Test Drove Cobalt SS Turbocharged

[06HabiSiNavi]

I test drove a 2008 victory red SS with sunroof and LSD. The price with the employee pricing and $500 rebate was 21,900. They offered me 14.5K for my 06 Habi Si with navi in perfect condition, which I thought was on the low side. Anyways, the Cobalt was not impressive. It was fast, much faster than the Si, but GM missed the mark with the overall package of the car. The seating position was uncomfortable, clutch felt awful, and the overall feel and look of the car was cheap. If all out speed is what the buyer wants, than the cobalt is a great car, but I couldn't justify spending so much money for a car that I didn't feel was an improvement over the SI.

[ricetastic]

Originally Posted by 06HabiSiNavi

I test drove a 2008 victory red SS with sunroof and LSD. The price with the employee pricing and $500 rebate was 21,900. They offered me 14.5K for my 06 Habi Si with navi in perfect condition, which I thought was on the low side. Anyways, the Cobalt was not impressive. It was fast, much faster than the Si, but GM missed the mark with the overall package of the car. The seating position was uncomfortable, clutch felt awful, and the overall feel and look of the car was cheap. If all out speed is what the buyer wants, than the cobalt is a great car, but I couldn't justify spending so much money for a car that I didn't feel was an improvement over the SI.

Did it handle well?

[ro.sniper]

[CivicEX08]

Originally Posted by ricetastic

Did it handle well?

It handles very well from what a couple of friends have told me.

[galaxygrey13]

Did it make you nut in your pants?

[kplax35]

The fun factor dosent compare to an SI IMO

["Ridge"Racer]

c/t supercharged si> cobalt turbo anyday.

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

Originally Posted by "Ridge"Racer

c/t supercharged si> cobalt turbo anyday.

ct supercharged SI = $25,000
cobalt turbo = $21,500

and you cant compare the two since one is stock and the other isnt. i would liek to go test drive one of these cobalts...too bad no dealers near me have any.

[friedk]

Not to mention you usually want a factory warranty spending 20k+ on a car.

[Rock_Strongo]

It's a cheap, fast car. (period) If someone wants that, then the Cobalt/SRT-4 is right up your alley. If one wants a "nice" car that handles and is fast, then the Cobalt/SRT-4 is not for you.

["Ridge"Racer]

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWKSI

ct supercharged SI = $25,000
cobalt turbo = $21,500

and you cant compare the two since one is stock and the other isnt. i would liek to go test drive one of these cobalts...too bad no dealers near me have any.

i call b.s., you can compare any two cars you want, but ive driven the cobalt ss and i can confirm everything he just said, i do think the suspension is far better tho, but nonetheless a supercharged si will leave a better feeling in your gut than the cobalt, ask me how i know. If its warranty you are worried about with the s/c then you havent been tuning long. if you do shit to a new car, and have problems, you will have to suffer the time of converting back to stock before submitting a warranty claim. Im a warranty administrator, we dont car about whether or not its been tampered with, the only thing that matters is what comes onto the service drive when you have trouble with your car.

[Monty]

mr fusion enabled si> cobalt turbo anyday.

["Ridge"Racer]

Originally Posted by Rock_Strongo

It's a cheaply built, fast car made by a company with low consumer ratings compared to honda. (period) If someone wants that, then the Cobalt/SRT-4 is right up your alley. If one wants a "nice" car that handles and is fast, then the Cobalt/SRT-4 is not for you.

i fixed your post, lol, this is what it should say

[Rock_Strongo]

Originally Posted by "Ridge"Racer

i fixed your post, lol, this is what it should say

Thanks, that's pretty much what I meant. You couldn't talk me out of my Si, into one of those....that's for sure.

["Ridge"Racer]

Originally Posted by Rock_Strongo

Thanks, that's pretty much what I meant. You couldn't talk me out of my Si, into one of those....that's for sure.

i hear that brotha! but seriously tho, chevy is making the right moves to move towards a better built/more reliable lineup, kudos to them, but it will take time.

[Rock_Strongo]

Originally Posted by "Ridge"Racer

i hear that brotha! but seriously tho, chevy is making the right moves to move towards a better built/more reliable lineup, kudos to them, but it will take time.

Yup, and IMO, even more time to win some folks back.


I've owned a few Chevys in the past, and it's going to take some time to wash that taste away.

[06HabiSiNavi]

Originally Posted by Rock_Strongo

Yup, and IMO, even more time to win some folks back.


I've owned a few Chevys in the past, and it's going to take some time to wash that taste away.

Yes you are right. Chevy and GM in general are making better cars, the new malibu and CTS are examples. However, their entry level cars like the cobalt just can't compete with some other companies entry level cars, like the Civic, rabbit/GTI, etc. If i'm going to spend hard earned money on a car, I want it to be a complete package, not just excel in speed but lack in quality

The Cobalt did handle great, every aspect of its performance impressed me. But since most people, myself included, do not drive a car to its limit in daily driving, the difference in power and handling between the cars is not enogh justification to ditch the Si in favor of the Cobalt. Sorry if my posts are too long.

[Shark Tek]

Originally Posted by Rock_Strongo

It's a cheap, fast car. (period) If someone wants that, then the Cobalt/SRT-4 is right up your alley. If one wants a "nice" car that handles and is fast, then the SRT-4 is not for you.

I have to fix your comment.

Actually the new Cobalt handles better than the current SI. (Search in the followind sites for numbers of our SI)

Look for slalom and skid pad numbers.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe Full Test

RoadandTrack.com -- Road Tests - Road Test Update: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS (6/2008)


I wonder where is the guy who call me crazy when I said that the Cobalt SS T/C handles better than the SI.

["Ridge"Racer]

Originally Posted by Shark Tek

I have to fix your comment.

Actually the new Cobalt handles better than the current SI. (Search in the followind sites for numbers of our SI)

Look for slalom and skid pad numbers.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe Full Test

RoadandTrack.com -- Road Tests - Road Test Update: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS (6/2008)


I wonder where is the guy who call me crazy when I said that the Cobalt SS T/C handles better than the SI.

Yeah, the cobalt does handle, but not better than my n+ coilovers

[Kronos_32]

Originally Posted by "Ridge"Racer

i call b.s., you can compare any two cars you want, but ive driven the cobalt ss and i can confirm everything he just said, i do think the suspension is far better tho, but nonetheless a supercharged si will leave a better feeling in your gut than the cobalt, ask me how i know. If its warranty you are worried about with the s/c then you havent been tuning long. if you do shit to a new car, and have problems, you will have to suffer the time of converting back to stock before submitting a warranty claim. Im a warranty administrator, we dont car about whether or not its been tampered with, the only thing that matters is what comes onto the service drive when you have trouble with your car.

Supercharged Si's are okay up here. Acura dealerships will even install it for you and put it under warranty if they do. Pretty much if a dealer "wants" to work on your car with aftermarket crap in it, they will. I worked for two Honda dealerships in Seattle and know that.