Cobalt SS?

Thoughts? The price for these seems to be about what I'll want to spend on a DD in 6 months or so.

I'm very hesistant, I just remember hearing these have a very underated chassis for a FWD.

They've done really really well on the racing circuit, I do think that they are incredibly underrated. Good choice for a DD, just my .02

It would be on my list.

ive heard its crazy fast and blows the doors off the competition around a track.

Ive also heard the interior is nice, for me to poop on.

On my list as well. I have about 5 friends that have owned them, 2 still own them and 3 regret selling them. They drive nice for what you pay for, and have enough aftermarket to keep you from being bored to death.

What about reliability/durability, things to look for when buying a used one? That's more what I'm interested in.

z31maniac wrote: What about reliability/durability, things to look for when buying a used one? That's more what I'm interested in.

Hate to say it but it's a Cavalier. Have a friend who has a Cavalier, no SS but it's got tranny problems, sqeaks, creaks and leaks. Want's to get rid of it but he's upside down on the loan. Sorry, I would go thumbs down.

I love my 05 super charged SS. It's been good car, had some small issues. seat cover plastic latch cracked so the leather bottom moved around (fixed under warranty) Plastic chrome inside door handle peeled (coverd under warranty) sun roof rail busted once switch three times (crapy dealer is now closed!!) Crack in the exhaust about 2 years ago (the crapy dealer's fix was to flash the computer.....finally got the new dealer to fix it at 74,000 miles 100% coverd).

A few things do bug me about it. 1) wiper stops and reverses right in my line of view, i'm 6'1" wife is 5'4" no problem.... 2) air filter is a PIA to replace on the super charge cars it's in the inner fender. 3) headlamps required you to remove 14 plastic fasteners and flex the bumper/grill to get it out...

44

z31, it might be worth mentioning what year you're looking at. The supercharged cars are quite a bit different from the turbocharged cars. For that matter, they even sold a naturally aspirated SS for a while just to confuse things.

Bryce

Most likely a SC car based on prices.

Feedyurhed wrote:

z31maniac wrote: What about reliability/durability, things to look for when buying a used one? That's more what I'm interested in.

Hate to say it but it's a Cavalier. Have a friend who has a Cavalier, no SS but it's got tranny problems, sqeaks, creaks and leaks. Want's to get rid of it but he's upside down on the loan. Sorry, I would go thumbs down.

Christ this old argument again?

It's not a Cavalier. There is a difference. Those who constantly pan the cars because of it have likely never even sat in one. My 2.2NA BASE Cobalt was quite good. Never had an issue and was a blast to drive. The 2.4 SS NA car I drove for three days was no better than my base coupe the SS SC car I drove for an hour was unbelievable.

The chassis is pretty well balanced for a vanilla tuning. There are enough parts available to make them stellar. Great brakes, great engine, good transmission, needs a lighter flywheel and that is about all.

The Cobalt shares nothing in common with the Cavalier, so please stop. My dad has a SS/SC (not a mid-life crisis, he's used to his 11-second AMX and wanted a DD with good mileage that still had some stones) that I borrowed for my Florida trip last year. In fact, Audra and I road tripped it to Daytona for our GRM office visit. It was a very nice DD, easily capable of 30MPG highway, and it was quick to boot. I rather liked the interior look and feel. His SS/SC already had over 40K miles (bought it brand new) and the interior was holding up just fine.

Thanks fellas! What about known issues or anything like that?

Feedyurhed wrote:

z31maniac wrote: What about reliability/durability, things to look for when buying a used one? That's more what I'm interested in.

Hate to say it but it's a Cavalier. Have a friend who has a Cavalier, no SS but it's got tranny problems, sqeaks, creaks and leaks. Want's to get rid of it but he's upside down on the loan. Sorry, I would go thumbs down.

You're on a car forum. Learn about cars before you post.

