Focus SES or Cobalt?

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Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Maybe your grandfather is as unhappy with Government Motors as the rest of us, resting its bloated laurels on pillows lined with taxpayer dollars.

Sounds like he is making a good choice.

+1
 
To be honest, and I'm going to get reamed for this I'm sure, I would just as happily buy a GM car now as I would before. I mean seriously, we are going to be paying for it regardless of whether we buy them or not. All boycotting them is going to do is make them lose money that the treasury will then probably take from us anyway, so whats the point? The treasury has stated (believe them or not, your choice) that they will have no weight in the car designs, and I believe they are going to try to get rid of their stake in the future. And nobody seems to notice that lately, all of GMs new cars, have been excellent. The malibu, the Acadia, Equinox, Traverse, Enclave, Lacrosse, the new Silverado/Sierra have all been excellent, high quality cars. If they still made the crud they used to, then it would be a different story.

In any case, he wants a coupe, because it gives more space to the people in the front seat.
 
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Originally Posted By: rudolphna
To be honest, and I'm going to get reamed for this I'm sure, I would just as happily buy a GM car now as I would before. I mean seriously, we are going to be paying for it regardless of whether we buy them or not.


10.gif


No reaming from me. I was happy to buy American before all this happened and I'm probably happier to do so now.
 
One thing just came to mind.. You might want to have your Grandfather get insurance quotes on both vehicles. The Cobalt tends to be on the high side given the amount of kids that crash them up, especially the 2dr version. The Focus *MIGHT* be cheaper to insure.

Joel
 
Originally Posted By: Steve S
If you paid attention to what happened to G.M. why would you give that company your $$$?


What?? and I suppose you live totally 'off the grid' and aren't paying for GM like the rest of us?
 
Originally Posted By: Steve S
If you paid attention to what happened to G.M. why would you give that company your $$$?


21.gif


If you paid attention to Toyota's despicable business practices, why would you give that company your money? I'd rather light my money on fire than give them a cent.

I'm not sure what his opinion of GM as a company has to do with this thread either. It's pretty clearly asking about the Cobalt vs. the Focus.
 
I was in a friends rental Focus last night for about 2 hours riding around Miami..I also had a rental Cobalt about 6 months ago for a day but put on around 300 miles on it..The Focus has much better quality than the Cobalt..The Focus had a much better ride plus it had a much better a/c which is very important in Miami..IMHO the Focus is a much better looking car and is overall a much better car then the Cobalt.
 
From driving both the 2008 Focus and 2008 Cobalt, IMO the Focus is a MUCH better driver's car. For the category (economy) the Focus handles well and has a very nice engine. I believe I could drive one (with a manual transmission) every day and enjoy it.

The interior of the vehicle I drove at my nearby Ford dealer, however, was the part that left me in disbelief. I couldn't believe Ford would curse their own product like that. I am sure the SES is much better, but I wasn't willing to pay that price.
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
To be honest, and I'm going to get reamed for this I'm sure, I would just as happily buy a GM car now as I would before. I mean seriously, we are going to be paying for it regardless of whether we buy them or not. All boycotting them is going to do is make them lose money that the treasury will then probably take from us anyway, so whats the point? The treasury has stated (believe them or not, your choice) that they will have no weight in the car designs, and I believe they are going to try to get rid of their stake in the future. And nobody seems to notice that lately, all of GMs new cars, have been excellent. The malibu, the Acadia, Equinox, Traverse, Enclave, Lacrosse, the new Silverado/Sierra have all been excellent, high quality cars. If they still made the crud they used to, then it would be a different story.

In any case, he wants a coupe, because it gives more space to the people in the front seat.


I have an 08 Focus SE Coupe. I dearly wish I had gotten a sedan. Such a pain in the [censored] to always have to use the trunk when I used to just throw [censored] in the back seat. I like the looks of my coupe. I like the fuel economy. There's not really much I don't like about it. I didn't get the SYNC package which now I think kinda would be neat but I didn't need it now or then. If your grandpa doesn't need this package then don't buy it as it adds alot to the price. Check out the SE instead and make sure you get cruise control. I didn't and seriously regret it!

