Chevrolet Cobalt

theo2709

Alrighty everyone, head over to www.chevy.com and go to Future then Cobalt. Tell me, where did the 2.4L SS go.

ndsax707

If I understand Chevy's intentions correctly, the SS Supercharged Coupe will have the 2.0L engine (supercharged, of course), and the SS Coupe (non-supercharged) will have the 2.4L. I think the non-supercharged SS is due to come out after the supercharged SS, which may explain why the engine is listed on the Chevy site, but not available as an option (yet).

bigdaddycoats

My guess is that it will be out in June of 05 as an 06 model. Once again, GM cannot launch a vehicle with all of the components ready. Why is this so hard for them to do???? The Mazda 3 has two engines available at launch both available with auto or manual transmissions.
The G6 will also launch with only the 3.5 and later be available with the 2.4 and the 3.9. Why? Then GM wonders why they continually lose market share.

theo2709

I think the same as you, bigdaddy. It was already listed as a 2006 Model Year addition in the G6, but they basically lied in the Cobalt releases.

dan165

Isn't there a supercharged 2.0L option? That would be 2 engines?

bigdaddycoats

Technically yes. But the 2.0 is a limited production model available only in the coupe and only with a manual. The 2.4 is more of a mass production model with auto and manual.

ndsax707

I drove a 2004 Ion Red Line yesterday. With a nearly identical price I think I'd go with the SRT-4. I hope the Cobalt SS Supercharged is a much better car than the Ion. I wonder why they left the engine at 205 hp, as it's surely capable of more. I would really like to see the Cobalt compete with the SRT-4 and the WRX, not the Civic Si, Sentra SE-R, and Mazdaspeed Protege.

ateixeira

we have a Maytag washer and it sucks

Sorry! The exception proves the rule? ;-)

FWIW, Mazda is not as nimble as you think. I saw the Mazda6 wagon at NAIAS in April 2002 and they were not on the roads until more than 2 full years later!

-juice

ndsax707

I have some thoughts on the delayed introduction of certain trim levels or options or configurations etc. on new cars.

I think it has more to do with marketing than it does with the ability to complete a design or begin production in a timely manner. Most of these decisions are probably made with the bottom line being the determining factor. There are many financial reasons for not going all-out from the start. For one, it saves the auto manufacturer from losing it's...a lot of money...on a car that unexpectedly flops. In addition, introducing new options on a car after the "new" wears off is a way to keep interest up and therefore sales up. It's all about the money.

ateixeira

OK, but 2 full years? I could understand if they came out with the wagon a year later, the 5 door 2 years later, just to keep folks interested.

But I actually sat inside the wagon in April 2002, it was not roped off or anything.

-juice

ndsax707

I know it seems like a long time, but the sedan didn't even come out until late 2002 or early 2003 right? So the wagon and 5-door were out about a year after that, which was the next model year. It seems like a long time from when you first saw one, but from a business perspective it sounds about right. It's not like the first sedan didn't hit the streets until two years after it was at the show.

ateixeira

About a year and a half after the sedan, I think.

Dunno but it just seems old to me, not new, as it was back in April 2002.

-juice

jchan2

the M6 wagon for some reason still looks cool to me.(as do all the other M6's and all the Mazda3's)

ateixeira

Agreed.

-juice

bigdaddycoats

http://www.gmfleet.com/us/acquiring/vehicinfo/summaries/ChevyCoba- lt.pdf

dan165

Looks like a solid package. Built well, the Cobalt should sell well for Chevy. The Cavalier is a horrible car aside from the engine/transmission (rented one a few weeks ago). This car appears to be a quantum leap!

johnclineii

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0408/02/a02-229272.htm

bigdaddycoats

Cobalt will offer three coupe models and three sedan models. The MSRP for the Cobalt Coupe and Sedan will be $14,190. The MSRP for the Cobalt LS coupe and sedan will be $16,485. Pricing for the LT sedan will be $18,760. The Cobalt SS Supercharged will be priced at $21,995. Pricing includes destination and freight charges.

ateixeira

$22k seems very high, well above the SRT-4.

They should have kept it at right under $20k. I bet rebates get it there in no time.

-juice

dan165

Pricing is on the premium side but that's fine so long as the car is up to Corolla / 3 / Civic type quality and performance.

We shall see. There is room for rebates though we will definitely not see anything close to Cavalier type incentives.

ateixeira

On the low end I see pretty good value. But I think each step up in model represents a too-big jump in price. We're gonna see a lot of base models, watch.

-juice

a_l_hubcaps

ateixeira-

It seems like most Cavaliers sold are base models too, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the same with the Cobalt. It seems very unlikely to me that a lot of buyers are going to swallow the initial Cobalt price increase *and* step up to an even more expensive model. Of course, they will quickly sell every SS Supercharged they make, to enthusiasts, but that won't likely be a large percentage of sales. What really puzzles me is the LT sedan. I have no idea who is going to buy that model.

-Andrew L

ateixeira

You can probably get an Impala for those prices. Or a well equipped Malibu.

I think I saw a Malibu Maxx with a DVD player in the back seat for less than that.

-juice

alpha01

the Cobalt, even without having driven it, over a similarly priced but thoroughly unimpressive Impala. Personally, I am strongly 'rooting' for this little car. I want it to go head to head with the best- the 3, Focus (though that car has terrible resale value, which is surprising), Corolla, and Civic. At the prices indicated, and with strong amounts of standard features, I feel it is positioned to do well. Smart marketing move on GM's part in regard to the pre-introduction order upgrade.

In pictures and at NYIAS, I was impressed by the Cobalt sedans classy styling, seemingly high quality interior materials, and the standard equipment 145hp fuel efficient ECOTEC.

