2005 Chevrolet Aveo LT from North America - Comments

Oil leak.

Speedometer off 5-8 mph-replaced 2 times-per General Motors - no fix as this date.

Bearing needs replaced in cam.

Day running lights don't work.

Low beam lights don't work.

Doors lock by themselves without touching remote entrance key.

This car can run as fast as the larger cars on the road.

It is easy to handle and maneuvers well when parking.

More room inside than looks on the outside.

Does not handle well in snow or ice.

My 2005 Aveo SVM has been nearly flawless in the two years I've had it. I get the impression based on reviews here that the more electric stuff you add to the car (windows, alarms, etc.) the more goes wrong. My car is about as bare bones as you can get for a modern car, and my friends are always forgetting to lock their own doors.

It handles fine in rain and has started in the cold. We don't have snow here so I can't comment on that.

After 26000km (around 15000 miles) I can second the comment on less than perfect winter driving.I've tried 3 different sets of winter tires and the car still feels unsafe when driving under snowy/icy road conditions. I have no idea why, but the car has this soft, sway feel to it on snow as if the tires aren't gripping specially in rear.Perhaps due to the low gross weight of the car.

I had the snow problem with all the Hondas I've owned as well. I think it has something to do with weight distribution as you state, as the Toyotas I've owned didn't have this problem.

In regards to the comment about handling in snowy/ winter conditions. The first winter I owned my Aveo, I drove on the OEM Hankook all seasons, the vehicle was rather capable though it could have been better, but that's expected with all season tires.

The following year however I purchased a set of Nexxen winter tires and this significantly improved the handling, especially in heavy snow conditions; it's quite humorous to drive past pickups and SUVs fishtailing at the foot of hills or in ditches; it may sound cocky, but it's a true story that's happened many times.

I made this post more so to praise the benefits of winter tires, I don't want to drive in snow without a set.

I was happy to read the comment about the Nexen tires. Due to the economic recession our income has dropped considerably, and just recently when my wife's SUV needed new tires I checked out the Nexen tires. I buy from a great tire dealer who has for the past 18 years advised me on and sold me all my tires. He highly recommended the Nexen brand, which I had never even heard of.

I bought a set of 245:65:17 all-season tires for our GMC Envoy at a savings of $700 over the Michelins (which it came with). I am very pleased with the ride, handling, and wet weather traction of the Nexens. I can discern no difference at all in the ride, and the traction on wet pavement seems almost as good, if not as good, as the horrendously expensive Michelins.

Since I live in the Sun belt snow is virtually non-existent, so I had no need for anything beyond a good all-season tire. I am VERY pleased with Nexen thus far.