If I could do it all over again I would buy a Focus SE sedan with cruise. I got the automatic I reliably average 34 mpg in combination driving with a slightly heavy foot now and then. One thing though. I would test drive the Focus and Cobalt back to back and if the Cobalt didn't bother me and I kinda liked it I might go that route considering some of the great deals out there.

Good Luck and thanks for buying AMERICAN!
 
A co-worker just bought a Focus - black on black. Its interior is far superior to the Cobalt's. But while the Cobalt is no beauty queen, it's nicer to look at on the outside than the Focus, which looks to me like a giant electric razor.

I believe you'll have less trouble long-term with the Cobalt's drivetrain.
 
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Are Focuses DBW? If they were then an aftermarket cruise add on would seem really easy.
From my driving experience on a 2008 sedan, definitely electronic throttle.

I looked in the engine compartment but don't remember the throttle body in detail. However, I did an experiment at the very end of the test drive when all was thoroughly warmed up, etc:

I started up in first gear (manual transmission) and accelerated to 4,000rpm, then abruptly let up the throttle. It very gradually slowed down, like the throttle was gradually being closed. Nothing like what you'd expect on a cable throttle, no wonderful engine braking.
 
Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Are Focuses DBW? If they were then an aftermarket cruise add on would seem really easy.


The dealership wants $500 bucks to do this. I'm always broke so I ain't getting it done anytime soon. Maybe if I win the powerball.
 
I own a 06 Balt. I'd go for the Focus.


Besides the poopy seats in the Balt, it's been a great car. I still would have no problem buying one.

The Focus is just more fun to drive.


He'll be fine with either.


But with a C1 Focus coming soon, and the Cruze, he could always wait a little longer....
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
To be honest, and I'm going to get reamed for this I'm sure, I would just as happily buy a GM car now as I would before. I mean seriously, we are going to be paying for it regardless of whether we buy them or not. All boycotting them is going to do is make them lose money that the treasury will then probably take from us anyway, so whats the point? The treasury has stated (believe them or not, your choice) that they will have no weight in the car designs, and I believe they are going to try to get rid of their stake in the future. And nobody seems to notice that lately, all of GMs new cars, have been excellent. The malibu, the Acadia, Equinox, Traverse, Enclave, Lacrosse, the new Silverado/Sierra have all been excellent, high quality cars. If they still made the crud they used to, then it would be a different story.

In any case, he wants a coupe, because it gives more space to the people in the front seat.


I can agree with that, boycotting them does no good, it only harms the taxpayer. GM's latest designs are all very good. In this instance with the current Cobalt and Focus I'd be tempted to get the Focus just because it has stability control more readily available. You can't get it on the lower trim levels of the Cobalt if I recall. In either case, like someone else said, the replacement models from both Ford and GM will be MUCH better. The next Focus and the Cruze are hugely improved over the current models. I can't wait to test them out.
 
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The Cobalt is a nice little car. Much better to drive than I thought before renting one. I'd point out, though, that in highway driving, I never saw my rental tick over 29 mpg.
 
Originally Posted By: BrianWC
The Cobalt is a nice little car. Much better to drive than I thought before renting one. I'd point out, though, that in highway driving, I never saw my rental tick over 29 mpg.


I like the style of the new Focus, especially the chrome accents on the front fenders. I don't have any experiences with any years of the Focus however.

I haven't owned a Cobalt, but I do have an 06 Ion, which shares much with the Cobalts, including drivetrain. The 2.2L Ecotecs are good motors. I've got a 5 speed and typically during the summer I'm getting around 35 MPG, with most of my drive back and forth to work. About 12-13 miles of my commute is highway with another 3-4 city, each way. I've been extremely happy with this car and barring any problems the Cobalt might have, I think its a good choice.
 
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