Hi, everyone first thread here. Anyway, yesterday I went and test drove a SS 2.4L Coupe and and Civic EX Sedan (no coupe avail. at the time). I'm going to be buying a car probably at the end of June right around my birthday.

What I'm looking for is just your opinions on the two cars and which would be better for me. I do realize this is a Cobalt forum, but please try to provide an unbias opinion as I will be posting a similar topic on a Civic forum to try and get both sides opinions.

As for those test drives I took, both cars felt good but the SS definately felt more sporty and was quite a bit faster although I wasn't fond of the 4-spd auto (I'll be getting a manual anyway) it was still much faster and I liked the extra torque. Both cars handled well but the SS felt much firmer around corners which I liked, but this is being compared to the civic sedan not the coupe which may be different. Interior room was sufficient on both cars, I wasn't fond of the Civics huge dashboard but I guess I could get used to it, but it does make it feel a lil bigger than it really is.

Finally, a few things that are important for me in my new car.

1. Gas mileage: I'm going to be driving to WVU from Uniontown, PA for 6 years assumiing I don't move down there after a year or 2. I want to know what kind of mileage the 2.4L is providing compared to the civic. From what I hear the Civics giving 36-38mpg steady on the highway and some higher.

2. Long Term Reliability: How are all your SS's holding up? I've seen some people talking about trim pieces falling off and all kinda stuff on the boards here? Are these common issues with these cars, first year problems or what?

3. Price: The dealers trying to get me the SS Auto for 21,640 with pioneer, sunroof and some other junk with 4,000 down and my trade in Grand Prix for 4,600. Price seems high to me what are you guys payin? I told him I wasn't leaving without a manual and told him he's got over 100 cobalts on the lot and to stop tryiing to jack up the price if he wants to move any. Then he quieted down a bit and dropped the price to 20,460...still too high. No respect being 18 I tell you.

Well, I welcome any opinions. Please keep in mind I have to keep the car for 6 years and will be making this decision primarily on the financial aspects of the cars, I want the horsepower but only if my cars gonna be cheaper than a Civic EX and reliable.

 

Dude, I definately recommend a Cobalt. Cobalt>Civic in all aspects BUT gas mileage. But, if you want performance, you are going to have to trade some mileage.
As far as vehicle life, we cant say because the Cobalts havent been out that long.
So far so good though! There are a FEW people who are having problems, but that is the exception not the rule.


Also, for that price of 21,640, you can get an 06 SS/SC. At that price you could probably work in the G85 package as well.

I would say if your going to spend that much, go all the way.
If your dealer cant get you in an SS/SC for that price, I say find a new dealer!

Just my .02, but if you like performance, you will NOT be dissapointed in the Cobalt!

 

Cardirect.com is showing 18,479 as the target price for the car equipped the way I want it. Do you guys think it's reasonable to try to knock it into the high 17's before TTL?

Options include: Pioneer Soundsystem, MP3, Side airbags, and sunroof.

Is the Pioneer system worth it? What's the wattage? I could just go stock and get aftermarket JL's since I got 12" subs sitting in my room already.

BTW chips I would love to get the S/C, but beinig 18 I'm sure I'd get raped on insurance

 

Call around, you might be surprised.

I'm only 25, and the differance between my base Model and my SS/SC every month is $18.00.

So I would get some quotes from different places!

Either way though, you will be happy!

 

i agree with chipsgt, you should look at another chevy dealer first, for that price you should be looking at an ss/sc. Try to get the 2.4 down into the 19's then mabey you will have a deal. Cobalt 2.4 > than civic.. when you go to the civic forums, they most likely are going to tear you apart for brining up a cobalt (they are jealous and feel threatened.. no effence civic owners) anyways, the civic hasd better gas milage than the 2.4 but then you are giving up alot of sportieness, unless you get an si.. but cobalts are a good bang for the buck car.. and the civics have already had like 6 recalls this year. do the right thing get a cobalt.. im neutral by the way.. im geting a wrx.. then when im a little older.. CAMARO!

 

the 2.4 is way better than that civic unless you are getting a civic SI but even then you have to deal with a tq less wonder instead of having a nice solid powerband like the 2.4 does, lower the price to 19 and i would say you have a deal on the 2.4 for the price he is asking you should be ina supercharged cobalt

 

If you want performance and handling, SS all the way. To get a decent handling Civic, you'd have to go with the Si. Mileage goes to the Civic. Reliability, I haven't heard anything bad about the 2.4s. Price wise, don't pay more than $18k for that car. Anything more than that and you're getting ripped off. Like someone else said, for the price he quoted you you can get the SS/SC.

On a side note - you live in Uniontown?!?!?!?! Small, small, small world...I grew up in Uniontown.

 

get the civic

 

go to the dealer. tell him you have been to at least 2 other dealers, and you have been looking online. tell the dealer if your going to pay 21,000 then you want a supercharged. and then tell him you won't pay any more that 19,000 for a cobalt 2.4. tell the others have better deals, and if he gives you ****, walk away.. say im going to the honda dealer now

 

I paid $18,125 brand new in Tallahassee FL on a 06 cobalt SS 2.4 with all of the goodies It had 68 miles on it so I dont think it was a demo car. Maybe just a few test drives. Oh and it's a five speed. good luck to you.

