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Chevy Cobalt vs. Ford Focus

76 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2008 at 1:31 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Cobalt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 8

#50 of 76 Re: Only if by threebucks

Jan 11, 2006 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Nov 17, 2005 7:54 pm)
A few months ago, I bought my first car, a 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged Coup. Well, it's not my first car really, as I also have a 1972 Dodge Van. Love that 360 V8! Nevertheless, it was my first new car. The 2005 and 2006 models were the same price at that point, and no local dealers had the SS in stock; so I got it custom ordered from the factory. Black and sleek, it arrived on the truck, and the dealer proudly placed it in a prominent place on the lot, where it was to sit until I picked it up. When I got there, they told me that many people were curious about it, and a couple had actually offered to buy it on the spot. It turns out that they had to move it to the garage in the back for fear of accidental dammage by curious customers.
 
I like the lines of the Cobalt better than those of the Focus, except perhaps the wing. Of course, the wing was a part of the sport (or whatever it was being called at the time) package, so I had little choice. The Recaro racing seats are really comfortable, though I have read complaints about the regular stock seats. Backseat room and comfort in the Cobalt is great. I have had friends repeatedly comment on the back seats being more comfortable than other coup rear seats.
 
I have loved the XM radio, and plan on renewing it when the trial expires.
 
The trunk is surpisingly spacious, at least to me. I have been able to haul a Server, couple of desktops, and their monitors, cords, etc in the trunk with some room to spare.
 
Fuel economy has been great at 25mpg city and 28 to 30 on the highway. Of course, those figures go up or down depending on how aggressively I drive. I would expect that the non-supercharged and/or non SS flavors of the Cobalt would get even better milage.
 
Insurance is only slightly higher on the Cobalt than on my previous vehicle, a 1985 Ford Tempo 2-door.
 
----------
 
Of course, I have never owned or driven a Ford Focus, so I can't do a legitimate comparison. Just my take on the Cobalt.

#51 of 76 Re: Only if [threebucks] by ambull

Jan 14, 2006 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: threebucks (Jan 11, 2006 6:16 pm)
I've driven a Cobalt coupe and a Focus ST. The Focus interior seems out-of-date, but otherwise either one seems acceptable. Of course, there is no Focus which can compare to the SS Supercharged.
 
Your insurance compared to the Tempo is suprising.
 
Has anybody out there driven the SS non-supercharged? I'm curious how much it differs from the regular coupe.

#52 of 76 Re: Only if (threebucks) by hpmctorque

Jan 16, 2006 (7:28 pm)

Congratulations on your new Cobalt! Did you not consider the Focus because of your experience with the Tempo? How many miles did your Tempo have on it and what was your experience with it?

#53 of 76 my room mate by randydriver

Apr 28, 2006 (9:09 pm)

My roomie is driving a 2002 Saturn SC2 with 36,000 miles on it and is thinking of gettin either a Focus Zx3 or the Cobalt LT coupe .....2006 models ....Need some input from both side and mileage.

#54 of 76 Re: my room mate [randydriver] by explorerx4

Apr 29, 2006 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: randydriver (Apr 28, 2006 9:09 pm)
a manual trans will get better mileage than an auto becuse you can coast a lot. that might not work depending on driving conditions. my 2.3 5 speed focus averages 29 mpg over 21k miles, but i am conservative. no long drives, though.

#55 of 76 Re: my room mate [explorerx4] by randydriver

Apr 30, 2006 (10:54 am)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Apr 29, 2006 5:05 pm)
thanks, he is also a conservative driver.

#56 of 76 Cobalt vs. Focus by mikus

May 28, 2006 (12:17 pm)

I have driven rental Cobalt, and recently I became an owner of a used Focus wagon, so I guess I can do some comparison.
 
Focus is really great in fast turns, it keeps the line no matter what. But it is too bouncy (again, I am talking about a used wagon here), so I ordered a new set of shocks. Cobalt is very supple, it ride is not too stiff, not too soft, it drives along the potholes with ease and does not bounce. I really like its suspension setup, at least on straight line, I had not have a chance to drive it fast in curves.
 
I like original Focus interior design, still looks good and airy, better than boring redesigned panel. Cobalt is ok, large dials are easy to read. Cobalt's turn indicator lever is horrible, it is of "electronic" style, the same as on Opel Astra (same parts bin, Opel Astra rides on the same platform as Cobalt and even looks similar). So you don't know where your turn lever is, and you cannot easily turn it back to neutral.
 
Cobalt has electric power steering and it shows, the feel is somewhat artificial, Focus is much better in this department.
 
Cobalt is sedan/couple only, no hatcbacks or wagons, so there is no real comparison here. Focus hatchback looks best and drives great, Focus wagon is functional. Cobalt is neither here nor there, just another small sedan.

#57 of 76 Cobalt.....Opel Astra by randydriver

May 31, 2006 (8:11 pm)

I heard on a side note the same platform ...Opel Astra..Chevrolet Colbalt...will be the new small Saturn

#58 of 76 Re: Colbalt vs. Focus vs. others [spchampton] by vanace

Jul 06, 2006 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: spchampton (Aug 06, 2005 6:30 pm)
So you base your car opinions of "better" based on speed? That is your bussiness... but that is down on the list for most people. Styling is a personal thing. So your comment about cobalt styling being better is your opinion. Also your comments about sitting "high" is your opinion. Fact: the focus handles better than a cobalt. All tests I have read say so. Fact: the hi tech solid rear axle on the cobalt is inexcusable. It does the job. But think of why gm put a solid rear axle on the cobalt and it's momma... the ion? It is because it is cheaper to build that way. A 1980 escort had independant rear suspension on it. There is no excuse for a 2005 model front wheel drive car to have a solid rear axle. Look at the cobalt forums on this site. Look at the problems people are having. I wouldn't touch this car with a ten foot pole. Gm (Gods mistake) is the biggest reason everyone is buying japanese.My 2005 focus ST has 45,000 miles on it and has had no problems. It is an extreemly fun car to drive that puts the cobalt to shame for the many problems the cobalt has. It is amazing what people accept as good in a car. Truely amazing. Sure a cobalt ss is faster... so what?

#59 of 76 Re: Only if [nifty56] by vanace

Jul 06, 2006 (5:39 pm)

Replying to: nifty56 (Nov 17, 2005 2:59 pm)
I have gotten as high as 36 mpg in my focus ST and get 35 mpg regularly back and forth to work. the 2.3 seems to get better milage than the 2.0 in the focus. same basic engine but smaller displacement.

Messages Page 6 of 8

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