I am waiting for a build date for the 2006 Cobalt SS-SC that I ordered in the end of September. I was told it would be February or March till I would see it. But I have been re-thinking my decision to buy it.

I really want the 2.0L Supercharged SS. I think it is a great value for $31 Cnd to have the engine, G85, and all the accessories. I am just afraid that this car will be destroyed in our Alberta winters. The front skirt is really low, and I think it may get beat to hell easily. If it wasn't for the fact that we have 6 months of serious winter, I would be all over this car. Maybe I should move south to Arizona or Nevada????

So, I have been thinking that I should maybe order a 2.4L SS instead. Not as fast or nice, but I can get heated leather seats (great for the winter), plus it has the more attractive polished aluminum wheels (in my opinion) and it is like $7K less than the loaded 2.0L SS I have on order. I can also get it in silver or Blue Granite if I want; two colors that I love and can't get on the SS-SC. The front skirt also doesn't ride quite as low (no lower moulding piece), so I am not worried about that car as much in the snow.

Should I stick with the 2.0L SS and take my chances, or play it safe with the 2.4L SS?

Anyhow, just wanted your opinions on it. Any advice from those of you who have driven a 2.0L SS in the winter would be appreciated.

 

Just take the bumper off in winter, it'll be worth it.

 

[QUOTE=mi6_] Maybe I should move south to Arizona or Nevada????QUOTE]


Yes..

I don't know how bad you get snow up there, but IMO, there isn't that great deal a difference between the standard fascia and the S/C fasica, in terms of heighth from the ground, so either way, i think it's gonna mess with you.

 

SS/SC is worth it and the front fascia isn't really all that low...Well park it in the winter and get a beater!

 

I wish I could. We have private insurance in AB, one of the most expensive provinces in Canada. If I lived in BC, Sask, or Ontario that would be possible. It is too expensive to insure two cars and pay for stirage of the SS-SC. There is no way I could afford it.

It would solve my problem though!

 

One of the main reasons i got the 2.4 SS instead of the ss/sc was because of Rochester NY winters, especially out in the boonies where i live.

 

You will not be sorry you got the SS/SC over the plain SS. The front of the SS/SC isn't that bad.

As for snow, don't they plow the roads? I lived in Rochester/Syracuse NY for 23 years and I never had a problem with the snow. It snows, you wait like 4 hours while they plow the roads and your golden. If the snow is high enough to rip off the front then you shouldn't be out in it. If you need that kind of vehicle you should be getting a 4x4 truck.

How does the 2.4 SS do better in the snow than the 2.0, at least with the 2.0 you can get the limited slip diff which will help in the snow. Granted you are going to need snow tires, because the OEM SS/SC tires are not meant for snow, but neither are the OEM SS tires.

 

In US dollars (convert to canadian), a 2.4 with leather, OnStar, XM, Pioneer stereo, moonroof goes for $21,945 MSRP.

Base model 2.0 which already comes with leather, Pioneer stereo starts at $21,400 MSRP
But with OnStar, moonroof, XM comes to $24,155 MSRP.

There is only a $2,210 difference between loaded 2.4 and 2.0..I'd go with the supercharged one.

 

Interesting but it doens't work that way here in Canada. The 2.4L SS comes with the Pioneer stereo/MP3 players. Standard equipment usually varies from Canada to the US.

Anyhow a 2.4L SS (5 speed) with all the useless money costing options is $26,055

But a S/C SS is $31,455

A $5,400 differnce. You can't go by exachnge rates.

 

I think your making a mountain out of a mole hill here. Pardon the antiquaited expression

I live in Calgary so its a little different but do you really get 6 months of SERIOUS winter?

For Calgary I'd say 3 tops. Jan-March are the worst. The are the coldest and get the most snow. Sure we can get snow in Sept, Oct, Now, April but its not usually much. GM takes into account many factors---I can't imagine the front skirt is so vulnerable.

As for colours--yes it sucks that GM is so short sighted. Silvers is number one colour in terms of popularuty. And my Granite blue SS is awesome! I have yet to see my twin.

