what do you think of an 08 aveo5?

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Semidevil

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2002
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I'm still looking for my used hatchback, and while my top choice is Honda Fits (2008 to 2010 models), I'm trying to save money and just get a good daily driver that can last me a while. Right now, Honda fits in my area are around 12,000, I"m wondering what i can get if I go less that is still reliable.

here is one i like:

2008 chevy aver, low miles. price under 6k.
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/614144875/overview/#7


The price is super low and I"m wondering if the car, the brand is safe to get. I'm looking for a daily driver. Driving habits will be 15 to 20 miles round trip for work commute. Of course, miscllanous drives to the grocery stores, dinner, and more driving on the highway during the weekend, and the occasional 300 mile round trip to visit family maybe once every 2 months. In terms of lasting a long time, minimal repairs with regular maintenance, Will this be a good choice? Im looking for something that can be reliable even if it goes to over 100k miles.

trying to stay under budget as much as I can
 
monkeydelmagico

monkeydelmagico

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2011
3,961
145
106
Not a fan. Built by a company that no longer exists for a company that didn't care (at the time) about the platform. Might be the worst car in the segment. 2007 Nissan Versa or 2006 Scion Xa should be within your budget and are better bets.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
You did notice the missing gas door right? Someone put so little effort into maintenance that it came off and was left. That doesn't speak very highly as to its history.
 
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desy

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2000
5,447
216
106
Nope, get a Versa or Kia Rio of the same age if you need to save some $ for a hatch
 
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Topweasel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2000
5,437
1,659
136
I have said it before and I'll say it again. The Aveo was the first car that ever scared me at normal highway speeds. It was very very twitchy in basically a light sprinkle. This was a rental with less than 5k on the clock. Other issues like condensation buildup on the AC vents stuck out as another "WTF" moment for the car.
 
Zenmervolt

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
They want 6 grand for a car that's had its fuel door ripped off and that has apparently taken several hammer-blows to the hood and at least one to the rear hatch? Not a chance in hell.

The Blue Book for that car in "Excellent" condition is $5,200. And that car ain't in "excellent" condition. It's in "Fair" condition. That puts the Blue Book at $4,300.

ZV
 
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BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
No, I had one while the dealer was working on my car, it was bad at every possible aspect. I expected a cheap, hard plastic interior with this type of car but the poor handling, poor economy, uncomfortable seats, anemic acceleration and very noisy engine were all to the point that I thought I wouldn't take this car if it were free.
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
190
106
They can be decent around town car if taken care of. Not a great highway car for long trips.

But as said the price is high and I doubt that car was loved much let alone taken care of. I can't believe a dealer is selling it. Maybe it came back after they tried to dump it at the auction?


Look for some 2004+ Hyundai Elantra's or cars like that. Best bang for the buck cars are those that are reliable but not loved. My 2nd car was a Buick. Nothing sporty or fancy but very reliable and since it was a "old persons car" I got it cheap.
 
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chin311

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
4,306
3
81
no no and no

so many better cars in that range, like others have said, a Versa would probably be the most bang for your buck that is reliable as well. Hell even an older Hyundai Accent would be better.
 
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Semidevil

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2002
3,017
0
76
thanks, I think I get your guys' point. lol.

So I've decided to go with a chevy sonic hatchback. I found a 2012 version, 30,xxx miles, and overall, reviews, both written and youtube, seems pretty good. For the cost, it's a good value.

So the next question is about pre-purchase inspection, as I am buying used from the dealer. I'm trying to find a place in my area, and there are not too many, so i"m considering a mobile inspection. Also, I called one of those pep boys, and they told me that I would be better off not getting an inspection. he said it's still new, it's under warranty, and I'll be wasting money doing an inspection.

What do you guys think? With a fairly new car, and if the car fax does not show issues, should I still do a pre-purchase inspection? Are manufacturers warranty transferable?
 
nerp

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
106
Death trap. Avoid the Aveo.

Sonic is a nice car. Good pivot.
 
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
Fun fact, back when I owned my death trap cobalt POS, it was in the shop as usual for one of its many warranty repairs. In turn, chevy gave me a brand new aveo5 with 50 miles on it as a loaner.

At the same time my buddy and I were trying to rebuild his fathers 1966 ford fairlane. We had literally pulled the thing out of storage after 20 years and started working on replacing fluids, plugs, etc on the engine. So one night we decide to start the thing and see if it works. Damn thing started only after an oil change, new fluids, new plugs, wires, distributor and giving the carb a decent cleaning. Im following the fairlane in my POS aveo when we decide to race the aveo vs the fairlane from stop light to stop light....


Yes, the 1966 fairlane 3 speed auto with an engine that hadn't been touched in 20 years coated in rat shit was faster than an aveo with 50 miles on it.....

That sums up my opinion.
 
exar333

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Zenmervolt said:
They want 6 grand for a car that's had its fuel door ripped off and that has apparently taken several hammer-blows to the hood and at least one to the rear hatch? Not a chance in hell.

The Blue Book for that car in "Excellent" condition is $5,200. And that car ain't in "excellent" condition. It's in "Fair" condition. That puts the Blue Book at $4,300.

ZV
Click to expand...

$2500-3000 would be good price. At that, even an Aveo wouldn't be too bad honestly. $6k though, WAY too much. $5k would be max, even in pristine condition.
 
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BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
PhoKingGuy said:
289
Click to expand...

No surprise there, as long as the 289 had decent compression and was running OK the Aveo had no chance. The problems with the Aveo are not that it can't keep up with a 40yr old V8, it just fails in so many areas, even for a small cheap car, I was shocked to find it had such bad handling for such a light car.
 
Zenmervolt

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
BUTCH1 said:
No surprise there, as long as the 289 had decent compression and was running OK the Aveo had no chance. The problems with the Aveo are not that it can't keep up with a 40yr old V8, it just fails in so many areas, even for a small cheap car, I was shocked to find it had such bad handling for such a light car.
Click to expand...

With the 289 V8 and 3-speed automatic the '67 Fairlane managed only in the high 10s, low 11s for a 0-60 time. A tired car with an engine that hadn't been run in a decade would be looking at somewhere in the 12-second range. The Aveo should have at least been neck and neck with it.

ZV
 
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