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.