Okay. So I've been into Hondas since the highschool days when I drove a 95 eg swapped motor, wilwoods, suspension blah blah...I loved that car. LOVED! I sold it when I went to school because I was away from all the buddies who helped me work on it when I needed to.

Theres the background

Now im graduated from school and been saving for a new car. I have been debating for a while and there are really only a couple cars that make real sense for my price range.

08 Civic SI
08 Cobalt SS
08 Mazdaspeed 3

I have basically written off the MS3 because I refuse to drive a station wagon. Im not that old yet. BUT - Im really torn between the Cobalt and the SI. It shocks me that I would even think about the Cobalt. I have always seen myself buying a new honda once I was able to. But heres my deal. I need something to drive everyday AND i need it for track events (HPDE not drag). I don't want to dump a ton of money into aftermarket parts so it needs to perform well out of the box.

I don't doubt the SI will. I know it will. But for the money I struggle. Sticker on a 08 SI w/o Navi is about 21,600. I can get the 08 Cobalt for 21,300 (23,300 - 2000 rebates).

civic 197hp and handles really well.
Cobalt 260hp/260tq and according to articles .91 lateral acceleration

Civic has very capable brakes
Cobalt as 4 pot brembos up front (315 --Im not sure what that means in inches I think its 12)

Standard warranty on civic is 3/36k
Standard warranty on cobalt is 3/36k bumper to bumper and 100k drivetrain

Downside to the cobalt is the cheap looking interior. But is that enough to not buy the car and get a civic? Im having a hard time with this. What do yall think? I need help on this one. Also, I know I don't have the numbers on the civic and my computer is ungodly slow to find them.

Why should I buy the civic? Other than its a Honda. I need more reason than brand.

 

well the cobalt ss is turbo, so the motor really isnt gonna last as long. the si in n/a therefore there is no more additional wear tear that fi cars have. and think of it this way. you see the interior of the car more than the exterior.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by i-VTEC_DOHC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well the cobalt ss is turbo, so the motor really isnt gonna last as long. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You say a lot of good things on this site but you just inserted your foot into your mouth on this one.

The ECOTEC is a very proven engine, and does really well with boost. As far as boosted drive trains go the ECOTEC is pretty stellar, aside from styling, residual value, true cost to own and a torsion beam rear axle I can't think of any reason why not to get this vehicle. It would have been nice of GM to produce this car over 6 years ago.

 

the big problem is the cobalt with be worth 5K in 2 years when that civic will be worth alot more. 93 cavaleirs go for about dirt when eg's bring over 5K all day long. a import car holds its value when american cars dimish everytime you fill the tank. most Fa's and FG's go for more used on the honda lot than what people paid for them new. anymore i don't see why anybody purchases a american car except all these rebates they give you and crap i personally have never owned a domestic but my boss has always bought GMs hell his HHR SS has been in the shop atleast once a month and his Silverado SS just got out of the shop because his MPH was reading about 30 more per hour then just quit all together, i told him if this is what GMC does to there 40K plus truck i cant wait to see what kind of goodies that new HHR has.

 

Kidnkorner can you give me anymore detail on the true cost to own? I'm not sure how to know what the true cost to own is. How do you know? What is the difference between the civic and the cobalt?

 

True cost to own is based on many factors


TCTO - http://www.edmunds.com/apps/cto/CTOintroController

Si - http://www.edmunds.com/new/200...p=off

SS - http://www.edmunds.com/new/200...p=off



Modified by Kidnkorner at 9:03 PM 6/3/2008

 

I rode in my friends SS and he had it about the same time as me and the interior is falling apart Besides that, the car is prety quick but I stayed behind him from 20 to 120 by about a cars length with just an intake. If there was a tune option I would say get the si for speed, but lets face it, Hondata is lagging. I personally like the mazda speed, I just dont konw 2 much aboug then though.

I got an SI and never looked back, great dd, never gets old, fun every time the key turns, handeling is way above par, that v-tak sound and kick is , believe me when I say you will like the SI

ONly downside to the SI is the tuning , other wise its pretty fast for a honda, stock 197 hp k20 is pure sekkkkssssss

 

of course the civic is a better car but lets face it you cant not compare turbo to all motor. turbo is always going to be much faster. after going turbo myself i will never own a non turbo 4 cylinder again.

i would get the civic and get s nice small turbo kit on it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kidnkorner &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You say a lot of good things on this site but you just inserted your foot into your mouth on this one.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

well by seeing my friend my friend's dad blow his 08, i think its a p.o.s

 

My .02 is unfair im a lifer for honda/acura, but the si's are really nice, do a few mods and you still should have a reiable ride. And with ss's and the srt4's i just see alot of blown motors soon to come. But also it's what make s you comfortable and also stated above the resale on honda will be greater.

 

It can't hurt to take a test drive in the Cobalt. The reviews of the SS are really favorable. I've never driven one, but would like to.

