Dangerdave is losing the Neon

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:12 pm

What's so wrong with an 01 Neon that it's not road worthy? If you're going to be going to college and facing those big $$$$$ bills, the last thing you need to do IMO is drop even more $$$$$ on another car. Keep the neon and drive it until you're done college. Then buy a new car when you're done. A Neon is more than reliable and mine served me in the same service for the same reason. Better to pile the miles on the Neon than something else.

Matt

dangerdavex2 · Post by **dangerdavex2** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:46 am

fixitmattman wrote:What's so wrong with an 01 Neon that it's not road worthy? If you're going to be going to college and facing those big $$$$$ bills, the last thing you need to do IMO is drop even more $$$$$ on another car. Keep the neon and drive it until you're done college. Then buy a new car when you're done. A Neon is more than reliable and mine served me in the same service for the same reason. Better to pile the miles on the Neon than something else.

Matt

It has just seen two minor accidents, one which has broken both inner/outer tirerods on the left front tire, an unexplainable, RPM dependent squeak/grind coming from the left front tire, 122,000 miles, and I have to drive 60 miles round trip, everyday, just to finish high school this year. Plus, my grandparents are offering me a no interest loan that would be deffered until after the first two years of college. Plus I only have to pay 50% of that

All in all, its a deal that is so hard to not take. I love the Neon, and will always be partial to those big, bulging, bug-eyed headlights, and those weird quirks only Neon owners understand. But its time to move on, Ive got a great loan deal, and a car that needs $2000 dollars worth of work so that I can safely drive back and forth to school everyday. Plus; 180 Horses/sunroof/leather>132 Horses/squeaks/insurance deductables.

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:07 am

2.5 RS or a used newer Impreza. Super safe (ask a firefighter...the B pillar in them are 5 layers thick. There is currently no jaws of life that can cut through it. Someone is working on it though) and AWD. No, it's not WRX fun, but after college, swap the motor for $3500 or so with an STi motor and trans.

You can lease a Impreza for like $200 a month with nothing down and 12K a year miles.

And to those who are all domestic > imports. If he wants a new car, which is gonna be worth something after he racks up the miles on it after college? My 2004 is worth half of what I paid for it 2 years later. Screw that. Get a Civic or something that is gonna hold it's value. Be smart with your money. It might be vanilla and boring but it will be a wise financial decision.

Shit...I just looked at a 1997 Lexus ES300 (10 year old pimped out Camry, if you will). $9000 with 150K. Super clean. Well cared for. But, still 10 years old. It was 27K new. What do you think a Caliber or a Cobalt will be worth in 10 years? Not 1/3 of it's new value, that's for sure.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:29 pm

03blackrt wrote:Domestic > Import

if not a neon (or a caliber), how about a cobalt? You all serously like import cars way to much for domestic owners

As much as I hate Calibers, stick with Mopar.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:56 pm

$9800 and I know of a REAL clean.. real reliable Teg for sale.... gets 30 + MPG too

dangerdavex2 · Post by **dangerdavex2** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:58 am

So after hitting every new car dealer in Lancaster today, I have narrowed down my new car options to three:
A. 2007 Cobalt SS
B. 2006 Mazda3
C. 2007 Scion tC

I test drove all three cars today, and the Cobalt SS by far was the most powerful. The powerband was just so solid, it loved to accelerate at any RPM, in any gear. The Mazda was the most grownup car, with an amazing interior, but it just didnt feel as smooth/fun as the SS.
I drove the tC, and it really wasnt as slow as everybody says they are. The one I drove was even automatic, and I still spun the tires leaving an intersection.
Im basically only really considering the SS and the Mazda3, but its so hard to choose. Luxury and general practacality vs. fun to drive and fast. I really cant say it sucks making this decision and all, but its hard, seeing as this car will be following me around for a good 4-6 years.
So what do you guys think?
Cobalt SS or Mazda3?

