Cobalt SS test
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35
From: VRODville
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Man, Edmunds sucks.
Uh, ok? What does he mean by "import sport compact"? Honda Civic? Mitsu Evo?
What is awkward about saying "Dee Eye Sea" instead of "Driver Information Center"?
So, this guy just knows that the "cool" kids aren't going to give it a chance? OK, buddy. Oh, and it would be tough for the Saturn to outsell the Chevy, given the HUGE advantage in terms of the number of dealerships the Chevy enjoys. I agree, though, that I'd like to see this powertrain in the Astra (and I'm sure we will).
Really? I don't think so. Either he stupidly pulled the numbers from the n/a SS 2.4L, or they REALLY failed at driving the Cobalt SS S/C. Tests I've seen for that car have the 0-60 in either the high fives or the low sixes, with quarter mile times in the low 14s at or near 100 mph.
Has the guy who wrote this review graduated from high school yet?
I would like to see an interior refresh, but it isn't as bad as they make it out to be, IMO. Regardless, the Cobalt SS is going to rock; definitely a top contender for best bang for the buck.
We come to our first serious corner on Glendora Mountain Road, and the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe delivers the unexpected. It turns into a tight left-hander with the haste and hunger of an import sport compact.
At this point, the DIC (GM's awkward way of saying "Driver Information Center") flashes the happy message: "Launch Control."
This is when we feel a twinge of sadness. The Cobalt SS has become a surprisingly cool car, but cool kids aren't going to give it a chance. The SS is stuck in a Cavalier-style body that just doesn't resonate with them. ... But if it were up to us, we'd put all this stuff on the five-door Saturn Astra. Call it a VXR. Call it a Red Line. Either way, it'll outsell the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe.
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS uses up just 5.8 seconds accelerating to 60 mph, and it goes through the quarter-mile in 14 seconds flat at 103 mph. This is a night-and-day improvement over the supercharged Cobalt SS, which couldn't break 7 seconds for 60 mph and ran a 15.2-second quarter at 95.6 mph. In fact, the '08 Cobalt SS is, for the moment, the quickest car you can buy under $25,000.
Has the guy who wrote this review graduated from high school yet?
I would like to see an interior refresh, but it isn't as bad as they make it out to be, IMO. Regardless, the Cobalt SS is going to rock; definitely a top contender for best bang for the buck.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 579
From: Rock Hill, SC
I expect the new Cobalt SS Turbo to be an absolute blast to drive!
That being said, I don't think that the reviewer was that far off...
He had tons of positive things to say about the driving dynamics of the car. As far as the driving experience goes, I don't think there was a negative or even neutral coment about the SS Turbo. He even commented positively about the gas milage...
But like the reviewer said, It's a Cobalt. Chevrolet didn't do much from the exterior to differentiate it from the base Cobalt. They did a great job with the seats, but the dash is basically the same as a cheap rental car...
Like the 4th gen F body, this is going to be a car for people who want to drive fast, corner fast, and stop fast! It makes it's compromises in other areas... And for select group of enthusiast, that's exactly what they want.
I'm looking to get a daily driver this year, and this is on my short list...
That being said, I don't think that the reviewer was that far off...
He had tons of positive things to say about the driving dynamics of the car. As far as the driving experience goes, I don't think there was a negative or even neutral coment about the SS Turbo. He even commented positively about the gas milage...
But like the reviewer said, It's a Cobalt. Chevrolet didn't do much from the exterior to differentiate it from the base Cobalt. They did a great job with the seats, but the dash is basically the same as a cheap rental car...
Like the 4th gen F body, this is going to be a car for people who want to drive fast, corner fast, and stop fast! It makes it's compromises in other areas... And for select group of enthusiast, that's exactly what they want.
I'm looking to get a daily driver this year, and this is on my short list...
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 764
From: Crystal Falls, MI USA
While I agree with what 96_Camaro_B4C said, the items the Edmunds reviewer mentioned about the high points were the kind of review I have been looking to read.
I've wanted a more head to head comparo against the '05-'07 Supercharged car, and this new turboed model looks to be a considerable improvement in handling, braking, and outright power.
I love my S/C car, but I'm really liking what I see here.
I've wanted a more head to head comparo against the '05-'07 Supercharged car, and this new turboed model looks to be a considerable improvement in handling, braking, and outright power.
I love my S/C car, but I'm really liking what I see here.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,209
I don't know about anyone else, but I've seen far more Cobalt SS/SC's than Honda Civic Si's. Hell, I've seen almost as many SS/SC's as I have Scion tC's, and just as many VW GTI's. The "cool kids" have definitely been giving the Cobalt a chance.
Also, the reviewer had an epic fail when he tested the SS/SC - a 7 second 0-60 and a 15.2 1/4 time? That's pitiful.
Also, the reviewer had an epic fail when he tested the SS/SC - a 7 second 0-60 and a 15.2 1/4 time? That's pitiful.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 750
From: Alton IL
I had a few 15.1 and 15.2 passes before I got it down to 14.5.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,024
Unfortunatly, their attitude mirrors the attitude of 90% of the people this car is marketed towards. "yeah, but its still a Cobalt/Cavalier" is a very common phrase. Just like the SRT-4's that never gained real respect and earned the nickname Skittles.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,049
From: Confederate States of America
Yeah but once the word got out not many people want to run skittle's anymore, they just don't know if they're packing 230hp or over 500hp.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,154
From: All around
GM could have...
DI turbo Cobalt Coupe
DI turbo Cobalt Sedan
DI turbo Astra Hatch
DI turbo HHR Wagon
I think GM would have the FWD "pocket rocket" segment REALLY well covered.
All of them sharing the same kick-*** power train. 
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 948
From: Stroudsburg, PA
if I had more cash I would love to pick up a new cobalt SS!