GM Cars

[Wag]

I found out my dad can get any GM car for a 20% discount. I would have prefered a car like a Subaru Impreza, but this is hard to pass up.

So, right now I'm looking at Chevy Cobalt, Saturn ION and Pontiac Vibe. I really like the Matrix, so I'm thinking if I can get a decent price on the Vibe w/AWD this might be the way to go.

Cobalt and ION seem comparable, and should be $2k+ less than the Vibe.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Vette73]

I really like the new Cobalt.
The vibe is not bad, but underpowered when I drove it.

But with 20% discount you might be able to get into the new G6 as well.

 

[Banana]

Vibe is good.

The Cobalt is new, so you're taking a chance. The ion is too boring.

 

[Wag]

G6 is out of my pricerange, not what I'm looking for anyways. I'm a single guy, so just looking for reliable transportation.

So, Cobalt Coupe or Sedan? Both same price. I'm tall so I need good headroom.

 

[ElFenix]

try both vibe and cobalt. you're the only one that will know if you're comfortable in the car

 

[Fingers]

Originally posted by: Wag
G6 is out of my pricerange, not what I'm looking for anyways. I'm a single guy, so just looking for reliable transportation.

So, Cobalt Coupe or Sedan? Both same price. I'm tall so I need good headroom.

people always seem to wish they ended up getting sedans. more room, doors are smaller so when you are parked close to another car it's easier to get out ect.

 

[Wag]

I know the Vibe has plenty of head/leg-room. I've already driven the Matrix, and Marlin already stated, it's underpowered.

I do like the idea of having AWD here in NE (snowing now), and if I can get it for ~$16k I just might do it. The AWD version has less HP and is heavier than the standard version.

 

[Wag]

Originally posted by: Fingers

people always seem to wish they ended up getting sedans. more room, doors are smaller so when you are parked close to another car it's easier to get out ect.

Cobalt Specs

Oddly enough, according to the specs, the Cobalt Coupe has more front head/legroom than the Sedan. It also has more interior space overall, 101.0cu ft vs 96.4 for the sedan.

 

[CrackRabbit]

The ION is the same platform and motor as the Cobalt, just Saturn-ized (thats not a good thing BTW) check out what the user reviews at http://www.edmunds.com have to say about it.

 

[sniperruff]

well why not a vibe GT then...

 

[MikeMike]

how is it 20%? im pretty sure your referring to GMS, and GMS varies by car, and is normally around 15%.

MIKE

 

[RossMAN]

Pontiac Vibe then I'd sell it and buy a Mazda 3

 

[acemcmac]

can you go used?

I'd get a firebird

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
can you go used?

I'd get a firebird

* FIERO *

 

[Wag]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: acemcmac
can you go used?

I'd get a firebird

* FIERO *

I might as well just set myself on fire now and save all the trouble.

I have to go new. Yes, 15%-20% is the discount. Vibe GT would be OK too. Would like the AWD though.

 

[InlineFive]

I call a used Volvo V70

 

[DeeKnow]

i personally have never come across a good GM, irrespective of price range....
now technically, a Saab is a GM too... that's a car for you...

 

[Sukhoi]

If the Vibe dashboard has not been fixed, be wary of it in bright climates. The dark red is nearly impossible to read with sunglasses on.

 

[jammur21]

I've only driven the Matrix and its a decent car for the price. In addition to the invisible red guages when wearing sunglasses, the gauges on the Matrix (and I assume the Vibe since GM designed the dash for the two) are surrounded by reflective plastic chrome that catches the glare from the sun.

That said, if in your shoes I'd still get the Vibe since you're essentially getting a Toyota.

 

[LennyZ]

with polarized sunglasses it's hard to read the dash guages on my 2003 matrix.
but not impossible to read.
the 4wd is great in the snow!

 

[judasmachine]

don't buy a POS american car...

just suck it up and pay for a good car.

 

[sandorski]

Decent and GM don't belong in the same sentence.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Wag

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: acemcmac
can you go used?

I'd get a firebird

* FIERO *

I might as well just set myself on fire now and save all the trouble.

I have to go new. Yes, 15%-20% is the discount. Vibe GT would be OK too. Would like the AWD though.

that sucks man. beyond the camaro, the firebird/trans am, the caprice, the corvette and some of the new cadilacs, there arent many GM cars I actually like...

mabye you can get a cheap truck with locking differential 4wd for when you need to do the snow?

 

[sniperruff]

my friend has a matrix XRS and i think it's a pretty decent car, save the plastiky interior.

however it's roomy, and the 170-hp for the vibe GT/matrix XRS gives it some decent acceleration.

read reviews on car and driver. i think every review i've read stated that the AWD is pretty useless since it adds even more weight and delivers even less horsepower, from its already puny output (from 130 down to 123 with AWD)

i say forget about the AWD and go for a vibe GT. surely a car based on the corolla with an engine with peak power at 7600rpm sounds kinda whacky, but it's more practical and faster than most compacts.

*** btw i know that vibe GT/matrix XRS are standard with a 6-speed stick, but my friend's is a 4-speed auto. weird.

 

[Wag]

The Vibe GT is manual only. I have a bad back and need automatic.