I was 20 when I bought it in Dec 2010. I really think the dealership I bought it from took advantage of me being a first time buyer. Since then it's been nothing less than unreliable.
The previous owner put 60k miles on it in one year. I've only managed to put 50k in 4 years!
From July 2013 until June 2014, the car stayed parked on my driveway with a major battery issue. It would randomly die. Turned out even when the car is off, the alarm continuously drained the battery.
I got the issue fixed and now 500 miles later, the SS shakes violently while accelerating. I took it to a mechanic and after checking the codes, he said it has 5 different issues, including misfiring from the 3rd cylinder and an issue with airflow.
I'm certain all of this will be $500+ of repairs. Hell, maybe even $1000+.
I can't sell the car because it's worth far less than what I owe on it.
I guess my best bet is to just let it sit on my driveway until it's paid off in Dec 2016 and then give it away to Kars 4 Kids or something.

Sorry, I'm really just venting. Like I said, the Cobalt SS really is a fun, awesome car, but mine has been a piece of ****.

 

It's not just your car, yes they are good looking cars and fast as hell be they do have too many issues with them

 

Seeing this post makes me feel slightly better. My wife's first car was a base model 2007 Cobalt and it was very reliable.
Mine has been a complete piece of ****.

 

Glad to help out

 

mine hasn't been too bad at all. 180k km, stange 2, 06 ss/sc. Small problems here and there but nothing serious. The biggest repair i had to do is the clutch but thats because i drove it like it was my bitch being the teenager i am.

 

It could be depending on how the previous owner drove it too me myself I can't complain one bit

 

Let's not be too hasty! I'm the last one to defend a GM product based on my porous block experience, but your situation may not be as dire as you're making it out to be. Did your mechanic tell you the causes of the problems, or just the codes? You don't really know the cost of fixing until you know what the problem is. granted, it could be much worse than $1000, but it could easily be $100. A lot of things could cause misfires. The "issue with airflow" could be the same underlying problem. And if you went 50k miles with the only issue being an alarm draining the battery I'd say you've done pretty well. I'm assuming it's an aftermarket alarm, and can't hardly fault the car for that.

 

Also, if you let it sit and then give it away you'll lose a lot more money than if you try to sell it. Unless you have an interest rate straight from Hades, only two years left on you payments is probably not more than the car's worth...but you'd know more about that than me I know not having money now to make up the difference in sell price vs. owed makes it tough, but still. No reason to throw away $12k (or whatever it is).

 

Last time I had the car appraised, I was offered $5k for it. This was back in 2012.
I doubt the car is worth any more than $2-3k now, but I owe $7k. If I try to sell it, I'll have to pay the difference, which I can't do.

 

I feel your pain, OP.

Recently threw 3 codes, and had to have evap canister, fuel tank sensor and solenoid replaced. All in ran me about around $900.00, and it couldn't have come at a better time (just after my wedding and purchasing a new house, go figure!).

Now my passenger door latch keeps sticking, despite hitting it with WD40 and white lithium.

Prior to that, rear caliper issue.

Haven't bothered to replace dead TPMS sensor in my left-front wheel, either.


If this car wasn't so damn fun to drive, I'd want to get rid of it as soon as it's paid off (June of 2015). The thought of no longer having car 'payments' weighs heavily on this decision as well.

If the 2016 Focus ST proves to be a potent performer, I'm probably going to jump ship if this keeps up. Envisioned keeping the SS forever, but to have to throw money at it every few months isn't fun.

P.S. OH, and let's not forget that pesky 1-2 gearing!

 

To the OP:

We would really love to help you. If you don't have basic mechanics skills then I can understand how it could be a bad struggle.

If you could start by posting your CEL codes that you have, we could start helping you diagnose the issue. The car isn't that bad if you know the common problems and how to fix them.

P.S. Your car is worth a lot more than $7k if you get it running right. But you need to help yourself by getting the codes scanned and starting from there. Any auto parts store will do that for you.

 

My car got keyed like crazy and had to be repainted. I picked a non-factory color, which brought the value down a bit.
I'll have AutoZone check out the codes soon and make a new thread when I do.
Someone PM'd me from here earlier and offered to check the car out. Hopefully that works out. He apparently works at a shop. I admitted I'm broke, so if he can work with my budget, that'd be great.

 

This. I've spent less than 500 on maintenance issues and fixed them all myself (front brakes, one axle, rear brakes from a big-o mistake, pcv).

5 codes the mechanic said will cost you 1k could be related to a simple issue or simple part replacements (EVAP, boost leak, etc)

 

No offense but an economy car that has 110,000 miles on it, with possibly 60,000 miles of hard use before you got it, is easy to have problems with. Have you kept up with maint on it ( replacing sensors and stuff) over the years? These cars are pretty finicky when little things are wrong with them. Thankfully mines low miles, and other than the rear brakes ( which were my fault) my 09 hasn't had any issues.

 

See, yeah, this is what worries me. I don't make enough cash to do that. Even a $500 repair could mean financial disaster for me.

 

Saving it and paying the repairs to make it run, drive and sell would be a better financial option...

 

car has a misfire? ya better sell it......

chances are the spark plugs were never changed and its just spark blowout..... $60 fix

people these days, dont maintain their cars and bitch when they have issues.

2 issues makes it a pos, lol, dont own a german car.

learn to work on your own ****, only issue ive had with my car was when i broke the shifter cable clamp,

 

Meh, my old 2.4 had IIRC 140,000KM on it and only needed a new clutch ( me and OO learned manual on it)... other then that the car ran like a top.

my 2010 TC has needed a new wheel bearing (and the other side I think is fucked too now) but as annoying as a wheel bearing is my friend has a 2010 Genesis that had to have a new engine and a new gas tank (dont ask). His engine **** the bed not a month after the warranty was up and Hyundai told him to suck a lemon, and the gas tank is his expense as well.

As pissed as I am about my wheel bearing and recent frozen trans I'd rather spend a few hundred to fix that and enjoy a freak of GM engineering then go $25~ into debt to get a cruze that will bore me every day,.... do you know what I mean?

 

Why is it taking you 6 years to pay off a cheap used car?

 

Seeing as the OP said a 500 dollar repair will ruin his finances; I am going to go out on a limb and say he couldnt afford the car....

 

Sounds about right.

 

Well that sucks. You bought the wrong car. But get us the codes and we can give advice. Maybe help your mechanic narrow down to an easy fix.

 

lol lucky, my 2.4 has needed at least 15 different parts so far, and next spring ill be moving on to repairing the suspension. Strut mounts, CAB's, intermediate shaft, rear brake caliper, sway bar bushings and links.

 

Op if u really want ur car fixed why don't u list the codes here and we will help u find ur issue. Misfire can be anything. Crap I've gotten misfire from shifting wrong at a nls. Has this car ever had basic matanence done on it? Spark plugs ever get changed? Just post the codes I'm sure we can have it figured out for u pretty quick. And more likely than not it won't cost to much to fix.

 

If simple problems like this frighten you stay away from all turbocharged engines. Stick with an Impala. They are simple and reliable.