CTC Review: Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged

[Simple]

about a greatly improved vehicle that's creeping up the ladder in the sport compact class.

Yes the Civic Si is a great car!!!

[Mitlov]

As a whole think they did a really good job with it - it handles and goes very well, which were the main goals. I respect it for that.

Could use some polishing, but is less expensive than competitors as well, so it evens out.

The Civic Si has refinement; the Cobalt SS has torque.  Other than that, I see them as very equivalent vehicles

[wing]

I liked the Cobalt, it wasn't too bad although a little boy racerish.

[AVToller]

Last time I checked, CR listed the Cobalt as worst in class for reliability. Has that improved? 

[mdxtasy]

The Cobalt SS certainly brings some muscle to the rice party...it may not be fancy grade jasmine long grain rice like the Civic Si is, but it's a good set of wheels.  I think it's worthy of a look when you're shopping in this class.

[dave]

I drove my friend's (Vmango) SS SC back in August.  It was a blast...even before the break-in!  It felt just (almost  ) as tight as my RSX and the Recaro seats were incredible.  Oodles of power and the supercharger made all the right sounds.


p.s. Do you think Brent likes to use "air quotes"?   

["cobalt king"]

  Hey AV Toller,
  I know that this is not common knowledge, but many of these "so called ratings" are highly influenced by a nudge from certain car manufacturers, import/export Governmental Politics, and even personal opinion, what starts off as objective automotive reports, turns into edited, and modified information by the time it gets to the reader, and worst of all there is no "Quality Control", for automotive ratings so what is printed is thought to be accurate and true by the general public. A simple example: A certain very popular highly acclaimed analyst that writes for car and driver, road and Track, consumer digest, (I,m not at liberty to say who)  has shares in a
"certain" car company and It's not domestic, I remember when they tried to convince the north amercians many years ago that the ford focus was junk, and would never take the market.... check the stats..it was best seller for many years after that....who's stretching the truth now?...... look around there are cobalts everywhere like "gremlins", at a pool party.....and for 2007 the warrantys just went up to 150,000km.......Hmmm ,

[Mitlov]

Last time I checked, CR listed the Cobalt as worst in class for reliability. Has that improved? 

It hovers between "far worse than average" and "average," which means it ties with the Sentra and Jetta for worst in class.  It comes in below the Focus (consistently average), Elantra (hovering above average) and the PT Cruiser (hovering above average), not to mention the Civic/Corolla/Mazda3.

[AVToller]

Actually I just checked a copy in the store today - black ball for the regular model, no data for SS. 

[Mitlov]

Actually I just checked a copy in the store today - black ball for the regular model, no data for SS. 

Do you remember the title of the one in the store?  I'm wondering if my copy is already outdated (I hope not, as it's the 2007 New Car Preview).

My magazine gives the Cobalt "far worse than average" for 2005, "average" for 2006, with a new car prediction of "worse than average" (half-black).  Mine also lacks data for the SS.

[AVToller]

Do you remember the title of the one in the store?  I'm wondering if my copy is already outdated (I hope not, as it's the 2007 New Car Preview).

My magazine gives the Cobalt "far worse than average" for 2005, "average" for 2006, with a new car prediction of "worse than average" (half-black).  Mine also lacks data for the SS.

Sorry, no. I just checked to make sure it was current. 

[Mitlov]

Sorry, no. I just checked to make sure it was current. 

Then they probably already changed it, and mine is already outdated.  Their ratings seem to fluctuate (to a surprising degree) several times per year.  I swear it's a scam to sell more magazines

[Vmango]

Well, for those of you whom are curious, I'll put in my two cents. I have a 2007 Cobalt SS/SC with the Recaro sport package (Recaro seats, limited slip). This being my first car, it's fantastic. I've had it now for roughly six months and 10 000km. It's crazy fast, sounds superb, and I think it looks fantastic - although I would agree that it is a tad boyracerish (which I overlook because at least it's fast and I'm still only 26). What most people don't realize about these cars is that they're heavily underrated powerwise. Many on the guys I know with these cars are putting out no less than 215 WHEEL HORSEPOWER on the dyno and running 14.1 to 14.4 on the 1/4 mile. Just in comparison,  the 263BHP Mazdaspeed 3 also puts down 215 on the dyno and runs a 14.4 (as per car and driver I believe). Bang for the buck, this car is the only thing in it's class. Car and driver tested it against the GTI and Civic si - and it beat both of these cars by 4 and 5 seconds per single lap on the track. In fact, it also beat the new Mustang GT around the track as well.

