CTC Review: 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt LT

[H3ll3r]

Regarding Day 3 testing, I'd like to comment on the turning circle: That tight turning circle certainly doesn't apply to my GT trim model. I am the owner of a 2006 Pursuit GT and the turning circle is rather large (37.4ft). That's pretty much my most important dislike of this otherwise fine car! (compare to other cars: Mazda3 = 34.1ft, Corolla = 35.2ft,  Sentra = 35.4ft, Yaris = 30.1ft, Camry=35.4m, etc!)

[arrow206]

I have had 2 Cobalts--an 06 2.4L SS 5 speed coupe and now an 07 2.4L SS 4 dr automatic.

With a combined 30,000kms I have only had 2 minor problems (radio and noisy heater fan). Never had a sqeak or raltle. This is one super stiff chassis.

 The SS cars wit the 17" handle very well and have nice large 4 wheel disc brakes. Both are very confidence inspiring if you choose to have a little "fun" wink.

Passnegers have remearked that the seats are very hard. I just went on a 1500km road trip and had no discomfort what so ever.

Is the interior the absolute best? No---but I think its easily very good. I find the Civics interior nasueating and fugly--the whole car flet very confining to me.

My 5 speed coupe was quite quick---much more fun the the automatic. I got a best of 6.4L per 100km form Kelowna to Calgary. The auto is worse--but the engines still pretty tight.

Automatic 4cly are never the greatest partners but its not as bad as Car and Driver makes it out to be. A 6 speed auto wouold help though.

I did test drive the base car once---but I don't uuy base cars. They handle terribly.

And just an FYI--the Astra and Cobalt are built on different platforms. Gm came up with a great car to replace the Cav--its unfortunate most people canot accept this or give it a chance.

[Stuff]

Does anyone know if the dashboard plastic quality was upgraded from 2006? Is it possible to get a good closeup of the dashboard?

[CSH]

It is good to see more reviews of cars like the Cobalt and the Versa.
It dosent matter what surveys say but a lot of first time car buyers are new immigrants and students who usually have 5k to max 20k to buy a new or a used car depending on their financial and job siutation. (My own budget was 5-7K). I've been 2 years in this country still i buying a 30K car incl taxes would be a strech for me considering mortgage payments and building up my RRSP. So these reviews will really help a lot of people

[PJungnitsch]

It is good to see more reviews of cars like the Cobalt and the Versa.
It dosent matter what surveys say but a lot of first time car buyers are new immigrants and students who usually have 5k to max 20k to buy a new or a used car depending on their financial and job siutation. (My own budget was 5-7K). I've been 2 years in this country still i buying a 30K car incl taxes would be a strech for me considering mortgage payments and building up my RRSP. So these reviews will really help a lot of people

I agree. Just looking at the latest Car&Driver reminds me why I rarely buy it now. Long term $80,000 U.S. Porsche Boxter, Mercedes-Benz CL600 road test, Ferrari 599GTB road test, Lexus LS600hL short take, Audi Q7 short take, BMW X5......

Nothing tested in the latest issue would be below $30,000 Canadian, and much is double or triple.

[John Smith]

I noticed that the observed fuel economy was 9.7 litre/100 km.  Canadiandriver.ca tested the 2006 Honda Civic said on December 12, 2006 "The result is a very smooth and quiet engine that gives this car excellent performance, while still returning a respectable 7.3 L/100 km (39 mpg Imperial) in combined driving for me."  2.4/7.3 is 28% better fuel economy.  This means that every ten years of driving the Cobalt will cost over $3000 in fuel charges alone over a Honda Civic.  The Toyota Corolla gets even better fuel economy than the Civic, so you would save even more with the Corolla. 

Consumer reports found in real world testing that the Cobalt got 23 mpg in the April, 2007 Annual Auto Issue, the highest in the segment. 

This is not spare change. 

John 

[Traum]

You said it yourself, John. You save $3000 in fuel over 10 years. Meaning you save $300 in fuel every year. Meaning you save $25 in fuel every month.

Not spare change to be sure. But you save that much by drinking one less cup of Starbucks each week.

-Rick

[tpl]

Having read the test and all 46 posts I can see no reason why I would even look at one compared to a Fit. It has traction control, more horsepower and 16" wheels  and costs about the same ( a bit less 'cos the tester has automatic)   But....and btw I am NOT generally a fan of Japanese cars... the Fit is just such a good carefully thought out small car

[articsteve]

I might as well try and kill off this thread. 

The current Cobalt would have been an acceptable offering by GM in 2001 
when the 2001 gen Civic was introduced.  But today    who is trying to kid who. 

In comparison to a 1.8 Civic mated to the Honda 5 speed auto the Cobalt 2.2 mated to the GM 4 speed auto is just a bag of crap.  Face it; there is no excuse not to at least meet Honda's level of performance and fuel economy, reliability aside of course. 

The Cobalt is a "zero %" car.  That is the only way they can lure buyers in.  How wonderful for GM. 

[Seafoam]

I might as well try and kill off this thread. 

The current Cobalt would have been an acceptable offering by GM in 2001 
when the 2001 gen Civic was introduced.  But today    who is trying to kid who. 

In comparison to a 1.8 Civic mated to the Honda 5 speed auto the Cobalt 2.2 mated to the GM 4 speed auto is just a bag of crap.  Face it; there is no excuse not to at least meet Honda's level of performance and fuel economy, reliability aside of course. 

The Cobalt is a "zero %" car.  That is the only way they can lure buyers in.  How wonderful for GM. 

I don't think you will kill this thread. You probably have stirred up a hornet's nest though. Let the games begin.

[articsteve]

I'm ready.

[Leighow]

......the Fit is just such a good carefully thought out small car

Well I am not so sure about comparing the Fit to the Cobalt. I rented a Cobalt for a trip to the Stratford Festival last Fall. I was quite please with the car. The interiour looked great, it was quiet, it was comfortable. But, it did not leave a lasting impressions.

We test drove the Fit.  Great visibility. It got pricy with larger wheels felt  busy, noisey, et al -- exactly like our 1989 Civic hatchback. 

Its an old idea  - Civic sold a small wagon in the 80's.