First off , I want to thank anyone who can help me with my decision making process as my knowledge with the cars isn't where I'd like it to be ... but I am willing to learn.

So here is the situation. I just graduated college [ YAY ME ] and well, it's time to ditch my current ride. I've been driving a '95 Plymoth Neon for WAY too long and well the car I have in mind is a 2007 Cobalt SS when they come out in August.

My question however is this: I live in Central Pennsylvania and we can get a nice ammount of snow at a moments notice. And well, I know my Neon was ok in the snow but I worry how the Cobalts are. Anyone have any experience driving these things in the snow?

More over, I'm thinking about getting into the whole 'modding' scene , any general advice besides searching the forums. Words of wisdom from the more seasoned vets would be great.

Thanks a ton

 

The cobalts aren't that great in the snow but are driveable. I drove mine in snow with no problem...you just have to be careful. Many members on this board have bought cheap rims 16 inchers i think with winter tires from tirerack.com. I wouldn't be too worried about it. Don't lower your car though because I don't think that would be the best for snow....

 

It will be fine in the snow. I drove my ss s/c this winter. I put some winter tires on it. Never had a problem.

 

I live in mid-coast maine and my 06 ss/sc was great in snow. i went so far as to get a set of bridgestone blizzaks to improve things and the traction was great. even though this was my first standard x-mission i had no problems in the snow. you should have no issues either.

Have fun

 

coming from Saskatchewan Canada.....with some winter grips on steelies, it'll be fine. We get snow believe me.

 

it'll perform pretty much like any other FWD car in the snow. I highly recommend getting a set of stealies + good snow tires...personally I'm probably going to be using a winter beater...we get a nasty amount of salt / snow on our roads here in Nova Scotia.

 

I put some Micheline Xice on my 16inch steelies and I had the best time ever.

 

Thank you guys soo much! I can not wait to get this car in August, good bye piece of **** Neon ... hello Cobalt.

Now I just need to find out where to learn about all the modding stuff. I'm a computer guy, but I think it's time I become a car guy ^_^

Oh yea, any suggestions on where to read some intro stuff on modding your ride. Since I know SQUAT about that stuff. I can build a computer with my eyes closed, repair one in my sleep, but pop the hood of a car and I'm lost....

 

with a set of good winter tire, the car will be great in the snow.
Recomendations:
if you plan on getting bigger breaks, get a set of 17" rims,
otherwise save some money and buy a set of 16" steels (not cheap contrary to popular beleif, do to the rear bolt pattern)

heres what I did

16" steels, + Dunlop Winter sport M3's (best performance winter tire period)

I was ripping around town in deep snow with more traction then I had any buisness have in a small car.

the m3 are the best all around winter you can buy, awesome wet/dry traction really good snow/ice traction, and awesome handleing/quality/ and wear.

you can get a better snow/ice tire, but then you sacrific every thing else and the ride will feel spongier do to the soft side wall.

but make no mistake the factory Perreli's are not to be used in the winter, as the temperature drops even on dry land these tire have less tracion.

but you won't be dissapointed with the car enjoy

 

Well, also living in PA ( western ) here and my car was not fun in the snow. Granted, I did NOT have winter wheels and tires for it ( but I will this winter ). The stock Pirellis aren't bad, but they don't operate in cold wet conditions too well.

If you were going for a regular SS or a lower trim lever, I would say no prob.

I agree that I wouldn't lower it. Between PA's overpopulation of potholes, and bad roads, AND snow on them.... you're going to be a snowplow / pothole eater.

 

Get Blizzaks and you'll be fine. My best friend lives in central PA actually.

At any rate, I ran mine all winter and it was a great snow car. Handled surprisingly well and never did I worry about ending up in a ditch, it was VERY solid.

As for mods, it all depends on what you want to do with your car...looks? stright-line speed? road racing?

 

Those really hook good in the snow.

 

Well, with my line of work if I get a parking ticket over I think it's $150 , I get into a world of trouble. So it's probably for the best if I avoid the whole road racing.

I was looking to go more along the lines of image and looks

 

LOL, I'm not the one to ask then. There's a lot of people on here than can help you out though.

 

i ran the the 18s on it with the pirellis in new york in 8 inches of snow, ended up getting stuck a few times but made it home, im sure with winter tires and rims it would be fine

 

Buffalo NY here, and It was pretty good in the little snow we had here on Stocks when I got it in Feb

 

Too much torque for winter driving but with good snow tires it was fine. If i had the LSD it would have been easy as the right wheel wouldn't have always pulled the car towards the curb. Overall the car is well ballanced and the ABS isn't too intruding but still keeps braking on ice and slush easy to control.

 

I looked up blizzaks

Question:

185/60QR14
Blackwall

What does this mean. There are a TON of different models. I have no clue which one I would need.

By steelies you mean steel rims?

I don't like the idea of driving around in the winter with shitty looking rims. Better than ruining the standard ones for sure.

 

Hook up a computer in the car. Maybe if you have a laptop build a case to slide it in the trunk. Then you can take it out of the car when you don't want to use it. Great for music and stuff like that. You can create a program with buttons to operate winamp or something to make it simple. I did that for a friend. 80 gigs of music in your car!

If you like sound I would upgrade the sound system. You should only need to add subs if you are into more bass. If not you are fine with the stock.

The how to section has some cool things that can be done. Also alot of things you can just think up. Then ask if it's possible.

 

I thought of doing some computer integration with the ride. Perhaps get the wireless keypad and hook that up with the Winamp Macros, always thought that would be a cool idea.

But audio is where I'm gonna probably invest hard into the car. It's all about the tunes

 

if you get the SS, then your best bet is to get a 205/60HR16
that's what I'm using, it's the closest match to the OEM size.

the designation means
205 = width of tire is 205mm
60 = profile of tire is 60% of the width ( side wall height is 205x.60 )
H = is the speed rating, minimum recommended for the Cobalt SS since you are more likely to speed then you realize
R16 = Tire is made to fit a 16 rim

stock SS/SC tire is 215/45ZR18 is:
2x(215/25.4x.45)in + 18in = 25.61

a 205/60HR16 tire is:
2x(205/25.4x.60)in + 16in = 25.69

when selecting a winter tire the goal is to find a thinner tire ( better for cutting through snow) that is as close to the overall diameter as the stock tire as possible ( so it doesn't throw off your mileage and speed.

most people went with a 16 in rim so they would save on the cost of the rim, and the cost of the tire. but if you plan on getting bigger breaks go with a 17 in rim.

if you go to www.tirerack.com you could learn alot about the ratings and compare various tires on the market.

 

my 05 Cobalt was ok in the snow once I put different tires on it. I live in the northeastern Adirondacks of NY... we get snow, alot of snow!! The factory tires on my car sucked *****.

Scott

 

Thanks Player_1 that is some great information for anyone planning on driving in the winter.

 

As long as you put winter tires on it, or at least something more winter capable than the stock tires, it's going to be quite a bit better than the old neon, I have driven a 96 neon in the snow a couple times, it sucked compaired to the 92 cavalier I had at the time. Compairing my old Cavi to my Cobalt, it's hard to say which was better in snow since my cavi could still move with bald tires in it, but the Balt seems mre predictable.

 

Do you think it would be cheaper to get 18" tires to fit on the stock rims or get smaller tires and buy new rims for the smaller ones?

Then again you would have to take off the tires from the stock rims and put the winter tires on them and vice versa for summer again. That's more money and a hastle.

Has anyone done that though?


Thanks for the tire info. I now understand what i'm looking for haha.

I plan on keeping same brakes.