Test drove Chevy Cobalt & Aveo

[Mike Reyna]

First the Cobalt:


Having owned 2 Z24's (1995 & 99), all I can say is...WOW! What a difference!

The delta platform is so much stiffer & quieter. The little Ecotec is pretty smooth & quiet. It also had decent power & torque for a 4 cyl. :thumbup2:

Fit and finish was great, with small gaps, and good materials. Quietness was excellent for a car in this price range. Very nice! The car I drove was a Colbalt LS (blue), as there were no SS models. :mad: :P

The tranny was an auto, and was typical GM smooth. The shifter felt like it was made for a much more expensive car. Very nice!
I also noticed it was slightly bigger on the inside, although I thought the last Z24 was perfect sized.

The only thing I really didn't care for was the small trunk opening. Although, the room inside was pretty decent.

In all I give 9 out of 10. Way to go GM! :thumbup2:

[Mike Reyna]

Now on the the Chevy Aevo....

My wife and I are thinking of replacing my little Mitsu with this car. It seems to be very popular, as I see quite a few of them on the road.

This car in a nutshell picks up where the Metro left off, and hopefully can do things the Metro couldn't. Made in cooperation with GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies, the Aveo was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign Studios in Italy. Simply put, it is a very much upgraded version of the Daewoo Lanos. Interior quality, control and feel are improved over its predecessor.


Holy smokes.... who would of thought you could get this much car for under 12,000!!

I took a 5 speed manual LS out for a drive. I was also impressed with how quiet this car is. Even the little 1.6L 103hp engine was quite peppy & smooth. No, you are not going to win any drag races, but that's not what this car is all about.

It's about basic transportaion, and transporting it does. Even the materials inside were pretty good with tight body gaps. Really impressive!

It actually handled pretty well, and absorbed the bumps pretty good. Visability was pretty good too. It also turns pretty tight, for those turning in parking lots.

The little car that could also recieved 5 star frontal crash rating. Not too shabby, and it shows that it's structure is pretty well designed.

All in all if you are looking for basic transportation, this is your car. It even gets 35+ mpg. You can't beat that all for around 12K. The nicer and fully loaded LT model will bring you to around 14.

The only downfall is that the car only comes in 4 & 5 doors, the carpet was a bit cheap, and the shifter was a bit "rubbery." Still, it gets 8 out of 10. Nice little car that's for sure. :)

[30thAnnGAGT]

Cool Reviews Mike!

To any and all that do have the opportunity to take a newer GM model out on the road, give us a review! If we get quite a few, I'll start posting them.

[30thAnnGAGT]

Cool Reviews Mike!

To any and all that do have the opportunity to take a newer GM model out on the road, give us a review! If we get quite a few, I'll start and sticky a thread just for reviews!

[XoticGA]

I don't care for either of these cars.. EXCEPT.. I am slightly intrigued by the Cobalt SS.. I think the Aveo is way too small.. And that's coming from a former Neon owner.. I do however, like the style of the Cobalt.. Nice reviews! :)

[levey]

Very good review. It's nice to see a review done by somebody that is totally un-biased....and willing to tell it like it is.
I only wish the cobalt had better styling. Even though your review suggests the Cobalt is far superior to the Z24...The Z24 did have great styling...at least for that era.

[Mike Reyna]

Originally posted by XoticGA
I think the Aveo is way too small..


Well it is a sub compact. :P



The Z24 did have great styling...at least for that era.


My fav is still the 1995-99. :) Actually, I owned both. Here's my 1995 Z24. :)

[Mike Reyna]

Wife's 1999 Z24. :)

[TA^Guy]

Hey Mike,

I agree the trunk opening on the Cobalt was terrible. We couldnt fit our baby stroller into it and it was the main reason we did not purchase the car. I did like a lot of things with it but not impressed with the power at all. Between the wife and I think we'd rate it a 7 out of 10.

For comparrison sake go test drive a Nissan Sentra and let me know what you think. I personally give that a 9 out of 10 for the money. Better trunk opening, better options, and cheeper by a few thousand.

[XoticGA]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
We couldnt fit our baby stroller into it and it was the main reason we did not purchase the car.


Wow! :shock: You couldn't get a folded stroller in there? That's a shame...

[Mike Reyna]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
Hey Mike,

I agree the trunk opening on the Cobalt was terrible. We couldnt fit our baby stroller into it and it was the main reason we did not purchase the car. I did like a lot of things with it but not impressed with the power at all. Between the wife and I think we'd rate it a 7 out of 10.

For comparrison sake go test drive a Nissan Sentra and let me know what you think. I personally give that a 9 out of 10 for the money. Better trunk opening, better options, and cheeper by a few thousand.


John did you drive an auto or manual? I know the Ecotec is only 5hp short of my 2.3 (stock engine) and LD9 2.4. Although, IIRC the car is a bit heavier. Maybe that's why?

GM is going to introduce a 2.4 170hp SS version next year???

Actually, I've been in the new Sentra's. A friend of mine ownes one (wifes car), and it's a pretty nice car. I thought the interior wasn't as nice as the Cobalts. Oh, and it doesn't come in 2 doors. :( Like you said...lot's of car for the money though. :thumbup2:

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I've been considering a Chevy Cobalt SS in place of a G6 GTP, but I'm still looking at my options: need to test drive both first.

[XoticGA]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
I've been considering a Chevy Cobalt SS in place of a G6 GTP, but I'm still looking at my options: need to test drive both first.

:wtf: That's like trading in a motorcycle for an electric power scooter, Mike! :lol: :P

[Subtle_Cynicism]

lol this is very true, Trish.

I'm only half serious about the Cobalt SS. I hear its got a lot of power, but its a little too high school looking for me. It just screams out "too much flash"

Some might like that, but I'd rather look sexy in a sexy, chic (sheek) car :D

[XoticGA]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
lol this is very true, Trish.

I'm only half serious about the Cobalt SS. I hear its got a lot of power, but its a little too high school looking for me. It just screams out "too much flash"

Some might like that, but I'd rather look sexy in a sexy, chic (sheek) car :D

Welp, to me.. it cries "Beam Me Up, Scottie" :lol: I looked at the SS before I got my GAGT.. And I couldn't get over the darn park bench on the trunk... I think a GP would suit you nicely, it looks good and it looks "grown up" :)

[Mike Reyna]

Originally posted by Subtle_Cynicism
I've been considering a Chevy Cobalt SS in place of a G6 GTP, but I'm still looking at my options: need to test drive both first.


I'll take the Cobalt SS without the huge wing. :D

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by Mike Reyna
I'll take the Cobalt SS without the huge wing. :D
Is the spoiler an option?

If not I'm sure you can easily find someone online to trade a rear deck with either no spoiler or a low spoiler for the SS one. :D

[Mike Reyna]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
Is the spoiler an option?

If not I'm sure you can easily find someone online to trade a rear deck with either no spoiler or a low spoiler for the SS one. :D

I was told they now have a wing delete option (not sure yet). I actually like the one from the LT. :)

[GT2000]

Yeah I like the smaller wing on the lower Cobalts, but the one on the SS is fricken bigger than the car...man do I want a cobalt. My friend just bought one, hes had for a few months and its still stock, I want to slap him.