Why I love and hate sub-compacts.

[mikedudley17]

Recently i drove past the gas station and the sign read that gas was $3.45/gallon. Thats about a 20 cent hike from yesterday. No joke. So then as I drove by I began to think, "and this is why I love my sub-compact(sc)." The fuel mileage is great, I mean at speeds of 80 mph, gets better gas mileage than some v-6s at 60. And v-8s, well they are gettin better with the 4 cylinder shutdown at hwy speeds but its still not that great. I also love my cars size because it makes parking in tight squeezes alot nicer. Sometimes at school, because the parking is so crowded, i look for the spaces where someone didnt park right and they are in the other space a bit, just so i can squeeze the Aveo in. 1, I thinks it kind of funny and 2, I get to class on time. Even tho my sc is small, it still has lots of interior space and doesnt leave me feeling crowded. I sometimes get that crowded feeling in bigger sedans and I am just like WTF? My sc also is pretty spunky for what it is. Its not quick from a stop, but its not bad on a roll. Of course Im not saying i can contend with v-8s but it keeps me from getting run over in traffic. Another thing I would like to add is the fact that our sc is very easy to work on.

On the other side, there are some things I do not like about my sc. I do sometimes feel more vulnerable, like if i get hit by anything bigger than a Civic sedan, I am done for. Another thing I dislike about my sc is that it gets blown around badly on the highway on nice breezy days. I find this to be an annoyance on days Im in a hurry, because I cant do over 60 without the fear of flipping over or being drifted into someone elses lane. Another thing I dislike is the fact that when I get someone else riding in my car, it gets doggy. I also dislike the fact that my sc feels like its not very solid. You know, it feels like I would be safer driving a tin can.

Of course with all the negatives I have listed, there are reasons for them like the car is very light weight and designed for economy. But it doesnt mean I cant dislike them. Of course overall, I love my sc. I wouldnt trade it for any other sc out there. I do think that all the different cars out there have there place. Even the unecessary exotics and so forth. And of course me writing this is kinda of a general summarization of things already said but I dont care. Just wanted to write something.

Have a good day folks!

[AVE0SAM]

ok since you mentioned getting blown around at highspeeds...do you have stock ride height? if you do i would seriously suggest lowering springs, not only for the looks but it seriouslystops you from getting that feeling of being unstable at highspeed...wide wheels with better offset helps out too but lowering springs are more important. I live on campus in Newark during the week and travel home on the NJ turnpike to south jersey (about 160miles) every weekend. my usual speed on roads like that are anywhere from 75-85 mph and i remember when i was on 17x7's and not lowered doing that kinda speed and being scared to death and always having an insane grip on the steering wheel to prevent swerving around. Now i have stock wheels and lowering springs and doing 85+ i can just cruise on those roads and relax and never feel tipsy or unsafe. If anyone does commuting like that I really suggest getting some kind of lower spring...obviously you can feel more of the road as a downside but in return you feel safer driving. sounds like a great trade off to me

[ontarian_frog]

It's too bad I realized how bad it would be for me to have lowering springs on my Wave. I spend half the year in snow, and the drivability of car would be too affected. First, the softer stock suspension helps the wheel keep traction on bumpy and curvy roads. Second, a lower car will hit every ice chunk on the roads and parking lots here.

It's really too bad for me. I love my Wave, and would love it probably more with the lowering springs. But I take security very seriously, more than most people my age and won't feel comfortable with the stiffer springs on.

Back on topic...

I love this car. Great mpg, except in the city. But that's my fault. I have a heavy foot. I love the way you can sit anywhere in the car and be comfortable (except middle rear seat). I'm a hefty guy at 5' 9", 200lbs. At high speeds, my Wave feels pretty good and the steering response is right how I like it. The wheel is tight but it still absorbs a lot of the unnecessary feedback. Good back support and the cruise control is a money saver (at pump and tickets).

What I don't like... The freaking motor mounts drive me nuts. Feels like the engine is mounted on shackles. The transmission is a bit hard to shift at very cold temperatures. THe roads here suck because studs are allowed and this car will follow the ruts like a train to its tracks!

Overall I like it. Getting tired of everything breaking on it, but I have to say it hasn't let me down yet. Some things broke but I was never stuck. Now I wonder how long my throw out earing will last. It started making noise... And only the 2007 warranty covers it.

[exodus]

Throwout bearing should be fine on an '06... my wife primarily drove our '04 until my jetta lost 5th gear, and would hold down the clutch constantly at lights regardless how much I would yell at her... and I still haven't heard a peep out of it...

Depending on your millage I would say that's not usual wear and tear.

[y2dgone]

good posting everyone, kudos for mike

[AVE0SAM]

i also have that love/hate relationship with the aveo....for what the car is, I love it and havent had any big problems and with the way gas prices are today, im glad i can get atleast 30mpg. The aveo is one of the cheapest gas savers you can pick up brand new for a price around 10g's. But at times I hate how slow it is but I pretty sure I am not going to get rid of it as a daily driver even after i get out of college and make more money, unless i can afford a prius or someother hybrid.

[mikedudley17]

Yea, I got lowering springs on the way from Xtreme and wider tires in the garage(my summer tires). With time and love, the faults of the Aveo can be fixed. It was just my view of the Aveo and sub compacts overall. And like someone said, its all trade-off. You know, fuel mileage or stability. Its all in what you want and can deal with.

[AVE0SAM]

Yea, I got lowering springs on the way from Xtreme and wider tires in the garage(my summer tires). With time and love, the faults of the Aveo can be fixed. It was just my view of the Aveo and sub compacts overall. And like someone said, its all trade-off. You know, fuel mileage or stability. Its all in what you want and can deal with.

yea the loves definitely outweight the hates...

another thing i love with aveo, especially the hatchback, is the interior room for such a small car. I can fit so much crap in there with the backseat in, but holycow once you take that seat out (which is fairly easy, just two bolts) you can fit all you need in there. an example of this is when i travel to my uncles house down the shore to do some detailing, i can fit all my equip i need in there including stepstolls, buckets, bins of supplies, vacuum cleaner and various other things. i will have to take a picture next time.

[mikedudley17]

I got the sedan and i must say that it is roomy as well. Not as good as the hatch but llike i said, i sometimes would get a cramped up feeling in other bigger cars. Like my gf used to own a Sebring and i hated that car. It felt so small inside and there really wasnt alot of room overall IMO. But i dont get that in the Aveo. Im not a small guy either, 6'0, 230lbs, and I fit in with lots of room.

[TrickyAveo]

Thats the only thing, I dont like about my aveo on winded days you can really feel it. lol