It looks nice drives nice and handles very well and is a joy to drive around slowly. Only thing i don't like is there is no sense of urgency like when i drive my rsx fast or a civic si I like screeching at 8000 plus rpms. The cobalt is a nice car with lots of power just doesn't fit my driving style
2008 Cobalt SS
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This car is a real sleeper. I'd just keep it stock and run it for a long, long time. As far as reliability and durability, this is an Ecotec, which has a fabulous reputation in both areas. They also consistently generate great used oil analysis on any oil. They did tons of testing in Germany for tweaking the suspension, and apparently, it paid off. I think it is the best bang for the buck anywhere for the combination of speed, price, and efficiency. They have a 1500 rebate right now and it is easy to get employee pricing. You'd be looking at about 19 grand, decked out, before taxes. Wow!
I was going to trade the Soltice on one, but my wife would not allow it because of the styling. &$^$%!
I was going to trade the Soltice on one, but my wife would not allow it because of the styling. &$^$%!
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There is really not much extra quality put into todays cars .They use the computers to design everything down to the bare minimum , Though thankfully the strick emission laws require the engine to last .
Originally Posted By: XCELERATIONRULES
I'd like to see another review in 5 years.
Your not one of those G.M. .the heart break of America type ?
I'd like to see another review in 5 years.
Your not one of those G.M. .the heart break of America type ?
Is the car FWD? Does the engine have a counter balancer?
The cobalt SS is nice.
But at the end of the day, it is still a Econo car with a turbo. Its a great price for what you get.
I just dont like seeing a nun or grand mom driving the same looking car as my "hot rod"
And once you start modding to get it faster, there goes your warranty. . .
But at the end of the day, it is still a Econo car with a turbo. Its a great price for what you get.
I just dont like seeing a nun or grand mom driving the same looking car as my "hot rod"
And once you start modding to get it faster, there goes your warranty. . .
Dont think this was mentioned at all, as far I know that is a Saab turbo Engine 
Gotta love the Swedes.
Gotta love the Swedes.
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Gotta love the fact too that it is made in the Lordstown Ohio GM plant. Hard to fing a lot of US cars that aren't made in Canada or Mexico!
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
I just dont like seeing a nun or grand mom driving the same looking car as my "hot rod"
Let's see, there's always Audi TT, Saab 92, Volvo S40, etc out there for you.
I just dont like seeing a nun or grand mom driving the same looking car as my "hot rod"
Let's see, there's always Audi TT, Saab 92, Volvo S40, etc out there for you.
Originally Posted By: scudpilot
Gotta love the fact too that it is made in the Lordstown Ohio GM plant. Hard to fing a lot of US cars that aren't made in Canada or Mexico!
Isnt the engine made in Trollhatten Sweden though? Being a Saab engine and all. And whats wrong with a car made in Canada
Gotta love the fact too that it is made in the Lordstown Ohio GM plant. Hard to fing a lot of US cars that aren't made in Canada or Mexico!
Isnt the engine made in Trollhatten Sweden though? Being a Saab engine and all. And whats wrong with a car made in Canada
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Saab9-3
Originally Posted By: scudpilot
Gotta love the fact too that it is made in the Lordstown Ohio GM plant. Hard to fing a lot of US cars that aren't made in Canada or Mexico!
Isnt the engine made in Trollhatten Sweden though? Being a Saab engine and all. And whats wrong with a car made in Canada
As far as I can tell, the Ecotec 2.0L, VVT, DI TURBO (LNF) for Chevy, Pontiac and Saturn is made in the States, where as the LK9 version for the 9-3's is made in Sweden.
Joel
Originally Posted By: scudpilot
Gotta love the fact too that it is made in the Lordstown Ohio GM plant. Hard to fing a lot of US cars that aren't made in Canada or Mexico!
Isnt the engine made in Trollhatten Sweden though? Being a Saab engine and all. And whats wrong with a car made in Canada
As far as I can tell, the Ecotec 2.0L, VVT, DI TURBO (LNF) for Chevy, Pontiac and Saturn is made in the States, where as the LK9 version for the 9-3's is made in Sweden.
Joel
Thanks, JTK, good to know.
Nothing wrong with a car made in Canada at all, unless your family lives on an automobile manufacturing job and GM continues to shift a lot of manufacturing jobs out to GM factories in Canada and Mexico. The Canadians have manufactured GM vehicles for a lot of years, but most of those cars were for canadian consumption. I personally still buy GM or Ford vehicles and from now on will not only buy American Made brands, but will try to make purchases of vehicles actually assembled by US workers. It's just a personal choice.
