Hi, I am new to the site. GM is making my desicions very hard lately. I have a couple questions that you guys should be able to help me with.

I am up between the Cobalt SS/SC and the Ion Redline, which one do you guys think is the better bang for buck? I test drove a Redline, but havent gotten to in the SS, and oh my god did I love every second of that ride. Its just that the Redline feels cheap inside for the price, and the SS seems more like a "car" inside.

Another thing is that the dealer that I live closest to, only has a silver one that is about 24K, and then they have a red one with these really dark silver racing stripes(which I dont care for much). But the catch is that it was the demonstrator, and has about 5400 miles on it, and their asking price is 22K. My question is on this, how much do you think I should try to haggle on this price.

Thanks for all of your time and I really like the site and the sense of family I see here.

 

Between the ss/sc and the redline, it comes down to personal prefernce, different styling, same engine, it is w.e you like more, the styling of the redline, or cobalt, sit and test drove both, and see what you like best, and try to get the price as low as you can, good luck!

 

cobalt all the way.. i think redline is ugly...

 

For me, the center-mount gauge cluster in the Ion is a deal-breaker. Can't stand that. But yeah, like the others said, mostly personal preference based on style. I guess the Cobalt might have a bit more structural rigidity since it doesn't have the suicide back doors, but I don't have anything to back that up I guess.

 

stay away from the demo at all cost!!! thats like trying to talk down the price of a well used prostitute!!!

 

Personally, I think Cobalt. Mechanically they are basically identical having virtually the same weight (yes, check gmcanada.com) and performance. I personally think that the Cobalt has a nicer interior and exterior. The extra two doors on the Redline make access to the back useable (which is the opposite of a G85 equipped Cobalt), but I suppose would somewhat reduce the structural rigidity of the vehicle. One other thing to consider is that the Cobalt SS reviews better by most car magazines, especially in the handling compartment when compared to the Redline (one magazine went on to call it a "sensational bellyflop").

I would also recomend the Cobalt SS, since this is the last year for the Redline. Might as well get the newer car. Then again, the Redlines may be a steal if it is significantly cheaper.

I think you should think it over. Go check out and test drive both cars. Then, only then, will you know for sure. Either way, I am sure you will enjoy either vehicle.

 

Comes down to personal preference.

As to the asking price of 22K for a demo, steer clear of that. 5400 on a demo is alot. And I would be willing to bet they are hard miles. Everyone and their mother probably put their foot down to the carpet in it. Not to mention a weekend or 2 at a few salesmen's house's.

 

u can get redlines all day for 18k or less...it is way cheaper on the inside and does feel it...but is dent and rust resistant. Doors are awesome...also more engine bay room and easier to work on...

Dan

 

Wow I like the prostitute comment, never thought if it like that. Yeah I figure I might as well bite the money bullet and buy the SS/SC, and I was suprised when you said they were the same weight. I would have figured the plastic would make it lighter.

Another quick question. My teacher(I am in college to be a technician), said that an oil chang cost like 90 buck for the SS, is he right. Im just curious, as I will be doing the oil changes myself, so its not like it matters.

 

Someone correct my if I'm wrong, but the Redline suffers in the handling department because it's riding on the 2.4SS version tires and suspension. The Cobalt SS/SC has larger wheels and a stiffer set-up. I'm sure the lack of a B pillar doesn't help either. Under the hood, they are the same car, though, and the Redline can almost always be found for much cheaper...assuming it can be found at all.

 

Yeah I found redlines by me, a blue one and a black one and they were very fun to drive. And I am starting to like the look of the cobalts alot more. I have found 2 ss/sc in town, a red/red and a silver/blue, both for $21.6K. I really like the silver one and it is the one that was in the showroom for a while, with 22 miles on it. And Im not sure if I like the cop magnet red one. Either way they are two gorgeous cars. Thanks for all your feedback, I love forums that actually help, not hinder.

 

 

i prefer the cobalt ss/sc over the redline becasue of the interior styling mostly i especially don't like the gage cluster on the redline.

 

Man, i wish i would have gotten to see a Silver/Blue combo...sound sexy! And a bit Paul Walker/Fast and Furious like....

 

Being a bit harsh, don't you think?

 

I think its decided then, I am going to go with the silver one in the end of June. Yeah it was a very good looking combination. Im going to go tomorrow maybe for a test drive and get some stuff figured out.

 

Man, I question my car, which had roughly 50 dealer miles on it.
I cant imagine buying a showroom car with 5400 miles.

You can rest assured, that poor car has been *Most likely* severely abused.

Pay the extra 2K and get a brand new one, if you go the redline route.

I have to agree though, that the SS seems to be better over all quality. Thats just my personal opinion however.

Good luck with your decision!

 

I like the Cobalt more, if you can't find one close then expand your search to surrounding dealers, they have got to have one, as for the demo I wouldn't touch it, who knows what they have done to that car in the past 5000 miles and for $22K that isn't worth it.

 

Check your state, in some states they can't sell a car as new with more than 5k on the odometer. it has to be sold as used. In any case, 22k is way too high, Consider it a used car and check out kelley bluebook to see what they believe it should be worth.

Also, if you do the demo, make sure you make them extend the warranty for an extra 6 months and an extra 5k miles. And get it in writing. At the very least. I'd shoot for the best extended warranty GM has (don't do a dealer extended warranty) and maybe a 16-17k sticker price out the door.

And just make them remove the stripes off the car that you don't like. They'll be willing to work with you a LOT because they know it's going to be a hard sell to anyone with half a brain.

 

The SS/SC uses synthetic Oil, so the cost will be higher.

 

They have different suspensions as you said. The redline got the better end of the deal on wheels. They have a little different intake systems. And of course different PCMs.

 

6 quarts of synthetic can be had for $25-30 if you buy at someplace like Costco or Sam's Club, otherwise add about a buck a quart. A filter I'm assuming is less than $10. So a DIY oil change should be $45 tops. Also, while that's more than regular oil, synthetic has a longer interval between changes. The amount you spend long term on oil will not be much different.

 

The wheels on the Redline performance package do look badass. I had not seen them up close until this past weekend.

 

I really cannot think of anything that would make me go with the Redline over the SS/SC. The looks alone, inside and out, make the Cobalt an easy choice.

 

Yeah, I have made up my mind. I am going to get the silver/blue one that I found at my local dealership. It looks so badass.