Coupe or Sedan?

[daves87rs]

I was thinking about what I should do with the Cobalt in the near future, and it got me thinking....which do you prefer, coupe or sedan?

I like how useful a sedan is (esp with a little one), but I just like driving around in a coupe (guess that's why I have two )....just something about the feel....

Even though it would be a PITA to get a carseat in the back of the Balt, I'm thinking of just sticking it out with the Cobalt and paying it off...(not too far away)

Besides, she has a sedan anyways....and if I pay off the Balt early, I could have room for a few payments...... :sign0200:

[SuperSport623]

coupe... i have no problem flipping a seat to get in the back, especially since i usually never carry more then one passenger.... nothing beats the good looks of a coupe... ive never seen a sedan thats looked better then its coupe counterpart

[daves87rs]

coupe... i have no problem flipping a seat to get in the back, especially since i usually never carry more then one passenger.... nothing beats the good looks of a coupe... ive never seen a sedan thats looked better then its coupe counterpart

Interesting..

Though I would have to say that I liked the current Impy better than the Monte...the last MCs looked like blobs......

[HarleyEarl]

Depending what level you get, I like both coupe and sedan. Saw a Cobalt SS sedan today with the nice wheels....it looked very sharp.

[Oracle of Delphi]

coupe... i have no problem flipping a seat to get in the back, especially since i usually never carry more then one passenger.... nothing beats the good looks of a coupe... ive never seen a sedan thats looked better then its coupe counterpart

Not true, the Pontiac Grand Prix from 1997 - 2003, the sedan looked better than the coupe, in fact the two shared the same roof line. I don't even think the coupe made it all the way to 2003.

[Intrepidation]

Not true, the Pontiac Grand Prix from 1997 - 2003, the sedan looked better than the coupe, in fact the two shared the same roof line. I don't even think the coupe made it all the way to 2003.

The last 3-Series looked better as a sedan too, so do Shadows, as you'll all be happy to know.

I think the sedan looks better unless the coupe gets its own sheetmetal aft of the A-pillar, then the coupe almost always looks better.

[Robert Hall]

The last 3-Series looked better as a sedan too, so do Shadows, as you'll all be happy to know.

The same can't be said of the current 3 series..the current 3 4dr has such ugly taillights. The coupe looks much better, IMHO.

[DetroitNut90]

I like both, to be completely honest. A sedan is more useful for people and cargo, but coupes are special and (supposedly) more driver-oriented. That's probably what my future driveway will consist of, a good-looking sedan and an equally good- or better-looking coupe (or similar idea, think G8 ST).

[Intrepidation]

The same can't be said of the current 3 series..the current 3 4dr has such ugly taillights. The coupe looks much better, IMHO.

Exactly, and the coupe is different aft of the A-pillar. :AH-HA_wink:

[caddycruiser]

Sedan is more useful, but the coupe looks so better aft of the front door and is still the same size overall. WELL, unless it's a top Sport or SS model, then oddly--at least to me--even the sedan looks very nice.

I say that as someone who almost bought another new Malibu but was woo'd by the coupe'ness of a G6 coupe. I have the same length and space, but only question it when I think, wow, really only me and one other person can easily ride together. That said, the back seat is still big (same as the Malibu) except for upwards and it's even easier to toss a bag or something behind a seat when getting in rather than opening another door.

Coupe looks better or more sporty, but try both and see what you might actually like using...and/or looking at, too.

Edited August 20, 2008 by caddycruiser

[daves87rs]

Depending what level you get, I like both coupe and sedan. Saw a Cobalt SS sedan today with the nice wheels....it looked very sharp.

Teah, the SS does look good.....

[Camino LS6]

No contest, coupes always look better. Completely agree with Supersport.

[!!!TED!!!]

The Cobalt coupe looks better than the sedan, but the sedan is a looker in higher trim (as shown by HarleyEarl)

Not true, the Pontiac Grand Prix from 1997 - 2003, the sedan looked better than the coupe, in fact the two shared the same roof line. I don't even think the coupe made it all the way to 2003.

Its funny you brought that up, as I ran across this article this morning doing some research...

According to John Manoogian, who led Grand Prix's stylists, "It's a visually complex and in-your-face design." Swoopy lines of the muscular front include bulging shoulders of wheelwells and low front fascias with foglamps shoved to outer edges of the low horizontal strip. A rakish windshield sets up a low arch roofline that's essentially the same for sedan or coupe. While designers who fashion both a sedan and coupe typically first develop a more conservative sedan shape to carve out enough room for extra doors, Manoogian noted that his team reversed that process and started with a daring scheme for the coupe. "We wanted the sedan to look like a sporty coupe, only with a couple of doors added," he confided.

http://www.thebiglot.com/reviews/1997_PONT...PRIX_REVIEW.asp

[Lamar]

I've always preferred sedans, for practicality as well as looks. Just my thing, since I like larger cars and am always shuttling people around...

