2005 Aveo replaces Geo

Just picked up an Aveo (striped) to replace my Geo Metro, I live 100 from the nearest store so shopping is a day event and with my Ford F-350 a $70 drive (3/3/2017) when I can get to the highway. I was going to rebuild the engine on the metro but the winter storm dumped 4' drifts on the road (my grader can't clear, no traction on the 3" of solid ice below the snow) so no means to get the engine into the shop until the road clears.
I caught a ride into town and picked up the Aveo, it's parked next to the county road and I get to it with my snowmobile or walking 2 miles.
The first thing I noticed was the power, I could get on the freeway without fear! Going over Rattlesnake pass at 80mph was, different. The ride was quiet compared to the metro, I can talk on my phone and hear the other party! The steering isn't as 'twitchy' with 14" tire as my metro with 12" tires so it's easier to drive and not worry about over reacting, something you don't want to do in deer county.
Other than the strange mechanical issues and the dented roof (someone walked on it?) it's a keeper.

Welcome to the Aveo Forum. We are pleased to find an other Aveo Convert. I suspect the upgrade from the Geo is a god send or a really really low bar ;-)

When I lived in Iowa it handled snow well and we have a bunch of Canadians to swear by them.

Check the timing belt condition and the last change. It has a 60,000 mile limit. Several of us had to go through head rebuilds sigh

How do you 'check' it? Is there a view port somewhere?

Service records. See if the prior owner has done it. Otherwise you are sitting on a time bomb. The idler pulley has crapped out too. Even if the belt looks good, it can go.