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I suggest you get an extended warranty.
I like the car, and I believe I will end up being very happy with it, but I have had a couple water leaks that kind of "dampen" (yes, pun intended) my enthusiasm.
There was a sheet metal to sheet metal seam in the trunk that was not sealed at the factory, and this was the source of one water leak. It also turned out that the back glass was not sealed properly, and the window shelf, or "package tray," as I believe it is called, got wet when I washed the car. The service manager at the dealership had the local auto glass guy come out and fix the leak, but he wanted me to let him order a whole new gasket and have the back glass completely reinstalled, along with a new package tray (in case the old one might warp from being wet). [How do you like THAT for a service manager? They get a lot of bad press, but this guy takes great care of me. He is more upset about my water leak than I am.] I agreed to let him get a new gasket and package tray for me, but I won't be able to take the car back for the repair for a couple weeks.
There are many pluses with this car, and they outweigh the negatives so far.
I believe that when the selling price is compared with what you get, it is clear that the Cobalt has tremendous "bang for the buck." Sure, I could have bought a car that I would have been happier with, but NOT for the kind of money I spent on the Cobalt, especially with the $2000 rebate taken into consideration.
I think some people have unrealistic expectations, and that comment is not directed at anyone in here... I haven't even read very many of the posts in here yet.
The only negatives so far are the two water leaks (The dealer is doing a very good job of taking care of me on those issues.) and the lack of back seat leg room (Well, It IS a compact car, so that is to be expected.).
On the plus side are the following:
*Good styling
*Surprisingly good acceleration for a four banger "gas sipper"
*Good mileage (I got 28.5 MPG last fill-up for a mix of city and highway driving. Have not yet had the opportunity to run out a whole tank of gas on highway driving.)
*Good handling
*Good ride
*Quiet ride ( by comparison to other compacts)
*Comfortable seats
*Great trunk room
So, my friends, if the water leaks are fixed and "stay fixed," and if no new problems arise, then I am going to be VERY happy with this car.
Tom
My problem is that my Balt drives poorly on the Freeway-gets caught in the grooved and the front end moves this way and that. 2 different brands of tires and it still does it.
I thoroughly enjoy drving my Cobalt, and I am still amazed by how much I got for my money with that little car. It has great acceleration, handling, ride, comfort, and styling in my opinion, and it gets extremely good gas mileage for the mix of in town and rural road driving that I do.
I only have about 6K miles on mine, so it may be too early to get a good read on the reliability of the car, but any problems with initial quality should have become evident by now.
Tom
Likes: excellent electric power steering (compared to Equinox), very smooth auto trans, good pep, quick warmup, digital temp gauge, turn signal clicking noise, propless hood, no interior hinges for trunk lid, comfortable seats, decent quality cloth interior
Dislikes: pathetic rear legroom with front seats all the way back, tinny sounding speakers, ridiculous plastic engine shroud that just makes the engine run hotter (I removed it for the summer and the engine now runs cooler. I'll put it back for our cold winters)
I own a 2005 Equinox myself and looking forward to buy a Cobalt 2009. I thought that trading a Equinox for a Cobalt was not a good idea but actually someone out there made the switch (Equinox for Cobalt) like I intend to do.
Is your Cobalt a Coupe or Sedan? You're talking about winter... lots of snow in your home town? Winter driving is my biggest concern about buying a Cobalt because we have lots of snow here. I always driven Vans or S.U.V.'s and I'd like to try a small / economical car. Our kids have moved out, price of gas is high and the price/quality of the Cobalt is interesting.
So far I can highly recommend the Cobalt.
Have a 2005 `Nox LT & looking to downsize after my WWII VFW dad no longer has any needs in this world.
My expectations are a little further down the road...say about in 2012 with a Chevy Cruze LT...Ion/Cobalt's successor.
O. K....returning to my traditional "lurker" status now.
Daddysangel.
Didn't your salesman go over all that on delivery of your car? He/she should have.
That car is all I hoped it would be and MORE. I figured it would get good gas mileage, but I didn't count on its having such great acceleration and good handling. I didn't know that I would be getting a car that is just as much fun to drive as it is "practical." It was just supposed to be a boring, but economical, means of transportation for my commute to work.
Good job, Chevrolet! You "got it right" when you built the Cobalt.
Tom
now before you say these keys will not make the car start i trick the car by placing 1 chip key under the ign switch. and before i get tons of replay saying where do i live so i can steal your car i cut off the key and left the chip. besides it doesn't take a key to steal a car tow truck can get them all day long.
so if you don't want to pay a ton for a programed key you may try this and save a ton of money. i did this to a pt cruiser and it worked for years. i sold the car and the new owner loves it. you can get the 05 keys at a good locksmith. he will tell you it won't work just tell him you want it for the doors in case you lock your keys in the car and have him try it in the doors first. if it fails have him remove a bit from the end and try it again. good luck on saving tons of key making money.
my cars get 28-35 mpg and i love it. runs great drives great i couldn't wait to sell the pt cruise. low mpg 19 but love the cobalt. bp.
Not much to add other than my 07 with 34K miles has been a real trooper.
I don't care for CR ratings what so ever.
I had my choice of a Cobalt, Focus or Elantra. My brother-in-law owns a Ford dealership in Colorado, and could have gotten a Focus through him at a good price. We own a Sonata, and like it a great deal, and seriously considered the Elantra. But I chose the Cobalt after spending 10 days and 2000 miles in a rental in North Carolina and Tennessee this summer. As well, I wanted to support my local economy here in Missouri (although I love my brother-in-law) and ordered it through a Chevy dealership owned by a former student of mine.
It isn't fancy, or fast (except the SS coupe) but it seems to be solid, comfortable and reliable. The price is reasonable and the warranty and options are very good.
The MyLink package adds most of the 2LT options at a lower price; radio upgrade with USB port, Bluetooth capability, 12 months OnStar with Directions and Connections, 12 months XM radio, 16" Machine Face Aluminum wheels and touring tires, ABS, Traction Control, Cruise Control, Leather Wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, all for $995 MSRP additional.
I am anxiously awaiting the purchase of my Cobalt. Looks like the middle of the month is an early Christmas present for me!
Tomster
I guess i can best end this by saying I and everyone else has been screwd they sold us a pc of ****.