Also the bread and butter Chevy Cobalt non-SS I believe has US engine and transmission. I know this thread is about the SS but it is a very low volume vehicle compared to the LS and LT.
Just one guys opinion obviously.
Also the bread and butter Chevy Cobalt non-SS I believe has US engine and transmission. I know this thread is about the SS but it is a very low volume vehicle compared to the LS and LT.
Just one guys opinion obviously.
Sounds good scudpilot, I was just yanking your chain. I feel the same way about purchases. I try to purchase most things that are made in Canada, failing that, made in the USA is my next pick. Since we only make/produce maple syrup and snow, my options are limited
I like the SS, i've driven them too but they lack the pure fun factor I get out of my STi or an Evo. perhaps its because FWD seems dull to me?
As for a road course or drag strip I dont think that stock vs stock a SS cobalt could compete with either a STi or EVO, the AWD factor is a major plus if the driver knows how to launch.
As for a road course or drag strip I dont think that stock vs stock a SS cobalt could compete with either a STi or EVO, the AWD factor is a major plus if the driver knows how to launch.
Originally Posted By: Vspec
I like the SS, i've driven them too but they lack the pure fun factor I get out of my STi or an Evo. perhaps its because FWD seems dull to me?
As for a road course or drag strip I dont think that stock vs stock a SS cobalt could compete with either a STi or EVO, the AWD factor is a major plus if the driver knows how to launch.
The Cobalt SS doesn't compete with the EVO or STi, as you don't need to have nearly the bank account(or credit) to afford one. If you're into straight line performance it'll be hard to match AWD STIs and EVOs from 0-30mph; but on a road course:
"The grip of the tires on asphalt is only exceeded by that of the heavily bolstered, faux suede-trimmed buckets on your…torso. Instrumented tests reinforce these impressions: on a curvy track the Cobalt SS can shame any other U.S.-market sport compact, even the Evo and STI."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2009-chevy-cobalt-ss-coupe/
Google Car and Drivers' test at MIR in Virginia(Americas mini Nurburgring) and look at how the Cobalt SS absolutely blew away the Subaru STi. The Cobalt even achieves respectable MPG -at the price of straight line, muscle car performance I guess.
I like the SS, i've driven them too but they lack the pure fun factor I get out of my STi or an Evo. perhaps its because FWD seems dull to me?
As for a road course or drag strip I dont think that stock vs stock a SS cobalt could compete with either a STi or EVO, the AWD factor is a major plus if the driver knows how to launch.
The Cobalt SS doesn't compete with the EVO or STi, as you don't need to have nearly the bank account(or credit) to afford one. If you're into straight line performance it'll be hard to match AWD STIs and EVOs from 0-30mph; but on a road course:
"The grip of the tires on asphalt is only exceeded by that of the heavily bolstered, faux suede-trimmed buckets on your…torso. Instrumented tests reinforce these impressions: on a curvy track the Cobalt SS can shame any other U.S.-market sport compact, even the Evo and STI."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2009-chevy-cobalt-ss-coupe/
Google Car and Drivers' test at MIR in Virginia(Americas mini Nurburgring) and look at how the Cobalt SS absolutely blew away the Subaru STi. The Cobalt even achieves respectable MPG -at the price of straight line, muscle car performance I guess.
Is this the same motor that they were putting in the Saab turbo cars with the ecotec motor for years?
Originally Posted By: Spartuss
The EVO and the STi are in a different class with AWD. A Cobalt SS compares better to a Mazda Speed3.
Yes, in a class that costs much more to own and insure. Outside of that, the performance gains aren't THAT much more for the money. You're paying to tell kids you drive an EVO.
The EVO and the STi are in a different class with AWD. A Cobalt SS compares better to a Mazda Speed3.
Yes, in a class that costs much more to own and insure. Outside of that, the performance gains aren't THAT much more for the money. You're paying to tell kids you drive an EVO.
Originally Posted By: Kernel Potter
Originally Posted By: Vspec
I like the SS, i've driven them too but they lack the pure fun factor I get out of my STi or an Evo. perhaps its because FWD seems dull to me?
As for a road course or drag strip I dont think that stock vs stock a SS cobalt could compete with either a STi or EVO, the AWD factor is a major plus if the driver knows how to launch.
