Hello Cobalt SS people!

I have been a quiet fan of these cars since they came out. These, and the Neon SRT4.
The time has come to really replace my daily driver. It's just become such a hot mess and not worth fixing anymore.

So I've been looking at a few local (Chicago) SS's and SRT4s. I find that the SS's tend to be more reasonable and they don't seem to be as horribly beat to hell like the SRT4s are.

I know the Neon has transmission issues. I've also read that the SS's engine is prone to cracking? Was this just the turbo version, or does this also affect the supercharged ones? How bad was this problem? It's not something like the old "crankwalk" issue with the DSM's, where only a few were *really* effected? Crankwalk ended up being blown out of proportion due to people blaming that for everything - from trans issues, to running rough and everything in between. Are there any other issues I should be looking out for? Other than the cracked block, I haven't really come up with anything while poking around the site.

I am currently looking at supercharged ones, as I don't plan on doing anything crazy with it... as of right now. I do have a few older DSM cars that I funnel way to much money into. I also like how the Cobalt is a coupe, unlike the SRT, EVO, ect.


Thank you for any advice and looking forward to doing a few Cobalt test drives.

Here's my DSM that takes most of the cash-flow:

 

The block cracking seems to be concentrated in 08-09 cars (turbo only). It is hard to know the true percentage of cars that are affected, but when you consider how many stories there are and how few were made then it's relatively high. I don't know what percentage of DSM's were affected by crankwalk (have heard of it but never cared much for obvious reasons) so I can't tell you how it compares. A new engine from ZZP is $2000 so you can figure that's worst case if it happens to a car you get. That new engine doesn't have the issue that caused the cracking. But yes, for every one cracked block there are dozens if not hundreds that don't crack. Again, the supercharged cars are not affected.

Only other "issue" I can think of is really crappy LCA bushings but that's hardly limited to this car...that and the ignition switch trying to kill you

 

Get a later 09 model or a 10 cobalt SS because those don't have the engine problem. AlMost all of the faulty engines have already been found and replaced or junked. Cobalt SS has a weak clutch but it's nice to have a stage 3 clutch that you can add power to. You can do GMS1 have 280bhp and 320btq and have a fun daily on stock clutch. If you plan to go HPTune you can torque ramp and be fine but if you get a new clutch it will be one fast car! The turbo is a lot of fun and if you decide to get it, have fun with it!

 

Thanks for the replies.

I didn't think about that - the fact that there are so few made, so the percentage effected would be relatively high, but also easier to track down and fix. That's also a great price for an engine replacement. Good to know!

LOL.. I completely forgot about that ignition switch recall! I'd honestly be more afraid of my falling apart daily driver hurting me vs. that switch.

Seems like it doesn't take much to get good power from these cars! Again, thanks for the advice. We shall see what happens.

 

Buy a subaru

 

I will say to go for it, really not much to worry about other than porous block, And the lnf is pretty easy to get some power going

 

I know the tc has better suspension, seats and more hp than the lsj but if you can find a decent lsj get it, they are still fun. Plus what's it matter if you mod it anyways it will be as good as the tc.

 

here is the deal, if the engine hasn't already cracked then i doubt it will form one now. i don't know the number of pulls making 400+whp i have done in my car but its up there all with no issues.

 

It's just as likely later as it is early. That's just how fatigue works.

 

Yeah but after 6/7 years most of the ones with the porous block issue have come and gone.

 

Don't get a supercharged one of you don't plan on doing a lot to the car.

That is if you want easy power don't.

I was worried about the porous block too but engines are relatively cheap for these so if anything goes it can always be replaced.

I have a later production 09 and am not too worried about it anymore. If you can afford it I would try and get a tc over a sc but that's only my preference. For boltons and tune only you can make great power, you can easily break 300whp with a downpipe and tune only.