Cobalt SS: Edmunds

[MX793]

I forgot about the Sentra SE-R.

Oh, are they still making the Tiburon now that the Genesis coupe is coming out?

According to what I've read in the press, the Genesis is not intended to replace the Tib and the two will be sold side-by-side with the Tib slotted beneath the Genesis as a FWD coupe entry.

[ifcar]

According to what I've read in the press, the Genesis is not intended to replace the Tib and the two will be sold side-by-side with the Tib slotted beneath the Genesis as a FWD coupe entry.

Hope they redesign it before too long then.

[hotrodalex]

Hope they redesign it before too long then.

Yeah, they look pretty similar. I don't see a reason to buy the Tib if they offer the G Coupe too.

[ifcar]

Yeah, they look pretty similar. I don't see a reason to buy the Tib if they offer the G Coupe too.

I don't mean that they'll be stepping on each other's toes, as the Genesis will be larger and more expensive despite any similarities in appearance. It's just that the Tiburon is in need of serious improvement. It's still got no headroom and a 170-hp V6, while it really just needs to be a sleeker, sportier Elantra to be a hit with the Civic/tC/Cobalt crowd.

[MX793]

Hope they redesign it before too long then.

It's about due, assuming Hyundai sticks to a 6-7 year cycle.  The current iteration appeared in I think the '03 model year.  It's already had its mid-cycle facelift (not a particularly successful one, IMO, the car looked stunning before they messed with it).  I personally would expect an all new Tib for 2010, though it might get delayed a year if they put too many of their development dollars into the Genesis siblings.

[MX793]

Yeah, they look pretty similar. I don't see a reason to buy the Tib if they offer the G Coupe too.

The base Tib starts at like $16K.  The base Genesis will likely start at $20K, maybe a little higher.  The only price crossover you'll see is that a loaded V6 Tib will overlap a bit with the 4 cylinder Genesis in the low $20Ks.  There's also the possibility that Hyundai will push the Tib a bit down market to ensure there's practically no price overlap.  I wouldn't be too surprised to see them drop the V6 and replace the 2.0L 4 banger with a more potent 2.4L from the Sonata.

[ifcar]

The base Tib starts at like $16K.  The base Genesis will likely start at $20K, maybe a little higher.  The only price crossover you'll see is that a loaded V6 Tib will overlap a bit with the 4 cylinder Genesis in the low $20Ks.  There's also the possibility that Hyundai will push the Tib a bit down market to ensure there's practically no price overlap.  I wouldn't be too surprised to see them drop the V6 and replace the 2.0L 4 banger with a more potent 2.4L from the Sonata.

That would make sense.

My concern is that they'll just look at declining sales of their 2003 design on what I believe is a 1999 platform, and decide it's not worth it to redesign this important youth-market car.

[CALL_911]

That would make sense.

My concern is that they'll just look at declining sales of their 2003 design on what I believe is a 1999 platform, and decide it's not worth it to redesign this important youth-market car.

Hey Iffy, would you ever consider a Genesis?

[ifcar]

Hey Iffy, would you ever consider a Genesis?

For myself? No. But that's nothing against the Genesis, because I'd never consider its competitors either.

Why?

[CALL_911]

For myself? No. But that's nothing against the Genesis, because I'd never consider its competitors either.

Why?

Just asking. What's the most exciting car you want to own?

[ifcar]

Just asking. What's the most exciting car you want to own?

I'll see what's on the market when I retire.

[CALL_911]

I'll see what's on the market when I retire.

Sounds good. Iffy, I just know that you aspire to own an Ariel Atom.

[MX793]

That would make sense.

My concern is that they'll just look at declining sales of their 2003 design on what I believe is a 1999 platform, and decide it's not worth it to redesign this important youth-market car.

The Tib was new from the ground up for '03.  The '00-'02 MY Tibs were simply facelifts of the '96-'99 model and were still riding on that old mid 90s platform.

[2o6]

I don't mean that they'll be stepping on each other's toes, as the Genesis will be larger and more expensive despite any similarities in appearance. It's just that the Tiburon is in need of serious improvement. It's still got no headroom and a 170-hp V6, while it really just needs to be a sleeker, sportier Elantra to be a hit with the Civic/tC/Cobalt crowd.

I have a feeling the FWD tiburon will be axed, and the FWD Kia Coup (Concept) will replace it.

[ifcar]

The Tib was new from the ground up for '03.  The '00-'02 MY Tibs were simply facelifts of the '96-'99 model and were still riding on that old mid 90s platform.