But I say if you can afford it and want it---get the S/C SS and some snow tires. You'll be fine. I do wish I had more power but didn't want more exspensive payments. Although I would have loved the power (and hated the wing! )

Oh and if you want to see cars get destoryed by winter go to Ontario! Thy use tons of salt.

 

Definatly, we could use another SS S/C in or pics and vids

I don't think that the fasias are more than an inch or two difference. If you are going to go with a manual on either one than traction control is not an issue. LSD is only available for the SS S/C.

Go with the 2.0 S/C.

 

I dont know where you got that idea, but Alberta has one of the cheapest insurance rates in Canada. People here in BC pay way more, thats why you see alot of people with Alberta plates who actually live here and get a realtive in Alberta to insure it for them. You have been misled big time. And if you cant afford insurance there, then whoa, amazed you can afford an SS/SC. But glad if you can, and join the "SS/SC club"

 

OK, you're right. 6 months is a stretch. November - March is maybe more accurate, so like 4-5 months of winter. What really bothers me is rock chips, or damaging the front skirt going through snow drifts or hitting a big lump of ice. They put so much sand and gravel down in Edmonton that it is like a giant landscaping job all winter!

My current car takes a beating all winter. I get so many rock chips. I use a bra to prevent this, but it doesn't work so great. And I hate the hastle of the car bra when you need to wash the car. Maybe I need to spend some serious cash on those clear bras????

 

Dont you have government insurance in BC? Maybe I was wrong. I know saskatchewan is cheap as hell. I still think you are wrong. They did a 5% roll-back on insurance because the companies over here are making way too much money. AB has one of the highest insurance rates in Canada. We can not get government insurance, it is all privitized.

When I was 18, I was going to buy a new Cav Z24 or an Olds Alero 3.4L V6. Insurance was $5800 including collision. I bought a used car for $5000, and paid $3500 my first year with it. So unless you paid that much, I think Alberta insurance is way more expensive than BC. Thankfully under the new reforms here, and with 6 years driving experience, the Cobalt will be around $2000 a year to insure, maybe less.

 

I would recommend getting a grill for the lower fasia on the SS S/C in addition. I have seen 2 or 3 stories of little creature going in them a taking out heat exchangers. I would hate to find out what a chunk of ice would do.

 

Yup. The grill will be ordered along with the block heater. Two MUST HAVE items here. The car looks way better with the grill anyhow!

 

Don't mean to start fighting or anything, but here are some 2003 numbers for you:

http://www.consumer.ca/1650



I don't think you understand how much insurance is here in Alberta. It is insane for new drivers. Before our legislation changed a year ago, they would charge new male drivers 4 times as much as a new female driver. You have public insurance and pay half as much as we do! You have the fourth lowest rate in all of Canada! Just wanted to point that out to you. Alberta is a very expensive place to own a car, especially since we have all the oil and get raped at the pumps!

I'm glad I don't live in Ontario!

 

if your not going to be really into racing or having some fun with it just save the 7k and pick up a nice SS 2.4..although its nice to hear that blower, its such a tough choice, but you see what choice i made right

but actually if i would have known they were going to come out with a 2.4 SS i might have thought about it...

 

im gttinf the 2.4 liter then throwing a turbo in it to have the best of both worlds

 

Good luck with that turbod 2.4 , that would be cool. Even though your not getting the same tranny or suspension it would still be a great idea. Both cars are totally different performance wise if you ask me. I test drove the basic balt' (LS) and the SS, the SC is totally different. The brakes on the SS and LS are a bit soggy for my liking and is seems to want to sway a lot. However I think the regular SS is a sweet looking ride too. I like the rims and more subtle fin.

But if you ask me.... get SS 2.0 SC no debate, you won't be let down.

 

i vote 2.0 ss/sc

 

FYI---the brakes on the S/C SS and SS are the exact same.

 

buy a 2.4 ss sedan get 7/8 the performance of a ss/sc w/ more practicality and way cheaper insurance rates that the coupe versions of the cobalt

 

What kind of drugs are you on ???


Peace

 

what part do you not understand