Oppo, I Need Your Help.

"UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy" (smithtaylorm)
12/23/2014 at 18:12 • Filed to: None

Well guys, I may be in a bind.

The back story is, I had a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 5 speed purchased from by brother, who purchased it from my dad, who was the original owner. About 2 months ago, my dad leased a new Cruze, and swapped the Cavalier for his 2009 Cobalt XFe 5 speed due to the Cavalier's age and spitting coolant all over the highway halfway through a 7 hour drive back to my home. All was well and good until today. I was going on to a 270 degree entrance ramp (not speeding), due to weather conditions, and when I braked, the tires just locked up and I went straight. It was wet and I had just started driving so the tires were cold, however I don't know why it happened because I did not apply brakes that hard. I've noticed that the Cobalt has been struggling with front wheel traction lately, not sure why. Other than that, I can't say why it happened, but it did regardless. Anyways, I slid off the road, hit a wrong way sign, and ended up in oncoming traffic. The airbag did not go off, but the seatbelt did and needs to be replaced. From what I see, I'll need a new radiator, front bumper, hood, and headlight. The fender was bent but I was able to put it back fine by hand and I'm sure it does not need replaced. The adjuster is either coming out tomorrow or Monday. I don't think it will be totaled, but if it is, I'm probably going to sell my motorcycle, and with that, I will have some money for a new car.

Where I need your help is, I'm looking for a possible replacement if it is totaled. I would love any suggestions that fit this criteria:

-$5000 or less

-manual preferred

-I'll start with ~2006-07 or newer

-Needs to have as much room as a 4 door cobalt. I move about every 4 months due to my school program (engineering program where I move to work for a company on co-op every other semester), so I need enough room to haul clothes, kitchen stuff, blow up bed, and other small things.

Thanks in advance!

DISCUSSION (23)

DailyTurismo > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:16

500 horsepower 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis .

Kinja'd!!!

DailyTurismo > DailyTurismo
12/23/2014 at 18:18

It is perfect, aside from being over budget, older than 2006 and slushbox equipped.

Cherry_man1 > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:24

gimme your local craigslist and I'll hunt

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > DailyTurismo
12/23/2014 at 18:31

It is probably the worst suggestion I could've received, and it's the one I'll probably want the most anyway.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Cherry_man1
12/23/2014 at 18:33

toledo, ohio

Steve in Manhattan > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:36

If only there were Darts in that price range ... given the weather up there, what about a Subaru of some sort?

vdub_nut: scooter snob > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:37

Do you go to Kettering?

Also, you can probably get a cobalt nearly identical to yours for that price.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > vdub_nut: scooter snob
12/23/2014 at 18:39

Nope, I go to the University of Cincinnati. I'm a chemical engineer there, just home for break in the Toledo Area. I have found a few cobalts, I also found a nice 2.5 '06 Jetta 5 speed, based on your name, do you know anything of the reliability of those?

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:40

Mazda 3 hatch?

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Steve in Manhattan
12/23/2014 at 18:40

If I could find a 2.5 rs cheap enough, maybe

vdub_nut: scooter snob > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:42

Sadly, not much about the 5 cylinders. (Aside from being Half-a-ghini's) How many miles? I know they're decent, but as they get older/longer in the tooth, the things that do break/need to be replaced/leak are more and more expensive.

Steve in Manhattan > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:47

Also, you might want to check the TSBs for Cobalts to see if there's a problem with the steering. More than a few GM products have had "ghost steering" and other issues.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > vdub_nut: scooter snob
12/23/2014 at 18:47

110k. The cobalt I have now has about the same (~111-112k)

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Steve in Manhattan
12/23/2014 at 18:50

Where do I check those? I've been in situations like this before, and it seemed to act a little weird but I took it as just a reaction to the conditions.

I own dead car brands only > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 18:59

well I think you need to change your name to Understeer now

Steve in Manhattan > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 19:02

You can check the internet for TSBs (technical service bulletins) 0r call a dealer. A recall you hear about - the Car Guys described a TSB as where you have to catch them. Or call a dealer (or drop by) and ask them if there are any TSBs regarding the front end.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > I own dead car brands only
12/23/2014 at 19:04

I think it's only appropriate. You also made me almost spit my hot chocolate out.

FromCanadaWithLove > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/23/2014 at 20:47

They don't have the price listed, but have a look at this 2007 MazdaSpeed 6 AWD Manual : http://toledo.craigslist.org/ctd/4813372798…

Kinja'd!!!

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > FromCanadaWithLove
12/23/2014 at 21:40

Interesting. The non-mazdaspeed 6 wheels make me wonder though

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/24/2014 at 02:20

GM ignition switch strikes again?

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/24/2014 at 15:33

I think that's already been done prior to my parents giving me the car. I looked through TSB's and such, but I really don't have any desire to put the blame on anything else unless there's definitive evidence. I know that it was my fault.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
12/29/2014 at 12:08

Kinja'd!!!

That damage is minor. Just get some used parts and repair it.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
12/29/2014 at 14:22

That's what I thought too. I don't know if you can see the hood damage but its pretty decent. Like I said, the radiator is also busted so there might be some other damage under that we can't see. Either way, the insurance company is supposed to call today so I'm playing the waiting game.