FReeper help needed-son's first car!

1 posted on 07/15/2006 4:33:11 PM PDT by mozarky2

Try the Edmunds discussion boards. This should take you to the Aveo boards: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/ed_displayMakeModelRelatedDiscussions!make=Chevrolet&model=Aveo

2 posted on 07/15/2006 4:35:04 PM PDT by McLynnan

P.S. My son is VERY pro-Israel, gun rights, maybe even a better conservative than me!

3 posted on 07/15/2006 4:35:07 PM PDT by mozarky2 (Ya never stand so tall as when ya stoop to stomp a statist!)

It's a Suzuki. Have you considered the new Honda Fit?

4 posted on 07/15/2006 4:35:14 PM PDT by popdonnelly

Gett him a used car so that he understands the value of money.

And a new set of wrenches so he can do his own work.

5 posted on 07/15/2006 4:35:25 PM PDT by TexanToTheCore (This space for hire...)

I've owned Metros, so I'm familiar with the Suzuki-very reliable-thanks-I didn't know that!

6 posted on 07/15/2006 4:36:21 PM PDT by mozarky2 (Ya never stand so tall as when ya stoop to stomp a statist!)

Why buy new and have it depreciate 20% by driving it off the lot?

If you are going through with buying a car, teach him economics. Have him get a job and pay you for whatever used car you get for him.

It will teach lessons.

7 posted on 07/15/2006 4:36:48 PM PDT by SFC Chromey (We are at war with Islamofascism, now ACT LIKE IT, PRESIDENT BUSH!)

To: TexanToTheCore

8 posted on 07/15/2006 4:37:04 PM PDT by mozarky2 (Ya never stand so tall as when ya stoop to stomp a statist!)

Your son needs a safe car considering he's only 16. The Chevy Aveo is pretty tiny, but I don't know its record for crash safety,

9 posted on 07/15/2006 4:37:30 PM PDT by LdSentinal

Your son will hate that, especially if you got his hopes up for a new car.

10 posted on 07/15/2006 4:37:45 PM PDT by NinoFan

He will be paying for it...and his insurance...

11 posted on 07/15/2006 4:37:55 PM PDT by mozarky2 (Ya never stand so tall as when ya stoop to stomp a statist!)

Kids aren't the best drivers. Don't buy a small car!

But a used Caddy or Ford Crown Vic.

12 posted on 07/15/2006 4:38:51 PM PDT by AlexandriaDuke (Conservatives want freedom. Republicans want power.)

2006 Chevrolet Aveo: Road Test

Pros	Cons
Fuel economy Maneuverability	Acceleration Handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
3	2	4.3

Fairly brisk on takeoff and around town. Feels slightly quicker with manual transmission, but no Aveo has enough power for swift highway passing or short freeway on-ramps. Manual has rubbery shift action. Automatic often hesitates to kick down for passing. Engine smoother than most in this price range.

Fuel Economy

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
8	7	6.7

Test manual-transmission sedan averaged 29.3 mpg in mostly city driving. Test automatic-transmission hatchback averaged 29.9 mpg in near-even mix of city/highway driving.

Ride Quality

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5

No opportunity yet to test with 15-inch tires. Impressively absorbent for a small car on most bumps. Some minor bobbing and pitching over irregular pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
4	4	5.6

Petite size, responsive steering make for nimble low-speed moves. Body lean, noseplow increase rapidly with cornering speed. Both test models had ABS and good stopping power.

Quietness

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.2

All noise sources muffled fairly well, better than in many rivals. Unlike many small, light cars, only large, sharp bumps trigger pounding through Aveo's suspension, body structure.

Controls/Materials

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.9

Gauges easy to read. Controls logically placed. Audio system mounted within easy reach, but tiny buttons, knobs difficult to manipulate at speed. Budget-grade plastics dominate decor.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.5

Comfortable seats are softer and a bit higher than in many entry-level cars. Driver positioning aided by standard height-adjustable seat, tilt wheel. Good head room, but tall folks might want more leg space. Visibility to rear corners hindered by thick roof pillars in sedan; hatchback's pillars are thinner.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4

Good head room. Leg room tight with front seats more than halfway back. Seat rather flat, but high mounting means adults don't sit knees-up.

Cargo Room

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
2	7	4.6

Hatchback has room for just a row of grocery bags behind rear seatbacks. But those fold without removing headrests, and cushions flip forward to make a fairly flat load floor. Sedan's trunk volume par for class, though lid hinges dip into load area. Sedan's rear headrests must be removed to fold seatbacks. Interior storage meager, with small bins in console and dash.

Value within Class

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
3	4	6.3

Aveo is imported from General Motors' South Korea manufacturing branch; cars built in that country have been reliable, in our recent experience. Still, we recommend that anyone shopping for a vehicle of this size consider a larger car. That aside, the likable Aveo is surprisingly refined for its price and compares well with budget rivals Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio, though those cars come with head-protecting curtain side airbags.

Total Score

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
42	46	52

Scores for all compact cars

Low Score

Average Score

High Score

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

13 posted on 07/15/2006 4:39:15 PM PDT by jdm

If he's going to be paying for it and the insurance, then definitely get new. Don't make him spend half his time fixing up an old-beater, unless he's really into that kind of thing and most kids today aren't.

14 posted on 07/15/2006 4:39:47 PM PDT by NinoFan

No, it's a Daewoo.

There's only one Suzuki left in the GM lineup (I think), and that's the Tracker.

15 posted on 07/15/2006 4:41:07 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)

Get him a Ferrari so he can get the chicks.

16 posted on 07/15/2006 4:41:25 PM PDT by Boazo (From the mind of BOAZO)

No Cameros or Mustangs!!!!!!!!!! Or any other sports car for that matter. I can't stress it enough!

When a first started out I got my granny's station wagon and was a great driver for the first few months. Then I got a 1990 Camero, then the reckless driving tickets started rolling in, among other events, such as hell raising out till the wee hours of the morning. Gets lots of gals though haha.

17 posted on 07/15/2006 4:41:57 PM PDT by KoRn

I used to drive one at work.

It had good pickup and was good to manuever. Comfortable, but not luxurious.

Its small so get a satin interior, so that when you're in an accident you can get buried in it.

18 posted on 07/15/2006 4:42:27 PM PDT by Bear_Slayer (When liberty is outlawed only outlaws will have liberty)

Is your son less than 5'5" tall? I agree with the others, nobody should have a brand new car as their first ride. A first time driver should not own a car that costs more than $3,000. My first car was a $999, 1976 Chevy Monte Carlo. 100 bucks a month for 12 months in 1983.

19 posted on 07/15/2006 4:43:37 PM PDT by operation clinton cleanup (Iran IS the great Satan.)

Nah, that's what motorbikes are for! :)

20 posted on 07/15/2006 4:44:01 PM PDT by SFC Chromey (We are at war with Islamofascism, now ACT LIKE IT, PRESIDENT BUSH!)

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2006 Chevrolet Aveo: Road Test

Pros

Cons

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings