22 December 2011

Car Review: Chevy Aveo

The Chevy Aveo Found here: http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/

I took this car on a rather long trip:
It was about 300 miles one way. The weather was cold, windy, but clear.

So first off, it's small right? RIGHT. My Suitcase and tool box weren't able to share the trunk. Not for lack of space in the trunk, but due to the restrictive opening on both the back, and from the slide through when the rear seats are down.

Next, it's slow right? RIGHT. Terrible pick up, peppy only in first gear, so when your in the middle of the intersection trying to get out of the way, and it shifts into second... you all but STOP before getting out of the way. Also, be prepared to have any fissures in the pavement dictate your direction. I was regularly pushed around by cracks in the pavement. Don't even get me started on the wind. This car was exhausting to drive. I was constantly forced to course correct.

It's got some options right? WRONG. Terribly appointed as well, the interior puts me in mind of really cheap Fischer-Price type plastics, which are ok for TOYS. Also most of the items you actually use feel like you will break them eventually. It did have cruse, which was a HUGE plus on this trip. However in heavy wind the car felt so unstable that I didn't use it most of the time.
OK, one "neat" feature is this, when you either pull up or push down the drivers lock tab, all four doors lock or unlock.
My biggest complaint however is this:
I would prefer that Chevy pulled out the front seats and bolted in an old crappy wooden park bench... it would have been more comfortable. I'm only in my 30's... so I should not be shifting in my seat from pain and annoyance in only a matter of an hour or so.

It gets great gas mileage right? WRONG. In this day and age a car that asks you to put up with this kind of crap ought to really help you out in the gas dept... not so here. I was able to get around 30MPG... NOT amazing for a car this small. Especially when you realize that cars the size of the Chrysler 300 are now able to get 30MPG.
The doors do manage to sound solid when closed, but sounds can be deceiving.

As far as looks go, well it looks like your getting suckered into buying a crappy car because your broke. I'd buy used before I bought this new.
The rear seat is small by hobbit standards, adequate for small children but not much more.

The instrument panel is done well, however the clock above the center stack really brings things into a bargain basement feel.


 So over all I would have to say it's one out of five. It only gets the one because it didn't breakdown.





09 December 2011

Room Walk through: Metropolis Resort Eau Claire, WI



Hotel Web-Site:
http://www.metropolisresort.com/
On Google:
http://maps.google.com/maps?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=altoona,+wi+hotels&fb=1&gl=us&hq=hotels&hnear=0x87f8bb7f72acfacb:0x37db306976865071,Altoona,+WI&ei=JqIsT72DIqGy0AGrnbj0Cg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CCwQtgM

What I can say:

  • Good nights sleep
  • Crazy loud heater in the room
  • Great Jacuzzi
  • Semi Cheesy fireplace, but still nice overall
  • Interesting take on a resort, makes me think of the game Bio Shock for some reason
  • Breakfast was strange... the room it's in is clearly a pizza party room most of the time