[Delta Force79]

I've always preferred sedans, for practicality as well as looks. Just my thing, since I like larger cars and am always shuttling people around...

+1

however since buying my Riviera, I've grown very fond of having a coupe, especially having bigger doors for easy entry and exit. My next car will be a coupe.

[Drew Dowdell]

Cutlass coupe over the sedan any day.... same with Regal.

LumiCarloPrix..... well, depends on the year.

[Blake Noble]

I mostly prefer coupes over sedans. There are few sedans I would seriously consider purchasing.

[Robert Hall]

For a daily driver, I prefer 4drs...either an SUV, sports sedan, or luxury sedan.. I like the practicality in getting people and dogs in and out, and like the hatchback of an SUV for loading stuff occasionally. A 4dr is just easier to live with for parking lots and parking garages (shorter doors). I do like coupes for my fun, occasional use/weekend cars, though...like my Mustang or my late M3.

For 20+ years, I've always had at least one hatchback-- Escort, Mustang GT, Bronco II, Bronco (though it had a tailgate), Grand Cherokee... I think I'll always have a 4dr SUV in my fleet for winter, though for a daily driver I can see myself in a modern sports sedan like a CTS, G8, A4, or a modern yet old school boat like a Grand Marquis or Town Car, with Mustangs or other fun cars for the weekends...

Edited August 21, 2008 by moltar

[gm4life]

I prefer a coupe most often. For my life and family I most always go sedan. That is not to say I wouldn't get a coupe someday. The Cobalt/G5 look way better as a coupe than a sedan. Unless you get an LTZ or SS Sedan I wouldn't even consider one.

[capriceman]

honestly, Pay it off early anyway and save your money. start a college fund, a Future New home fund, or future bad ass car fund. Right now is not the time to spend especially if its tight as it is. I have a feeling some rainy days are gonna come more often.

[pow]

I prefer the sedan. Coupes with long doors are a PITA in tight parking spaces. And buying the Cobalt for the sake of style... well, there are other cars for that purpose. The SS sedan is a looker anyway...

[daves87rs]

honestly, Pay it off early anyway and save your money. start a college fund, a Future New home fund, or future bad ass car fund. Right now is not the time to spend especially if its tight as it is. I have a feeling some rainy days are gonna come more often.

True...

It is looking like I'll stick with the Balt....and I'm guessing that I'll pay it off early (like my other cars)...

If I hold out for the Cruze, that should give me a few years anyways...

Good news is that I don't think I'll have a problem finding a good deal on a house....and we should be starting a college fund in the next few weeks...

I think I really need to get a classic car to work on to keep my mind of new ones....

Though I do plan to save as much as possible....

[daves87rs]

I prefer the sedan. Coupes with long doors are a PITA in tight parking spaces. And buying the Cobalt for the sake of style... well, there are other cars for that purpose. The SS sedan is a looker anyway...

I have to agree with the long door part....and easy to get door dings....

[LosAngeles]

Currently, I don't drive ppl around (seemed I had to drive the whole damn planet around from 93-02). I'd be just fine with a 2-door at this point. But I have no real preference as far as number of doors. All the car needs to be is a looker and performer.

When I have kids, all bets are off.

[Sixty8panther]

The Cobalt coupe is pretty nice for a modern

econo-box, (we're talking styling here) but

the sedan is downright birth-control material

from any angle, esp. that C-pillar & rear end.

DO NOT LIKE!

Here's something to consider:

This whole "I'm having a baby so I NEED 4-doors" mentality is

stupid as all hell... TOTAL misnomer.

You want to know what the toughest part of getting a baby in

the car seat is? TWISTING to get them buckeld into those

giant Darth Vader pod recepticle/ F14 Tomcat rocket-powered

ejection seat things.

TWISTING is what causes back injury (ask any UPS-er) and

the rear doors on modern econoboxes you have to get in &

twist your little bundle of joy into the seat....

HOWEVER

with a coupe, you tip the front seat forward & VOILA'...you've

got access to the rear seat in a striaght line, through a

LONGER, larger door that opens up wider & without that ever

annoying dogleg & C-pillar cut.

of course I HATE glued in rear side glass... that's for $h!piles

like Civics and Corollas from the '70s but the market has

spoken & that's what you get in 99% of today's coupes, from

the Hyundai Accent to the G35 coupe.

Which is all the more reason why my wife is currently 6months

pregnant and driving a TWO door Mercedes. She saw my point

when I had her TRY it out on the Benz.

[SuperSport623]

two door cars have such heavy doors, ESPECIALLY framless glass doors.... the door on my cutlass weighs probably more then me

[gm4life]

68 makes another good point. I found this out years ago.

[LosAngeles]

Here's something to consider:

This whole "I'm having a baby so I NEED 4-doors" mentality is

stupid as all hell... TOTAL misnomer.

Well, if it's just one or two, up until they're 9, it's no big deal...when they turn ten or three enter the picture is what I'm thinking about.

As of now, I'm at least good to go clear to 2020, lol.

[Camino LS6]

two door cars have such heavy doors, ESPECIALLY framless glass doors.... the door on my cutlass weighs probably more then me

You don't know what a heavy door is until you experience a Colonnade coupe or El Camino!

Heaviest door ever!

[Robert Hall]

You don't know what a heavy door is until you experience a Colonnade coupe or El Camino!

Heaviest door ever!

A good friend of mine's wife (tiny 5'0" Japanese-American lady from Hawaii) had a lot of fun stories about almost getting crushed by the doors on her first car, a '76 Grand Prix..... she drove an '88 Coupe De Ville for years, traded it on a Volvo XC70 a few years ago.

Edited August 21, 2008 by moltar

[Enzora]

It depends on how often you find yourself transporting more than one passenger. I usually don't, so having a coupe works fine for me. Of course, if you have any sadistic streak in you at all, it's kind of fun to force your friends to cram in the back seat.

[Satty]

Wagons FTW!!!

I tried the child seat in the back seat of a coupe thing twice. Once with the Sebrine (top up, obviously) and once with the Solara. Both times I was putting my nephew in, neither time was a picnic. My biggest problem with a child seat in a 4-door is the damned LATCH attachments are a pain to get to. My solution with the wagon was to put the kid seat up front, cause the back seat is perpetually folded down. Makes it easy to get him in and out of his seat, too, cause I just have to lean over a little to unbuckle and he can either crawl out my door or (like the little prima donna he is) wait for me to go open his door.

[Satty]

It depends on how often you find yourself transporting more than one passenger. I usually don't, so having a coupe works fine for me. Of course, if you have any sadistic streak in you at all, it's kind of fun to force your friends to cram in the back seat.

Made a couple of bigger guys ride in the back seat of the Sebring together on a rainy night. They got very very close that evening.

[Camino LS6]

Wagons FTW!!!

Absolutely!

I'd happily go right to a wagon, skipping over the sedan, if a coupe didn't work for me. A sedan is just a wagon someone forgot to finish designing.

[daves87rs]

You don't know what a heavy door is until you experience a Colonnade coupe or El Camino!

Heaviest door ever!

Yep....

[SuperSport623]

i helped a friend swap doors on his monte.... OMG holding the door up as he lined up the hinges was excrutiating

[daves87rs]

Wagons FTW!!!

[Enzora]

Wagons FTW!!!

One of the brighter spots in contemporary automotive design is that automakers have re-learned how to make a good looking wagon (or estate, which sounds much classier, IMO.)

[Robert Hall]

One of the brighter spots in contemporary automotive design is that automakers have re-learned how to make a good looking wagon (or estate, which sounds much classier, IMO.)

Yes, I like the terms estate or touring better than 'wagon'...wagon sounds more utilitarian...SUVs are the wagons of this era anyway.

[Robert Hall]

You don't know what a heavy door is until you experience a Colonnade coupe or El Camino!

Heaviest door ever!

I wonder what '70s model had the heaviest doors...I'm thinking one of the massive 2dr coupes like the Lincoln MK IV or V, '74-76 Thunderbird, or a '71-76 B/C/E like a '76 Coupe De Ville or Eldorado...

[mustang84]

Practicality is the last thing I want in my car at this point in my life. Coupe for me.

[Sixty8panther]

I've experienced 2nd gen. F-bodys: heavy...

77/78/79 coupe deville: heavier...

'76' eldorado 'vertable: heavier still

but I think my award goes to the '74-'76 coupe deville.

I wonder what '70s model had the heaviest doors...I'm thinking one of the massive 2dr coupes like the Lincoln MK IV or V, '74-76 Thunderbird, or a '71-76 B/C/E like a '76 Coupe De Ville or Eldorado...

exactly... although, good point 'bout the Lincoln mk.IV

Edited August 23, 2008 by Sixty8panther

[Cory Wolfe]

I've always been a coupe person. Never cared for sedans until I owned one. The added practicality is nice. That's not to say I'd pick a sedan over a coupe, given the choice. I'm still for coupes and hatchbacks.

[ocnblu]

I like coupes the best. 90% of the time I'm by myself driving anyway. However, I do like the HHR and the '09 Fit.