Full Test: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by genjy

You know, when the first piece of Cobalt SS/SC info was released, I said the engine should have been turbocharged and not supercharged.

Some GMIers thought I was just finding things to complain about.

The ONLY reason they supercharged it was that it was easy to do and had all the basic components from GMPD/SAAB ready to go. Turbo'ing is harder ESPECIALLY with the Direct Injection.

It should've but the quick fix worked, many people bought the LSJ AND they already had the supercharger kit made for the Ecotec cavi. Its the exact same M-62 bolted to the exact same Ecotec from the Cavi in the Cobalt. The only difference is you could only get the S/C Cavi as an accessory/option and not from the factory. Then GM cert/validated that and EXACTLY put it in the Cobalt and named it SS along with all the other changes to interior/exterior/suspension.

The turbo is on par with a S/C LSJ Stage 2 with the 3.1? inch pulley, and 40 lb injectors. Its a drivers race essentially (though I'd think the turbo would win from a roll and especially north of 60.

JMO

This is a Really fun car to drive and I hope that people judge it in real life, the Grille is very distinctive and makes the car 'pop' as well as 18inch rims and the High Rise spoiler although RKSport offers an AMAZING 3piece low rise spoiler.

CobaltSS

[supraracer]

Don't forget that the suspension has been totally re-worked. Edmunds had a pretty good video roadtest that summed it up well. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..3.*

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by vandy0419

Don't they share the delta chassis and the same transmission?

Yes but like Epsilon, its globally loosely based on the same general chassis. However each continent basically adapted it to its home market and you cannot build a Cobalt in Belgium nor an Astra in Lordstown nor a G5 in Oz.

Transmission in base model cars may be same. F35/F40 in S/C and Turbo is different.

CobaltSS

[1487]

the review was just OK. edmunds took their typical shots at GM and Chevy and in the end said no one would buy this car because of the styling. It doesnt look worse than the civic Si to me. This is the best compact coupe on the market, hands down, but Edmunds couldnt bring themselves to admit that.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by 1487

the review was just OK. edmunds took their typical shots at GM and Chevy and in the end said no one would buy this car because of the styling. It doesnt look worse than the civic Si to me. This is the best compact coupe on the market, hands down, but Edmunds couldnt bring themselves to admit that.

I haven't seen vid year since my speakers broke but I read the review. The styling looks good in person and they didn't talk about how the grille upper and lower is different nor the projector foglamps how they are different from SS_S/C.

GM put the money into making this car go fast not look like a ricer

Apparently I'm going to buy it, so is Ctaylorz... so thats not true. The styling of the Cobalt in general has aged well and its a good design, though not CTS like. Nothing wrong with it, its intuitive and not as fad/edgy as others on market. Compared to Si, SRT4, MS3, GTI, and WRX ...for that competition set, it competes very well and the styling is good, not great, but good.

CobaltSS

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

I haven't seen vid year since my speakers broke but I read the review. The styling looks good in person and they didn't talk about how the grille upper and lower is different nor the projector foglamps how they are different from SS_S/C.

GM put the money into making this car go fast not look like a ricer

Apparently I'm going to buy it, so is Ctaylorz... so thats not true. The styling of the Cobalt in general has aged well and its a good design, though not CTS like. Nothing wrong with it, its intuitive and not as fad/edgy as others on market. Compared to Si, SRT4, MS3, GTI, and WRX ...for that competition set, it competes very well and the styling is good, not great, but good.

CobaltSS

I was concerned when I learned that the Chevy engineers were taking notes from OPC because their previous efforts on the Opel Astra VXR just weren't that impressive. Sure it had the power, but it couldn't go around corners to save it's life. Fith Gear recently did a test comparing the VXR vs. the Focus RS and the Focus spanked it despite being down on power. Thank goodness the Chevy engineers had the since to do some developement on the 'ring.

[MCGARRETT]

I wonder if they payed around with superchargering the DI motor or if they went straight to the turbo.

[paul8488]

Funny how we all go on about how heavy GM cars are... but apparently not this one...

The Chevy's main advantage is that it weighs 200 pounds less (than the Mazda).

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Funny how we all go on about how heavy GM cars are... but apparently not this one...

Correct, a curb weight of about 2,975 lbs. Cobalt is a 'big' compact car also relative to what you would think a compact would be. This is a good thing, you won't die when a Burb crashes into you. This thing has rear side impact airbags also.

CobaltSS

[bone]

I like the sleeper looks. It's today's L79 '66 Chevy 11. I can't wait for the sedan to appear.

[TuffG929]

I can't understand why so many people hate the Cobalt's styling. I know it's boring but isn't at all ugly or polarizing. At any rate, this is the best review for a Cobalt that I've ever seen. I just hope that word gets out that this thing is awesome.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by TuffG929

I can't understand why so many people hate the Cobalt's styling. I know it's boring but isn't at all ugly or polarizing. At any rate, this is the best review for a Cobalt that I've ever seen. I just hope that word gets out that this thing is awesome.

I don't think many would say the Cobalt Coupe has a bad design. I think it's just getting pretty dated and boring because GM has made the choice of not refreshing it.

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

in the specs it said that Edmunds "observed" fuel economy was 27.1!! That is great, I expected "observed" fuel economy at or below the 22 mpg city rating!

That is pretty amazing that they managed 27.1 mpg during their review. It does seem that most reviewers come in near the city rating. Maybe this car is capable of real world mileage that is better than expected?

[poncho1982]

Originally Posted by GMusa

I really like this one!! but i just wish the exterior didnt look so dated!

That is SO subjective. To me, it's not "dated" at all.

That being said, if it were not for the Solstice coupe, and the Camaro this would be my next car.

[blkwrxsti]

Originally Posted by JJ26

Mark my words:

Stock for stock this car will beat the WRX in performance if and when compared.

I'm a huge Scooby fan (I've had three) and this car is the real deal in the sport compact world. Its not on the STi/Evo level but on the level of the WRX/MS3/SRT-4 it will do very well.

But the WRX still wins when its snowing/raining or in the mud

Seriously...good job GM! Now if Subaru would just put DI in their engines...

I've got to agree with this (I know what my screenname says, but it's really not even close). Add in the 27 mpg goodness of the cobalt, and I'm not sure why chevy wouldn't sell 200,000 of these. Also, I'm thinking a limited slip and a good set of snow tires will make the SS a perfectly wonderful car in the snow and mud. Who "races" in the snow and mud anyway? The goal there is just to get where you're going and keep the shiny side up.