Thinking about buying a balt.

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:37 pm

Ok. Gunna sell my old ass bimmer and thinking about buying a colbalt. Why? Because they are cheap and pretty decent cars. I am using mine as a winter car and a daily. Keepin the neon as a toy. Question for you guys is. Anything I should look out for on these cars. This is the one I am looking at. Link

I'd rather have an auto but the sticks are cheaper. My budget is 7 grand. I'd rather not go over that. And I want low miles. Under 50k. I am tired of replacing shit all the time on old ass high mile cars. I don't need to be fast or for it to be a ferrari. Just a beater remember. What goes out fast on these? Anything all the balt guys are replacing? Any body have friends that have one that comment on them?

Also looking at this one. Link!

Any info or such you can give me would be greatly appricated.

Thanks.

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:50 pm

idk i dont realy like them but they are cheap and sounds like a good. car just would prefer a scion tc for that balt.. same price, fun, cool.

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:52 pm

I want your BMW!!

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:07 pm

benzsxt wrote:I want your BMW!!

2500 and it is all yours.

A TC is too expensive.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:37 pm

Didn't you just buy the BMW? I take it you ran into problems with it? Why not just get another neon?

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:56 pm

My mom has an Ion, which is pretty much the same car. The trans is different as she has the CVT in it. She has not had any problems with her car.

The ecotec is a very strong engine, and with a manual it should be faster than a stock neon with a manual, even though you said you weren't looking for that but power at the pedal is nice. They are rated at 150hp. I wouldn't hesitate to get one if I needed a daily driver.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:21 pm

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PhillyLS1 · Post by **PhillyLS1** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:39 pm

Eco can take a hell of a beating. And tuning with GM's is not a nightmare unlilke some other manufacturers

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:02 pm

Only one I would consider is the TC

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:07 pm

Don't go used, just get a new one. Dont' know what the prices are like in the states but in canada land you can get a base cobalt with a 5spd for $9995. Comes with 3 years of free maint too.

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:19 pm

fixitmattman wrote:Don't go used, just get a new one. Dont' know what the prices are like in the states but in canada land you can get a base cobalt with a 5spd for $9995. Comes with 3 years of free maint too.

Can't afford it. 7k is my limit.

OB · Post by OB » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:45 pm

I'd just find another Neon. Maybe a 01/02 RT. I've seen them in the $3-4K range, and they are 10X better than a base model Cobalt. Plus you'll already know what you're working with, no surprises. And IMO the Ecotec engine is overhyped. Sure they can handle some mods etc etc, but in stock form the damn thing couldn't get out of its own way. Neon > Cobalt performance wise, from the base models all the way to the SSSC. Not sure about the turbo Cobalt, I haven't seen one on the road yet.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:19 pm

The SC Cobalt is still significantly faster than any R/T, unless you found someone that didn't know how to drive.

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:11 pm

Adionik wrote: Only one I would consider is the TC

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:32 pm

kornholio788 wrote:
fixitmattman wrote:Don't go used, just get a new one. Dont' know what the prices are like in the states but in canada land you can get a base cobalt with a 5spd for $9995. Comes with 3 years of free maint too.
Can't afford it. 7k is my limit.

Then don't buy the car then. No way in hell would I buy a used car right now. The market hasn't caught up to the massive drop in new car prices yet. That's why I said jus tgo buy a new one because for what most used cars are worth you can drive a new one off the lot.

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:52 pm

OB wrote:I'd just find another Neon. Maybe a 01/02 RT. I've seen them in the $3-4K range, and they are 10X better than a base model Cobalt. Plus you'll already know what you're working with, no surprises. And IMO the Ecotec engine is overhyped. Sure they can handle some mods etc etc, but in stock form the damn thing couldn't get out of its own way. Neon > Cobalt performance wise, from the base models all the way to the SSSC. Not sure about the turbo Cobalt, I haven't seen one on the road yet.

How so? The base Cobalt sedan weighs around the same as the Neon and it has more power. Looks like the quarter mile times are actually comparable. The 2.2 Ecotec hooked to the CVT in my Mom's Ion has decent power. Nothing fantastic but comparable to the Neon.

Mat00ES · Post by **Mat00ES** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:26 pm

My sister has an 07 cobalt LS and that thing will walk my neon any day, both atx. The car drives nice and has some decent power for a 4 banger. Shes a little pissed at me, I hit her horn to hard when I got cut off and dent the embelm in the center of the wheel.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:41 pm

Go get at Kia!

