Somebody please talk me out this Options

[98_1LE]

I have spent a fair amount of time wreching on a 2002 VW new Beetle. What a POS. The battery takes 20 minutes to get out once you know how. I could swap pushrods in an ls1 faster than I can put a headlight in the VW. They have a know problem where the fans draw too much current, and it melts the fuse block. That was a grand. And the dealer wants to charge $300 to replace the thermostat so they can replace the faulty cat under warranty.

This post has been edited by 98_1LE: Jun 9 2008, 06:59 PM

[Rob Hood]

Have had (so far) great experience with my 2006 Jetta TDI DSG. Only real problems have been the dealer(s). Neither knew the maintenance periodicity of draining the water separator. One said every 5k, the other 10k. Interestingly enough, the 2006 TDIs DO NOT HAVE this....

I bought mine new in October 2006 and have 30k on it now. It's my DD and have enjoyed the great mileage (high 30s in combined driving) but the cost of diesel is very frustrating now.

[slowcamaro]

didn't the cobalt just set a lap record in its class at 'the ring' not long ago?

[00 SS]

Yep.

[Mojave]

I would not own a VW, especially one off of warranty. Lots of electrical problems, among other things. Run away indeed.

[BigEnos]

Have had (so far) great experience with my 2006 Jetta TDI DSG. Only real problems have been the dealer(s). Neither knew the maintenance periodicity of draining the water separator. One said every 5k, the other 10k. Interestingly enough, the 2006 TDIs DO NOT HAVE this....

I bought mine new in October 2006 and have 30k on it now. It's my DD and have enjoyed the great mileage (high 30s in combined driving) but the cost of diesel is very frustrating now.

Hopefully you got a good one. In theory they're great, but...

My Brother's TDI Jetta (was like a 2002-ish one) had lots of problems. The glow-plugs needed replacement at around 50-60K miles and that was about $500. Lots of problems with cluster lights, windows, and taillights the entire time he had it. Most was not covered under warranty. My wife had a 2002 Cabrio GLX and it had some of the same dumb problems as my 1986 GTI (Frozen parking brake in the winter, etc). Couldn't get a airbag light to go off after paying big $$$ to get diagnosed and buy parts. Same convertor failure as previously mentioned and was replaced under the 80K mile federal warranty...but the MAF that was the root of the problem was not covered. She was way into negative equity, but we basically paid to get rid of it last year (to buy my 'stang), and then she could drive our BMW 330xi. I sure am glad she wasn't in that POS Cabrio when she was hit. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

This post has been edited by BigEnos: Jun 10 2008, 11:24 AM

[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!

[Rob Hood]

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!

Saab is owned by GM.

[StanIROCZ]

Saab is owned by GM.

Still designed and built by the Sweeds though.

[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.

[marka]

Howdy,

I've got an '06 Civic LX sedan/four door. Gets 38mpg with a "mostly highway" commute. Comfortable, cheaper than the Cobalt SS, etc.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anyone. It doesn't have the power a Cobalt SS (or Civic SI) has, but then again it uses regular gas & gets better mileage too. You want a racecar or a street car?

Mark

(oh, and I'd have rather bought american as well. America doesn't make a car that gets over 35mpg on the highway, and certainly doesn't make one that has the composed handling/ride that the Civic does)

This post has been edited by marka: Jun 10 2008, 08:54 PM

[00 SS]

The problem is that at altitude, most of the factory "race cars" perform about like the standard cars at sea level. My house is at 5600 ft elevation and I loose a little over 20% of stock hp ratings on a naturally aspirated car, in the mountains at 10000 ft, I loose 40% or more. The turbo may reduce (or eliminate) the losses depending on how boost is controlled. Up here, your civic wouldn't be able to get out of it's own way. To give you an idea of what your civic would feel like up here, put two of your closest 250 pound buddies in the back seet and take off from a light.

You don't find very many in this state that opt for the lower power version of anything.

The few times I've had the Camaro down near sea level, it felt like I put a blower on it.

This post has been edited by 00 SS: Jun 10 2008, 09:43 PM

[bowtieboy]

Although I personally would prefer the Cobalt SS over this, the Dodge Noen SRT-4.
........in '05 they came out with the ARC version that actually trophied n 07.

