Originally Posted by sneaky

in my SS/SC over the last weekend for mothers day I had 5 people in the car (including me as the driver). The trunk was full and my brother sat in the passenger side, my brother wife sat in the back seat, my two nephews who are 1 1/2 yrs old and 6 months sat on each side in the back.

Needless to say everyone was glad to get out of the car lol after the trip. We had to repeat going home but it wasn't as bad. The only thing is I got extreme back pain from sitting in my seat weird. No leg room in the back = no leg room in the front either. I'm still hurting..

Originally Posted by clumsykx

So my heavily planned trip from north east ohio, close to youngstown, to the outskirts of orlando, convinced me to get out of my un-air conditioned, 89 whp, manual, 600 lb capacity, chevrolet aveo into a 5 speed cobalt ls coupe. .
So I changed my oil, packed up my luggage, and went to pick everyone else up. I loaded up three other people, all their luggage and filled up the tank. Estimated a total weight without gas is around 1100 lbs extra.
My first tohught would be that my clutch would be fried by the time I got to florida. I was very suprised but experienced clutch engagement, lead to a supriseling normal take off everytime. My qt times weren't that great but it was still able to get out of it's own way very easily. Even with the a/c on there was not much difference. It was sluggish but it still was able to keep up with anything on the highway.
The biggest problem i was afraid of was the handling. The handling really scared me be cause of all the weight. I was setup in my car to drive for the long haul. I was about paralell to the rear door jam. We went thorugh west virginia and virginia where the speed limits were 70 mph and nothing but turns. But we left at 5 pm so we were there late at night pushing around 80-85 mph. I was white knuckiling it the whole way thorugh there. The car felt like the the tires were its weakiest point, the sway and roll were really bad and I was scared around every turn. I was so afraid of hitting the brakes on the turn, which you weren't supposed to do anyway, and trying to keep tourque on the front wheels to pull me through the turns without increasing speed. The car though the mountains actually got 32 mpg while having to heavily accelerate though the mountains.
We finally got to north and south carolina and through georgia and my average speed was 95 mph where I got around 30 mpg due to inefficiency of the speed. The car is good to about 85 mph and able to hold with 1/4 throttle. The higher speeds require alot moe pedal and are kinda scary.
Driving the car I learned NOT TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL AS A HANDLE. The steering wheel is a tool to turn the wheels. My arms and hands were so fatigued, I almost could not bear it. The power steering is horrible, it stuck to the center like any new car would have, and was very hard to turn and at random it would be eaier to turn. Very upsetting. The cruise control I almost never used because i needed feedback from the car. The steering wheel did not give proper feedback for my driving conditions. My elbow is also very chaffed because of the arm rest. It proved to be very unforgiveable and if you dont use it, bothat arms are suspended mid air, instilling fatigue. THe sterring wheel was also not sensitive enoguh to steer using one handed in the lap. My knee was also very stiff because I had to hold it in the same position the whoel time because i didnt use the throttle most of the time.
My tips:
Dont hang hardcore onto the steering wheel.
Become as familier as possible with your comfort zone in that vehicle.
Know what your car can do and not do.

My final conclusion is that i would never take this vehicle on a road trip like this ever again. it was too long and found to be very uncomfortable.
The car did hold it own at fast speeds and kept up with the best of them.

Originally Posted by Skottish

where do you go to school in FL?

Originally Posted by SS SChgd

I'm thinking it's a younger driver not comfortable driving yet....I can never understand how those people drive at 3 and 9 squeezing the wheel for so long...

I've driven my 94 Cav for over 2000 miles on about 5 different occasions and had no problems what so ever, Driving my G/f's LS for long trips is even better than the Cavy, and taking my SS/Sc anywhere is a joy, even 1000+ miles. If you learn the car, and learn to relax and feel the car, not be so stressed, your long distance drives will be 100x's more enjoyable. (I've driven a dodge Caravan loaded with car parts through the mountains and over 2000 miles without a problem, and I'd actually rather drive my ss, or Cavy or the LS on a long trip over my moms 00 fully loaded Malibu.)

Honestly, from the sound of your post and the statements, you need to relax and practice driving some more.

Originally Posted by Stealth06LT

I finished the 1287 mile trip from West Palm Beach,FL to my house in New York and I have to say I crammed all of my belongings form my dorm in the car and stuffed me and my dad in there and still were VERY comfortable. Plus I got 32mpg the whole way it rocked. So I dunno what your talking about this car is a good road trip car.

Originally Posted by ReMz

i hate to sound like an ass..... but you are a moron.

just read what you wrote.... i wouldnt even think of posting up something with that many errors and ridiculous points. say what you want, it really doesnt matter.

Originally Posted by 01sunfire01

hahaha i no how you feel i took my 115hp sunfire 2 door 4 speed auto to qubec over the summer with me my gf and my bros gf in it with all are stuff in the trunk and a 12inch sub in the trunk and full tank of gas. we got into MASS where the Adirondack Mountains are and i had to keep up with my dad in the grand prix. it was a very nice ride everyone fell asleep and made it all the way from CT to the canada line on 1 tank of gas.