Tiburon VS tC VS Cobalt SS

  • Thread starter JCE
  • 64 comments
  • 6,192 views

Which one of these would make the best affordable sub $20k (USD) coupe?

  • Chevrolet Cobalt SS

    Votes: 9 42.9%
  • Hyundai Tiburon GT V6

    Votes: 5 23.8%
  • Scion tC

    Votes: 2 9.5%
  • Civic Coupe (non Si)

    Votes: 3 14.3%
  • Other -- post it and it must be sub $20k in USD

    Votes: 2 9.5%

  • Total voters
    21
Poverty
Damn thats a poor selection of coupes. Id have to agree with blazing on this one.

Holy $^#@ the world ends and hell freezes over :lol:
 
No kidding... I can see the snowflakes outside my window... :lol:

I'd personally go for the Tib Coupe, among the three. The interior is not a bad place to be, and actually feels less claustrophobic than the new Eclipse (I still have no idea why I feel this way, but the new Eclipse just feels so small in comparison). It's also kind of peppy and nice and low slung...

And at least, people who have no idea what it is will be impressed. :lol:

But a Mustang V6 or a Civic Si (the plastics get an "okay" from me... not the best, but liveable) wouldn't be a bad choice... and both are definitely better choices than any of the other three. And a V6 wouldn't be so bad if you decided to upgrade to a supercharger later on... :)

You lucky mainlanders... over here, even a V6 Mustang would cost twice what you'd pay for a Tibby.
 
...Have you considered the US-Spec Focus ST? It isnt as nice as the ol' Focus SVT, but she still has a sweet 160HP, and is still pretty fun to drive...
 
YSSMAN
...Have you considered the US-Spec Focus ST? It isnt as nice as the ol' Focus SVT, but she still has a sweet 160HP, and is still pretty fun to drive...

The ST comes in the ZX4 saloon trim only and has 155bhp. I'd rather have the Mazda3. And niky I think the plastics in the Cobalt are better than the new Civic. :sly:
 
The TC looks terrible, although it's engine is "alright"

The Tiburon..Never in a million years..

The Cobalt, like someone said when they chose the SE-R...I'd be sitting there trying to look cool.

I'd take a SRT-4, or a Solara

I'd take
 
The Mazda3 is a nice car, but I really think it is too expensive for what you get, which is dissapointing. The old Protoge was a great car... Cheap, fairly quick, and a blast to drive. The Mazda3 is just something else, kinda like The New Coke of the Mazda world...

I suppose I have herd the same about the Ford Focus ST, it just isnt the same as the SVT that it "replaces." I'd say youre almost better off going used in the Focus part of the game, but then I remembered how expensive it is to insure a Focus, so stay away...

Ohh, and I agree that the plastics are WAY better in the Cobalt than in the Civic. Atleast in the Cobalt, the map/crap holders on the doors dont bend when you touch them, the dashboard doesnt feel like teflon, and it actually all helps to keep the sounds OUT...
 
JCE3000GT
This brings me to an idea, can a moderator add the regular Civic coupe? Not the Si but the Civic EX coupe? Is that possible--just an idea...

Done..

Driftster
I'd take a SRT-4, or a Solara

I'd take

A Neon SRT-4 is not being made any more

and I wouldn't but the Solara isn't in the same class of cars.
 
Ehhh I don't know the Cobalt didn't feel nearly as refined as the Civic did, plus the Cobalts have had a ton of problems according to their owners.
 
BlazinXtreme
Ehhh I don't know the Cobalt didn't feel nearly as refined as the Civic did, plus the Cobalts have had a ton of problems according to their owners.

It's a first model year car. That's bound to happen.
 
-> Why get a certified used WRX instead? I've driven all of those 3 cars that you're considering and none of them satified me.

-> The Tibby has a very awkward driving position plus its claustrophobic inside, but I like the torque response of the car. The SS is ok, but I don't trust GM's reliability, ricer look, and the gearing is off a little bit, but you can get a good deal with it. And the tC, well its a good value and all, but it feels heavy and sometimes clumsy at limit, but the feature content ratio is superb.

-> My best recomendation is to get either a used WRX sedan, RSX Type-S, and the Civic Si. Or better yet, the Accord EX V6 6-Speed, and the TSX.
 
