Pursuit vs Cobalt vs Ion

[Flames0910]

Looks like I may have to get a new car. In my price range I've narrowed it down to three that are for sale right now. All are basically the same car (2006)/same options and similarly priced. Pretty much entry level but with some options.

What might your thoughts be?

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

Looks like I may have to get a new car. In my price range I've narrowed it down to three that are for sale right now. All are basically the same car (2006)/same options and similarly priced. Pretty much entry level but with some options.

What might your thoughts be?

None of them. Keep looking.

[lifer]

coupe or sedan? The 4 door Cobalts and G5/Pursuits look like hell, the coupes look pretty nice. Tail lights on the cobalt are a little queer. The 2 door Pontiac is the best looking of the 3.

[Nuje]

Well, as said, I'd choose none too. However, the Saturn is more plasticky on the inside than the others (which aren't great to begin with). All that said though, the ecotec's a good motor, and mechanically, there shouldn't be any problems. Be sure to test drive them though...I find the steering really awful. There is 0 feel in it. What's your actual price range, km/year preference?

[pylon]

Even though the cobalt is the most drab option, from a resale standpoint it will hold up the best as the Saturn and the Pontiac are dead brands now. However, if you plan to drive the car for a few years, it will be small, as the best examples of these types of cars, are usually only worth a couple thousand bucks at the absolute most once they hit that 6 to 7 year old mark.

[3 Justin 3]

I own a Cobalt, and yes everyone on the forums makes fun of it. But that aside the engine is great for what it is. It is a good little car IMO. The steering is American so yeah. The coupe looks way better than the sedan does, but I like the older Cobalts (like mine with the 4 rear lights rather than the singular huge ones).

I'd recommend a Civic though or a Focus of similar year, probably be around the same price if not a tad more.

[Flames0910]

I realize everybody on the forums hates entry-level cars but they do have their place. I just graduated and do not have a job so it's not like a tonne of options are available to me.

Also, the car being written off was an 04 sunfire, so I kind of know what I'm getting in to and just about anything will be a step up!

I really would like some thoughts on the three. They're all pretty close because they use the same base but I'm sure there are minor differences to the feel and aesthetics of each that only experience can reveal.

Little more info on the three: Unfortunately the Pursuit and Ion are both sedans. The Cobalt is a coupe. All have the fully loaded option package shy of leather interior or engine upgrades. Cobalt is an 05 and the other two are 06.

^^similar Civic or Focus generally command at least a $1k premium which unfortunately prices me out.

[pylon]

Buy the coupe then. As someone that works in the car business, I can tell you these cars are nearly unsaleable as 4 doors later in their lives. We send almost all of them to auction when they are traded. Right now you can buy 2 year old off rental 4 doors for $3500-5000. However most young people think that the 2 door version is a "sports car" and higher performance because it has two doors.

There is always a guy out there that wants to put a increase the HP with a huge wing, a grapefruit launcher exhaust and a momo shifter / pedal kit later on as well, and you don't have to compete with fleet / rental cars, as they rarely buy 2 doors.

[Julio]

I have a 2005 Ion...great car,have had no mechanicals with it, I would at least take a second look at it.

[Flashpoint]

Mazda 3.

[Flames0910]

Thanks for the input guys. It was a close fight between the Ion and the Cobalt but the latter won out because it had the least mileage (80k, sick!) and I was able to negotiate a better price with the others as leverage. Also, I didn't have to pay for extra doors that I don't want

Actually I got an awesome deal because the previous owner had a dog who chewed on the parking brake handle and gear shift knob. Pretty simple to swap those out with a c-note at a pick-your-part but they brought it down to my price range.

No more 'girl car' comments because of the Sunfire ^^
And my old winter tires will still fit

Edit: And the battery is under the trunk. So strange!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

No more 'girl car' comments because of the Sunfire ^^

Just 'girl car' comments because of the Cobalt.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Just 'girl car' comments because of the Cobalt.

Maybe, but a Cobalt is a helluva lot better than a Sunfire.

[3 Justin 3]

What colour is yours? Mine is orange.

By the way, (not sure how old you are, I assume my age as you just graduated) but the insurance on a Cobalt is super high. It is pathetic how high the premiums are.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

What colour is yours? Mine is orange.

By the way, (not sure how old you are, I assume my age as you just graduated) but the insurance on a Cobalt is super high. It is pathetic how high the premiums are.

same!! insurance premiums on the now dead sunfire were dumb too. good ol' reverse sexism. lol

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I own a Cobalt, and yes everyone on the forums makes fun of it. But that aside the engine is great for what it is. It is a good little car IMO. The steering is American so yeah. The coupe looks way better than the sedan does, but I like the older Cobalts (like mine with the 4 rear lights rather than the singular huge ones).

I'd recommend a Civic though or a Focus of similar year, probably be around the same price if not a tad more.

Yeah, that's all I'm saying. The steering's more than American. GMs haven't always had the greatest handling, but the steering itself was just fine, until they added electric assist. They sorta failed at that. It simply has no resistance or feedback whatsoever. All that said though, as I mentioned, mechanically, there won't be many problems with these cars.

This is also one of the only cars in the world I'll say this about...I hope you got the automatic. Shifting the manual of these cars is the most painful thing in the world. It's completely wrong. Too far back, and if you have the armrest function, you have to lift your elbow to hit 2, 4, and R.

[Flames0910]

This is also one of the only cars in the world I'll say this about...I hope you got the automatic. Shifting the manual of these cars is the most painful thing in the world. It's completely wrong. Too far back, and if you have the armrest function, you have to lift your elbow to hit 2, 4, and R.

It's a standard. Didn't notice the problems you mentioned though. Found it quite enjoyable actually.
Might be something that depends on the build of the driver.

Once again, thanks to everybody who shared some advice.

[Nuje]

Hmm, glad you enjoy it then. Manuals are more reliable, so if you don't find what I found, you're good to go.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Nuje

GMs haven't always had the greatest handling, but the steering itself was just fine

The Cobalt SS having the FF record around Nurburgring says hi.

Oh, and the Corvette ZR1 having the fastest overall time at Nurburgring also bids you good day. Although I think it was just knocked off by a Zonda.

[burn_this_city]

They had a ZR1 at Shaw. What I wouldnt do to take that car for a rip.