2009 chevy cobalt xfe (25/37 mpg)

Sounds good as long as you don't have to sit in the back seat. I'm curious why you didn't consider an Aveo which has a much better designed interior and is more roomy.

 

I agree, buying a $23,000+ car for 5000 miles a year is a tough pill to swallow. I don't know if I could have actually gone though with the idea, but I would have at least considered buying a 3 - 5 year old, heavily depreciated Ford or GM SUV.

 

Better built???? I happened to go along with my son and his wife when he was looking for an inexpensive car. Tried sitting in both the Aveo and then thought to try a "bigger":nono: Colbalt, after sitting in it for a minute we all thought the Aveo was actually bigger and more comfortable. and 3 grand less.

 

Whatever:juggle:

 

For someone who only needs a small car and only drives 5000 miles a year a smaller car may make more sense. For an average driver, I'd say it makes less sense. Either way, I'm not sure the Cobalt would be on my list. Compare the following info from Consumer Reports and EPA:

Reliability:
Cobalt: Average
Honda Fit: Much Better than Average
Prius: Much Better than Average

Customer Satisfaction:
Cobalt: 45%
Fit: 81%
Prius: 92%

CR Rating:
Cobalt: 50/100
Fit: 65/100
Prius: 68/100

5 Year Cost to Own:
Cobalt: $32,250
Fit: $27,000
Prius: $27,250

8 Year Cost to Own:
Cobalt: $45,750
Fit: $37,250
Prius: $38,000

CR Fuel Economy:
Cobalt: 24 mpg (AT, EPA 26)
Fit: 32 mpg (AT, 34 mpg MT Sport)
Prius: 44 mpg

EPA Passenger Volume:
Cobalt: 86 cuft
Fit: 91 cuft
Prius: 96 cuft

EPA Comb Fuel Economy:
'09 Cobalt XFE MT: 30 mpg
'09 Honda Fit AT: 31 mpg
'09 Toyota Prius CVT: 46 mpg

Seems to me the Fit gives you a lot more for a lot less money over time. For the same amount of money, the Prius gives you even more. IMHO the XFE series are not particularly impressive. Basically they just put a taller highway gear on them as I understand. Chevy made a big deal about the Cobalt XFE being more fuel efficient than any compact car. They neglected to mention that the Cobalt is classed as a subcompact Even so that only held true for highway mileage. Its combined and city mileage is similar to or lower than a number of larger cars (Corolla, Civic, Accent etc).

Rob

 

I wouldn't put the Aveo on my list either, personally. Add lower safety rating to:

Reliability:
Aveo: Worse than Average

Customer Satisfaction:
Aveo: 44

CR Rating:
Aveo: 33/100

5 Year Cost to Own:
Aveo: $27,250

8 Year Cost to Own:
Aveo: $38,750

CR Fuel Economy:
Aveo: 27 (Hatch MT, 28 Hatch AT)

EPA Passenger Volume:
Aveo: 91 cuft

EPA Comb Fuel Economy:
'09 Aveo5 MT: 30 mpg (AT 28 mpg)

Rob

 

My sisters BF has a Cobalt SS and it's a very nice car. It's much, Much safer than the Cavalier was.

Infact, The Cobalt SS and GM dominated Lightning Lap this year HOAHH!
GM Dominates "Lightning Lap" 2008 - GM Inside News Forum

 

For a car that will be getting so few miles I'd definitely save a few bucks and buy used.

 

Silly me, I thought we were having a rational discussion about the merits of a small inexpensive, efficient car vs. the Prius. One would assume that since you came to a Prius list and posted your thoughts on a Chevy, you were interested in hearing what people thought. Intent was never to "judge" anything, nor was it clear that you already own this car. It seemed to me like you were making a decision and wanted feedback. My feedback is I would have made a different decision, but thats just my opinion.

- We were discussing the XFE, so the existence of the SS is of 0 relevance.

- The CR numbers are for a LT AT 4cyl, the SS MT costs about $10k more over 5 years.

- 5 Year cost of ownership considers depreciation not just sticker cost. At the end of the five years, you are left with something of value whether you chose to keep driving it or sell it at that point.