There was an SS sedan parked near me the other day (which makes it turbocharged and an 09 only, I think). It was your basic plain white. Unless you looked at how the wheels filled the fenders (and who does that except people like us?), it came across as an airport rental at best. Complete invisibility has got to be worth something. Meanwhile, you've got an engine that puts out as much hp per cc as the latest Ferrari everybody's all goo-goo about.

And the "best" drivers at the "best" magazines can only pick apart the interiors. The car was faster, and handled better than the MS3, WRX, GTI, and every car in the class. So it doesn't have an in dash Nav system or heavy overdone soft feel dash components... It is a purposeful daily driver.

The Cobalt SS was on the list of contenders for new DD. We looked at one a while back, but I didn't drive it. I plopped down in the seat and immediately knew my wife would hate it. She sat down in the seat and said she hated it.

John Brown wrote: And the "best" drivers at the "best" magazines can only pick apart the interiors. The car was faster, and handled better than the MS3, WRX, GTI, and every car in the class. So it doesn't have an in dash Nav system or heavy overdone soft feel dash components... It is a purposeful daily driver.

Now wait a second there Mr. Brown. Are you implying that a person doesn't need GPS navigation when driving to the job/grocery store/soccer field/Mega mall that they have been to many dozens of times before?

Surely you jest goodly sir!

Just make sure whichever one you pick has a limited slip differential. They did not come standard. That much power driving through one wheel makes lots of smoke, but not much forward thrust. (One of the novices was quite upset with me for burning up his right front tire.)

Feedyurhed wrote:

z31maniac wrote: What about reliability/durability, things to look for when buying a used one? That's more what I'm interested in.

My brother has had a base Cobalt 4-door auto for a few years now. (rental car special) While boring, and spartan, it has been a completely reliable car. Nothing has gone wrong with it. Sure he is considering getting a more fun car to drive, but as a DD it has performed absolutely perfectly. I'm not sure about the reliability of the SS models, but the standard cars seem alright.

jikelly wrote: The Cobalt SS was on the list of contenders for new DD. We looked at one a while back, but I didn't drive it. I plopped down in the seat and immediately knew my wife would hate it. She sat down in the seat and said she hated it.

You're kidding - the Recaro seat is the best part about the interior!

Stealthtercel wrote: There was an SS sedan parked near me the other day (which makes it turbocharged and an 09 only, I think). It was your basic plain white. Unless you looked at how the wheels filled the fenders (and who does that except people like us?), it came across as an airport rental at best. Complete invisibility has got to be worth something. Meanwhile, you've got an engine that puts out as much hp per cc as the latest Ferrari everybody's all goo-goo about.

THat's my perfect car. Invisible, fast and comfy....

A friend of mine has a Saturn Ion Redline, which I think is a pretty nifty car. It's my understanding the Cobalt SS is practically the same car, so that's a plus.

The only downside I can think of is that every Cobalt SS owner I see around here is some giant flat brimmed sideways hat wearing thug wannabe. Just a thought.

Feedyurhed wrote: Hate to say it but it's a Cavalier. Have a friend who has a Cavalier, no SS but it's got tranny problems, sqeaks, creaks and leaks. Want's to get rid of it but he's upside down on the loan. Sorry, I would go thumbs down.

And an Evo X is just a Lancer. Lancers are the cheapest econocar Mitsu builds.

The Cobalt is not a Cavalier in terms of a chassis, but many people use the term "Cavalier" (and "Aztec") to describe something that is absolutely crap. Like, "North Korea is testing nukes? That is totally Chevy Cavalier!" Not saying it is right, but perhaps that's what other posters meant.

I drove the Cavalier and hated it. I actually test drove the first boxy Z24's when new! But I raced the Cobalt SS (non supercharged) at Rev It Up and was pleasantly surprised. I also ran the supercharged version and despite some supercharger lag and an automatic transmission, was very impressed. From what I hear, reliability and such is on par with anything else, but the interior lags behind a bit if you care. One that autocrosses in my region is very fast and very durable from what I can see.