I have an '09 turbo sedan. I bought it new from the dealer on September 3rd, 2009. I've done quite a lot with the car but I need to make a decision. I've been taking the car to the track for some time now. A lot more in the past but I still want to get out for a handful of track days a season. I have almost 140k miles with the original turbo. I've done so much work to this car to keep it going on the track I can't really list everything here. However, I do know I am down compression in two cylinders. I shredded 4th gear on one of my transmissions since I got into a habit of flat foot shifting 3rd to 4th on the track, a lot. The car has been tuned since 2013, about 100k miles ago, with a 23psii Trifecta tune. Overall the car has been extremely reliable and only left me stranded due to my own driver error (minus the starter once). However, there's some rust creeping in, the suspension is feeling off and the car is feeling tired. The last track day I went to I was worried about something failing catastrophically and my confidence behind the wheel wasn't there.

I have a huge emotional attachment to this car (I could write a book about what we've been through) but also less time to keep wrenching (I do all my own work). Is it reasonable to keep my Cobalt running for track and street use or should I consider moving on? I'm not even sure, beyond possibly an engine rebuild, what else the car will need to keep it healthy and keep me safe at this point. Anyway, just looking for suggestions, perhaps some motivation and/or direction.

 

I would wait it out until the car market comes down further; it's still very much in a bubble (unless you get a really nice deal).

Also, is there a specific car you're looking at?

 

As of right now I have a daily driver that I've been using since 2020 in place of the Cobalt and I also have another fun toy, a Miata but its fate is also uncertain due to rust. I'm not in a rush either, but do want to get back out on the track soon. Though, I could take my daily and just not push it too hard. It's plenty track capable as well. However, if/when I replace my Cobalt. I'm not certain, I've floated around ideas of an e36 M3, 135i, Civic Si (maybe R if they come down a bit). I dunno exactly. I'm always window shopping.

 

I was kinda on the fence a few years ago before I went on deployment in 2020. I decided to keep it. I rebuilt my whole suspension, upgraded my BC coils (reuilt/revalved/new springs), replaced the axles, upgraded to the OTTP engine mount and upper trans mount, swapped from the K&N Intake and injen charge pipes, to the ZZP intake, intercooler, and charge pipes. I added new wheels and tires, added redlines goods ebrake boot, arm rest cover, and shift boot. Basically forced myself to fall in love with the car again. Then I bought my truck and my car kinda fell off a little it again, since the truck had so many great new features over the car. I decided to do even more to feel that love for the car again. Upgraded the headunit, added wild retrofit headlights with halos demon eyes and a color chasing strip, got the car wrapped, and ordered matching fog lights go with my headlights. I once again love my car, and it has never disappointed. As you said about yours, mine has NEVER left me stranded, and been the most reliable car I have ever had, it has take a lot of abuse as well.

 

This is definitely some great motivation! I just need to ensure that the engine and trans will hold up. I'm thinking maybe taking the Cobalt for an inspection, as if I were having a mechanic give it a once over like a pre-purchase inspection. I've been maintaining my SS myself for 15 years now and I could have easily overlooked something or maybe something I'm unaware of.

 

Since that post, I bought a new OTTP shifter.... to replace my old OTTP shifter..... and the new pivot cup for it too. Also I understand what you mean about doing everything on my car since the day I bought it. I 100% have to the timing in the near future, just been putting it off because I have never done it before.

 

Here's my perspective:
1) I don't and have never done track days
2) this car always has, and always will be a fun daily driver.

I vote you fix your car, and keep it.

Since GM stopped making these, nothing has come to market that comes close;
Well, nothing domestic at least;
The Civic R(?) broke the Cobalt SS(LNF) nurburgring lap record;
The Civic had more power, and the fact that the Cobalt held that record for a full decade really does point to the fact that the sport compact market really disappeared...

But, it all depends on what you want;
The Challenger is now discontinued;
The Camaro is leaving at the end of this model year;
Pretty soon, the only car that can be had with a V8 & a stick, is a Mustang.
(don't waste your time looking at a boosted four banger mustang)

When I bought my car, it was (just being honest here) a compromise car;
I really wanted a Challenger;
I wanted a V8/6spd car, but it would have been a terrible financial decision.
Compromise car or not, I have enjoyed the car, and never had a moment of regret.

Because I have daily driven my car, it now has some rust (in addition the over 300k-km's I've racked up);
The worst is on the drivers side where the paint quickly rubbed off at the door seal;
After the drivers door, it's a toss up for the passenger door (same issue as drivers, but less pronounced), or the hood (rock chips + salt + time = rust)

With the automotive market what it is (offerings and absurd prices), I have decided to just keep my car;
I have recently acquired from a low mile '09(!?) base model, nice yellow doors, a nice yellow hood, and nice yellow fenders.

I had changed my engine after I was given a bad tune - pretty sure I cracked ring lands;
But I had a spare engine in the wings.

As of last week, I believe that I now have another spare good running engine (from an HHR that had a collision), so if something goes sideways on either Cobalt, we have a backup once again...

I'm going to drive the wheels off this car;
At which point, I'll then fix it and put the wheels back on

 

There are a lot of good deals on low mile solstice GXP and sky redlines right now. It has a drivetrain you are familiar with and lots of potential

 

Im not sure what your finances are, however if you want a fun reliable GM car that you can drive to the track, beat on, and drive home, an ATSV coupe for 22-24k would do that. with about 2k in mods it runs 10s at the dragstrip and has a great suspension for circuit track racing.

As far as your current car itself, if anything id address the rust sooner than later over the rest of the cars mechanical parts IF you plan to invest that much into it to keep it. My car has been gone a decade. Still my favorite car ive owned to date but life moves on and so have I.

best of luck