It was new from the ground up for a Tiburon, but it wasn't on an exclusive platform. It was either the 99 Sonata or the 01 Elantra, IIRC.

[MX793]

It was new from the ground up for a Tiburon, but it wasn't on an exclusive platform. It was either the 99 Sonata or the 01 Elantra, IIRC.

I believe the platform is related to the Elantra.  There was no 2002 Tib, the '03 model debuted as an early '03 in '02.  If it were Sonata based, I think you would have seen a new Tib in '00 or '01.  With the Elantra being all new for '01, that gives them a year or so to come up with a new coupe based on that platform, which makes sense.

[LonghornTX]

These cars have very poor interiors.  That seems to be about the only thing left now.

[ifcar]

I believe the platform is related to the Elantra.  There was no 2002 Tib, the '03 model debuted as an early '03 in '02.  If it were Sonata based, I think you would have seen a new Tib in '00 or '01.  With the Elantra being all new for '01, that gives them a year or so to come up with a new coupe based on that platform, which makes sense.

I do now think it was Elantra-based  (but when it was introduced has more to do with its own model cycles than the Sonata's). So it dates to 2001.

[Raza]

These cars have very poor interiors.  That seems to be about the only thing left now.

Which cars?  The Tiburon or the Cobalt or the whole segment?

[the Teuton]

I'm not a huge fan of the Cobalt's interior, but I'd still say it's better than any Hyundai's under $14,000.

[SVT666]

I'm not a huge fan of the Cobalt's interior, but I'd still say it's better than any Hyundai's under $14,000.

I was quite impressed with the Cobalt SS's interior.  It's very nice.

[FordSVT]

It's OK, but it's definitely a step down from the 3 or the Civic material wise. At least it isn't ugly. Conservative, but that's not a bad thing.

[Raza]

It's OK, but it's definitely a step down from the 3 or the Civic material wise. At least it isn't ugly. Conservative, but that's not a bad thing.

The conventional design is probably more attractive to many buyers, including me.  Also, I don't think the Mazda's hard plastics are much better than the Cobalt's. 

[FordSVT]

The conventional design is probably more attractive to many buyers, including me.  Also, I don't think the Mazda's hard plastics are much better than the Cobalt's. 

You're wrong. Different grade, different feel. The Cobalt has that "hollow" sound when you tap the plastic on the dash or console, not so with the 3. Also, the switch gear isn't as nice, and the fabric inserts on the doors and the other small touches, as well as the way the seams on the plastic show up in the Cobalt are all things I notice now as a 3 owner. And the fabric on the seats of the 3 is better than the cheap stuff they use in the Cobalt too.

Don't get me wrong, the Cobalt is worlds better than, say, the Caliber.

[Raza]

You're wrong. Different grade, different feel. The Cobalt has that "hollow" sound when you tap the plastic on the dash or console, not so with the 3. Also, the switch gear isn't as nice, and the fabric inserts on the doors and the other small touches, as well as the way the seams on the plastic show up in the Cobalt are all things I notice now as a 3 owner. And the fabric on the seats of the 3 is better than the cheap stuff they use in the Cobalt too.

Don't get me wrong, the Cobalt is worlds better than, say, the Caliber.

I'll have to sit in the two again, but I remember not being impressed by either.

[FordSVT]

I'll have to sit in the two again, but I remember not being impressed by either.

Compared to what, a Lexus? They're economy cars, but I think the 3 has an interior almost as nice or even nicer than a lot of mid sizers. The Altima for one.

[Raza]

Compared to what, a Lexus? They're economy cars, but I think the 3 has an interior almost as nice or even nicer than a lot of mid sizers. The Altima for one.

I can't think of any Nissans I'd give an award to for interiors.

But the Mazda3 competes against the Rabbit.

[FordSVT]

And the Rabbit's interior is only marginally "better" than the Mazdas. And, to be honest, I'm so over VW/Audi interiors it's not funny. Great materials, boring as plain toast.

[Raza]

And the Rabbit's interior is only marginally "better" than the Mazdas. And, to be honest, I'm so over VW/Audi interiors it's not funny. Great materials, boring as plain toast.

That's as may be, but the interior materials and fit and finish are miles ahead of the Mazda's.

[omicron]

And the Rabbit's interior is only marginally "better" than the Mazdas. And, to be honest, I'm so over VW/Audi interiors it's not funny. Great materials, boring as plain toast.

Give me well-made over glitzy any day.