Swift
It's a first model year car. That's bound to happen.

True, but until they fix it, it won't rank very high.

I was going to mention the RSX, but it starts at 20,350 which is slightly over...but its still an awesome car.
 
The Vanishing Boy
-> My best recomendation is to get either a used WRX sedan, RSX Type-S, and the Civic Si. Or better yet, the Accord EX V6 6-Speed, and the TSX.

Come on man. We're talking NEW coupes and under 20K. The WRX starts at about 24, but the RS is about 18 but of course, both are 4-door. The RSX-S is at least 24K and the other cars you mentioned are way out of the price range.

So, that's why nobody talked about the WRX, because it's not inside the criteria. Check the first post.
 
Swift
Come on man. We're talking NEW coupes and under 20K. The WRX starts at about 24, but the RS is about 18 but of course, both are 4-door. The RSX-S is at least 24K and the other cars you mentioned are way out of the price range.

So, that's why nobody talked about the WRX, because it's not inside the criteria. Check the first post.

-> Well I didn't say a new WRX, if you can read well, I said a certified used WRX. And by the way I read the whole first page. (:
 
Swift

Thanks for adding that into the list. :)

And now for everyone else, let's try something new in messageboard history. Let's post something POSITIVE about each of the choices with nothing negative? Seriously, try and post something positive about them all--let me start.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS = I really like the look of the car, I like that it's fast, and I like the direction GM is heading in this segment of thier auto lineup.

Hyundai Tiburon = What's not to like? I like the look alot, I like that it's comfortable for me, I like it's price fully spec'd, I like the sound of the V6, and I like the fact that it's an underdog competing in this catagory.

Scion tC = I really like the look of the car inside and out, I like the fact that it's got alot of customizing options from dealers, I like the fact that there is a huge aftermarket for this car, it's a Toyota so it's bulletproof, and I like the fact that you can get a base model with a manual transmission for less than $17k.

Honda Civic EX Coupe = Fantastic gasmileage, I like the fact that Honda tries a more futuristic approach at the interior, and I like the fact that you can get some good features if you want to pay the money.

Ford Mustang V6 = Looks fantastic, rides great, RWD, grunty low end torque, at WOT sounds intoxicating, did mention it looks fantastic, and it's cheap for the car you get.

Toyota Solara = Toyota's are bulletproof and this is no exception it will last forever, decent gas mileage, wide range of options, and it's rather comfortable.

There that wasn't so hard, now you guys try it. :sly:
 
The Vanishing Boy
-> Well I didn't say a new WRX, if you can read well, I said a certified used WRX. And by the way I read the whole first page. (:

I can read well. But almost any certified used car that's currently availible and made by Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Honda or the Big Three could fall into that category. That's why we're keeping it to new cars. :)


And now for everyone else, let's try something new in messageboard history. Let's post something POSITIVE about each of the choices with nothing negative? Seriously, try and post something positive about them all--let me start.

Where's the fun in that? Seriously, talking about the flaws of a car along with it's positive aspects is the only real way to critique a car, IMO.
 
Swift
Where's the fun in that? Seriously, talking about the flaws of a car along with it's positive aspects is the only real way to critique a car, IMO.

I'm trying to see who can actually be open minded enough TO post something positive about everything. Problem is, most of the people here don't post something positive along with the massive amounts of negative things about the subject. I think we're all a little guilty of that. 👍
 
JCE3000GT
I'm trying to see who can actually be open minded enough TO post something positive about everything. Problem is, most of the people here don't post something positive along with the massive amounts of negative things about the subject. I think we're all a little guilty of that. 👍

Point taken. 👍
 
Positive things about each car...

Cobalt SS: It will keep up with a SRT-4, I've witnessed it, not a bad looking car, and has potential to be good.

Tiburon: Comes with a good warrenty

tC: A Toyota at heart so you know it will run forever.

Civic: It's a Civic, what's not to like?
 
Cobalt SS!!!!!
All I care about is speed....

The tC has cheap build quality, the Civic is imo the best interiorwise.
The Tib, well, I dont trust it yet. I trust newer Hyundais like the Sonata and Azera (Im so proud of hyundai ;)) but the Tiburon looks weird and I dont really trust it yet.
 
