Chevy Cobalt

[Volt]

Ok, I have a thread on teh Mazda 3 looking for opinions and now the Chevy Cobalt. Trying to narrow down a list of smaller sized cars for the wife. Any pros or cons you want to talk about?

[Commander Quan]

I drove a Cobalt while my Mazda3 was in the shop for 2 weeks getting 2 new doors put on after someone pulled out from a stop sign into me. The rental was just a base model but over all the interior just screamed cheap, everything was hard plastic.

I'm not sure what the basic mazda3 trim is like since I have leather, or what the higher end cobalt trim, to compare them, but I would not have been happy buying the car that I drove.

[Volt]

Tks... it does come off as a lower end Chevy. But I like having options. May also look at the Hundai Elantra. I know even less about them.

[gettysburgfreak]

Both my mom and my sister have a Cobalt and they both love them. My moms came with a sunroof, power everything, and a pioneer sound system. Its a little four banger but it gets great gas mileage.

That being said, if it were me I would get the Mazda 3. Its better looking and is a little sportier in terms of performance.

[Thrak]

Chevy = GM = Government Motors.

They'll never see a dime of my money again for orchestrating the fraud against the american taxpayer.

Stick to Mazda, you'll be happier.

[GTsetGO]

only one i would buy is the ss/sc

but then again, it is a chevy slowbalt

[Volt]

Sorry guys, but it fits the budget so it gets considered. As to the Gubermint.... well, I'm supporting myself :0

[Chris.]

Why not a honda civic or Fit?

[Volt]

trying to stay around 15K on a car. The Grand Am died at a bad time (as if there is a good time). Trying to budget :(

[kelmac07]

Tks... it does come off as a lower end Chevy. But I like having options. May also look at the Hundai Elantra. I know even less about them.

Hundai has improved over the years. Elantra is not a bad car (long as you don't buy the stock model) and you cannot beat their warranty. Kellie and I drove one (think it was the first one off the lot here in NN) and drove it for 13 years. Our first car!! Just my :2

[Volt]

Bout time you wake up - retired peeps - sheesh

[poker]

http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/?msrp=0&sort=msrp&sortdir=asc&num=15&expanded=price

Up to 15K

[Volt]

http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/?msrp=0&sort=msrp&sortdir=asc&num=15&expanded=price

Up to 15K


thanks, been using edmunds.... I'll poke around there and see what other options there may be.

[Chris.]

trying to stay around 15K on a car. The Grand Am died at a bad time (as if there is a good time). Trying to budget :(

Man, I dont know where you live, but used civics go for way under $15K. Buying a car brand new is dumb. Especially in this economy.

Examples taken from Nashville TN(because its pretty much the middle of the US)
2006 Civic LX
http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/1272784004.html

2006 Civic EX with Navigation
http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/1269036490.html

2008 Fit
http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/1268147921.html

[Volt]

Never had much luck with used. I agree there is a premium to new, but I have less headaches and the wife hasn't had a new car in 18 years. I have been passing her the ones I was done with as my travel requires a dependale long haul car. She is due, makes the home life better. We start test driving tomorrow. We are looking forward to it, been awhile since we bought a car.

Man, I dont know where you live, but used civics go for way under $15K. Buying a car brand new is dumb. Especially in this economy.

Examples taken from Nashville TN(because its pretty much the middle of the US)
2006 Civic LX
http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/1272784004.html

2006 Civic EX with Navigation
http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/1269036490.html

2008 Fit
http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/1268147921.html

[GTsetGO]

anything honda is going to last a lifetime.

Got the wife a Pilot last year and gave her dad her 95 Accord. The thing has 190,000 miles on it and still drives like it's brand new.

[e-man67]

Check out the Ford Focus...they are very nice cars.

[GTsetGO]

is $15k your top?

[GTsetGO]

I am seeing some 2009 Civics from $14k to $18k at Fairfax Honda.

[Volt]

I am seeing some 2009 Civics from $14k to $18k at Fairfax Honda.

I'll go peek. it's not a hard ceiling, but a target.

[GTsetGO]

what i did when i got the pilot was to get email quotes from dealerships up in northern virginia. for some reason they have better prices than down here.

I then took the better of those quotes to places down here to see what they could do for me.

got my pilot for $31k (taxes, title and tags) out the door. sticker on it was $36k just for the car. So i did good i think.

[Darrell]

As I recall the Cobalt is what used to be the Cavalier. They're junk, they are slow, ugly, and the interior are really janky. I don't recommend them. :2

[Volt]

Keep the opinions rolling in - I'm liking all input.

[Chris.]

what kind of car does she need? Something similar to a fit or toyota matrix? a 2 door or 4 door? suv or car? what about trucks? Give us some more insight to what she'll be using it for and what she likes, and we could prolly help more also.

[Volt]

what kind of car does she need? Something similar to a fit or toyota matrix? a 2 door or 4 door? suv or car? what about trucks? Give us some more insight to what she'll be using it for and what she likes, and we could prolly help more also.


Just a little dependable 4 banger. She likes a smaller car and one she can trust. Could go for a more pricier car but i just bought a new motorcycle and still haven't sold the old one yet... Otherwise the budget would be better. She really needs a car kinda fast though. If I trade the bike in I take a beating on it.

[larryinlc]

If you're looking at the Colbalt, you might consider the Pontiac G5. Basically the same car but rebadged. Since Pontiac will be no more,they're really blowing them out the door. We have a large local GM dealer here that always has good stock of program cars. For example...A 2009 Pontiac G5 GT loaded with every option including leather for 14k. The car has 57 miles on it. Retail sticker was nearly 22k. Maybe GM doesn't make the best small cars, but to get from point A to B, they represent a pretty good value if you buy one right.

Larry

[Genetic Defect]

I have a smaller sized car :) but out of the Chevy and Mazda I would stick with Mazda.

[Volt]

We loved Pontiacs.... Din't realize they had any left out there though. Might be worth hitting the local stealer and seeing what they may be blowing out. Thanks.

[poker]

Also check cars direct:

http://www.carsdirect.com/pontiac/g5?src=425&lnk=pontiac/g5

Just enter your zip code. A new G5 here showed for 13.2K

[Volt]

Youi guys are great with the tips... never had so much help in spending money :r

But cars are a major purchase, the hope is the right car is bought and will last.

[poker]

Just wait till you want help buying cigars. LOL

[tsolomon]

My parents have a Cobalt that is a couple of years old and they love it. We rented a Cobalt over the 4th of July weekend and our daughter put a 1000 miles on it and said it drove pretty well. She really enjoyed the mp3 player jack that was built into the radio. Her only complaint was that it didn't have cruise control.

[Volt]

Just wait till you want help buying cigars. LOL


With all the time I spend in chat, I get more help there than I can stand. The want to try list gets bigger every day. Every time I think I am starting to get a smattering of knowledge more stuff pops up. All fun though. :ss

[wrench turner 85]

If your going to get a cobalt get the ss modle if you want the options but out of the two I would take the mazda 3 in the speed3 option, if you don't mind that you can only get it in a wagon. Both get about the same MPG and you get a car that you want to drive at the end of the day. Or IMO go out and get a 06 GTO with the LS2 and a 6 speed. Its the fat man veet and fun as hell to drive.

[Old Sailor]

My daughters got a G5 and loves it, I've driven it and seems nice.:2

[WildBlueSooner]

I would say no to the cobalt....the Mazda is a much better car in my opinion!