CD Article: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5/Pontiac G3 Wave

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


New styling, a redesigned interior, and a more refined engine with improved fuel economy are the major changes to GM's Korean-built subcompact hatchbacks for 2009, reports Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.  If you have cash, you can buy one for just $10,470, he notes.
 More:
 View the photos: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5; 2009 Pontiac G3 Wave

[Wave Victim]

I had a 2006 Wave 5 Uplevel. In 20,000 km, it had a new engine (8,000 km), transmission (13,000 km) and two engine computers (16,000 and 19,000). It used fuel like a much larger car. Even worse was the indifferent (at best) service I got from the dealer.

This car was the best advertisement Toyota ever had. Fortunately, it was a 2 year lease. I have not had a problem with my '08 Matrix (now at 12,000 km), which is a much better engineered car in my opinion.

[smok]

I had a 2006 Wave 5 Uplevel. In 20,000 km, it had a new engine (8,000 km), transmission (13,000 km) and two engine computers (16,000 and 19,000). It used fuel like a much larger car. Even worse was the indifferent (at best) service I got from the dealer.

This car was the best advertisement Toyota ever had. Fortunately, it was a 2 year lease. I have not had a problem with my '08 Matrix (now at 12,000 km), which is a much better engineered car in my opinion.

They are cheap, but you get what you pay for.  If I was looking for a small car, I'd go with a Fit or a Matrix.  You just know Honda and Toyota won't sell you garbage, and there is a lot of engineering that goes into their cars...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Dad's had his Aveo5 for a couple of trouble free years. A fellow at work is up to 200k or so on his Wave5 and the only issue so far has been a replaced front wheel bearing.

I don't think the previous cars were that good, and I certainly didn't enjoy driving Dad's car, but your experience is likely pretty rare.

Consumer Reports said the Aveo is the second cheapest car to own for 5 years including depreciation and fuel costs. It is also below average in reliability.
The Yaris is the cheapest.

[Honda Owner]

When I worked at the GM store, the Aveo was probably the best product GM sold (which really isn't saying much). There were however quality control problems, especially PCM failures. The previous motor was also notorious for timing belt breakages at around 100,000 km.

But really, the cash prices on these things are dirt cheap but add anti-lock and side airbags and you get getting very close to Fit and Yaris prices.

[The Mighty Duck]

Fantastic value for money.  My sister's got one: the interior quality is very good for a $10 000 car, and you actually get a fairly well equipped vehicle for a base model.  Four speakers where some manufactures give you two, a privacy cover for the hatch other companies would charge for, etc.

I wouldn't buy one, since I think the Fit is a far better buy despite being more money, but for basic transportation, the cash price of the Aveo5 is tough to beat.  Think about what $10k buys on the used market, and weigh that against the Aveo...

[Cortina]

They are cheap, but you get what you pay for. 

I hate it when people say things like that. 10K is lot of dosh. So you want to the car to be perfect.

[Schmengie]

I had a 2006 Wave 5 Uplevel. In 20,000 km, it had a new engine (8,000 km), transmission (13,000 km) and two engine computers (16,000 and 19,000). It used fuel like a much larger car. Even worse was the indifferent (at best) service I got from the dealer.

This car was the best advertisement Toyota ever had. Fortunately, it was a 2 year lease. I have not had a problem with my '08 Matrix (now at 12,000 km), which is a much better engineered car in my opinion.

They are cheap, but you get what you pay for.  If I was looking for a small car, I'd go with a Fit or a Matrix.  You just know Honda and Toyota won't sell you garbage, and there is a lot of engineering that goes into their cars...

That's easy for you to say, but to some folks $10K - $12K is a LOT of money. That's only a down-payment on a new Matrix - hell, the dealer here doesn't even have one on the lot for less than $21K. As for the base Fit, good luck trying to find one. The '09 isn't available yet and most of the '08s I've seen are in the $17K - $20K range or more.

[Honda Owner]

As for the base Fit, good luck trying to find one

It took me a month to find one. The manual is eligible for the $1000 Eco rebate and is actually more popular than the automatic. The LX isn't worth $2500 more than the DX so the DX sells the best in Canada. Getting one in blue was quite an experience. Every dealer I went to tried to upsell me to a Sport, which in my opinion is a complete waste of money. When I found a dealer that had what I wanted, they tried to add a bunch of packs like that silly "Security ID" nonsense they try to sell. I informed them that the car already has insurance.

When I finally got a dealer to deal honestly (I thought), just as I was signing the lease agreement, I saw in the fine print, "Lease Registration Fee." My "DEALER PACK" alarm went off in spades. I told them that Honda Canada has a dim view of such things and they had about 3 minutes to reconsider. Even more shady was  "Lease Registration Fee" was to be paid with a separate cheque, so Honda wouldn't see it. Now, however, when I enter the place, I get the red carpet because when I got my CSI call from Honda, I told them all about it. I am sure Honda ripped out a new one. Honda can pull your dealership any time they want and the dealers know it.

Most dealers do this kind of chicanery. VW tried to add a $475 "cleanup and gasoline fee." I pointed out that PDI paid for cleanup and walked out the door.

Finally, if you want an '08 Fit, you will only be able to get an automatic Sport with every dealer pack and or option they can pile on it. These cars are hot and the dealers know it.

[me]

Hey, I have a brand new 2009 Pontiac G3 Wave...I have never owned a bigger piece of poop before in my life...It's been in the shop twice and I had a blow out on the road.  Had this thing for little over 1 and a half months.  I've talked to the dealer and to GM directly, they won't take the car back.  Even with that new add running where they say if we don't love our car, they will buy it back.  What a lie! I understand when someone says it's a good advertisement for a different company.  I will never own another GM product again.