The tC has cheap build quality? You realize you are talking about a Toyota right?
 
Now this might be a bit of a stretch and I'm not even sure if they still make this but what about this?

r410gmw.jpg


I'm just trying to find some more coupes to add in.
 
The Dodge Caliber SRT-4 is coming and it is said to be around the old Neon SRT-4's price. It actually looks quite good. I have a poster in my room.

But for now, I will choose the Cobalt SS. Looks the meanest in the bunch and isnt too odd like the Civic, and has a supercharger. My dream type of forced induction! And I dont care whatsoever whether the car has plasticky dash or only 5-speeds, enthusiast's car shouldnt be overdone in "fine, soft, high-grade" plastic.

Edit: If I remember correctly the tC was shunned by critics initially for having a lower-than-average build quality.
 
BlazinXtreme
They stopped making them in 2001 I believe. And I think they started around the low 30's for a turbo base model. They are cool cars though.
Also, something that will blow this whole poll open:
The Cobalt SS SC (which most people are refering to when they talk about the Cobalt), uhh... doesn't start at under 20k. It starts at 20,490 MSRP. Both the Acura RSX and Civic Si start at less.
You know what else? You can still get Mk. IV GTi V6's for less than 20 now that the new one is out. Maybe not everywhere, but I've seen them for sale around here.
 
YSSMAN
The Mazda3 is a nice car, but I really think it is too expensive for what you get, which is dissapointing. The old Protoge was a great car... Cheap, fairly quick, and a blast to drive. The Mazda3 is just something else, kinda like The New Coke of the Mazda world...

C'mon, the one really bad thing about the Mazda3 is that it isn't a Protege. Och, ma' heart... ev'ry time aye walk inta a showroom an' see her absence there, it makes me verrah verrah sad. :nervous: I'm never letting go a' this car. :lol:

The Mazda is more of a size between compact and midsize... hence the weight... hence the price. Less like "New Coke" and more like adding a double burger between the Junior Whopper class and the Regular Burger class.

-------

And hey... why are we all being nice all of the sudden? We're supposed to rip on new cars... so that market researchers going through the web may possibly see what we write and may actually send a suggestion to the head office to fix the offending item.

It's called feedback. :lol:

On that note:

Hello, Honda? If Mazda can make an ultra-stiff rear strut brace integrated into the chassis and still have a 60:40 pass-through rear seat, why can't you?
 
Toronado
They stopped making them in 2001 I believe. And I think they started around the low 30's for a turbo base model. They are cool cars though.
Also, something that will blow this whole poll open:
The Cobalt SS SC (which most people are refering to when they talk about the Cobalt), uhh... doesn't start at under 20k. It starts at 20,490 MSRP. Both the Acura RSX and Civic Si start at less.
You know what else? You can still get Mk. IV GTi V6's for less than 20 now that the new one is out. Maybe not everywhere, but I've seen them for sale around here.

It starts at $24,495 or something around that in Canada. Now someone who is a walking calculator do the math to US dollars :D Canadian dollar is right now worth 90 cents US.
 
GT4_Rule
It starts at $24,495 or something around that in Canada. Now someone who is a walking calculator do the math to US dollars :D Canadian dollar is right now worth 90 cents US.

You can't compare with our prices.

We're thoroughly getting :censored:ed in the 🤬 by every single manufacturer since our currency got higher. Can you believe that in the US, the MSRP for a Base Jetta with A/C, power everything, cruise control, heated mirros, etc... is 17 900$??

Currently, that translates to $19 866.55 CAD, and it's getting lower every day. Our base Jetta is $24,975 CAD. That's absolutely insane. A Jetta loaded like the US "Value Edition" at under $20K would sell like hotcakes, especially here in Quebec.

🤬ERS.

That's no exception, I've compared over a dozen cars on American and Canadian websites, everyone does it, to some extent. We use to have slightly cheaper cars when the dollars was under 0.70$ US, but now we're getting royally screwed. I will get info on the procedures to import a car form the US, as I'm serioulsy considering buying my next car on the other side of the border.

I must think of something else now...
 
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