For about $1000 after install you can get GM stage II, which is covered under warrently and gives about another 20-40 wheel horsepower to the car....making the little cobalt a 13 second car (we're talking current M3 territory)

One major complaint about the car from some of the owners has been the clutch...some have excperienced slipping in 05 and 06 models. The 07 has had a few minor changes (including PCM dynamics) and I don't know if it was addressed but I have thus far not had a single problem. I actually find the interior to be a surprise. While I also test drove the civic and the GTI - only the GTI came across as having a vastly superior interior.....however you will be paying around 35000 all-in. My car came with XM radio a 6 speaker pioneer system with a sub, 18 inch wheels and pirelli rossos. It's a killer deal. I've dusted a few RX-8's, a WRX, and a BMW 545i (2001). They were rather shocked. From a roll this car is a beast (let her rip from snd at about 4100RPM).

If you're under 30 I would seriously suggest looking at this car if shopping in this category.While more unrefined than some of the competitors, it has what I would call a vast performance and bang for your buck advantage. Plus the supercharger sounds sublime. THe aftermarket is picking up too.

Another downfall, however: The car takes premium (I never put anything lower than 94 in) and premium synthetic oil (about $115 change at the dealer).

The SS/SC is a completely different car than the base cobalt. Frankly they shouldn't share the same name.

Anyway, if anyone has any questions, please ask, I'll answer anything. Long story short, it could use some refinement, but if you want power, handling, beautiful seats, a great radio, and great stock options check this car out. Also, there is now a wing-delete option for you non-boy-racers out there 

Dave, come this spring we'll get you into it for a broken-in no holds barred rip. 

[Mitlov]

  to the spoiler delete option.

["cobalt king"]

    Finally, some body with a realistic opinion on these well engineered cars, "good job v-mango", and even though I don't particular agree that the "plebian" version of the cobalt/pursuit like what I have is so bad that it should'nt even be given the same name, I have to admit the SS supercharged version is blast.
     Don't give up on the 2.2 motor it has been built to put out 300-400 hp with ease....and lets not forget the 1200hp 2.2 eco-tec engine that powers  the fastest 4 cyl catagory car at the utar salt flat challenge (sponsored by GM.)

[ovr50]

I looked at a Cobalt SS Supercharged at the local Chev dealers last fall, and I was very impressed with the car, particularily for the price. IIRC it was about $25K. It's a lot of car/power for the buck. I'm a touch old for that rear wing, and the car generally, but I can see where it would be a fun machine. I have seen only a few on the streets here since, but maybe because it's winter, we'll see more in the Spring. 

[articsteve]

 I've dusted a few RX-8's, a WRX, and a BMW 545i (2001). They were rather shocked.

What, from zero to 30 kph   

[airbalancer]

Vmango , nice review
But talk to your dealer on the cost of the oil change,
It cost me oil $79 for syn oil change on my truck

[mdxtasy]

Vmango , nice review
But talk to your dealer on the cost of the oil change,
It cost me oil $79 for syn oil change on my truck

It will depend on oil is used.  Some synthetics are quite expensive.

[Vmango]

Yeah, it's the Mobil 1 Synthetic. Quite expensive. That was the price on my first oil change. I now pruchase my oil before going to the dealership for a change. This saves about $20-$40 or so.

I don't boast about beating something unless it happens. One RX-8 and the WRX was from a 60KPH roll, running until about 145KPH. The other RX-8 was from a dig at a stoplight at about 2:00am in October - ran until about 130kph.

The 540i was against some stupid kids quite obviously in Daddy's car. Ran from a dig until about 110KPH.

I know my car's limits and I wouldn't post anything I haven't done. I also don't really condone street racing, but these incidents were without traffic - In a safer area. Also soon after I first got my car and had throttle addiction. Nonetheless I try to avoid these things now. I was just posting in order to show the type of cars I can run with.

I always feel I have to defend my car against the classic negative commentary. Calling it a Cavalier, GM crap, etc. It's really surprised me and the SS/SC is a surprising car. Giant DWarf has also taken my car for a [quick] spin. But yeah, if you're over 27, especially 30, you aren't gonna want this car. It is quite 'flashy' and at most stoplights someone is trying to race you.