ModernMuscleCars.net - Modern Muscle Cars Archive - Out with the truck, in with the Cobalt

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Out with the truck, in with the Cobalt
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Posted by: DeckSetter

Yep, traded the '01 Dakota quad cab 4x4 for a brand new Cobalt LS coupe. It's a base model, 5spd manual, cruise, rear window defogger, manual windows and locks, tilt wheel satellite radio, and a trip computer in the dash that tells me I'm averaging 35mpg since I drove it off the lot last saturday. It's the new XFE model that's rated for 36mpg highway.

I figure if I average 30mpg with it I'll save over $3000 a year on fuel.

With that $3000 I will buy another truck for when I need a truck.

Flame away!

Posted by: Grape Ape

Congratulations! My woman is crazy about the Cobalt... I don't much care for it myself. That's good mileage though and I figure it's much of why you made the trade. At least it has cruise...

After "testing" the Focus, if I go small, that will be the one for me. Not for the Ford nameplate(I have enough of those), but because I really don't see bad about it anymore. And it gets similarly high mileage to your new Cobalt, the only competitor I would consider, as I won't buy a Dodge and don't want another foreign nameplate.

Now just don't flog the throttle and you'll be in good graces with those who would otherwise castigate you for not being "green" enough.

Posted by: LS1JAY

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeckSetter


	Yep, traded the '01 Dakota quad cab 4x4 for a brand new Cobalt LS coupe. It's a base model, 5spd manual, cruise, rear window defogger, manual windows and locks, tilt wheel satellite radio, and a trip computer in the dash that tells me I'm averaging 35mpg since I drove it off the lot last saturday. It's the new XFE model that's rated for 36mpg highway. I figure if I average 30mpg with it I'll save over $3000 a year on fuel. With that $3000 I will buy another truck for when I need a truck. Flame away!

With todays gas prices... I have nothing negative to say to you whatsoever.

If gas keeps going up... I may end up driving a Prius or something one day!

Posted by: Grape Ape

If you go that route Jay, look more into the Honda than the Toyota... Just seems to be a better car for the money.

Posted by: LS1JAY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grape Ape


	If you go that route Jay, look more into the Honda than the Toyota... Just seems to be a better car for the money.

It would be a last resort! I'm not that desperate just yet.

Posted by: Slow Nova

35mpg is good...I've been driving an '06 Civic Hybrid since February, and have averaged 38mpg, with a best of 42.5 (driving like grandma on Sunday cruise). If I were to buy one, I'd definitely not get the Hybrid...it just doesn't seem worth all the extra money for the little bit of gas savings.

Posted by: Grape Ape

I may consider switching to the Escape hypbrid, but I doubt it... So small. I rented one way back... Liked it, but it just doesn't seem to meet my needs for carrying things. Besides, the economy drops when towing and it isn't rated to tow enough.

Part of why I'm thinking to get rid of my bikes and get a newer one is increased economy(and better acceleration). Costs less than a new car and gets economy even a Prius can't match. Plus, it looks way cooler than a Pruis too!

I've already considered the Focus too, but that's small as well and if I can't carry things, might as well ride. The other consideration is a Ranger 2.3L... 29mpg and slight ability to tow and haul stuff. Plus, they aren't super expensive. Problem there is I suspect Ford will either completely redo the thing for '09 or 10, or they'll dump it altogether and the resale value will never be much.

For now, I'm living with 18mpg, but I can use a trailer if needed and keep most of what I need to move somewhere nice and dry in the process.

Posted by: bl3wbyu

Hey, congrats on the car, man. Just stay off that skinny pedal; I find that too hard to accomplish!

I just can't see what the craze about hybrids is. HUGE initial purchase cost, unproven reliability, RIDICULOUS cost of batteries if they ever need to be replaced, usually strange to horrible aesthetics, and generally unsafe light weight.

Dad gets GREAT gas mileage from his '04 Jetta TDi 5spd, and I guarantee it's a lot more fun to drive than a hybrid. Driving around through town he'll get 42mpg, and on a trip on the highway he'll average 47mpg.

I read a few magazine issues ago about a new Subaru Legacy diesel. It's basically their current boxer 4-cyl with a heavier crank and different heads (AFAIK). However, the Legacy is a great looking car; with the AWD it should handle well and be good in all weather conditions; it's a larger, more upscale Subaru so should have a nice ride and nice creature comforts. The engine, as I recall, was rated at not much more than 100hp, but almost 300lb-ft, and they were predicting it to get 47mpg. If that turns out to be close to being accurate, I can DEFINITELY see a diesel Legacy in my future (of course when I get out of college and am making money...in another 3 - 8 years).

The only bad thing about it is they're releasing it in Europe now, but are holding off in the US market for a few years. But seeing as how I won't be looking to buy anything for a while, that might work out alright.

Posted by: bl3wbyu

Oh, oh, and one of the worst negatives about the Jetta was greatly improved upon in the Legacy. Dad's Jetta does 0-60 in about 11 seconds. The Legacy is predicted to do it in 8. Not fast, but if it's a comfy, reliable car getting 40+mpg...I'd be tickled pink.

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