OT: Chevy Cobalt SS - Any Good?

This is OT. My son wants to buy a 2005-2010 Chevy Cobalt SS, preferrably the Supercharged model. Is there anyone on here who knows the good and the bad about these Cobalts?
 
I bought an 09 Cobalt for my wife about 1-1/2 yrs ago. Its runs just fine, and gets good gas mileage. Her sister has one just like it and a year or two older and hasn't had any problems either.
 
Biggest issue with the Cobalts are the "little things". Correct or not it seems they got the bottom of the parts bin. They seem to have power lock issues, engine sensor issues, the electic motor for the power steer fails (surprising not that expensive), speaker failures on the radio, leaky windsheilds.....


I don't know anything about the super charged engine other than I think it was only produced in 2004 and 2005. The 2008-2010 Turbo charged SS had 60 more HP (200 vs 260) though.
 
My son bought a new 09, don't think he's had any trouble with it. It had a recall for a new steering motor and a ignition lock cylinder.
I think the Cobalts are made a little cheaper than the Cavaliers they replaced.
 
They are durable cars, but be ready to put up with squeaks and rattles. Fit and finish was not a priority. If he buys a stick SS, do not wheel hop it, trans case will crack. No way I would put a kid in a supercharged or turbo SS, they are way over powered. Fun to drive, but a fair weather car only, little rain or snow and ditches become magnetic.
 
My son bought a new one in 08 and has had no problems.It's the standard model not the SS.
 
My daughter has a 2009 Cobalt. The car has been one nightmare of trouble after the other. All three computers have failed and had to be replaced. Body, engine, transmission.
Headlights won"t work on high beam.
Dealer offered her $300 for it on a trade. (No sale)
Would not recommend one of these cheaply made cars to anyone. It will fade into the junkyards just like the Citation .
 
I went to YouTube to see if I could find one pulling against a 15 HP steamer or a Rumely, nothing there on it. Lot of stuff there on Cobalts, just not pulling.

Good luck though.

Mark
 
If you have had Chevrolet in the past you should be ok. I will not buy GM except in a medium truck or large pickup. Troubles came too soon in passenger vehicles and small pickups. I has a fair Olds and the Corvair (64) was great after I rebuilt it.

Ralph Nader did not kill the Corvair. It was one of the best GM ideas but the GM service men killed it in telling people they were no good. I did my own work and it was a great car for someone with a clear open mind.
 
How old is the son. Is he responsible enough to handle a supercharged car? Is this his first car, no way. Have you checked insurance on the SS? Lots of questions before considering.
 
All the ss cobalt a are supercharged, pretty fast for a 4 cylinder to. As far as a good car I think so and they should get good gas mileage. My sister has one an lt version and likes it for a little car.
 
(quoted from post at 17:09:44 01/14/14)Fun to drive, but a fair weather car only, little rain or snow and ditches become magnetic.

I disagree. My wife drives a cobalt and for the winter it wears snow tires at all 4 corners and it sticks to the road. I would much rather drive that than my pickup or our 4x4 suv in the bad weather.
 
(quoted from post at 22:56:22 01/14/14)
(quoted from post at 17:09:44 01/14/14)Fun to drive, but a fair weather car only, little rain or snow and ditches become magnetic.

I disagree. My wife drives a cobalt and for the winter it wears snow tires at all 4 corners and it sticks to the road. I would much rather drive that than my pickup or our 4x4 suv in the bad weather.

Agree, tires makes a world of difference. I have a 1972 F100 PU short bed. I put all weather Wragler tires on it. Goes very well in the snow, much better than many of the new 2WD pickups.
 

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