Given the two options what will you buy?

[Z-06]

This:

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Coupe (New)

LSD+Sunroof. Metallic Red Paint (Not the one shown in the picture)

OR

This:

2005 BMW 330i with performance package just as shown above.

ZHP performance package. 6-speed manual transmission. Leather and memory seats, and upgraded stereo.

Extended warranty up to 100,000 miles which includes the free oil change and other crap. Currently at 57,000 odd miles.

Let us assume that the price difference, insurance costs, operating costs, etc are non existent.

[Northstar]

BMW, no question.

[K.C.]

BMW

[Camino LS6]

I this a trick question?

BMW

[Blake Noble]

The Beemer sounds like the option I would take.

[FAPTurbo]

As cool as they made the Cobalt SS powertrain, and performance-wise... I'd still have to go with the BMW.

Edited April 8, 2009 by Captainbooyah

[Z-06]

Good thoughts keep them coming.

There is some personal twist to this trivia, but I will update on it later.

[gm4life]

Seriously I would go Cobalt SS, no question, faster and its a coupe.

[Intrepidation]

This must be a trick question

BMW all the way. More luxuy, more features, RWD, superb chassis, and if there was every a timeless BMW this is it.

[vonVeezelsnider]

BMW

[Z-06]

Current Score:

BMW - 7

Chevy - 1

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

BMW

[regfootball]

assuming the BMW is in good shape you'd have to say that however, the cobalt would be covered powertrain for 5/100. the BMW has what 43k warranty left?

if you were in a salt state, too, the new car might be a better option as it has not been in salt for 4 years like the BMW might be (if it were driven in winter). you generally shouldbe suspect of rust being possible in any car 5 years or older.

[Satty]

BMW, no question.

[Camino LS6]

To be fair, this is a strange comparison.

I can't imagine cross-shopping those two cars.

[Z-06]

To be fair, this is a strange comparison.

I can't imagine cross-shopping those two cars.

Cuz I am weird? LOL. The plan was not to cross shop, but it ended being that way.

Mr. Reg

The car was born in Bavaria, shipped to Charleston SC, and bred in sunshine state of Florida since January 2005. As a matter of fact possibly closer to your neck of the woods - Coconut Creek.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Well, as much as I'd like to say the Cobalt SS, the BMW will hold it's value more over the years. Plus the extra benefits of luxury options/features that the Chevy doesn't have, and the image you'll gain from owning a BMW over a Chevy. If that's what you want.

However, the Cobalt SS is a sharp looking coupe and is no doubt a reliable little car that will give you many years of good service. Downside is resale value, but today all new cars that aren't a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, ect. don't hold value well.

Can't wait to hear the backstory on this comparison!

[z28luvr01]

Well, as much as I'd like to say the Cobalt SS, the BMW will hold it's value more over the years. Plus the extra benefits of luxury options/features that the Chevy doesn't have, and the image you'll gain from owning a BMW over a Chevy. If that's what you want.

However, the Cobalt SS is a sharp looking coupe and is no doubt a reliable little car that will give you many years of good service. Downside is resale value, but today all new cars that aren't a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, ect. don't hold value well.

Can't wait to hear the backstory on this comparison!

The bolded part is exactly why I'm voting Cobalt. I don't want to be lumped into that crowd.

I too anxiously await the backstory.

[toesuf94]

It pains me - BMW. Safety, and it drives the correct wheels! RWD rocks. I love the SC Cobalts - and the turbos have been bulletproof!

Question: Why not cross shop a CTS against the BMW? A Certified Caddy would be a great car, and I have seen CTS-V's in the $16,990-$19,000 range. That is a hell of a car and drivetrain for Cobalt money!

[regfootball]

Cuz I am weird? LOL. The plan was not to cross shop, but it ended being that way.

Mr. Reg

The car was born in Bavaria, shipped to Charleston SC, and bred in sunshine state of Florida since January 2005. As a matter of fact possibly closer to your neck of the woods - Coconut Creek.

i am way up north!.

sounds like the car has a clean bill of health to me then.

like i said, the cobalt has the big powertrain warranty, but the CPO left on that beemer is nice as well. i think what tips the scale on it is the performance package. i've driven the base beemers and they don't have that great of performance advantage.

[regfootball]

Well, as much as I'd like to say the Cobalt SS, the BMW will hold it's value more over the years. Plus the extra benefits of luxury options/features that the Chevy doesn't have, and the image you'll gain from owning a BMW over a Chevy. If that's what you want.

However, the Cobalt SS is a sharp looking coupe and is no doubt a reliable little car that will give you many years of good service. Downside is resale value, but today all new cars that aren't a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, ect. don't hold value well.

