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Comments
Good luck,
Dave
We're thinking about buying an Aveo. Before I read most of this forum I picked out that it has the same engine as my 01 daewoo lanos. It makes me nervous because our timing belt on the 'woo broke at 70k, (2grand later) it hasn't been the same since. I don't want make the same mistake again. IS it the same engine, or has it been modified? Also, the parts for the 'woo are hard to find and very expensive. That seems crazy if this is the repackaged car.
It is the same engine with minor changes. Since the Aveo in the first year has far exceeded the total number of Daewoo cars sold in the US, no doubt the parts aftermarket will start to carry some of the other parts for the Aveo.
The belt on the Aveo should have been changed at 60,000 miles like most all of the Japanese cars, and then again at 120,000 miles. Only the steel timing chains (Cobalt) can go 100,000 miles or longer.
http://www.gmtechlink.com/images/issues/nov04/TL_Nov_04.pdf
Also, the water pump and the timing belt normaly get changed together. I was happy to find out that the Aveo does not use dexcool coolant. I don't think I want a car that does.
Regular good antifreeze on the Aveo is the way to go. They didn't have to worry about the metal to metal galvanic interactions in the cooling system when designing the cooling system. No worries about any build up of waste in the cooling system if it gets maintained properly as it would be flushed out at least every two years. It only costs around $50 to have the cooling system properly flushed and filled.
Do any of the auto industry long term quality leaders use Dexcool? i.e. Honda or Toyota.
My understanding is that you should flush and change your coolant at least every 2 years or 30,000 miles to be safe. If not gunked up , just a water flush should do.In most cases do not add aditives to your car.The wrong additve could have a bad effect on a seal or a sensor. Also,maintaining the correct coolant level is very important.
One good thing about the Aveo, is that it has been around a couple of yaers.That will be important for those who may be incinded to go for the lastest and greatest cars coming soon.
Some messages talk about 35 mpg, is that possible? What do they mean by updating software?
Thanks..
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3828/is_200408/ai_n9453107
You can google dexcool and lawsuit together to get lots of good hits.
My prior post pretty much sums up the reason for the Dexcool problems. GM did not initially take into account the galvanic action of the organic acids when using different metals and gasket materials.
This is the reason in the Aveo which is a basic transportation car designed to sell at the most economical price, they did not put the extra cost into making sure the Dexcool would not cause a problem. Standard antifreeze is the way to go with regular changes in the Aveo.
Here are my thoughts--
pros:
-Assembled overseas w/Korean Engine & Japanese Transmission (Usually I don't buy American)--more Foreign than a Honda.
-CHEAP! if you can find a used 2004 for $6500-$8300 you can really pay it off quickly (24 mos. or less).
-pretty good gas mileage (around 25-35 mix of city/highway), better if you're a master with the stick.
-EASY to park (I squeezed easy into those parallel half-spaces left by surburban SUV's)
-fun to drive if you buy the stick....a real race car at Red Lights.
-EASY to find parts because it's GM
-28 months left on the warranty
-don't have to wait until Spring for the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, or Toyota Yaris.
-Italian designed (Giugiaro -Italdesign)...looks A LOT like a Fiat Punto--with reason!!
-still novel enough for people to say "what is that, a Fiat?"
-enough space for 5 people...yes, pretty hard to believe!!
-Cheaper than Hyundai, Cheaper than a Kia...
cons:
-I don't expect to sell this car in 3 or 4 years for more than $1500 or so.
-Manual Locks and you have to lock the driver's side door from the outside with the key.
-First and Second Gear rev to 3000 rpm too quickly, you need to change gears to third to go more than 25 MPH.
-Air Conditioner takes a lot of power (but then again, so did my Civic and my impreza)
-bad side crash rating
Pro -
-Good power for a small car with an auto.
-auto shifting is very smooth.
-low cabin noise at highway speed (for a small car)
-carries lots of groceries with the rear seat folded down.
Con -
-Cheap tires, plan to replace by 10,000 miles.
-No remote release for the hatchback, the mechanism is there, but not the cable.
-have to lock and unlock the tail gate a lot since no remote release.
-split rear seat should have the 60% side on the passenger side, not the driver side
-would like a bigger gas tank for 500 mile range, but the car is so small, what are ya gonna do
Am having problems with the timing belt and a persistent growling noise on a 2004 Aveo with 42K miles right now. Dealer inspected belt and lubricated -- the noise was right back 100 miles later.
Will be scheduling appt. for replacement, hopefully under warrantee. Along with suspension issues, I'm not too hopeful about this model and trouble-free operation. GM/Daewoo didn't sweat the details. Wish I'd bought something else.
Also, the dealer doesn't seem to stock any parts for the Aveo. They couldn't even get a transmission filter kit for days on special order.
The 1.6L in the 98 to 2000 Lanos had a poorly designed thermostat housing that would crack. They fixed that with a redesign mid 2001 model year.
There were lots of instances of owners not replacing the timing belt on schedule on the Lanos and it would faii damagin the valves.
Thanks
Yos
Stock tires 185/60/r14, The studded tires I want as part of a rims/tire package come in 165/70 is it okay to change the tire profile? :confuse:
1. The car must NOT have ABS or Traction control, otherwise the exact factory tire size should be maintained. In reality going one size larger usually does not cause a problem with the ABS.
2. The tires MUST have the same or higher load rating. I am pretty certain the 165/70 does not have the same load rating as the 185/60. Best to have the tire place look it up.
3. As always the speed rating must be the same or higher, with the exception of specific snow tires and the expectation that you will not be going over the lower speed rating of the snow tire.
To answer your question, going to your specified much smaller tire size is a bad idea. I think the nearest comparable tire size for load rating would be a 175/75 and that might be possible in a snow/studded tire combination. Check with your local reputable tire shop for what will work and fit properly. I am pretty certain that the only recommended tire sizes for that car without ABS would be the 185/60, 185/65, 195/60.
thx
Unfortunately, suspension crunches DO seem to be normal. It's a common complaint and there is a service bulletin for it. The recommended "fix" doesn't work, though, and the dealers have no other options.
Mine has creaked, groaned and crunched since I got it and I'll just have to live with it until the aftermarket manufacturers come up with better replacement struts and shocks. To my knowledge, none are available yet.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mht_in_la/album?.dir=247c&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%- 3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mht_in_la/my_photos
Here's some of my feedback --
1. MPG -- now I get 27/36 mpg. But it was much worse before I hit the 10k mark.
2. Clock problem -- as reported by others, I also experience the clock problem. It comes on and off (more off than on), and occasionally resets itself. Although it's just small inconvenience, I'm afraid it's a result of some fundamental wiring defect. (Can't they make a simple clock right?)
3. Starter problem -- Very occasionally when I turn my key to start the engine, the starter just cranks without trying to engage the engine. It makes such funny noise that you know you need to stop because something is not right. Luckily I just waited a few seconds and re-tried and it's fine. But it can be an indication of a bigger problem. Could it be a weak battery? Not sure.
4. Space -- I like the large trunk. As shown in my photo, after detaching the front wheel I can fit my mountain bike inside stand-up. Since I never have back-seat passengers, recently I even removed the back-seat completely and got a bigger room.
That's it folks. Comments are welcome.
I would mention that starter issue with the dealer and see what they say. Is your car an auto or stick shift?