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Comments
Nice to hear from owners and magazines that Chevy FINALLY has a good compact.
Cobalt, who knows...
It is truly useful in many ways. Really, people ought to lighten up and just do some fun stuff with cars. That is unless the wind is so big it slows down the car, or blocks out the sun, or worse raises the front wheels off the ground - oh the horrors! They won't sell many SS models give the price being up there with Acura and such. Heck, you could buy a RWD Stang for that much too. The Cobalt is something you get for $14K, drive the heck out of, and enjoy it for what it is.
Loren
Totally disagree. Having tested the car I will tell you it's as good as any of the best small cars out there in terms of performance, build and refinement.
This is no Cavalier!!
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/environment/news_issues/news/oillife_monitor_041603.ht- ml
The system looks at overall driving pattern, not just miles driven. Somewhere (couldn't find it this time) there's another web page that has animation showing how the process works.
But, I can get a automatic 5-Door Elantra GLS LOADED for the same price. Power everything, keyless entry, better stereo, etc.
Hmm. Which to chose?
Anyone have a lot of miles on their Cobalts yet? Like 15-20K? Anyone doing courier work or something? S/O is going to be traveling all over the southern US with this thing and will probably put 40-50K a year on it.
The Corolla has an excellent repair record. The Cobalt has a much stronger, quieter engine.
"Real world" gas mileage is likely to be closer than the numbers indicate. I got 32 mpg on road trips with a Cavalier with the same 2.2 Ecotec engine and a stick shift. Automatics, regardless of brand, are always significantly lower (subtract 3-5 mpg).
It's worth searching out side impact airbags. It's worth ordering a lightly equipped model with side air bags, and Chevy does orders better than Toyota.
If you are putting 40-50k a year on it, residual value after 3-5 years isn't that different although it will favor the Corolla.
I'd rather have the longer Cobalt warranty. That and the ability to order one the way I wanted would tip me to the Cobalt. I would buy from a great dealer, though, one that will back me up on the inevitable minor warranty matters that will pop up during the first 30k miles.
Finally, I'd rather have my SO in an American car, than an import, driving over the Southern US. There is still some residual dislike of imported cars once you are outside the coasts.
Power comes with a price, the extra ponies do suck a bit more gas.
Crash test scores on the Cobalt are top notch. If safety is a concern, the Cobalt is the best choice.
Loren
If GM won't make them standard, I hope they get them on at least 25% of the lightly optioned, less expensive Cobalts out there so working moms have a safer choice in a small car. They are only about a $300 option.
I already checked the Car and Driver review, and the report was good. I'm surprised edmunds.com hasn't done a first/drive full test on the Cobalt sedan. It's March of 2005 already. Here they are doing tests on 2006 models, Infiniti M45/M35 Lexus G2300/400 Honda Ridgeline, Mitsubishi Evolution, BMW 3 series. Did they forget about the poor Cobalt? Of the cars I mentioned, the Cobalt is the mos boring, yet it will appeal to most Americans who needs inexpensive transportation. I hope Chevrolet brings out an SS version of the sedan to compete with the Mazda 3. The Cobalt is such a huge improvement over the aging Cavalier,they should have released it a long time ago. Watch out Corolla, Civic, and Focus! Chevrolet is back!!!
Loren
What's your beef about CR complaining 29 years ago about a car's tire pressure? They used to list sample defects, and my guess is the car was delivered with severely under- or overinflated tires. In the 70s, CR generally preferred GM cars over Fords or Chryslers. Some Chrysler products of the era used to rack up 40 or so defects per vehicle.
When CR stopped reporting on sample defects a few years ago, the rate was down to 0 to 2 per vehicle.
While the Cavalier was at the dealership for routine maintenance, I took a look at the new Cobalts, and they really are lightyears ahead of the Cavalier. If I enjoy the Cavalier, I know I would enjoy the Cobalt. Interior is worlds improved! My dealership had a good amount, but only sedans.
If I was to order the Coupe w/side air right now they said it would take over a month to get it.
If I was looking today I would buy one in a heartbeat.
I do think it's a cheap-out on the part of the manufacturers not to offer disks all around. My 1980 Volvo had 4-wheel disks and so did my '90 Mercury Sable (which had optional ABS as well).
Loren
And yes, , many folks love wings...and usually have huge wheels and razor thin tires to go with it. it's their car, their money, and they should have opportunity to buy it! More power to them, and to the mechanic that fixes the stuff after regular roads bang it up.
Then again, C&D is sponsoring a racetrack competition in a number of cities this year...wonder how many SS's will be there?
By the way, I didn't like the Cavalier, but the Cobalt seems pretty nice.