Quote:
Originally Posted by carbking
In order of importance:
(1) Your insurance agent's opinion
(2) Your son's opinion
(3) Your opinion
(4) My opinion
Personal experience: when my son turned 16, he wanted a T/A. Insurance agent said no. Not an extra $100/month, not an extra $500/month, not an extra $1000/month. Just no. He suggested starting with something else, building a good driving record for 2 years, and then they would insure the T/A. My son did, and the insurance company did. Your experience may certainly differ.
I won't tell you what 1969 4 cylinder import we put him in to build his driving record, but he was disappointed that the T/A wouldn't outrun it  Still loved the T/A.
Glad that your son will at least listen to your advice.
Good luck.
Jon. |
Well put.
Honestly, what ever he gets, it's going to get bruised and probably on occasion driven hard.
I'd say get something that is economical in respect to both purchase price, and for maintenance costs;
That being said, forget the seemingly scandalous history of the car, the 2005-2010 Cobalt (or better yet G5) is really a good car.
You should be able to get a really nicely equipped one now for a song.
Just check with your insurance company if they penalize for a two door (many consider two door cars to be sports cars)
I bought my '09 Cobalt (albeit an SS) brand new, and have never had a day of buyers remorse... only remorse that I didn't do 3m coating and the like.
The only drawback on the Cobalt/G5 is the rear visibility when backing up - the rear glass is a little high, and it takes some getting used to.
Unless you are certain that your son is responsible, I'd steer away from any of the SS models - especially the supercharged (aprox 210whp) and turbocharged (aprox 245whp)... and insurance companies like to extort you for insurance.
- The 2006-2007 "regular" SS is a 2.4l 170(?)hp naturally aspirated car offered as both coupe and sedan, with auto or five speed manual transmissions. These were renamed a "sport" and sold for the first part of the 2008 model year.
- The 2005-2007 SS Supercharged is a 2.0l "205hp" (note the rating is lower than the prior mentioned whp) car offered only as a coupe with a manual transmission; limited slip was an option that for 2005-2006(?) came with a Recaro interior option. I believe all 05, and early 06 cars come standard with the goofy spoiler.
- the 2008.5-2010 SS is a 2.0l (260hp) turbocharged car offered as a coupe (all three years) or sedan (2009 only), and only with a manual transmission. Only 2010 (carry-over year) cars came fully loaded (eg: limited slip came standard). The goofy spoiler (which grew on me) was only optional for 2008.5 & early 2009 cars - it moved to a dealer option there after.
If the SS
is more to yours, and your son's liking there are also HHR SS's, as well as Neon SRT4 & Caliber SRT4's that are an absolute hoot.
I understand the appeal of finding a nice third gen Firebird, and don't want to dissuade you, but they were not great on gas, and were a little lackluster on power... in high school I had a friend with one, he was constantly bagging the living crap out of his poor (1982 SE) trying to get the tries to chirp.
If a Firebird is more to your liking, I believe that the 3.8l became the base engine for 1997 - so those cars should be decent.