I think the LSD is an option, though - the car must have that, but more than likely, all of the ones on dealer lots won't have it. Don't let them talk you into take an SS without the LSD.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by i-VTEC_DOHC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

well by seeing my friend my friend's dad blow his 08, i think its a p.o.s</TD></TR></TABLE>


I think this is a critical point of online discussions.

My Cousins , mailmans , stepsons gf blew her motor.... so the cars a heap...

Unless its YOU and YOU drive the car knowing how the car was treated prior to the damage, you really can't validly use that or say anything.

The guys father could have mis shifted, beat on it.... a billion different things.


Is the Cobalt a Great car.... no. Not because its not fast etc but because it lacks the "all around"l value.

The interior is subpar, rental car looks, huge heavy wheels on a "sport model" GM or chevy badges all over the car but if your in the market for a FAST car for the $ either shop for a used SRT4 neon OR a mazdaspeed 3

If you simply want a "fun to drive" good handling and fun interior vehicle.....the civic si is perfect and better resale then anything comparable (except maybe a mini cooper s)

 

Also i forgot this when my car was in the shop. Igot a cobalt wasn't the ss but still a cobalt and when i came home from work and the key was stuck in the ignition and wouldn't come out. At first i thought i was retared, but my sister and friend both tried, so i called enterprise and went up there the one guy thought he'd be cocky and go get it out, needless to say i left in another rental car. (But that was a lower grade so don't know if that's help you out any as well.)

 

I am also thinking about the same thing. I disagree about the MazdaSpeed 3 being a station wagon though. I think the Mazda 3 (whether sedan or hatchback) is one of the best looking cars for around $20K. Also, I'm not so sure about the Colbalt's safety. SI gets better gas mileage too.

Does anyone know the insurance costs? I'm turning 21 this summer and I have a good record, I was wondering what the insurance costs will be for an SI or a MS3.

Lastly, don't buy a new car. It's never worth it. As soon as you drive off the lot a portion of the value is gone. When I get my next car (if I want something new) I'll buy a year or two old car with like under 20,000 miles.

 

I bought an 07 si sedan just over a year ago... never had a problem with it. Sound system is great for stock. havent seen too many cars with 350 watt systems stock. all around driving is fun and sporty. my insurance went down because of the advanced airbags. after watching a video on youtube about the crash test i am now very comfortable with my purchase.
ive had 5 grown men in my car at one time with a/c on and still drove fine... (other civics ive had in the past wouldnt handle it)

260 hp would be nice but id rather build that hp other then buy it stock.

which ever car you buy good luck hope you enjoy it. well thats my .02

 

Cobalt SS, go read what people are saying about it.

 

i thought it was supercharged.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by knaira112387 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i thought it was supercharged.</TD></TR></TABLE>

New cobalt ss is turbo, the old ones were supercharged.

 

do you mind to say how much is your insurance for the civic? and do you have good records?

the thing about these sporty cars i'm worrying about is the insurance. those EVO lancers cost like $1000 for 6 months..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by karateboi87 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do you mind to say how much is your insurance for the civic? and do you have good records?

the thing about these sporty cars i'm worrying about is the insurance. those EVO lancers cost like $1000 for 6 months..</TD></TR></TABLE>

mine's about $1400 every 6 months.. :/ but i do have an extremely bad record. I'm surprised i'm still insured..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pr3d &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

mine's about $1400 every 6 months.. :/ but i do have an extremely bad record. I'm surprised i'm still insured..</TD></TR></TABLE>

damn. that's more than I pay for a whole year with my si (I'm 29 with a clean driving record though)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IT GUY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

damn. that's more than I pay for a whole year with my si (I'm 29 with a clean driving record though) </TD></TR></TABLE>

yea maybe when i hit your age it'll lower...but probably not. My driving record hasn't been clean since a few months after i got my license, and i'm certain it won't be for years and years to come.

 

well lets see... ive had 10 speeding / reckless driving tickets in 1 yr. lost my license twice. 1 accident my fault durring that year. i paid about $250 per month for full coverage on a 96 civic hx coupe... now im 25 1 ticket on record (will be lifted by sept.) and i pay $146 per month with a $200 deductible on an 07 si sedan. when sept rolls around and the ticket is erased from my record it will go down to $114 per month... so that will be around $700 every six months.

sorry for the long drawn out explanation...

 

I personally would take the Si over the Cobalt SS for the simple fact k-series &gt; ecotec. Also, have you ever sat in a cobalt before? The interior is horrible

The only reason I would choose the Cobalt SS over the Si is if you don't plan to mod it. Plenty fast stock where as the Si could use some help in the power dept (which I'd it choose if you plan to mod it). G/L

 

well it lasted 2000 miles of normal driving, then an oil change at 3k, then 3 weekends at willow and 1 run down the quarter mile.. well i should say halfway down the quarter mile.