Also you can check out some Grand Prix... IDK the pricing of those around by you, but you could get a decent like 07 for pretty cheap around here.

 

Thanks for all the thoughts Mike, I did a quick search in the area for Impalas and found a 07 LT with the 3.9. 32k miles for right at $13.5 NADA says it's worth $15. Surely a bigger nicer car then she's looking for but... it's also a GM Certified so she'll have 12 months 12,000 mile bumper to bumper on it. The car has sat at the dealer since late November, gotta think they want it off of the lot. To me it's looking like a no-brainer but not sure if the Impala is "cute" enough for her.

 

Just explain the benefits of a better built car :P

and having trunk space haha

 

Brian,

I owned a 2003 Cavalier Coupe with the Ecotec 2.2L engine (same as the new Cobalts) I LOVED the car, and the power plant. Very smooth power, SUPER SUPER reliable (I had 100K on mine with not a SINGLE problem), got GREAT gas milage. Honestly nothing bad to say about it.

As others have mentioned, obviously the Cobalts are cheaper cars, so you get what you pay for interms of interior quality, etc. But for the money, I don't think you can go wrong.

I had a 4 door Cobalt as a rental for 3 weeks while my Monte was in the shop fromt he accident. Good little car, does the job, quick, great MPG's, not bad comfort, nothing at all wrong with it IMO, of course its not going to be an Impala or Monte, but like I said, for the money, you can't go wrong.

If she is considering a Cobalt, and goes to buy, I would definitely go for at least an LT, that way she at least gets the common features we all take assume all cars come with (power windows, locks, etc.)

 

Brain, why don't you take a look at the older impalas. 2000-2005
IMO they look better than the new ones.
I'm sure you can get a good deal on them, if you can find one in decent shape.
Maintenance would be fine since you have a monte, i dont think much would change same engine. They are so roomy inside and comfortable sedans.

 

There's nothing wrong with the Cobalt IMO, and even if some say it's reminiscent with the ricer generation forget it. It's not a bad looking car (especially in black) as long as you don't have that rediculous wing on it. As for the 2.2 ecotec my sister has one in her saturn clocking over 200 thousand miles. Very reliable.

Another thing to take into consideration is what she's driving now. Her preference on road noise and what's going to be good on her watch. My girlfriend is currently driving an economy car after switching from her Lesabre and she absolutely hates the way it feels on the road. Personally, I don't find Cobalts that uncomfortable (say, as uncomfortable as a cavalier or saturn sl/sl2) although they're not luxury coupes. Also if she's the type who enjoys some vanity here and there be sure not to push her into something she doesn't find "cute" or atleast appealing. It's a big investment and although not as important as reliability it's definitely on the list to cater to what she wants to see herself in for the next X years. For instance, I'm sure we definitely wouldn't want someone trying to talk us out of our luxury power houses for a few extra MPG.

Just throwing that out there, hope you can find her a killer deal like you said you got for your mom. Good luck!

 

true that a guy at my work has an ss. i wasnt that impressed with the preformance. it did seem solid and the exhaust tone was sweet. i would never buy one. but for a girl maybe. i just dont see spending 10-12 grand on a caviler with newer styling. i know your going to hate me saying this but my baby moma drives a toyota. i convinced her to get it because there more reliable than what this thread is about. i dont mine my car breaking down but would rather her and my daughter make it to where they need to go.

 

If you want something for her thats smaller and gets decent MPGs, but you want her to have something of decent quality, check out the Pontiac G6s. I have heard they are decent cars for the price. I kinda like the interior layout, its a little bland but everything is convenient and the seats are comfortable. They arent as plasticy as the cobalts either. Im sure you could pick up a 4 cylinder G6 and get close to the mileage the cobalt would be getting. It will have the ecotec 4 cylinder in it just like the cobalt, tho maybe the 2.4 instead of the 2.2 but im not sure.

 

ive heard good things about the G6's , but take into concideration that resale value will go down quick. but again that might be in your benifit if you buy.

R.I.P.

 

Mike-- I did explain to her just how many bodies of dead co-workers the Impala's trunk would accomidate... she seemed interested! :-O Maybe a little too interested!

Michael--Thanks, that's exactly the type of input I was hoping and expecting. I really have no clue when it comes to any other product out there until I get the experience. I can read articles and reviews in magazines, but like I stated before it seems these consumer organizations have it out for GM and rarely if ever give a GM vehicle a decent review. Real people that have driven them in the real world count more to me then the "experts".

Matt-- Thanks for the input on the G6. Not completely dead set against any other make or model, She just saw the Cobalt and liked it, so I figured I'd ask here. Like I stated above I don't really know a lot about other vehicles, had wondered about a Mazda6, Subarus, Nissan, Ford, Dodge even Toyota as well as others. My experience with GM does tend to lead me back to one of their products.

East (sorry don't know your given name :-P)-- If you think I'm going to be able to force her into a car that she doesn't want... well let's just say that won't, nah CAN'T happen.

mak330 (see above :-P)-- Understand what your saying to. To that point, her last trip to see her family during X-mas I took her car keys from her and gave her the Monte for the trip. Much rather that she could have wrecked it then to risk her breaking down on the way.