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:53 pm

no kia!! unless its a spectra (the top end model) because those are actually the shittt.

get you a honda si!!! sedan!! those things are so nasty.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:54 pm

First question, why do you want to get rid of the Kia?

Second question, if I give you the Neon for 7K can I get your Bimmer for free?

jT · Post by jT » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:15 am

neonslg09 wrote:no kia!! unless its a spectra (the top end model) because those are actually the shittt.

i hope that was sarcastic, cuz 1) spectra is not the top end model, and 2) they still suck..

my neon is falling apart day by day. need to figure something out too.. except my girl still needs to get a car so i dont think we can do two at the same time.... fucking cars suck.

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:13 pm

The new one I am looking at. Might be able to get it for 7-8

http://www.heiser.com/DN/VehicleDetail. ... &year=2007

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:14 pm

Trips to Autozone & Junkyard > Car Payment

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:24 pm

Adionik wrote:Trips to Autozone & Junkyard > Car Payment

+ tow charges. I don't know much about tranny's and wouldn't want to tackle a project like that. Plus I just don't have the time to spend a couple days fixing a car. I need something reliable. As i don't want to drive the neon every day when my beater is constantly broken. Plus have you ever tried to work on a car with it being -10 outside? Ya not for me.

This will probably be less expensive in the long run. between constantly fixing shit, spending my time(when I could be making money) fixing a car, having to be miserable in teh cold and being broken down in the middle of nowhere with a foot of snow is not for me.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:05 pm

Yah, not much for working on cars when it's cold. But being in 100 degree weather isn't much nicer either.

Trannys for the ATX from what i've seen is around $300. I'd imagine labor would probably be the same.

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:30 pm

Might be getting a brand new zero mile car instead. My dad has 2000 gm dollars he isn't goign to use that I can only use a new gm. I found a brand new 09 5 speed 2 door for 12. With the gm bucks it brings it to 10. If I can get them down to 8 I will buy it. bling!

http://www.heiser.com/DN/VehicleDetail. ... &year=2009

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:36 pm

knowing your cars going to start on the first try > walking to autozone/junkyard because your only car is a beater

just me though

all the low model cars are the same. they're affordable shit boxes. they all last for 100-150k with basic maintence. i suggest getting a 4 door if anything though. the coupoes have zero room in them for hauling anything. (they're roomy for the driver though)

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:53 pm

Opi wrote:knowing your cars going to start on the first try > walking to autozone/junkyard because your only car is a beater

just me though

all the low model cars are the same. they're affordable shit boxes. they all last for 100-150k with basic maintence. i suggest getting a 4 door if anything though. the coupoes have zero room in them for hauling anything. (they're roomy for the driver though)

My gfs daily is a 4 door accord. So that is what we use to haul shit. I would prefer a 4 door but they are more expensive. I am trying to stay on the low end here.

And this won't be my only car though. I still have the neon. This will be the daily/winter driver. But yes I agree with opi lol. I like being able to get to work on time

OB · Post by OB » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:15 pm

racer12306 wrote:
OB wrote:I'd just find another Neon. Maybe a 01/02 RT. I've seen them in the $3-4K range, and they are 10X better than a base model Cobalt. Plus you'll already know what you're working with, no surprises. And IMO the Ecotec engine is overhyped. Sure they can handle some mods etc etc, but in stock form the damn thing couldn't get out of its own way. Neon > Cobalt performance wise, from the base models all the way to the SSSC. Not sure about the turbo Cobalt, I haven't seen one on the road yet.
How so? The base Cobalt sedan weighs around the same as the Neon and it has more power. Looks like the quarter mile times are actually comparable. The 2.2 Ecotec hooked to the CVT in my Mom's Ion has decent power. Nothing fantastic but comparable to the Neon.

The base model Cobalt curb weight is 2730, which is a solid 100lbs higher than a full-options SXT, or almost 200 lbs heavier than a no options, no AC base Neon (or an SXT/RT on a minor diet). Assuming the gearing is similar, the Neon is almost surely going to be quicker. And this is just in a straight line, don't even get me started on which car is better in the hills

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:22 pm

Its a good thing I could care less how fast it is or handels. As long as it gets its ass up to 65 in time to get on the free way that is all I care about.