Can't wait to hear the backstory on this comparison!

even toyotas history of whoring camrys on lease is showing a huge drop in their resale.

[Intrepidation]

Rust isn't an issue for most cars 5 years old. Living in NE, I know this for a fact. Closer to 10 years is when you have to start worrying about rust.

[Chevy Nick]

It's tough to compare a used BMW with 60,000 miles to a brand new Cobalt Turbo. Is the warranty on the BMW a factory warranty or 3rd party warranty? The BMW is a sedan compared to the Cobalt being a coupe. I'm guessing that the Cobalt Turbo if faster than the BMW 330, but I'm too lazy to look it up. I would go for the Cobalt.

[CaddyXLR-V]

BMW. No thought necessary.

[PurdueGuy]

I'd buy the Chevy. I would expect a much lower cost of ownership with it, and I've watched stock SS/TC's tear up autox courses with ease.

Edited April 8, 2009 by PurdueGuy

[Oracle of Delphi]

BMW

[§carlet §wordfish]

Cobalt. I don't find the BMW very inspiring. It just looks old and bland. Drive wheels mean nothing to me.

[Sixty8panther]

I am a huge fan of German cars & I despise FWD with a passion.

So this is like asking me would I rather have sex with a Porn Star

& catch the clap & herpes, or bang the cute curvy girl next door &

her smokin' hot friend at the same time... even though they have

not gone tanning in a month.

This is BMW all the way!!!

[regfootball]

Rust isn't an issue for most cars 5 years old. Living in NE, I know this for a fact. Closer to 10 years is when you have to start worrying about rust.

wrong. not in this area. so stop it already.

every dealer looks for that first here on trade in inspection. many used cars on lots here in the 5-7 y.o. range will have some somewhere, and i myself have had rust show on a 5 year old and 7 year old vehicle despite being meticulous about washing as much as possible. they dump salt all over here and its just a fact that despite people's best efforts it is an issue.

Edited April 9, 2009 by regfootball

[Intrepidation]

Show me some 5 year old cars in your area with rust on them then.

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

So this is like asking me would I rather have sex with a Porn Star

& catch the clap & herpes, or bang the cute curvy girl next door &

her smokin' hot friend at the same time... even though they have

not gone tanning in a month.

Wow that has to be one of the worst analogies i have heard in a while; it would have worked out fine if you had left out the last part... but you didn't.

[regfootball]

just go to a used car lot. looking in the wheel wells, under the hood, doors, trunks, lots of spots if you look you will see little bits forming.

i am not talking all cars. its a handful at the 5 year stage. but its enough of them that they seriously check it over. thing is, if any rust is visible on your car, the trade in value is shot. by year 7 you see a greater percentage. by 7 years you want to be out of your vehicle anyways because by that point its nickel and diming you to death anyways compared to any worth it has left.

Edited April 9, 2009 by regfootball

[turbo200]

bmw. class and distinction all the way. the cobalt is one cool little pocket rocket, and the design has some great potential for mods. the interior is hard for me to digest

[bobo]

The BMW. I haven't driven the Cobalt SS with the turbo, but I didn't care for the SC version one bit. The 3-Series, on the other hand, is pretty close to perfection.

[pow]

As fast as the Cobalt is, I'd go for the BMW. Nothing like hearing a smooth inline-six howl!

[pow]

By the way, BMW's extended maintenance plan is 6/100K - so you have ~2 years and 43,000 miles left, I believe.

And extended maintenance is a package different from extended warranty. Check to see if there's both.

BMW's CPO program doesn't do much. Is this private party or dealer? The extended warranty/maintenance stands regardless.

[Intrepidation]

Thi should have been a poll, if only to see the landslide results.

[regfootball]

cobalt SS might just be a great used car buy in about 3 years. assuming the one you find hasn't been abused.

[Intrepidation]

cobalt SS might just be a great used car buy in about 3 years. assuming the one you find hasn't been abused.

Key phrase.

[capriceman]

I love new cars so i say Cobalt nothing like new car smell!. I never will like bmw's they are ugly and overpriced for what you get.

Cobalt SS FTW!

[capriceman]

Show me some 5 year old cars in your area with rust on them then.

detroit MI the Vibe is a horror show uderneath almost as much rust as teh 20 yo caprice

[David]

Seems people are caught up in the BMW stuff, but Reality check. BMW had to do the free Oil changes and maintenance due to the lack of total quality on the 3 series. I have 3 coworkers here who have BMW's 3 series and are past the warranty and free stuff and the cost of maintenance has all of them looking to dump the cars. Basic tuneup and maintenance averaged $1500 for each of them. Compare that to less than $500 for the same thing on the Cobalt.