 

My SS/SC had a sticker of $23,065. I was only able to talk the dealer down $1000 and they also gave me an extra $1000 for my trade plus a $500 rebate applied. They said they couldn't get any lower on the price. I also got the 60,000 mile warranty with a $0 deductible so I feel good. Going by my Camaro that I used to have, it's a good idea to have the extra warranty. Like the others said, yeah that price they want for the SS is too high.

 

IF you plan on owning the car for 6 years, I'd say go with the civic. They hold their value WAY better than a domestic compact, and most likely have less problems in the future (not talking engine wise, but all the "little stuff" about the car). After my SS I don't plan on buying another domestic, unless it's something way badass like a cobra, challenger, etc.

As far as the price on the 2.4 SS, it sounds like a rip-off. you can get a G85 packaged SS supercharged with a moonroof for the same price as the 2.4 SS. No way I would take that deal.

 

i am also 18 and am getting a SS/SC, never called around but i dont think it will be too bad.

 

 

Thanks everyone you guys your opinions have all been pretty fair compared to most honda forums. Anyway, I'm gonna check into insurance on the SS and SS S/C and see how much the difference is. If it's not that much I dunno if I can pass up the chance to get it.

As far as the gas mileage I know it's not gonna beat the Civic, but what are some of the real world mileages you guys are getting in the 2.4 and 2.0?

BTW alleycat where'd you live at here in Uniontown? School?

 

SS?/SC insurance is outrageous... thus is why I'm driving the 2.4...

And yeah... the SS 2.4 is better compared to a Civic SI...

 

excpet for a faulty heater motor which was replaced under warranty (it worked but was noisy)
I have had no problems. My city mileage is around 25-27mpg. Highway I beelive it could get a mid 30.

My salesman found my car in transit to a nearby city. I made an offer and he called them and bought it over the phone. It was exactly what I wanted, for colur/options/trans--make sure you get what you want and don't be sold on something else.

 

My average MPG right now according to my Driver Information Center (DIC)
is 25.2 MPG

That is with the SS/SC with about a 70/30 mix of City/Highway driving.

Really, for the level of performance you get out of the car, the gas mileage is pretty damn good!

 

I dont know why people are getting such bad prices on insurance...I am 23 and insurance for my SS/SC is $98/mo

 

make sure you test drive the manual before you buy or make a decision. I also tested the auto and found it to be slow, i have yet to teat the manual (have to have someone over 21). From what i heard it is faster than the auto.

As for gas milage, it all depends how you drive. you can make the estimated numbers from the factory raise or lower depending on your driving style. I drive 70/30 highway/city and get about 34 mpg, when my car (cavi) is rated at 32 highway and 28 city. other times I have gotten 14 mpg, with 4 other people in the car and mostly city driving. it all depends. I believe though with a manual transmission, you can minipulate the numbers more, especially on the highway.

I vote for the cobalt, but I'm probably biased becaus my family has owened only chevy.

My time is comming this fall around my 20th birthday, I'm going to get a 2.4 m/t.

good luck

 

Gas mileage I get 32-35 highway, and about 25-27 city in the 2.0.

I lived on Craig Street by Fike's Dairy. Did K-8 at Ben Franklin then went to UHS.

 

^^^ true statement.. if you are planning to trade/sell it civic would give you more cash in the end.. i started off with 06 Cobalt LT ($21G).. I didn't really like it so I looked around for a month and found 05 Cobalt SS/SC.. dealer only gave me $6G for the LT.. even though it was a year newer.. (mind you that was Dec 05 lol).. but he did bring the SS/SC down to $20G.. if you are not planning to sell/trade I'd say go with the Cobie.. I love the SS/SC.. I'm 20 and I'm making the car/insurance payment (so far.....) and either SS or SS/SC.. you get mad props from everyone

 

Craig street yeah it definately is a small world. I know exactly where that is, Fikes is directly behind one of my friends houses. I'm over there all the time.

I called a insurance agent today that deals with multiple companies at the same time. He quoted me at 6000 a year for full coverage . I'm gonna call around to statefarm and a few others tomorrow and see if the can give me a reasonable offer. From what that insurance guy told me I don't really have a chance of a decent rate until I've been licensed for 3 years and I'm just goin' on 2. If all else fails I'll have my mom purchase the vehicle in her name so it can go under her insurance, I would like to gain credit from this but oh well.

On top of that I have a ticket 60 in a 45 from out past Connellsville goin toward Westmoreland (since alley prob. knows where that is) real ahole cops down there. Now he told me he wasn't giving me a ticket just a citation and that there would be no points issued since it was my first offense...but it sure looked like regular ol' ticket to me. Should I even be telling my insurance company about the fine?

 

About identical to what I get with mine .....when Im not abusing it

If you can look past a little lower quality looking interior materials , I think the Cobalt has a rock solid reliable drivetrain for both the 2.4 and 2.0 . When I bought my SS , I was afraid the drivetrain may be weak . After a year and 22K miles and all the abuse and drag strip time Ive put my car through , Ive not had even one mechanical failure .

The Civic is probably a much more refined feeling car to drive and the manual shifters will feel better going thru the gears , but you give up the fun factor of the Cobalt , unless you pop for Civic Si . The Cobalt shift feel is still good , IMO , Honda just has the perfect shift feel nailed . Your definately not gonna top the honda gas mileage though , if thats really something that would bother you , keep that in mind . As far general reliablity , going off the last gen Civic , the 2 seem as if they would be about comparable .