the past couple of weeks have not been a good one for me. I have been informed by my colleagues on CobaltSS.net that the Cobalt SS is gone at the end of 2009 and the Cobalt itself will be history some time in 2010. It is being replaced by the Chevrolet Cruze, which to be honest, has not blown my skirt up. It's another anonymous four door people mover with the soul of a toaster oven. Corolla and Sonata fans should flock to it... especially if they paint it those nice, soft earth tones.

So where does that leave me in the search for a fun car? The Ford Fiesta looks good, but I don't know if the 3door will be offered here.

if it is, with the 17" wheels, turbo and 3door...

Yeah, a Ford. Shut up.

I had the same feeling recently too.

When I was up in Alaska for work, the rental car we got was a 2009 Ford Expedition. I was the driver for it and after about 10 minutes driving it, I realized it did not feel like a Ford and then I actually found no complaints with it and I LIKED IT.

I should of seen this coming when Ford said they would replace the E-series vans with the popular Ford Transit van found in Europe for North America...

Posted by Agent Skelly I had the same feeling recently too. When I was up in Alaska for work, the rental car we got was a 2009 Ford Expedition. I was the driver for it and after about 10 minutes driving it, I realized it did not feel like a Ford and then I actually found no complaints with it and I LIKED IT. I should of seen this coming when Ford said they would replace the E-series vans with the popular Ford Transit van found in Europe for North America...

the lynchpin of this drastic decision is if the Cruze actually comes with some pork under the hood, and a coupe version. Ditto with the Fiesta. I have been reading that the Fiesta should have a 3door version, mostly due to the success of the Focus 3door. The Cruze, however, the vote's not in on that. I am not a sedan/4door customer. i don't have kids or many friends. No one ever rides in the back of my car... why would I want a sedan?

Posted by Samurai the lynchpin of this drastic decision is if the Cruze actually comes with some pork under the hood, and a coupe version. Ditto with the Fiesta. I have been reading that the Fiesta should have a 3door version, mostly due to the success of the Focus 3door. The Cruze, however, the vote's not in on that. I am not a sedan/4door customer. i don't have kids or many friends. No one ever rides in the back of my car... why would I want a sedan?

I thought it was going to come with a Turbocharged 1.4 litre? or do you want more power?

I like having 4 doors. I hate making people climbing over the seats to get into MY car.

And Samarui, you know that I will show up in the future with my future kids to your place with giant ice cream comes from that place in Lake George and you will have no choice but to let them ride in your car

Oddly, I've had the same feeling about getting Ford over my beloved Chrysler because of the Fiesta TDI/Fusion Hybrid. Both nice looking, well-appointed, seemingly fun-to-drive cars. Let's hope for the Fiesta TDI making it to America without being crippled.

The Fusion, although well appointed is NOT nice looking. Sorry. It's a tupperware bin.

Posted by Agent Skelly I thought it was going to come with a Turbocharged 1.4 litre? or do you want more power? I like having 4 doors. I hate making people climbing over the seats to get into MY car. And Samarui, you know that I will show up in the future with my future kids to your place with giant ice cream comes from that place in Lake George and you will have no choice but to let them ride in your car

that's just it... no one rides in the back of my car. I don't allow it. In my old Cavaliers, i would fold the backseat down and insist that it was a two seater.
My car is my car, not a bus to transport people around.

I got rid of the back seat in the Tercel.

Posted by bandi I got rid of the back seat in the Tercel.

there is a how-to on CobaltSS.net on how to remove the back seat and construct a very nice rear shelf where the seat was.

2010 ford taurus or GTFO

Posted by Nismo 2010 ford taurus or GTFO

You mean the Ford 500

Sam why dont you just be like me and find a late model fox body LX and build it for TURNS instead of going STRAIGHT. Be different from the Mustang crowd if you get one.

Posted by Agent Skelly You mean the Ford 500

no taurus you dweeb

Posted by big dave Sam why dont you just be like me and find a late model fox body LX and build it for TURNS instead of going STRAIGHT. Be different from the Mustang crowd if you get one.

i've been down the Fox body road, and they just don't float my boat. I had an 84 Capri RS 5.0L and my dad had an 89 Mustang GT convertible... if i was going to build a Mustang for turns, I'd find an old SVO with the 2.3L/5speed.


Oh and Nismo, that's why the whole Taurus/500 thing is considered one of Ford's biggest marketing/branding blunders ever.

New V-6 Camaro......C'mon Sam make it happen buddy!

Posted by Bustedknuckle New V-6 Camaro......C'mon Sam make it happen buddy!

i have 2.5 years left on my Cobalt before I could even think of trading it in. There might not be a GM in that time. I've been thinking this over the past few days and you know what? Not having a car payment might be a supersweet thing again. On top of that, I was reading where now auto finance companies are demanding at least 20% of the value of the loan as a downpayment... what would 20% of $23,500 be?

i mean i love the new Camaro and I love having a new car, but 'the way things are going' (how often have we heard that in the past few months?), i don't think that people will be able to afford new cars at all!

looks good to me

The Taurus SHO is back!!! And with 365 hp, AWD and sedate styling....can we say sleeper!! Too bad you don't want four doors Samurai, cause this is going to be a sweet ride!! For want you want, the Fiesta is going to be a good pick, plus it's been available for a while over seas, so it won't take long for the aftermarket to be ready for it!!! Ford is finally really getting there shit together....it's about time!!!

BTW, the above image is not an accurate depiction of the SHO....

How about a Buick? They're pretty popular here (there are three others on our street alone).

We're liking ours. (2000 Buick Century Custom). And no, it's definitely not for sale!

Here's a picture taken when we first picked up the car.

click to view

Posted by Samurai Not having a car payment might be a supersweet thing again. i mean i love the new Camaro and I love having a new car, but 'the way things are going' (how often have we heard that in the past few months?), i don't think that people will be able to afford new cars at all!

Yeah you are absolutely right, screw a car payment. Im going to drive the wheels off my Siverado before I think of something else.

I was just sayin.