Finally drove a Cobalt SS/SC today

[atruhondagrl]

I have to say.... I'm impressed.

Here's the parts of the entire test drive that I've thought about the most:

Interior- just about the same quality as the civic. Same weird hard plastic. Simple enough design. Love the leather seats. Lot's of space. Like the humungoid trunk. Cool battery in the trunk too. The Pioneer Sub in the rear reminded me of the Neon SXT though.


Exterior- Sorry Cobalt fans. Still not feeling it. But that's okay because...


Go power- That SOB will move. Kept me smiling like Paris Hilton after her release. I really don't think stock, that it has that much more Omph than the Si. It'll get ahead of an SI stock with the right driver, but it's not going to pull by lengths and legths and lenghts as some would have you believe. The 20,000 miles I put on my car in 8 months makes me think I'm pretty darned familiar with how an SI moves. Supercharged or not, 6000rpm redline is just plain weird. I'm a Honda girl. I like my high revving. I'll come back to this part on Monday when I drop my reflashed ECU back in the Meanie and go for a ride.


Suspension and handling: Sorry, thumbs down on this one. I have TEIN SS' on my car and I still have a more comfortable ride than the Cobalt. Stock for stock, my butt prefers the SI and supposedly ours are stiff. Braking didn't feel as precise as the Si and the Si is kind of watery at times. Then again, I'm used to putting less front end around a tight corner. The Cobalt felt like a lot more car to me.


The drive: Was a blast! Just as I was pulling out of the dealership, another red Cobalt went past and revved at me. Cool. The salesman had me follow him out onto the highway and he told me, "go ahead. Take it to the redline." Okay. The other guy slowed down allowing me to catch up (he was a bit ahead) So... we played. Unknown mods on his but dang that whine was hypnotic and even the sales guy said "no WAY that thing is stock!" about 10 times. We didn't get too crazy. I'm too apprehensive about that type of stuff and I tend to be a little chicken when it comes to getting pulled over. But we had fun all the same just playing around on a nice open highway on the plain. Lots of waving and thumbs up. I would be lying if I said the car entirely lived up to my expectations. I expected more pull but the only FI cars I've driven up 'til now were all turbo. I'm used to that turbo-throw-you-back-in-your-seat feeling. This car didn't have that but that supercharger just made it moooooooove. Nice, linear power.

Domestic guys vs. Us: That camaraderie is the same thing with them as it is for us. They see one of their own, they get all happy and goofy just like we do. It actually felt good for once, to share a road with a domestic dude and not have the hate and attitude thrown around. I was in such a giddy mood when I pulled it back into the spot. I actually wanted to take it back out again.

My overall feeling post drive: I like the power. I forgot all about it's looks and just loved how the car moved. Would I consider buying one? Maybe if I didn't have the SI already, hadn't test driven one and couldn't get my hands on it in any near time. I give GM credit, they're getting better. I like the car. I still don't have much negative to say about it. I'd like to have a run at one when I get my mods done though.

for the Cobalt SS/SC. Fun car, decent styling, excellent price. They offered me a really good friggin' price on it too. Below MSRP. Plus, GM offers upgrades for it and it'll be covered by warranty! Why can't Honda get on that bandwagon. Mugen us People!!!!!


And what I've gained from this drive: The Meanie is most definitely getting supercharged!!! No doubt. None at all....


Disclaimer: This is my opinion of the car based on my experience. If you hate them, that's your opinion. But at least I went out and tried one before I jumped to a conclusion about them. So if you don't agree fine, but if you're going to pepper this thread with ignorance or insults, save them. This thread wasn't made for a debate of Cobalt vs. Civic, we already have about 20 threads like that. If you want to flame, go dig up one of those.

[bulletSisedan]

Nice write up im on the same route as you. I dont see the point of tubo charcharging a top end built motor. we need TORQUE. I to give respect to the cobalts but ima beat em when i get me SC.