'09 Chevy Cobalt XFE, 5 Year CO @ 5k miles/yr
Price: ---- $14,886 (kbb est actual, msrp+dest = $15,670)
Interest: -- $2,750 (CR, LT AT)
Insurance: - $6,000 (CR, LT AT)
Sales Tax: --- $800 (CR, LT AT)
Maint/Repair:$1,300 (CR, LT AT)
Fuel: ------ $3,097 (EPA, 5k miles/year)
Resale: --- ($5,420) (Kbb, private party, good cond, 25k miles '04 Cavalier 4d 2.2L MT)
5 Year Cost to Own: $20,316

'09 Toyota Prius, 5 Year CO @ 5k miles/yr
Price: ---- $22,720 (kbb est actual, msrp+dest = $22,720)
Interest: -- $4,000 (CR)
Insurance: - $4,250 (CR)
Sales Tax: - $1,200 (CR)
Maint/Repair:$1,500 (CR)
Fuel: ------ $2,018 (EPA, 5k miles/yr)
Resale: -- ($20,550) (Kbb, private party, good cond, 25k miles '04 Prius)
5 Year Cost to Own: $15,138

'09 Chevy Cobalt XFE, 5 Year CO @ 12k miles/yr
Price: ---- $14,886 (kbb est actual, msrp+dest = $15,670)
Interest: -- $2,750 (CR, LT AT)
Insurance: - $6,000 (CR, LT AT)
Sales Tax: --- $800 (CR, LT AT)
Maint/Repair:$1,300 (CR, LT AT)
Fuel: ------ $7,432 (EPA, 12k miles/year)
Resale: --- ($4,795) (Kbb, private party, good cond, 60k miles '04 Cavalier 4d 2.2L MT)
5 Year Cost to Own: $28,373

'09 Toyota Prius, 5 Year CO @ 12k miles/yr
Price: ---- $22,720 (kbb est actual, msrp+dest = $22,720)
Interest: -- $4,000 (CR)
Insurance: - $4,250 (CR)
Sales Tax: - $1,200 (CR)
Maint/Repair:$1,500 (CR)
Fuel: ------ $4,844 (EPA, 5k miles/yr)
Resale: -- ($18,250) (Kbb, private party, good cond, 60k miles '04 Prius)

5 Year Cost to Own: $20,264
If anything I'd say CR is being very conservative by assuming the Prius will depreciate $11,000 over 5 years, when currently its more like $4k. Arguably that price is inflated at the moment, but you've never been able to buy a 5 year old prius with 60k miles for $12k. The costs on the Fit are all similar to the Cobalt's, but it does better on value over time since Hondas depreciate much slower than Chevys. There was no '04 Fit, so I can't do a direct compare, but CR puts it at ~$8k over 5 years, vs. $11k for the Cobalt.

Rob

 

Can't really argue with that. A 2004 Civic DX 1.7L MT books for about $9k, and is rated 34mpg combined on the '08 EPA calculation. Pretty hard to beat that from a purely cost based perspective if it meets your needs.

Rob

 

A thought on cost of ownership: No certainty that Prius II will hold the current incredible resale once the III's hit.

I'm just saying...

 

FYI:

2 reasons not to buy a Cobalt:

1. From 2 years of racing experience in GrandAM racing - it's a piece of crap.

2. GM is dumping it either at the end of this model year or in 2009.

On a positive note:

Buy a Corolla or a Civic. You can't go wrong, even if you buy the most basic model. Unless you drive them "forever", they will always have a decent trade-in value and your net cost of ownership will end up being less than a Cobalt.

If overall cost is the opjective, the Corolla will beat out the Prius because it's fuel mileage is up around 38MPG, for the basic engine, driven conservatively.

 

Cost difference is only half the picture. Cobalt XFE will be missing these features as well because Prius has them as standard.

- Automatic Transmission (Choosing manual labor tranny for city driving is not wise)
- Anti-Lock Brake System
- Rear Decklid Spoiler
- Spare Tire and Wheel
- Traction Control
- Climate Control (XFE just have AC)
- Alloy Wheels (I think XFE comes with steel wheels)
- Controls / Button on Steering Wheel
- Dual illuminating Vanity Mirrors
- Side Air Bags
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution