I was going to comment on what a **** poor idea it is to buy a Cobalt or any Ford... but you currently drive a Neon. Falling on deaf ears isn't my idea of a good time.
They ain't deef ... and you're welcome to your opinion. However consider this:
Web searches and "build-it" runs for Kia, Honda, Toyota, VW, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai. All had something in models that I liked in the 32K or less price range. However I have 1 salary for a household of 3 so that's in the mix.
Within 10 miles of my house are GM, Chrysler and Ford dealerships. A drive of at least 20 miles and as much as 50 miles (one way) to reach a dealership for any of the others.
Warranty policies as told to me by Service Managers of at least 1 dealership of each of those makes: All US makers agree - any shop that has certified mechanics on staff is satisfactory to maintain new car warranty. All non-US makes require you to bring in the auto to their shop and only shops for that make.
Basic oil change costs - US makes run $19.95 to $29.95 for the most part. Non-US are $29.95 and up.
Within a 10 mile radius of my house are the US car dealers and at least 8 other non-dealer facilities I can get any maintenance done on a new or used vehicle. Saves mileage on a car, essentially giving a lower cost-to-own.
Within the last 35 years I have owned cars from VW (2), Datsun (now Nissan), GM (Pontiac and Chevy), Ford, Chrysler (Chrysler (2), Dodge (2), Plymouth (3)). The Chrysler makes racked up close to 200K miles on each of them (except one) before I needed to get rid of them. The rest came close to 130K before they went.
One VW never made it past warranty and I turned it back - damn thing kept losing the charging system and was never repaired properly. That was before lemon laws went into effect, tho.
So I need to be cost conscious financially for now and as retirement nears (2 to 4 years) I need a vehicle that will be more economical to drive over a span of 6+ years. Hybrids (which I would dearly love to have) are still priced out of what would be comfortable at the moment. In 5 years it may not be so.
So, there's my reasoning ... for why and what I look at. I think it's the more correct way considering the household situation at present.