[00 SS]

I was looking around at potential daily drivers when I came across the new Cobalt SS. It looks like it might be a fun comuter and be a decent AX car for DS.

Here are some of the pro's
1. 30 MPG HWY
2. 5 speed manual is good for fun and AX
3. 260 hp
4. Under 2700 pounds and could probably be closer to 2600
5. Brembos
6. FWD for winter
7. Small and manuverable
8. $23,000

Cons
1. FWD for AX
2. Small for the family
3. 5 speed manual in stop and go traffic
4. Big dorky wing (but I think it's an option)
5. 18" wheels and good snow tires don't mix well. (I don't know if 16's would fit over the brakes)
6. G8 is $31,000

I'd much rather have havce a G8, but the mileage, cost and AX potential are pushing me toward smaller cars.

[Todd]

i'll pile on the "no VW" bus...g/f has an 02 Audi TT...two failed air pumps (1st under warranty), bad air bag module, numerous dash/gauge issues, intermittent stereo issues even after being replaced under warranty. Supposedly the 1.8Turbo motor has wiring and vacuum line issues too. I'm working through the vacuum system now to fix a cold start surge. Wonderful car to drive, handles great, 30+ mpg highway, but a bi+ch $$$ to keep on the road.

I'm also not fond of the cobalt either...I find the interiors cheap, but maybe thats just GM these days. I'll take a smaller G8 please...keep the RWD, nice interior, and manual trans. After not finding anything I liked in the GM bin, I bought a saab 9-5, decent sized, decent power, but FWD (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) It would be a big move up from your "rental car" Malibu!

Good luck!

[00 SS]

i'll pile on the "no VW" bus...g/f has an 02 Audi TT...two failed air pumps (1st under warranty), bad air bag module, numerous dash/gauge issues, intermittent stereo issues even after being replaced under warranty. Supposedly the 1.8Turbo motor has wiring and vacuum line issues too. I'm working through the vacuum system now to fix a cold start surge. Wonderful car to drive, handles great, 30+ mpg highway, but a bi+ch $$$ to keep on the road.

I'm also not fond of the cobalt either...I find the interiors cheap, but maybe thats just GM these days. I'll take a smaller G8 please...keep the RWD, nice interior, and manual trans. After not finding anything I liked in the GM bin, I bought a saab 9-5, decent sized, decent power, but FWD (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) It would be a big move up from your "rental car" Malibu!

Good luck!

The "move up" is not really the point. The Malibu may be a rental car, but it has the V6 and actually goes well. I find it hard to bash any car that goes 190,000 miles with as little trouble as this one. I've never been a Saab fan, but I'm sure they are nice cars. I'm not into luxury cars, to me they are just over priced versions of regular cars with extra crap that can break. My prioritis are in order as follows (all must be met):

1. American made (I always prefer to buy American when I can)
2. Good gas mileage (30+ HWY)
3. Fun to drive (good handling, brakes etc.)
4. Reasonable room for 2 adults a 2 children
5. Enough power to pass on the highway and run the mountain passes well at 10,000 ft plus elevation (I live in Colorado)
6. Good in snow (this is mostly tire choice in my experience so most anything will fit this criteria)
7. Comfortable for a someone over 6' tall to drive. ( I put 25-30K miles per year on my DD)

Autox potential is a bonus, but not required, I will still have the Camaro.

If you can think of any other car that fits all these criteria, please let me know. I'm coming up blank. Obviously, cost in an issue and I don't want to spend more than I have to so I'm looking at the cheaper cars.

[Todd]

The "move up" is not really the point. The Malibu may be a rental car, but it has the V6 and actually goes well. I find it hard to bash any car that goes 190,000 miles with as little trouble as this one. I've never been a Saab fan, but I'm sure they are nice cars. I'm not into luxury cars, to me they are just over priced versions of regular cars with extra crap that can break. My prioritis are in order as follows (all must be met):

1. American made (I always prefer to buy American when I can)
2. Good gas mileage (30+ HWY)
3. Fun to drive (good handling, brakes etc.)
4. Reasonable room for 2 adults a 2 children
5. Enough power to pass on the highway and run the mountain passes well at 10,000 ft plus elevation (I live in Colorado)
6. Good in snow (this is mostly tire choice in my experience so most anything will fit this criteria)
7. Comfortable for a someone over 6' tall to drive. ( I put 25-30K miles per year on my DD)

Autox potential is a bonus, but not required, I will still have the Camaro.

If you can think of any other car that fits all these criteria, please let me know. I'm coming up blank. Obviously, cost in an issue and I don't want to spend more than I have to so I'm looking at the cheaper cars.

I understand where you are coming from...I was in a similar position and after finding that an American company does not make what I want, I had to settle for something that the profits go to an American company. You could buy an American made Honda Accord, but the profits go to Honda-Japan. I completely understand the extra crap to break too...but I like my heated seats when its "cold" here (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) And I wanted a manual trans too...which removes 90% of the non performance cars off the list

have you looked at ...new malibu? saturn aura?

btw - older saabs were very independent...but the new ones borrow HEAVILY from the standard GM parts bin which means that some of the parts will at least be reliable. and saab turbo technology is what GM uses on all their turbo cars...