The Cobalt SS doesn't compete with the EVO or STi, as you don't need to have nearly the bank account(or credit) to afford one. If you're into straight line performance it'll be hard to match AWD STIs and EVOs from 0-30mph; but on a road course:
"The grip of the tires on asphalt is only exceeded by that of the heavily bolstered, faux suede-trimmed buckets on your…torso. Instrumented tests reinforce these impressions: on a curvy track the Cobalt SS can shame any other U.S.-market sport compact, even the Evo and STI."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2009-chevy-cobalt-ss-coupe/
Google Car and Drivers' test at MIR in Virginia(Americas mini Nurburgring) and look at how the Cobalt SS absolutely blew away the Subaru STi. The Cobalt even achieves respectable MPG -at the price of straight line, muscle car performance I guess.
I'd give you that stock the Cobalt drives very well and the STi has some decent body roll, my point is that if you take both platforms to the next level the Cobalts ability to compete diminishes almost instantly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH44Nb6Pf2A
Theres my proof, not a online review site. STi vs Z06 Vette.
Originally Posted By: Vspec
I like the SS, i've driven them too but they lack the pure fun factor I get out of my STi or an Evo. perhaps its because FWD seems dull to me?
As for a road course or drag strip I dont think that stock vs stock a SS cobalt could compete with either a STi or EVO, the AWD factor is a major plus if the driver knows how to launch.
The Cobalt SS doesn't compete with the EVO or STi, as you don't need to have nearly the bank account(or credit) to afford one. If you're into straight line performance it'll be hard to match AWD STIs and EVOs from 0-30mph; but on a road course:
"The grip of the tires on asphalt is only exceeded by that of the heavily bolstered, faux suede-trimmed buckets on your…torso. Instrumented tests reinforce these impressions: on a curvy track the Cobalt SS can shame any other U.S.-market sport compact, even the Evo and STI."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2009-chevy-cobalt-ss-coupe/
Google Car and Drivers' test at MIR in Virginia(Americas mini Nurburgring) and look at how the Cobalt SS absolutely blew away the Subaru STi. The Cobalt even achieves respectable MPG -at the price of straight line, muscle car performance I guess.
I'd give you that stock the Cobalt drives very well and the STi has some decent body roll, my point is that if you take both platforms to the next level the Cobalts ability to compete diminishes almost instantly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH44Nb6Pf2A
Theres my proof, not a online review site. STi vs Z06 Vette.
*scratch that above post, I made it rather aburptly and decided to expand*
I'd give you that stock the Cobalt drives very well and the STi has some decent body roll, however in the defense of both the STi and the EVO, driving them is a different world from FWD or RWD especially on a track. In most situations where I would usually lift off the throttle in a FWD or RWD car, with AWD you have to stay planted in it, and usually give it more throttle to pull out, its like when the 2004 STi came to the states, due to the type of differential the car employed (suretrac) alot of review websites gave it harsh handling ratings because you need to stick it to the floor, rather then lift off and get body roll and understeer.
Not to mention if you take either care to the next level with modifications the Cobalt can no longer compare by any means. The AWD through cornors with a experienced driver makes chumpchange of most FWD cars and some RWD cars too, and you can bet that almost every subaru enthusiast that may track his or her car will have it modified.
Heres some good proof of what solid modifications can do for the platform.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH44Nb6Pf2A
Theres my proof, not a online review site. STi vs Z06 Vette.
I'd give you that stock the Cobalt drives very well and the STi has some decent body roll, however in the defense of both the STi and the EVO, driving them is a different world from FWD or RWD especially on a track. In most situations where I would usually lift off the throttle in a FWD or RWD car, with AWD you have to stay planted in it, and usually give it more throttle to pull out, its like when the 2004 STi came to the states, due to the type of differential the car employed (suretrac) alot of review websites gave it harsh handling ratings because you need to stick it to the floor, rather then lift off and get body roll and understeer.
Not to mention if you take either care to the next level with modifications the Cobalt can no longer compare by any means. The AWD through cornors with a experienced driver makes chumpchange of most FWD cars and some RWD cars too, and you can bet that almost every subaru enthusiast that may track his or her car will have it modified.
Heres some good proof of what solid modifications can do for the platform.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH44Nb6Pf2A
Theres my proof, not a online review site. STi vs Z06 Vette.
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