[2006exsedan]

nice write up :) ..

one of the things i agree with is that the SC power is a totally different feel then the turbo feel

I had a SRT-4 and when the turbo spooled - WHAM .. you knew it ...

when i first got the SI back from getting the Supercharger installed.. i wasnt sure what i was in store for .. having never driven a SC'd car before.. the whine is def hypnotic but as you stated .. its a more subtle power ...

I like both Turbo and Sc for diff reasons.. can't go wrong with either

I wonder how the ION redline compares with the cobalt SS as far as ride and such since they both share the same power

[2fast4u2]

Nice write-up Dawn. Time for us to supercharge our Si's.

[atruhondagrl]

Supercharged SI's FTW!!!!!

I still wanna drive an IRL so I can do a better comparison of those two.

[truflip]

sweeet!!! what a nice read. you're too nice

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by truflip

sweeet!!! what a nice read. you're too nice

Not really. I still haven't wanted to even drive an SRT4. If I did, I think my only report would be: It's fast.

[bulletSisedan]

Thats true JUST FAST. The IRL have a more better styling then the cobalts.

[2006exsedan]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Not really. I still haven't wanted to even drive an SRT4. If I did, I think my only report would be: It's fast.

hey hey ... dont hate on the SRT - that car was alot of fun .. the viper seats are awesome .. the car itself is really fast for stock ... though i will admit .. its still a neon .. just a REALLY FAST one lol

i had alot of fun with my SRT-4 - it would OWN that cobalt anyday of the week

[MikeColangelo]

Thanks for the review. It's refreshing to hear an unbiased and open-minded review of another brand of car. Thanks for the honesty.

Also, thanks for serving!

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by 2006exsedan

hey hey ... dont hate on the SRT - that car was alot of fun .. the viper seats are awesome .. the car itself is really fast for stock ... though i will admit .. its still a neon .. just a REALLY FAST one lol

i had alot of fun with my SRT-4 - it would OWN that cobalt anyday of the week

Lol. I forgot you were a SRT guy. That thing would own a lot of cars.

Originally Posted by MikeColangelo

Thanks for the review. It's refreshing to hear an unbiased and open-minded review of another brand of car. Thanks for the honesty.

Also, thanks for serving! Air Force, perhaps?

Navy. You're welcome and thank you for your support.

[NitrousG35]

Fabulous review of the Cobalt SS. I appreciate your candor and honesty in comparing it to the Si. As for your own ride, get the S/C. Nothing like a FI vtec motor. Would you get the Comptech or some other S/C?

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

Fabulous review of the Cobalt SS. I appreciate your candor and honesty in comparing it to the Si. As for your own ride, get the S/C. Nothing like a FI vtec motor. Would you get the Comptech or some other S/C?

I'm waiting on Jackson Racing and RedShift to get their product out there. Nothing comes up in a reasonable amount of time, comptech. Even if I have to dig one up somewhere.

[2fast4u2]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

I'm waiting on Jackson Racing and RedShift to get their product out there. Nothing comes up in a reasonable amount of time, comptech. Even if I have to dig one up somewhere.

We're in the same boat.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by 2fast4u2

We're in the same boat.

Out time will come. :) My sister picked up my ECU from the Hondata dealer today.

[2fast4u2]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Out time will come. :) My sister picked up my ECU from the Hondata dealer today.

You're going to love it!

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by 2fast4u2

You're going to love it!

To say I can't wait is an understatement. SSR header is next. Woot! Then I'll get back to my feelings about the Cobalt on acceleration. I'm sure my opinion will change.

[an0malous]

good review.
redline is actually 6500.
and 7000 with any GM stage reflash.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by an0malous

good review.
redline is actually 6500.
and 7000 with any GM stage reflash.

Still pretty low for me But hella fun to drive. I want to drive it again.

[Raging]

Be sure to post a review on the Meanie's thread after your install that reflash... Also, I thought Redshift had theirs out already..??

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Out time will come. :) My sister picked up my ECU from the Hondata dealer today.