Bought the manual transmission privately. Did a whole lot of research beforehand, no major issues or "downtime". Two major issues that are common to Aerios are however:
-The oil pan is not made well, be prepared to replace it as it may rust to the point that it is hollow
-It does not hold its alignment very well, so do take care not to slam the sides into anything lest you pay to get it realigned.
The performance of this vehicle is, in my opinion, its biggest selling point. This car flies. That 2.3l engine sounds great, and performs even better. You won't be starved for extra power. The seats are also phenomenally well done. I couldn't have asked for better seats. The best description of them is that they are "unobtrusive". They don't impose on your posture much, but are soft and easily sat in, like a sofa. This makes the Aerio a pleasure to drive on long journeys, and a joy to have fun with. The radio is also just above average for a car of its age, which to myself says a lot. I've never had an issue with the sound quality being poor, or the radio itself not loud enough. The stereo system itself is also very easy to use, with nice tactile buttons.
Some gripes I do have with the Aerio are the rear drum brakes, and the price of parts. Just a forewarning, parts are not cheap. Furthermore, the exterior styling has gotten me a lot of comments, good and bad. It's very much an acquired taste.
Would I recommend the Aerio to anyone? Absolutely! Buy certified at a reputable dealership, and in a manual like mine if you do though. You won't regret it.