Finally, Car and Driver's preview article indicates that if GM got the execution right, there were enough significantly advanced components to truly make this a competitive entry.

OR

It could be another ION. (It is on the same platform, after all).

~alpha

bporter1

You hit the nail on the head. the car I own now requires premium fuel, great power but a little pricey at the pump. Anyway the Cobalt is definately on my list of cars. An LS Sedan is what I would be looking at, would get an LT but flat out do not want leather seats.

ateixeira

I saw it live at NAIAS, I think it looks good. But styling was never really the problem with compact Chevys. We'll see.

-juice

montanafan

The premium fuel requirement perception is sometimes is more then the reality.

20,000 miles per year driven with a car that gets 20mpg, would use 1,000 gallons per year. If there is a $.15 difference between regular and super (will the run up in prices $.10 has been common here in the northeast), the additional cost would be $150 per year or $2.88 per week. Remember regular isn't free, look at the difference. There maybe other reasons not to buy a car that requires premium (insurance, maintenace, purchase cost) but gas cost may not be as big as thought.

ateixeira

I think it depends on the car. If it's a performance car that outruns its peers, then it's worth it, and that's why you bought it in the first place.

So the SS models might require premium and if so, no harm done.

-juice

ateixeira

Biodiesel is very intriguing, but there are issues with cold weather so some require a warmer in the fuel tank.

I'm not sure if the Cobalt will be a fuel sipper, though. Displacement is pretty big for a compact car.

-juice

alpha01

is a VERY fuel efficient engine, especially from a domestic maker.

~alpha

johnclineii

And if that woman really exists and gets her cooking oil free, she is a very lucky woman. Salvage outfits pay BIG money to pick up restaurant grease. There is a big market for it. Restaurant owners paying to have it hauled off or giving it away as opposed to being paid for it are missing out...

Sounds more like an urban myth to me....

Not even to mention that once there were more than a few cars that used the stuff, the price for it would escalate.

Biofuels? Sure. Cheap or even free? Fuhgeddaboutit.

ateixeira

alpha: for its displacement, no doubt. But it won't win any fuel economy contests against the Scions or Civics of the world.

A long time ago, nearly a previous life, I worked at a fast food joint and the grease from the grill was recycled. My boss told me they made soap out of it, if you believe that.

-juice

carquestions

Does anyone know anything about the Seven-speaker Pioneer premium sound system? Do you know what the wattage number is ?

npgmbr

Very true that it won't win any fuel sipping contestes to the Scions and Civics but it will not leave its owners wondering why the A/C seems to be so weak.

Irritating problem with the Xb in warm southern climates. One of my best friends has the same issue with his Matrix. A/C just doesn't get very cool and its because the engine does not have enough horses to give max output for the A/C.

Fuel sipping engines come with some drawbacks!

ateixeira

Yeah, those xBs just beg for tinted windows.

-juice

bporter1

There was a TSB issued for the Pontiac Vibe on the A/C. Apparently it had something to do with the temperature probe. Being that the Vibe and the Matrix are the same design that may be the issue with the Matrix. Of course it does not mask that the more pwerful the engine the better the acceleration would be with the A/C on.

Kirstie_H

The Cobalt is officially a new vehicle rather than a future vehicle as of Wednesday, so we'll be moving this discussion over to the Sedans board!

dan165

Is that when production starts?

I didn't think the Cobalt would be out for at least another month or two.

Kirstie_H

I'm not sure which criterion we use as the marker for moving a vehicle from our Future section to New, but I *think* it's when the vehicle starts shipping to dealerships. I'll see if I can find out for sure.

bigdaddycoats

starts October 18th.

johnclineii

So, what, pray tell, was magical about tomorrow? I know of nothing that makes this a new car as opposed to a future car tomorrow....

Kirstie_H

Yeah, I'm going to let this discussion hang out here for awhile, til we start seeing them hit the lots.

npgmbr

Has anyone seen the two vidoes? If GM decides to use these as commercials I think it will have the same affect as the old Neon commercials.

The Cobalt vidoes are really cute. Might get more women buying them than men though. Will be interesting to see how people take to them.

ateixeira

That's not a bad thing. It would bring in younger buyers, too.

-juice

npgmbr

Oh no I don't think its bad at all. I just thought it was leaning more towards the cute factor than muscle. But the second video "Bump" seems to be more masculine than the other one. Maybe im just reading too much into it.

Overallall, both are very good and I think they'd do well for the Cobalt if Chevy runs them as commercials.

My favorite is the second one entitled "Bump". Particularly love the way the Vette turns around to scold the Cobalt. Very cool!

ateixeira

I saw the ads during the Olympics. They seem playful.

If anything, the Bump ad almost makes the Cobalt seem like the pesky younger brother, not sister. It just seems like something a male would do.

-juice

npgmbr

Yeah, the "pesky brother" thing is what I was hinting at. Thats why I said "Bump" seemed more masculine.

Unfortunately, I didn't watch much of the olympics so I didn't see any of the commercials outside of the opening ceremony and the only one I saw then was the discontinued Vette commercial which I personally thought was great.

ateixeira

Yeah, the Vette "dream" ad was funny, especially when the girl winks at him.

-juice

npgmbr

Well it seems a lot of "Do Gooders" didn't agree and their complaints caused GM to stop the ad.

Personally, I think that if some parent somewhere lets his 10 year old sneak out of the house and take the Vette (or any car for that matter) on a worldwin tour, then the parent is to blame.

Trying to pin blame on a commercial is just bull.

ateixeira

What bull, I agree.

C'mon, he was clearly day dreaming...

Do we need disclaimers for our dreams, too?

-juice