I will be purchasing my first car in a few months and I am torn between the Scion tC and the Chevy Cobalt SS/SC. I know the tC would be much better value and I would be able to buy a brand new tC. The cobalt ss/sc, is much faster and would be funner to drive, but I would have to purchase a used one with like 30k miles on it. Keep in mind my bro has a tC that would be kinda wierd gettin a car just like him.

So let me hear you honest opinions on which one I should get.

 

Do you want reliability or power?

 

BOTH! If the tC had 40 morer hp I definatly get one... But I have been doing some reading and the Cobalts seem to be pretty reliable to?

 

Get a BRAND NEW tC. Yes, the SS might be faster but add a S/C to the tC and it actually is faster. Plus, you don't know (unless you know) the person who drove the SS before you. They could have driven the hell out of it. Also, like I always say "there's nothing like that new car smell!"! Chevys are crap. Get a car from a company that knows what its doing-Toyota. Just don't get the same color as your bro and you should be aiiight.

 

That is attainable with mid-heavy modding. If you have the $ to go FI, then buy a brand new tC. 40 HP is a "walk in the park" to gain if you have the dollars.

Cobalts are still Chevy's...and Chevy doesn't have a reputation for quality. Save yourself time, money and a headache. Buy a tC.

 

i have to admit the cobalts are REAL fast and are serious competitors, just like the SRT-4 the SS is seriously underrated in horsepower, some people are getting 220-230 at the wheels which is around 290-300 HP at the crank, so they can be some serious power horses....

 

I suggest test driving 1 first. I found the Cobalt to have a very heavy clutch..... Mustang like.

 

I can't get a test drive with a permit! Because with new cars, the salesman has to drive them off the lot and remain in the passenger seat at all times. So no new car test drives for me, which really sucks cuz I would like to PICK UP the car on my b-day.

 

My srt4 dynod 245whp and 265lbs of torque with only a k and n air filter and a couple of tweaks to the wastegate. Only 14.5lbs of boost.

 

Not the thing to say. Hopefully this doesn't turn into a "That kid's too young to have a tC" thread.

Buy a tC and turbo set up. You'll get much more than a 40 HP gain and if you take care of the car and turbo, reliability won't be an issue.

 

^^^I hope not cuz i'm 16 too and get bashed all the time for it.

 

to be honest with you the SS is faster then a stock tC. but if you want something that will last you awhile and not give you to many headaches go with the tC.

tC also will have a better resale value.

 

^^^Of course the SS is faster. It has a supercharger. But like you said the tC has great resale value.

 

Like everyone says...Power vs Reliability AND Power!!!

The tC has better #s than the Cobalt SS S/C, turbocharged... though...

only advantage I will give the SS S/C is from the factory S/C....forged internals STOCK....pushin up to I guess 25psi...while we can push..10? Without blowin it up..haha. But us...200whp 180whp est vs 215whp and 195wtq est...they got a bit more...just a bit....I have read a lot...At 19psi with proper tunin so forth so on, they can just push a bit more than 275whp and 275wtq...whcih is nice...but smaller pulley, snout, TONS of stuff for 1k money....

but they are not reliable!!! plus you get MORE satisfaction outta a toyota....build it up more

Scion looks WAY better, SPECIALLY THE INTERIOR!!!! The steering wheel on those SS SUCK ___!!! seats are NICE recaros though...ONLY nice thing....

 

Oh it shouldnt be MUCH of a difference...but insurance...the tC is a bit cheaper which is nice...plus bone stock is...what 16800 compared to 22k....
get it TRD supercharged, TRD Springs, TRD exhaust...lookin at 21k...looks n sounds better will handle better no doubt

PLUS tC is A HATCH!

 

The only options I can afford are the airbags, lowering springs and shift **** + pedals. Thats why I would have to buy such a used cobalt. Not to mention the APR for a used one is more so I could only finance like $16,500 for a balt when I could spend 18k on a tC.... Hmmm I think I've figured out that the tC would be a much better deal! But man thats gunna suck my bro is gunna have a faster car!! (rsx-s )

 

^^^Just put a little work into it and it should be very competitive. Get a turbo and he would be owned.

 

Don't know that I could afford a turbo, maybe if I get the tC is my parents divorse and then get a job for mods and gas only! That would be kickass! But I dont know how that divorse stuff works? Can anyone fill me in right quick?

 

Mine arent devorced. I'm pretty sure the parent that your not with has to pay child support, which i hear is a pretty big sum. But your parent that you stay with recieves this and gets to choose if they want to give it to you or keep it and help pay for your stuff. I guess.

 

I was in the same place a month ago. Which one to get? Yes the Cobalt SS/SC is faster but if you do your research, you will see that the tC got consumer reports top picks 89 out of 100, not to mention you can fit people in the back seat of the tC. The colbalt got poor marks at best. Get the tC, do the mods your self it will be better in the long run.