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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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#70 of 76 Re: focus v cobalt [ljonk] by poncho167 Sep 15, 2008 (5:52 am)
Replying to: ljonk (Sep 15, 2008 1:20 am) Consumer Reports is not a legitimate rag when it comes to auto's. They have a flawed way of taking surveys using paid subscribers opinions only. Who knows why they are responding or not responding. What are their demographics?   CR had their big apology not to long ago about their outsourced child safety seat debockle. Seems the company that tested the seats gave 8 out of 11 bad ratings when it turns out their testing procedure was flawed.   It would follow CR when it comes to toasters, lawn mowers, or DVD's players, but for auto related information I would go to companies who that is their specialty like Car & Driver, Motor Trend, etc.   Chevrolet's recent dash glove box recall on the HHR because it may open during a crash is part of the reason why some cars/trucks don't rate as good with such minor part failure. It's not like the vehicle isn't going to start in the morning which some people corrulate with a reliability study when it has no barring. I will take a GM product against any vehicle made for longevity and the ability to get me to my destination any day. Replies to this message: dispencer2 (Sep 15, 2008 11:25 am)
#71 of 76 Re: focus v cobalt [poncho167] by dispencer2 Sep 15, 2008 (11:25 am)
Replying to: poncho167 (Sep 15, 2008 5:52 am) I gave up on CR years ago. The Japanese cars are always better than GM, Ford, etc. They neglect to mention the astronomical "routine maintenance" on Toyotas and Hondas -. $300 "15,000 mile service" and so on. They also don't mention the serious oil sludge problems with Tototas that were always the fault of the owner until they finally lost a class action suit. A new Solara I bought in 2006 rode stiffly and exhibited lots of convertible flex. It was just flat uncomfortable. The Cobalt rides like a Lincoln compared to the Solara. I was lucky to dump it at 300 miles to someone who was impressed because it was a Toyota.   The subscribers of CU tend to be more environmentally conscious than the average person and that may affect their opinions on cars and other products. Motor Trend and the other car magazines admire and test cars that I have no interest in for the most part -high powered sport coupes and so on. Their comment on the Cadillac DTS is 'Elvis would love it but he's dead". This is patently ridiculous on a car that gets 28-30 mpg on the road, is capable of hauling 5 or 6 people for days at a time with no back strain, and rides "like a Cadillac". They much prefer Corvettes and Challengers. I totally ignore car magazines and I learned my lesson on the Solara. If I can't drive the model of car before I order it I won't order it until I can.
#72 of 76 Re: focus v cobalt [dromedarius] by vanace Sep 15, 2008 (3:22 pm)
Replying to: dromedarius (Jul 22, 2008 9:54 am) You are soooo mistaken about the civic an corolla. I will take my focus ST any day over either. My focus has the 151 hp 2.3 and I get 36 hiway milage. Mixed driving for me back and forth to work I am getting 32-35 in the summer time. 30-31 in the winter. The japanese vehicles are over rated because of the attitude and perception of people.   As far as consumer reports : BUNK. They are human beings. They have biases just like any of us. While I agree the cobalt will fall apart on short order because it is the way gm (God's mistake) does things.... it sure isn't because CR said so! Replies to this message: dispencer2 (Sep 16, 2008 5:02 am) poncho167 (Sep 20, 2008 9:47 am) dispencer2 (Sep 29, 2008 2:19 pm)
#73 of 76 Re: focus v cobalt [vanace] by dispencer2 Sep 16, 2008 (5:02 am)
Replying to: vanace (Sep 15, 2008 3:22 pm) I've rented both the Focus and the Cobalt. Both are perfectly good small cars. I bought a 2009 Cobalt because I wanted a coupe and I thought that the design was better looking -less boxy. If the reverse had been true I would have probably bought a Focus. I don't expect my Cobalt to fall apart. I've seen old Cavaliers with a hundred thousand miles and more. The Cobalt is built on a platform that is used internationally and I would expect that it would last a normal lifetime (100k miles) without serious problems. It is no better or worse than the Focus which has a good reliability rating. It is my opinion that neither Ford nor GM make any particular car in their line up "better" or "worse" than any other. Cost doesn't seem to be a criteria for build quality. Replies to this message: poncho167 (Sep 20, 2008 9:47 am) dispencer2 (Sep 29, 2008 2:19 pm)
#74 of 76 Re: focus v cobalt [dispencer2] by poncho167 Sep 20, 2008 (9:47 am)
Replying to: dispencer2 (Sep 16, 2008 5:02 am) 100,000 miles is nothing for a Cavaliar. I have seen/heard of many people who have had 180,000 to over 200,000 miles on these cars. Like any car if its maintained it should last.   Earlier this year I saw a first generation Cavaliar still on the road and running fine. It believe it was a 1984 model year.   In the Midwest where I live, Chevy is known as a long lasting car. Buy a Chevy and it may be your last car purchase. My 1992 S10 p/u is still running strong but is rusty. Replies to this message: dispencer2 (Sep 29, 2008 2:19 pm)
#75 of 76 Re: focus v cobalt [poncho167] by dispencer2 Sep 29, 2008 (2:19 pm)
Replying to: poncho167 (Sep 20, 2008 9:47 am) I have a 1986 Silverado 4WD short bed in my garage with 140,000 miles on it. The first owner drove it 100,000 miles, kept it in a garage, and followed all the prescribed maintenance. It runs perfectly, doesn't sqeak or rattle, has no rust, and looks good with its original black paint. I put on a new dash pad and reupholstered the bottom seat cushion, put on new pinstripes and side moldings and it looks good enough to put in a show. I'm sold on Chevrolets and you are right. With good maintenance, most cars and trucks will go 150,000-200,000 miles without major repairs.
#76 of 76 Here's a link to my thoughts on Focus/Cobalt by micweb Nov 25, 2008 (12:31 pm)
I now own both a 2009 focus and 2009 cobalt - stick shift and auto respectively. I split the driving between the two cars for my commute. Here are some of my observations:   http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ee9e813/1976

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