Frizbe · Post by **Frizbe** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:24 am

dangerdavex2 wrote:A. 2007 Cobalt SS

It's a "high performance" Chevy, if you are getting rid of the Neon because of reliablity, I have no clue why you are looking at this.

dangerdavex2 wrote:B. 2006 Mazda3

OK car, better than the Colbalt, but its a Mazda-fied Focus so....

dangerdavex2 wrote:C. 2007 Scion tC

Best chocie (IMO) for what you are looking for.

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:26 am

Frizbe wrote:
dangerdavex2 wrote:A. 2007 Cobalt SS
It's a "high performance" Chevy, if you are getting rid of the Neon because of reliablity, I have no clue why you are looking at this.

Why would the cobalt be less relable?

Was the Cobalt supercharged? (not all ss's are supercharged) I would definitly buy the domestic.

Black Cobalt SS < Black Neon R/T, but the cobalt (2 door) is still a slick, sexy car IMO.

Frizbe · Post by **Frizbe** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:28 am

03blackrt wrote:Was the Cobalt supercharged? (not all ss's are supercharged)

Good question, but becasue he said the Colbalt he drove had a good powerband I am going to assume it was the supercharged version.

dangerdavex2 · Post by **dangerdavex2** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:43 am

03blackrt wrote:
Frizbe wrote:
dangerdavex2 wrote:A. 2007 Cobalt SS
It's a "high performance" Chevy, if you are getting rid of the Neon because of reliablity, I have no clue why you are looking at this.
Why would the cobalt be less relable?

Was the Cobalt supercharged? (not all ss's are supercharged) I would definitly buy the domestic.

Black Cobalt SS < Black Neon R/T, but the cobalt (2 door) is still a slick, sexy car IMO.

The Cobalt was actually the N/A 2.4 motor, but it was still incredibly smooth. I have been browsing over on the Cobalt forums, and the dyno slips came that most 5 speed 2.4's are running 15.1-15.5 stock, and they do some kind of crazy reflash that I still havent figured out yet.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:59 am

Bah, test drive an Integra GSR..

Cheaper than all your choices... faster than all your choices... handles better.. more reliable too.. It's an Acura/Honda.. itll last 2 gazillion miles.

If you get a non supercharged cobalt...

I've actually beaten a Cobalt SS (Supercharged) from a dig in my teg... (from a roll is a whole different story tho)

atom · Post by **atom** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:10 am

03sxt wrote:Mmmm... New Civic.

I can't believe it but I actually agree. At least you know there are always good parts to be had

dangerdavex2 · Post by **dangerdavex2** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:13 am

LowNSlow wrote:Bah, test drive an Integra GSR..

Cheaper than all your choices... faster than all your choices... handles better.. more reliable too.. It's an Acura/Honda.. itll last 2 gazillion miles.

If you get a non supercharged cobalt...

I've actually beaten a Cobalt SS (Supercharged) from a dig in my teg... (from a roll is a whole different story tho)

I would love to have a GSR, especially yours. But Im going to go to school in Philadelphia next summer. A GSR would last all of about 3 days before somebody came and stole it, or just gutted the whole thing down the the frame.

scneonchic · Post by **scneonchic** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:33 pm

yeah...integras are the most stolen cars in the us...that might be a bad idea. but they are fast, and you can get them for a good price.

The cobalt SS supercharged, are very nice. I know they make a cobalt SS 4door apearance package, I just wish they made it supercharged as a 4 door as well.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:58 pm

dangerdavex2 wrote:
LowNSlow wrote:Bah, test drive an Integra GSR..

Cheaper than all your choices... faster than all your choices... handles better.. more reliable too.. It's an Acura/Honda.. itll last 2 gazillion miles.

If you get a non supercharged cobalt...

I've actually beaten a Cobalt SS (Supercharged) from a dig in my teg... (from a roll is a whole different story tho)
I would love to have a GSR, especially yours. But Im going to go to school in Philadelphia next summer. A GSR would last all of about 3 days before somebody came and stole it, or just gutted the whole thing down the the frame.

Funny cause it's true.

Well not funny.. but still....