[00 SS]

Not a bad suggestion. I hadn't thought of that one. I looked up a few specs and it not too bad. Even has 4 doors instead of 2, same gas mileage (22/30). I looked on Autotrader and there were a few for sale in my area. It looks like it might be tough to get a stock one. Prices I saw would save me about 5-6K from the Cobalt SS. I might go drive one. Thanks.

[bowtieboy]

I actually did some testing back in 04 in one.
My step-father, who was a National Champion back in the 80's in BSP, purchased one. We put crash bolts in, set up an alignment, put some Kuhmos on it and tested it at a few local events. The only real complaint he had is that it was the 04, before the ACR version, with the taller wheel and he felt it hurt the performance.......thought a 16" rim would be a better fit for gearing and turbo (in my mind I think that would be more course depenant ). I liked it myself, barring the fact that the turbo was somewhat noticable when it "kicked in". I will say that the times were EXTREMELY competitive for something "right out of the box" and no shocks.......and for what it is, a decent amount of room for people in back
~ or tires in the trunk (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

If I recall correctly, Danny Popp got serious with an ACR version a few years back (for a year or two) ......you might ask him his opinion.

[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...

[poSSum]

FWIW it looks like FastMike is moving from his CS Solstice (finished 2nd at Nationals last year) to a DS Cobalt SS. He was one of the early believers in the Solstice.

How about an HHR SS? Same motor, 4 doors, lots of utility ... a little bit more money than the Cobalt.

[00 SS]

Yes, I looked at the new Malibu and the Aura, both seem to be good cars and like them but both are priced a bit higher than I wanted to spend (with the v6) plus there's no manual. I think they had pretty high gas mileage ratings for the size and motor though. I drive 35 miles each way to work, so I spend a fair amount of time behind the wheel. It would be nice to have DD that can entertain me a little when the situation allows. I guess I'm just tired of boring and want a little fun to drive.

The HHR SS? I guess it's time to do more research. I'm going to guess the gas mileage will be lower and the weight higher just based on the larger size and the larger frontal area. The Cobalt is just big enough for my needs , but certainly non too big. We still will have my wifes '03 Grang Cherokee, so when we need to haul stuff or more people we can use it.

[nape]

(oh, and I'd have rather bought american as well. America doesn't make a car that gets over 35mpg on the highway, and certainly doesn't make one that has the composed handling/ride that the Civic does)

My '97 Saturn wagon with 188k miles gets 32 mpg at 75mph and 40mpg at 55mph.

I guess I must not get it, because FWD econobox never really screamed "composed handling" to me.

[marka]

Howdy,

(oh, and I'd have rather bought american as well. America doesn't make a car that gets over 35mpg on the highway, and certainly doesn't make one that has the composed handling/ride that the Civic does)

My '97 Saturn wagon with 188k miles gets 32 mpg at 75mph and 40mpg at 55mph.

I guess I must not get it, because FWD econobox never really screamed "composed handling" to me.

I'm not really wanting to get in some argument about it, but our '06 civic (80k miles) gets 40 or a little better mpg at 72mph strictly highway. The ride/handling was light years ahead of everything else we drove with the exception of the Corolla (which had a goofy seating position). No, I don't think we drove a Saturn. Probably it didn't make the list due to poor mileage. :-)

More modern beats pigeon hole labels any day of the week... The civic is easily as luxurious as our old '93 BMW 325is, at a price on the order of half what the BMW was new (in '93!).

If I wasn't (at the time) driving 120 miles/day for a work commute I might not have placed such a high premium on fuel mileage. But at the time, there was no new American made car that I could find that was rated at 35+ mpg highway. Not one.

As for the composed handling bit... The civic stock has a hell of a lot more composed ride than any stock Chevy I've ever driven outside of a Corvette. Chevy seems to be hell bent on "soft is comfortable" when in fact its usually more the opposite to me. Other American manufacturers seem to think the same thing, and as a general rule of thumb I've found Honda/Toyota/etc. vehicles to have a more composed ride where the chassis isn't allowed to flop all over the damn place. Can't say as I've spent much time in a Saturn though.

Mark

This post has been edited by marka: Jun 12 2008, 05:29 PM