Hey everyone, I'm a new member looking to get in to the cobalt game sometime in the future.
I drive an 05 Grand Prix GT, which is competent but it's a boat and not great on fuel.
Factors in choosing between 2.4 or LSJ:
-I have a limited budget, so no LNF.
-I drive 80km a day during the school year so fuel mileage matters.
-I am able to afford insurance for both.
-My dad is a GM mechanic, so I can get discounts on service, but I'd like to avoid major work.
-The car will be used daily.

If you guys could help me, it would be awesome.

Thanks,
gtjones

 

A LNF is really worth it! It will save you on HP per dollar.

 

In my area the LNF is way more expensive than the LSJ, way out of my budget.

 

LSJ hands down. The car is much more fun to drive and still gets excellent mileage if you aren't ragging on it.

 

^ I agree, I couldn't think of any other car I'd get within the years of the lsj. Obviously the lnf is there better upgrade but you can't say a staged lsj isn't fun

 

if you aren't getting into performance mods too much a 2.4 could be a good option. they're dirt cheap, but the LSJ is awesome to drive.

I wouldn't be comfortable putting that many miles on my LSJ daily though. I hate racking up the odometer since its over 100k.

i daily mine but its 5-7 miles commute a week, the rest is backroad fun

 

I don't have experience with the 2.4 or the LNF but my LSJ puts a smile on my face when I drive it. I had a 235whp wrx before the cobalt and while I do miss the sound of the turbo I love the instant spool of the supercharger on the balt (and the sound). I guess it all depends on what you want and your end goals.

 

Why would you even consider the 2.4 for as cheap as these cars are going for used?

 

Lsj>all. the 2.4 is boring.

 

She knows the deal lol

 

Lsj

 

2.4L would be comparable to driving a Cavalier. Weak and Boring.

I love my 05 LSJ. Have had it for about 3 years.... and still love driving it. Great car. Great highway mileage... and love the supercharger whine. Very fun car.

LSJ hands down.

 

Lsj 100%
If your looking for an upgrade from a gp gt a 2.4 isnt really going to do it.
The upgrade would certainly be boosted.
I chose mine over a 99 neon acr w. A 2.4 swap at 40k miles. Clean as hell and has plenty of zip in its dooda.
Alas. I chose my lsj.
The acceleration alone makes it the easy choice.

 

LSJ. No matter how bad my work day is, I'm happy once I get on the gas...

and I'm currently seeing 23-25 city / 35-38 freeway if I don't rip it. (Stock lsj w/ stick tune at that. Modded actually get more efficient mpg)

 

Whats your price range? I am in the area as well and from lsj to lnf there isn't a big difference in price, The market for these cars is strange. Also if you don't mind travelling like an hour maybe you can find a better deal.

Heres some lnfs, There is a lot more. Personally If gas is an issue I would go lnf and stay out of boost, Where as the Lsj is boosting all the time pretty much. Just a thought.

2009 cobalt ss turbo | used cars & trucks | Hamilton | Kijiji

09 cobalt Ss | used cars & trucks | Oshawa / Durham Region | Kijiji

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo | used cars & trucks | North Bay | Kijiji

Here is some lsj's, There is more of these as well and cheaper ones, But I find if your looking at one you want one with low kms, Not one for 2-3 grand that some kid prob beat the crap out of it and didn't maintenance a damn thing, Also since they are a bit older I would look for rust as well. Just a heads up.

??2007 chevrolet cobalt SS Supercharged?? | used cars & trucks | Sudbury | Kijiji

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe (2 door) | used cars & trucks | Kitchener / Waterloo | Kijiji

2005 Chevy Cobalt SS | used cars & trucks | Barrie | Kijiji

 

I live in the GTA as well, and I can tell you my IRL usually does 11-13L/100km in the summer, 12-14L/100km in the winter, with a lot of city driving. I do drive hard though.

On the highway I can usually get a little under 10L/100km, if I stay under 120


The LSJ will be way more fun and is obviously easier to get to 250WHP, but and generally the supercharger/intercooling system doesn't cause problems. About the only thing to worry about would be the intercooler pump failing every 50-75 (I've got 55k on my current pump and it's still good).

 

Yup

 

I've definitely been leaning toward LSJ, but I wondered if it would be worth the higher maintenance costs that sometimes come with boosted engines. I figured the 2.4 would be a bit lacklustre.

I looked at the horsepower to weight ratio between the 2.4 and GP GT and the GP GT has a better ratio, and I find the GP to be slow once out of 1st gear.

I'll just keep waiting until the right Balt comes up on kijiji or gets traded in to my dad's dealer.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

The mileage actually sounds worse than what the CPU on my GP tells me. According to the car it gets 9.8L/100km combined. It could be wrong though.

 

There's really not any special maintence needed with an lsj.