Hey everyone. so, I'm new here and very strongly considering one of these ! I've been saving up for quite awhile now and have a few questions. I have been looking up reviews and they seem kind of bad saying the build quality of these cars is bad. And the countless mechanical problems there are. I was looking for more personal experiences. What have you guys had problems with ? What do you guys love about the car ? and any other information you might want to tell me as a possible future owner of one Thanks guys.

 

Welcome man, I haven't had many problems with my car or a cobalt in general, I've had my car for almost 2 yrs and been driving a cobalt for almost 8 yrs. The SS has been super reliable to be honest nothing to complain in my part. On the other cobalt only thing was the battery and the shifter locking mechanism (auto trans) i would recommend it for sure.

 

ah very nice, thanks ! anything you think I should watch out for when purchasing one? im going to be paying for a shop to look over everything prior to purchase. I just want to know if there's anything I should make sure they check

 

Well cars with the 08/08 build date or 09 model (thats what i have) apparently some have problems with porous block, to play it save I would just try to find a 10 if possible. And I would say try to get a low miles with the least amount of mods

 

Call me stupid. But what exactly is porous block ? 😅 and ideally. I would love a 2010. If I can find one near me !

 

^i really wouldnt loose sleep over buying a 08/09, if the block was going to crack then it would have by now. if you can stay away from modding them too much it is a super reliable car. good luck op

 

Yeah that's why I mentioned my car is a 09 with that exact build date and nothing has happened. They are reliable, other than people saying the interior is cheap and some rattles

 

Ahh. Haha. Sweet. Also, nothing i get can be much worse than my 05 Monte carlo interior. I love it to death. But God are the clips and everything else cheap as can be. 😂

 

Just go for it take your time to pick the car, some really clean cars on here on sale

 

Interiors are cheap....but the engine is magnificent. Depending on power levels and how you drive the trans is ok...just remember to shift around 3k+ rpm. And grab ottp or powell trans mounts if the car doesn't already have them.

Then enjoy beating the **** out of people for a cheap lightly modded car

Also look for a car with the g85 on the tag in the trunk, cars with the g85 package come with lsd which is very nice!

 

Sweet. Thanks for the info !

 

Find one well taken care of and do NOT buy someone elses project.

I have had two SS (06 and 09) and when taken care of, they just keep laying down the rubber. When neglected, they break a lot...

 

Build quality is pretty poor but as said they are mechanically stout as they come. Definitely about the fastest car you can get for the money and the most fun as well. Lots of wins.

 

Heres a little backstory. I bought my Cobalt before I joined the Army. Once I found out I was being sent to Germany, I decided not to take my car with me because I don't trust anyone in Germany to take care of it while I deployed. I only go home for Christmas, so I've gotten to drive my car about 3 times (each time period being a few weeks) in the past 3 years.
My point is, I'll be looking at Skylines, euro spec M3s, or other cars around where I'm stationed in Germany I could buy if I sold my Cobalt. But then I go home and drive my baby..and I'm very happy I haven't sold her for some abused "race car".
In other words...F**K YES!

 

Sweet ! When neglected. What might be some signs of that ?

 

Don't look at reviews from standard cobalts, cobalt ss is much different. All reviews iv seen on the sstc are good.

 

Get an lsj

 

Why do you say that 😳 the tc dishes out much more hp.

 

It depends on what you want to do. A turbo swapped lsj is a beast of a machine. But a big turbo lnf is a beast as well

If you go lnf, I highly recommend getting a sedan.... Those are getting rarer these days

 

Hmmm. I guess I never thought of swapping the lsj sc with a tc. I really think I wanna stick with the lnf. Just because I like the newer options and what not. I really wouldn't mind a sedan or coupe. It's really gunna be what ever I find that's in good condition. That i like.

 

Cheap parts, lose suspension, inconsistent clutch pedal pressure, scraped up undercarriage, cracked lips on the body, excessive timing chain noise (do not confuse this with the normal clicking of the HPFP on the LNF), and anything that just does not seem right.

 

Very helpful ! Thanks. Is there any way to be sure it doesn't have pourus block ? Other than leaking fluids ?

 

A page full of posts and nobody actually asked the right questions:

OP: what is it that you are looking for? Are you at least a little mechanically inclined? what will you be using the vehicle for? autocross? tracks? boring daily driving?

If you are looking for basic transportation, going from A to B, cheaply and reliably, then NO, do not get a cobalt SS, get something slower and cheaper like a used sonic or civic.

If you are a car enthusiast and actually enjoy driving, then the cobalt SS is a great driver's car.

My car has been very reliable, especially with the kind of aggressive driving i put it through and the power level it makes. However you must be slightly mechanically inclined and willing to do simple things yourself to keep this car going for cheap.

Little things, such as brake pads and rotors, maybe replace a simple sensor, or a simple cam actuator replaced, if you are willing to do this kind of VERY simple work yourself, then YES this car will be cheap to own for the performance you get out of it.

People complain about "cheap interior" , that's all BS, interior is fine, it just creaks a little more than desired. The powertrain is solid, little simple things may pop up like with any used car but parts are generally cheap (compared to sports cars or imports at least).

 

Im looking for something fast and fun. That I can drive to work. And take to te track if I want too. I haven't yet ever went to the track near where I love. But I know I'd love going.

Im going into construction engineering. So I hope im a little mechanicly inclined 😅 I don't know how to do too much with cars. But Ive learned so far from videos and what not and have no problem doing things myself.

The only problem is finding one near me. But I'll be on the lookout. And im gunna post a wanted add when im able near my location hoping to find anybody selling one near me. Craigslist near me only has the lsj. Which im not sure if im really a supercharger person.

 

Buy a tc, downpipe and good tune and you'll make 300+whp and 350+wtq

Done.