Agree 100%...........I think the Focus is stale...........that being said, I see NEW ones in the paper for around $10,000 with the 0% financing.

I don't know what the Cobalt goes for but I'd recommend the Focus as an entry level car if cheap transportation is paramount.

The Civic (don't know why the Accord was even mentioned) owns all in this class as far as refinement but will be much more to purchase. I honestly don't agree with the re-sale/depreciation comments only because when you factor in everything, even if the Ford depreciates at double or more % wise, because of the cheaper purchase price and financing, you're really not out any more money after a few years.


As far as buying used, sometimes the 0% for a new one gives you the same payment as a car costing a few thousand less.




Polarbear sells Ford and Chevy side by side and is ALWAYS 100% objective..........give him a shout.

 

I am not an expert on other cars in the focus' catergory, but my stepdaughter has an 01 SE that was purchased new and was totaled and we bought it back from ins co. after having a body shop look it over and we put it back on the road fairly cheap(aftermarket parts,repair instead of replace,etc,etc. Then she got into a 5 car accident(neither accidents were her fault) Now it has Ford parts back on it again. Most of damage was in front end each time. The thing is like a Timex, it keeps going and going. There was only one recall that I can rememberand that was minor and we didn't even take it back after talking to svc manager. I would put this car up against any one in its class for cost of ownership,handling,ride,fit and finish. My other 3 girls drive 03 ZX3,05 Focus,02 ZX2(escort). The 03 had Auto Transmission trble at 60,000. It shifted eratically, but luckily it had 75,000 extended warranty(the only one with it). The 05 bought used has had no problems. The 02ZX2 was bought privately with 9,000 miles and now has 92,000 on it with just normal mtnce except for power steering hi pressure hose. She treats it bad and it just keeps going. It has the 5 sp and I think she will wear out the clutch before long. All of them get over 30mpg with poor driving habits.

 

We owned an '03 Focus for awhile- drove the heck out of it and found it to be a well-built, fun to drive tight little car with decent power and great fuel economy. We now have an '06 Cobalt SS in the driveway that the daughter drives; same story- reliable, fun to drive, fuel-efficient, and sufficiently powerful for its use. Both are good cars, and if you like the Cobalt better go with it- because in this class it's six of one, half dozen of another. This class of automobile is comprised of cheap (with the exception of some of the imports,) fuel-efficient little buzz-bombs- not high $$ luxo-tourers or sport sedans. You might find one that's screwed together a little tighter, but it'll usually cost more and in the end it's still just a cheap, fuel-efficient little buzz-bomb.

Focus or Cobalt? Either or.

 

The re-sale/depreciation doesn't hurt if you plan on keeping it until it is complely worn out. Even if you plan on keeping it a long time, what happens if it gets totaled early and due to your 0% financing and fast depreciation, you're upside down and owe thousands more than it is worth? If you buy a new Cobalt or Focus with 0% financing, you will owe more than it's worth for years.

 

When we purchased the 01 Focus SE, I think we put $1000 down with zero financing and step-daughter made the payment as she was just getting first job as an rn. When the car was totaled, I hurried up and paid it off and got the title sent to me even though it was totaled, because I was going to buy it back. This was at the time when our ins co. was getting some heat for salvage titles for cars on the street. Not sure about whole story. Anyway, to keep it simpler, I have the title and not salvage yet. When it changes ownership, the title will show salvage. Getting back to the point about being upside down on the value vs insurance payoff, I found that not the case, and we weren't paying ahead nor did we have gap ins. Can't explain it in my case, except the resale value was still strong. The 01 Focus SE was pretty well loaded for a car in that class plus she had remote start added just before accident #1 and ins co. gave some of the $ back with proof of receipt.

 

0% financing means you are less likely to be upside down. All maoney paid goes against principle instead of interest. The point being you the Focus may be the best value of the bunch when looking at total cost of ownership.

 

Your FTE profile lists state as CT, so the Cobalt may be ok. I rented one in Hawaii recently and it was DANGEROUS on mountain roads, poor brakes combined with an automatic that does not allow you full manual downshifts. Fit and finish are excellent, along with surprisingly good fuel economy, over 30mpg with a lot of in-town and mountain driving.

The Focus has always had "take it or leave it" styling, so that is subjective, but combined with being an old design, detracts from resale value. Having said that, the only one I have ever driven is the SVT model (a little unfair comparison with the Cobalt) and it was amazing, as fun to drive as the BMW.

Jim

 

I'd give another vote for the Mazda3.. of course I'm biased.(look at my sig) But I'm smiling every time I drive it, it is so much fun to drive (zoom zoom). The mazda3 hatch completely outclasses the matrix/vibe. Plus it looks damn sexy in black . It is a bit pricey compared to the Focus though. The focus is a very nice car, but outdated. I don't have any direct experience with the cobalt, but I don't care for their looks.

 

Read tmyers thread.........O% gets you even much quicker.

Besides, if you're worried about a total loss during financing, buy gap insurance....it's cheap and the unused portion is refundable.


But here's the scenario I'm speaking of:

Forget financing and everything else for a moment.

You buy a $10,000 Focus (even though sticker was probably $14K)and it depreciates 50% off purchase price in 3 years.....you've lost $5,000.

You buy a $17,000 Civic with no rebates or incentives....it depreciates 30%, you still lose $5,100.............now factor in 0% interest for the Ford and the Focus becomes a much cheaper car to own.


The other reason I'm pushing new, besides the 0%, is the FREE extended powertrain warranty as well as the bumper to bumper.


While there are a lot better cars in this class, I like the Focus as an entry level, inexpensive choice.

To the OP, GM may have the same deals on the Cobalt........buy the one you like best.

 

Get the Pontiac G5 same as Cobalt but better looking.

 

Don't they look completely same?

 

I am on my second focus. I wouldn't buy a different small car. My 05 focus ST is a scream to drive. I have leather, heated seats and mirrors, audiophile sound system, moon roof and the 2.3 engine. I have 53,000 miles on it without a lick of problems. I wouldn't touch a cobalt. Look under the back end.. it has a solid rear axle. The reason they did that is because it is cheaper to build. That is insulting to me. A geo metro has independent rear suspension! Plus there have been lots of issues with the cobalt if you look around the web. Edmonds.com is a good place to see some posts of problems. I won't buy japanese because of the unfair trade balance. I don't care if they are assembled here, the profits still go to japan. most of the resale value is artifically high for japanese cars because of there supposed reputation. Sorry... they brake too. Parts are more expensive. I did rear brakes (disks) on my focus and new brake rotors were $16.95 each. Can't do that on a honda!!

 

IMO keep the trade thing out of it and buy the vehicle you think fits your needs best.


BTW Where were the brake rotors made? China or Mexico?

 

BTW Where were the brake rotors made? China or Mexico?
______________

No... rotors where made in england. And if they where made in china or mexico, so what?

 

Id go focus, I know many ppl with focuses and they are very pleased, I drove in my cousins focus and really liked it for what it was. Id stay away from vibe, friend had one not even 10k and it needed new tranny, thats what u get for buying a rebadged matrix, pos import quality. XB, yeah there good on gas, roomy, cheap, but wtf id rather walk the car looks retarded, look at the tc if u want a scion but id rather have a focus/cobalt. And what everyones talking about loosing money on there cars, this is what u do, never buy brand new buy from the fool who bought brand new and get your car for 3-4k less then he/she did with little bit of mileage, warranties are transferable.