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Chevy Cobalt vs. Ford Focus

76 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM

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

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#54 of 76 Re: my room mate [randydriver] by explorerx4 Apr 29, 2006 (4:05 pm)
Replying to: randydriver (Apr 28, 2006 8:09 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. Replies to this message: randydriver (Apr 30, 2006 9:54 am)
#55 of 76 Re: my room mate [explorerx4] by randydriver Apr 30, 2006 (9:54 am)
Replying to: explorerx4 (Apr 29, 2006 4:05 pm) thanks, he is also a conservative driver.
#56 of 76 Cobalt vs. Focus by mikus May 28, 2006 (11:17 am)
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 (7:11 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 (4:33 pm)
Replying to: spchampton (Aug 06, 2005 5:30 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 (4:39 pm)
Replying to: nifty56 (Nov 17, 2005 1:59 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.
#60 of 76 Re: Problems and Solutions [nifty56] by vanace Jul 06, 2006 (4:40 pm)
Replying to: nifty56 (Nov 17, 2005 2:10 pm) Check again... there are PLENTY of problems
#61 of 76 Cobalt vs. Focus by drivinncryin Oct 13, 2006 (6:56 am)
My last company car was a Focus, my current one a Cobalt. I'm in my work car several hours each day. I used to complain about the Focus until I got the Cobalt. My biggest complaints of the 2006 Cobalt: "> 1) The seats give very poor body support. The headrests are permanently tilted forward. You have to recline the seat quite a ways back to have the headrest in a vertical position (not an option for me, because now I can't reach the steering wheel.) 2) This car has ELECTRONIC power steering. Be warned that if you have a habit of "dry steering" - turning the steering wheel when stopped - the system can get screwed up, making it almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. This problem may occure sporadically and self-correct, or may require a trip to a mechanic. Note: I dry-steer only when I park on a steep hill, which is every day, and had this happen to my car. 3) The "auto" headlights feature is awful. On a very dim and rainy day, it only activates the parking lights. This could get a driver a traffic ticket, or worse - an accident. Switching to "manual" headlights is equally disappointing. The headlights activate, yet the instrument panel lights are still activated only by the photosensor on the dashboard. It must be VERY dark to activate the instrument panel. I covered the photosensor with a piece of electrical tape so the "auto" lights and the instrument panel are always illuminated. 4) The turn signal lever is overly sensitive - it is too easy to accidentally activate high-beams, and can be difficult to manually return the signal to the neutral position. Other Cobalt complaints: Cheap little tires, and wheels that make annoying little clicking sounds; a rear window that likes to open on its own about a quarter of an inch every few weeks; cheap little sun visors; very poor interior lighting; cheap seat fabric and carpet ("hairball" effect.) The 2001 Focus that I used to drive gave much better body support than the Cobalt, but I would still rate it only as "OK". I never felt safe driving that car at highway speeds or in the rain/snow. It felt a bit out of control in those conditions. The cheap little tires had much to do with this problem. The Focus was always in the shop. It had lots of problems with the engine. My final recommendation: Buy something completely different. Good luck! Replies to this message: deftone4u (Nov 01, 2006 2:45 pm)
#62 of 76 Re: Cobalt vs. Focus [drivinncryin] by deftone4u Nov 01, 2006 (2:45 pm)
Replying to: drivinncryin (Oct 13, 2006 6:56 am) I don't seem to share the same complaints about the cobalt. I currently own a cobalt LTZ. I have no complaints about the electronic power steering. The "auto" feature isn’t as bad as it seems. The parking lights turn on automatically; day or night. The headlights turn on at the slightest hint of darkness. And the instrument panel lights turn on way before I even notice it's getting dark. It also came with Pirelli p6's, which aren't exactly cheap tires. I do admit that the sun visors are a bit cheap. My girl friend always complains that the mirror doesn’t come with a light so she can do her touch-ups of make up at night. And the car came with leather, so I don't have that "hairball" effect. And the radio and pwr steering controls on the steering wheel is a plus. If you're going to get a cheaper version of the cobalt, of course it won’t come with much of the good stuff. Even fully loaded, the car still sells at a good price. It’s a great car to own but my advice is...spend a little extra, for the extras.
#63 of 76 Re: my room mate [randydriver] by wooble Dec 15, 2006 (8:52 am)
Replying to: randydriver (Apr 28, 2006 8:09 pm) I have a 2001 Ford Focus about to hit 150,000 miles... I loved it. I've only had to pay for routine maintenance, brakes... that's it.

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