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Comments
I think that any manufacturer can build a lemon but the problem seems more common on domestic carts. There pursuit of penny wise. pound foolish strategies is to blame.
Like the above response says these cars are built in batches and its unfortunate some people has certain issues-sunroof. The Cobalt is selling close to 20,000 a month which makes it one of the top selling cars.
Loren
I think I could go on. This segment is very competitive and the Cobalt is in in the hunt. I like the new Civic a lot, but also the Cobalt. For me, it will all come down to rebates and pricing.
btw, where is the 5 door Cobalt?
Loren
The Cobalt drives great, based on my experience with a rental last year. Plenty of power, good handling and the interior design is the best I've ever seen in a GM.
They just need to punch up the looks a little, at least on the sedan. (I personally hate the rear end of the coupe, but at least it has some character).
Loren
Does anyone knoe if GM is going to supercharge the 2.4? THAT WOULD BE NICE, I bet about 250hp!
I wonder what else GM has in store for this car...
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That is interesting. Was that the RSX Type-S they compared it to? You do know a 2007 RSX will be coming out next year. It may not be the best time to get an Acura with a model change coming out soon. That said the resale will likely still be much higher than the Cobalt SS. Well, unless you figure in an good solid discount from Chevy. It may all equal out, though over a longer time frame, I doubt they remain equal. You may be right though. It is not the best of times to buy the RSX. I doubt the value of the SS though - too much higher than the base models.
I would not buy a Scion tC for more than $17K. I assume they got one with the blower. Yeah, they get expensive too. Tuners may appreciate full dressed tC though, and who's to say they are wrong. Likewise, if ya want to throw big money into modified Cobalts, and like the results, more power to ya! A matter of personal taste, and what one sees in a car. I would rather go rear wheel drive if paying over $20K, and I don't see good resale in GM products yet.
For those in need of a smaller FWD car, with a super charged four banger engine, and cost in and out is no object, then it may indeed be one fun car to own. I hope they did not put the electric assist steering in the Cobalts.
For $20K, I would just get a Mustang.
Loren
That way you would be waiting for a new car to come out all of your life, if you are shopping for a new car today, i can understand anticipating a rediesign in three months, but a year? Please.
The Cobalt kicks the imports like GM was supposed to 20 years ago. Oh well, better late than never.
If you have the time read back into the forum the magazines and months are mentioned. Yes I saw the Acura lose to the sc Cobalt, and yes I have seen the regular Cobalt place high in several magazine tests though none won outright. As far a newspaper auto writers tests the Cobalt has several victories and some of those links to posts have also been printed in this forum.
I never said it is the best car of this type, just one of the better ones. I recently saw that Consumer Reports gave a poor rating to the Cobalt, Hyundai and something else because of recalls. The Cobalts power roof and air conditioner problem (which was supposedly resolved) really hurt its reliability points. Remember, Consumer Reports gets it ratings from people who are members of their magazine, not the rest of the public. Just thought I would throw that in there for thought.
As far as ride and handling for that Corolla that is all in your opinion, but not of most auto writers who test cars for a living.
Actually, the tC and RSX are both "Recommended" by Consumer Reports. The Cobalt SS and Mitsubishi Eclipse in the same test are not listed as recommended.
The Cobalt SS is the fastest and best handler in the test. But to be fair, the other three cars are normally aspirated while the SS is supercharged. I wonder why they tested the supercharged version instead of the less expensive (by $3200) 2.4L version?
Loren
The Type S has 201 HP without using a blower. The base engine RSX is 155HP. Torque is 140# compared to 139#.
I am sure the 2007 will be pumped up even more. The gas mileage is about the same between RSX and SS Cobalts. Cobalt gets a couple less MPG on the freeway. The only thing off hand that may be better dollar wise in getting an SS would be the engines torque, which is a good 200#. Resale will likely be less than a full dressed non-blown Cobalt if sold or traded in in three to five years. That said, if you prefer the Chevy, and it seems like more fun to you, and you can afford it, it is the one to buy. Go for it! The best handling FWD car was the Celica, but Toyota has abandoned the little guy - oh well.
Loren
Loren
end quote
Well, let's see, a $20K Civic??? Nope, not a good buy, though if you are talking an Si, it may light someone's fire and be worth it. Most Civic are worth around $15 to $17K at the most. The Cobalt, with not as great a re-sale, and GM financial woes, will likely not bring as good as sell price.
The new Civic is a cab forward design and looks nothing like a Corolla. The coupe looks pretty neat, and the sedan is so-so. Not sure I do like deep dash and long slope windshield.
Seems to me for $20K or higher, something like the Mustang is a lot more style, and sporty looks. And if ya are talking coupes and sedans, you can get Accords, or G6's for that much money.
With the red tag specials, as in future pricing on GM cars, the Cobalt should be somewhere in the $12K to $15K range, so that ain't so bad a deal. But $22K for little GM car??? Heck, I would not pay more than $20K for an Impala.
Loren
The styling on the new Civic is definately love it or hate it, but it definately looks new and doesn't look anything like a Corolla.
I'm not crazy about the design myself but I give them credit for the agressive, futuristic styling whereas the Cobalt just looks like an updated Cavalier. The Cobalt easily could have been a 1995 instead of a 2005.
I totally agree with you about it not making sense at over $20k. No car of this size is worth that.
I think the Cobalt SS Sedan is sharp looking, but even with red tag pricing it'd be about $19k. I don't understand how someone can justify optioning a compact car well into mid-size prices. For instance, $20k will buy you a Cobalt SS 4-door with every option, a Malibu 2LT with everything but sunroof and leather or an Impala LS with ABS.
I'd rather have more car with less options.
I totally agree with you about it not making sense at over $20k. No car of this size is worth that.
I think the Cobalt SS Sedan is sharp looking, but even with red tag pricing it'd be about $19k. I don't understand how someone can justify optioning a compact car well into mid-size prices. For instance, $20k will buy you a Cobalt SS 4-door with every option, a Malibu 2LT with everything but sunroof and leather or an Impala LS with ABS.
I'd rather have more car with less options.
Ah, the beauty of choices - I think it's great to have 3 totally different cars (size/features/etc) at one price. I think a loaded Cobalt SS sedan at $20K is a good buy - think of it as an A4 for $15K less with similar size/features/performance (it's interior isn't as nice, but it's reliability is better and with $15K I'll get a used Solstice in a few years). Besides, the average cost of a new car is something like $27K.
Notes:
A) The SRT-4 is out of production, right? (even though the SS is the better all around car, it's hard to argue with the raw acceleration of the Dodge)
I have not driven and am not including the officially unreleased 2006+ Civic Si.
C) I am including the Acura RSX-S in the cars that are outclassed by the Cobalt SS
D) The available Recaros are amazing!
Personally, in the price range I would consider an Acura RSX next year, if looking for FWD. And since I don't live in snow country, my first choice in $20K on up cars would be RWD.
As for the Cobalt - good econo car in the less than $15K class.
Another option for HP per dollar may be a used 2002 Camaro SS.
loren