OK... i want advice, no smart ass comments or other bullshit. I have enough on my mind without that. Here's my problem; The 96 Beretta I drive had 142,000 miles on the odometer. It needs struts, shocks, wheel bearings and the engine is starting to smell 'coolanty' again. I am worried that the headgaskets are on their way out this time. The engine has already been apart once for the intake gasket when I got the car. I mean, really, the Beretta hasn't really cost me anything, but the mileage sucks, i hate the transmission and I really never cared for the 3100 V6. Even as a Chevy guy, I felt that iteration of the 60-degree V was a boat anchor.

There is a little mom and pop auto dealer on the way home that has a 2006 Chevy Cobalt LS coupe (2.2L Ecotec/5speed) with 78,564 miles on it for $7800... Would it be better to keep putting money in the Beretta or get something a little newer that gets better mileage? I had the same car back in 2005/2006 and was getting 44mpg with it on the highway. It is an auction car so I have no idea how it was driven. My brother (who up until a month ago was working for a Chevy dealer) looked underneath it and didn't see any damage, but the struts and control arms had been replaced. This isn't a big deal as there was a TSB for control arm bushing pulling through. Other than that, I think it was a kids car because some wag stuck an "SS" emblem on the decklid. I checked the NADA book on it and the car only books for $6775 retail with that mileage/options/condition, but checking around it seems the markup is about right.

I ask this of you guys because I am terrible at decisions like this. Ironically, this Cobalt is the same color as my Cobalt SS.

All out honest advice would be either keep the Beretta or find a much cheaper back and forth mpg king. You could snatch up a mid to late 90's econobox for a couple grand and sink money somewhere other than a payment. I know you want something newer but, not being a smart ass, a 95 Civic feels newer than a 95 gm anything. I'll even look around down here if you want for a rust free cheap example.

Yeah, you seem to have Cobalt on the brain. Get a diesel VW.

But seriously, do the math. How much do you spend on gas? How much would the repairs to the Beretta cost? Add that up, plus what you'd get for the Beretta, and see how it compares. There are intangibles, though: the 06 is going to be more reliable than a car that's 10 years older. Do you want to get stuck in a NY winter?

Fix the Beretta.

You will feel even worse if you sign another loan agreement or take another 401K loan for another car.
Especially when a head gasket is something you and your brother can fix in an afternoon.

I do stupid shit with those loans. Like have fun with them. Mostly because I know that I probably will never get to retire.

Posted by Samurai My brother (who up until a month ago was working for a Chevy dealer) looked underneath it and didn't see any damage, but the struts and control arms had been replaced.

Those bushings need to be done at every oil change

Other than that, I think it was a kids car because some wag stuck an "SS" emblem on the decklid.

Then it's had the absolute shit driven out of it... run away. RUN.

Why don't you just grab a tidy Cavalier or Sunfire for $2k and say goodbye to the Beretta?

Posted by bandi Those bushings need to be done at every oil change Then it's had the absolute shit driven out of it... run away. RUN. Why don't you just grab a tidy Cavalier or Sunfire for $2k and say goodbye to the Beretta?

i thought about a Cavalier, but the 03-05 examples are shit. they were thrown together in preparation for the Cobalt. They had a ton of problems with the fuel venting system, gauge cluster and seats (wtf? seats?). Most cars that are in the 90's here are rusted out. They need their fuel systems replaced and the suspensions are just done in by the roads. i'd be right back where am now with the Beretta.

As rough as you make that area seem why not a lil pickup or SUV?

I would get rid of your Beretta, and go with that Cobalt (or something along that mileage, and price). I think there comes an average sort of point where the car starts needing more and more parts, and you have to stand back and wonder if you really want to keep putting money into it? For me it is around your current mileage. I then jump into something in the $8k range, with around 80k'ish miles.

Does it have to be a Cobalt though, the engine is good, but the rest is kinda junky.

Posted by gambino Does it have to be a Cobalt though, the engine is good, but the rest is kinda junky.

Mother of God.

TBH Sam, I'm amazed you've toughed it out with the Burrito this long. You're right about that V6 too... not much worth talking about.

I know you're not big on 4-doors, but maybe you can find a cheapy Ion of roughly the same vintage as that 'balt? The Cobalt came from a modified Ion as it is, and Saturns tend to sell for a song (and maybe a dance). Maybe you can even find the 3 door coupe?

Just a thought... plus the plastic fantastic would be able to take the salt this winter and my wife's Ion, before her accident, was plenty fine in the snow.

i say 3800 powered W body! but thats just my opinion, nice ride, got enough pep when you step on the go pedal and not bad on gas!