Yes you said ignor the insurance, etc. but you get a high Fun factor for the New Colbalt SS and much lower long term maintenance cost. Plus I would if it was me buying get the extended warranty. I looked and test drove a colbat SS at the Lee Johnson Chevy dealership here in kirkland WA and not only if I was ready to buy would I get this Pocket Rocket, I would get their extension even though it is a 3rd party, I can take it to a total of 7 years 125,000 miles Bumper to bumper, no out of pocket cost to me for only 1500 additional dollars. They have a $50 deductible if I wanted to go with the $1000 policy but I figure for the extra 500, the first major issue to be fixed would easily make this up.

I had this on my Suburban after the OEM warranty ended and the $1200 tag easily paid for the extended warranty I got. Course that one was from 1993 for a new 94 suburban that I still have.

[Intrepidation]

You're gonna be grouped into a category with either car. The Cobalt SS fits into the boy racer crowd whereas the BMW fits into the more mature crowd...although you may also get lumped in the "I own a BMW and therefore drive like a douchebag" crowd...

The Cobalt SS is fine for what it is, and sure it's capable...but comparing the two there's just no contest as far as being a driver's car and an enthusiasts car goes.

Luxury

Comfort

RWD

Superb Chassis tuning

3.0 I6

No comparison...I still can't believe this is even a question.

But now I guess I have to apologies to GXT for saying it no one would ever cross shop an Accent and a 7 Series...because this isn't that far off!

[David]

You're gonna be grouped into a category with either car. The Cobalt SS fits into the boy racer crowd whereas the BMW fits into the more mature crowd...although you may also get lumped in the "I own a BMW and therefore drive like a douchebag" crowd...

The Cobalt SS is fine for what it is, and sure it's capable...but comparing the two there's just no contest as far as being a driver's car and an enthusiasts car goes.

Luxury - AGREE

Comfort - DISAGREE, Seats just like a Toyota, hard and totally uncomfortable.

RWD - Yup Nice but not always better than FWD.

Superb Chassis tuning - Maybe, in the 5 series and up yes, but the 3 series is their Chevy version of autos IMO. I have NOT been impressed with the 3 series.

3.0 I6 - Nice but thirsty, I have allways liked the I6 especially in the R35 Skyline.

No comparison...I still can't believe this is even a question. Yes a Comparison as used versus new. I personally do not like to take on someone elses trashed used car. Today most people seem to just drive and trash their cars, I would not want to deal with the problems they left behind. Rather have a lower end new auto that is my baby than higher end used auto.

But now I guess I have to apologies to GXT for saying it no one would ever cross shop an Accent and a 7 Series...because this isn't that far off!

See above for my thoughts on your list.

[Intrepidation]

I've driven a 325i and found it to be very comfortable, and handles very well, with agree balance of ride and handling. Most of the universe will agree.

Just because a car is used doesn't mean it's been trashed. Sometimes (a lot of times) people decide they just want to get the newest, latest one. I suppose this begs the question...is the BMW certified pre-owned?

I'm just doing a quick search on edmunds...they show the SS gets 25 and the BMW gets 21. So it gets a little better fuel economy...but not craploads.

[PurdueGuy]

If you leave out the cost of ownership, the real significant difference here is luxury. The BMW drips with it, the Cobalt skimps on it. I would honestly like to see a comparison of the performance of the two cars, because I suspect that the Cobalt may whoop on the BMW in just about every way. All that luxury comes at the cost of additional weight, and the chassis is trying to appeal to both performance and comfort, while the Cobalt has been pretty much set up with just performance in mind. The Cobalt is faster 0-60 and quarter mile, and I'd bet money that given equal drivers the Cobalt would dominate in autocross.

Of course some of you are hung up on RWD vs FWD, and are thus blind to the performance numbers. The Cobalt outperforms in pretty much every motorsports type of way (oh noes! you can't drift it!). The BMW is still impressive performance-wise, though, and has so much more luxury to it compared to the Cobalt that if you care about luxury, it's not even a comparison, but it is that way at a price.

Personally, I don't really give a crap about luxury, and refuse to own a car that's going to gouge my wallet like a BMW will, so I would without a doubt prefer the Cobalt SS.

[Intrepidation]

or...

Base Camaro LS

Problem solved.

[David]

or...

Base Camaro LS

Problem solved.

+1 Very True DF

In regards to the Drift capabilities of the Cobalt, it is totally doable, just have to remember your back end will not be the one to power through, but I have drifted a few FWD's and they have a fun factor that is really cool, just go try one in a open big parking lot. Like at a a WalMart or Costco.

[Intrepidation]

I can't wait for 68 to post in this thread.

[David]

I can't wait for 68 to post in this thread.

+1 Very True, Be interesting to see what he writes.