspicious to me but it's the best explaination I've heard.

aveo_bob

It's the dry air, and the rubbing on the seat. It works the same as when you drag your feet on your carpet and touch something metal. So when your driving in your car, your insulated from the ground via the tires, so when you get out and touch the ground and the car door, your completing the circuit hence the shock.

At least that's how I think it works. It happened all the time with my S-10, and other cars, mostly in the winter when the air is dryer.

jkramer

I have noticed the same thing starting a couple of weeks ago. However, the shock is not nearly as bad as that from my wife's 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. That spark just about knocks you on your [non-permissible content removed].

My theory is that it has something to do with the type and amount of plastics used in the upholstery fabric.

blueaveo

Hi all. I purchased my 2004 Aveo in Burlingame, Ca in Jan/04. It was the first one they sold. I bought the car because I was moving to San Francisco and didn't want to drive my 02 Honda Civic Si in the city. The Aveo is a perfect car for SF. The first commercial I saw for the car, which was part of the "American Revolution" campaign, was filmed on Twin Peaks (the highest hill in the city). I just hit 15K miles which included a drive across the country from Ca to Pa. The car has been good to me thus far. The only problems I have had are a gas cap that seems to not want to open and the lighter broke. On the way back to Pa I opened up the car (which was fully packed) in Wyoming. I managed to get it up to 115mph. Later I recieved a speeding ticket in Wyoming for doing 100 in a 75 zone. I have also recently noticed the previously mentioned problem w/ the clock changing times. Also the plastic holders for the back seatbelts which are exposed when the back seat is down broke off as they are made of very cheap plastic. I have seen many more Aveos on the road here in Pa than I did in Ca. I like the car and plan to keep it till the wheels fall off.

aveo_bob

Has anyone installed the rostra aftermarket cruise control? I want to know where the control lever is mounted on the steering post and how it looks. Pics would be nice if possible.

Thanks

muffin_man

If you can get out of the car without discharging, move your key slowly toward the lock, at about a half-centimater, you'll see a spark. (sometimes a big one)

Doesn't hurt, btw.

poncho167

look back a few pages and you will see rostra info. Also I have seen info back a few months.