So looks I've decided to get a "new" car! Cruze to a Cobalt...

"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
07/25/2014 at 23:27 • Filed to: Tradeins, Cruze to Cobalt

So my wife is getting a new vehicle in the fall and we've long been planning to just trade in her car (a 2008 Chevy Cobalt Coupe, 2.2L), however this week I had a bit of a eureka moment: What if I were to trade in my car (a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4T) instead?

Just to preface this a bit, I like my Cruze but I've grown tiresome of it's power delivery. The turbo is fun, but coupled with the 6A transmission it's laggy off the line, even after the tune. My wife's Cobalt has a plastic fantastic interior (in typical cobalt fashion), but that 2.2L with the aftermarket intake has a nice 4-banger weeze which is oddly addictive; plus is a coupe and has a sunroof.

So herein lies my logic: Trade the Cruze in for a significantly higher trade-in value versus the Cobalt and pay off the new vehicle (likely a Mazda CX-5) sooner, get a better financing rate, pay less in taxes etc. Then drive the Cobalt for a couple years until the new vehicle is paid for and get a new car for myself sooner (likely an MX-5 of some vintage, we'll see how the ND looks).

The Cobalt with need a bit of work: new headlights (the seals are blown), clear the check engine light (involves dropping the gas tank) and it'll likely need new tires before the winter. I honestly think it'll hold together better than the Cruze, which has had its fair share of mechanical issues (covered under warranty at the time thankful).

So what do you think Oppo? Am I crazy to trade in a perfectly good Cruze to drive an old Cobalt for a while so I can get a new car faster?

DISCUSSION (17)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Long Live the Longdoor
07/25/2014 at 23:31

Yes, you are crazy. Will we judge you? No we won't. I personally support the idea.

Long Live the Longdoor > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/25/2014 at 23:34

It seems my mind has crazy ways of justifying my automotive decisions lol.

And thanks, this is why I love Oppositelock, no judgement. Well, the car porn is nice too.

dogisbadob > Long Live the Longdoor
07/25/2014 at 23:42

Watch out for the ignition switch!

Trevor Mohr > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/25/2014 at 23:43

That's a great way of thinking. Honestly it would be great if all car people had this mindset. It's someone's decision to get whatever car they want, no matter what you think of it. Having respect for everyone's rides regardless of what they are, that's what we need. :D

To drive a Cobalt to get a new car faster, it sounds like a fine plan honestly. Go for it, ride it out, and you'll be very happy with the end result which will come much faster.

Long Live the Longdoor > dogisbadob
07/25/2014 at 23:49

Thanks! Actually it's scheduled in for the recall fix at the end of August, so hopefully thats covered.

mattoverdrive > Long Live the Longdoor
07/26/2014 at 00:33

Sounds like a solid plan to me. I've thought about trading in my BRZ to get a new car for my wife. I'd take her highlander (it's paid off) and maybe get a project car, and we'd only have the one payment.

But I really like my BRZ.

mazda616 > Long Live the Longdoor
07/26/2014 at 09:50

I support your CX-5 idea. We have had ours since December of '12 and it is absolutely great!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Long Live the Longdoor
07/26/2014 at 11:41

Get a cobalt SS.

Long Live the Longdoor > mazda616
07/26/2014 at 14:41

Right on! Did you guys get the 2.0L or 2.5L engine?

Long Live the Longdoor > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/26/2014 at 14:46

ive driven a couple with the 2.4L NA engine and they're not that much quicker than the 2.2L. The supercharged and turbocharged variants on the other hand would be, but I'd have to spend a bunch more money for those. Plus our current one is "free" and I know who maintained it (me) :)

Long Live the Longdoor > Trevor Mohr
07/26/2014 at 14:52

You're right, this is exactly what we need more of!

Thanks for the support, I trust I'll be happy with the end result. Plus I think how happy someone is with a car is directly proportionate to their outlook on things. Is the Cobalt an amazing car? Perhaps not. Will I enjoy hooning it for the next couple years? Hell yes!

Long Live the Longdoor > Trevor Mohr
07/26/2014 at 14:52

You're right, this is exactly what we need more of!

Trevor Mohr > Long Live the Longdoor
07/26/2014 at 15:06

That's going to be an awesome hoon car!

mazda616 > Long Live the Longdoor
07/26/2014 at 16:15

Ours is the '13, so it has the 2.0 since that was the only engine available. But honestly, it doesn't feel slow. It has no problem passing people and merging onto the interstate. The automatic transmission is super eager to downshift when you mash the gas, though. So that helps.

Long Live the Longdoor > mazda616
07/26/2014 at 16:22

We drove the 2.0L back in late 2012 and I felt it was adequate, the transmission shifted very smoothly and even sounded have decent IMHO. I forgot it was 2014 that the 2.5L was introduced, not 2013, sorry about that :)

We haven't driven the 2.5L CX-5 yet (I'm excited to drive it, none the less), but we'll likely end up with that engine given the trim level we're looking at (GS, which I believe is the Touring in the States).

mazda616 > Long Live the Longdoor
07/26/2014 at 18:02

I really, really wish we would've went with a Grand Touring, instead of our Sport model. The only options ours has are Bluetooth stereo and the roof racks. I'd love a backup camera and blind spot monitor - both of which the Grand Touring has.

MeowRufflet > mattoverdrive
07/26/2014 at 21:56

DON'T DO IT!!!