So I did some preventative maintenance this week and had a new timing belt installed.
Our mechanic, who is also an Aveo owner, told me that according to specs the original timing belt was "one notch out" in its placement so the timing would be been off from the get go. Might explain some of the overall performance issues.
He said the belt was in good condition and there was no evidence that it could have slipped position.
Anyone else run across this? Just some more of that Korean/GM Quality Control? LOL