Today, I traded in my 2007 Chevy Aveo LT for 2009 Chevy Colorado WT. The Aveo was a good car. It had lots of options for the price. But for a long time I’ve wanted and needed something with more utility.

I was able to switch for almost the same payment; only a lot more years again. I traded 2 years of additional payments on the Aveo for 4 more than that on a Colorado. I like the truck and plan if possible to keep it forever so the years owed are not that big of a deal to me. I like the low payment.

For a base model truck I purchased, the 2009 Chevy Colorado has some nice features. The bed liner is at the top of my list, but the leather wrapped steering wheel is also nice. The fog lights and cruise control are surprising features to get at this price point along with the 16″ wheels and tires.

I paid under 15 large for this truck which I think, with the price of vehicles these days, is a good value.

The truck only came with a basic radio, but it sounds good. Speakers are nice. I plan to upgrade in future with a decent cheap CD/Mp3 player. I don’t need a booming stereo anymore. 20 Watts RMS is plenty.

My future upgrades plans include… Class III hitch, CD/MP3 player, Mud Flaps, Hood Bug / Rock Deflector, Door Window Rain Guards, Fender Flairs, Rear Window Tint, Alloy Rims. The trailer hitch has already been ordered.

With the 10k to 15K I saved over buying a pricer Colorado model, I can afford to add only the aftermarket options I want; like a top for the bed which those better models do not even come with.

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These two wrenches are the most common ones used. The cool thing is these are also interchangeable between Metric and Standard for their size ranges. 13mm = 1/2″ and 14mm=9/16″.

Once upon a time, I owned a huge Snap-On tool chest filled with tools just like these in all shapes and sizes. Now I just have a few of my favorites left.

Sometime a few years after I retired professionally from turning the wrenches, I sold most of them. Since then, as needed, I’ve replaced with Craftsman.

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Today I installed a Class I trailer hitch on my Chevy Aveo. I purchased it from etrailer.com for $137.20. Installation was a snap. 3 big bolts and it was done. It couldn’t have been any easier.

Being a Class I, it doesn’t have much towing capacity. Only 2000 pounds. But that is more than enough to haul a dirt bike and supplies around the country.

I’m continuing forward with the Jimmy Buffet Plan. Next stop South Padre…

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That’s some Latino fire on a 12 year old car purchased off Cicero Ave. in Chi-town. I drove it down to the Big Easy for a party and then followed the coastline down to South Padre Island where I had it flamed.

Back home in the corn fields, dropped in a big engine built from a bare block using all performance parts. A bored Chevy 350 with forged pistons and crank, the Edelbrock Total Performance Package (matched aluminum heads, intake, cam, carb), roller rockers, hooker headers, etc.

To top it off, a 2600 watt triple amped 6 speakers computerized sound system playing mp3s. At the push of a button, I had celebrity status with 5000 songs on tap. This was back in 1999 long before Steve Jobs ever put one in your hands.

When gas prices first went through the roof, I sold the hot rod on Ebay. That might have saved me from losing my life in this beast. It had far too much power and went way too fast.

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Back when I turned the wrenches, I pursued ASE certifications and achieved Master Mechanic status. Along with fixing 1000s of cars, I also built a few race cars.

Now I just build models of gas guzzling v8 behemoth engines for my desk. At least these are still made out of metal.

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Say hello to what’s been my new daily driver. A 2007 Chevy Aveo LT. It’s the 1st brand new car I have ever owned. I picked it up back in August of 2006.

I always swore because of the initial depreciation, I would never buy new. I was looking for anouther used car, one around 2 years old. But, in the class of cars I was looking at, I got this one for around the same payments and with the full warranty. With the Interest rate GMAC financing gave me, I couldn’t refuse the deal.

For not being a hybrid, it gets great gas mileage. I am averaging around 30+ and it still has good get up and go. It’s plenty peppy for me. I don’t miss my V8 one bit, especially at the gas pump. So far, I have been 100% satisfied with this car.

Highlights:
Air Conditioning (Of Course)
In Dash CD/MP3 Player (My Favorite Part)
Six-Speaker Premium Sound (For Factory, This Sucker Rocks!)
Cruise Control
Power Door Locks
Power Windows
Remote Keyless Entry
15-Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels
60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat
Heated, Power, Foldaway, Side Mirrors
Intermittent Wipers
Rear Window Defrost
Back Glass Antenna
3 Year / 36,000 Bumper to Bumper Warranty
5 Year / 100,000 Powertrain Warranty
6 Year / 100,000 Rust-Through Corrosion Warranty

Sadly my aspirations of driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee till 200,000 miles got creamed by a 19 year old driving Mommies 96 Mustang. The whole rear end was taken out on my car. Welcome to Chicago. With its age, 1997, my vehicle was totaled. Luckily no one was injured.

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