Hello Guys,
Have been following this thread and this great forum for some 2 weeks now. and guess what, I too have gone for it and bought the AVEO 1.4LS version, just 10 days back. i have completed some odd 600 kms all in the city only. I find this car very lavish since I have migrated from M800. I think it really gives an impression of a big luxury car and definately its more roomy from inside too. Interiors are very classy compared to Fiesta and others. The dashboard itself makes it look huge from inside as well as outside.
I had test driven Ford Fiesta and NHC too. The city is undoubtedly the best selling C segment car and is the leader in FE too. but I think its bit overhyped and overpriced. I mean Its On Road price in Jaipur is Rs790500 for the M/T GXI with no discounts while I could fetch a good decent discount on my AVEO and it finally came in my hands in just Rs 6,60,000 Only (On Road) with almost all the major features of NHC. Another reason for not buying NHC is that Honda got just one dealesrship (in Jaipur) to take care of whole Rajasthan state. that dealer hardly makes any efforts to sale his car which are already in great demands. SO he called me back after good 15 days of my first inquiry and a test drive. I live in the suncity of india i.e. Jodhpur.6 hrs far from Jaipur.
Regarding Fiesta. I believe its indeed a great car but somehow I didnt like it that much . first, It didnt felt like a big car from inside. The interiors were just OK sort of, less back seat space and when I took test drive of a petrol version, I found that this car is indeed peppier but it was needing down gearshifts more then the AVeo in city driving. The gearbox is excellent so is the pickup and engine response, Way ahead of Aveo. The only reason I may think of the high sales of Fiesta is the Diesel version. I myself have seen so many Fiestas on Road but almost all are Diesels.
Now, About my blazzing Red Chevy Aveo. I somehow found that the Red and Black were the colors which suited its design most. but its a subjective matter. Just personal opinion. So far I have found this car quite satisfactory. I am not a fast driver and hardly drive myself on the highways. for the first tank full I got a milage of 11 in City conditions with AC. I really hope it should increase after service. I really get depressed by reading NHC's 14-15 km/l in city. though I havent personally met anyone claiming that.
The dashboard reflection does annoy me sometimes but i guess its there not for full day hours. I get it most in peak afternoon. say around 1-3 pm.
The best thing I have noticed so far about the Aveo is its Torque. This car doesnt want me to change gears very frequevently. I was amazed that day when i unknowingly get passed a big speed breaker in 4th gear . that too with 4 persons in the car. Later I realized I should perhaps avoid such driving. AC is another great thing.
Now the worst thing, surely the notchy gearshift. I wonder how GM could not find a better gearbox. It requires long shifts. I was very iritated initially though I knew of this -ive side of the car while buying. I have now become habitual of this notchy thing may be coz I have shifted from driving 1996 M800, so its still better then that one but definately not of a class of Fieta, NHC or even Accent. GM should do something about it.
The engine response is bit lazy but not much. it like to be little pushed. but I am not that demanding person so I am OK with it.
I did not opt for the company provided sound HU. Instead, bought the Sony Xplod. 6 Speakers were provided with car.
I recently heard abt Optra's companmy provided gas kits. I hope GM will make one available for AVEO too, in near future. fingers crossed. I intend to drive my car on alternate fuels after the 2 yrs warranty or may be befor that , if GM itself makes some arrangement like in Optra's acse.
This is all about my Aveo experiance so far. It is a good package over all. We must keep one thing in our minds that "NO CAR IS PERFECT".
Rest is already reported by Namit and Sizzler. Thanks to them and other members for this informative discussion.
I will keep updating new find outs abt my Aveo.
Cheers
-ashu |