Its the corners of the Caliper that are going to **** sizing.

 

This was at the Chicago Meet in April... I asked because they were talking about the summer only tires, and questioned him about using smaller rims and winter tires. I remember him saying due to clearance on the front calipers you would not be able to fit anything smaller then an 18" rim on the front.

 

I am bumping this thread because it is very important especially for the Canadian winter sufferers like me. I had a 16" steelie setup on my 2.4 and now it looks like I'm out of luck. I really hope that at least 17s can fit.

Please someone get a hold of the ss/tc and play with some rim sizes. I will try to find a wheel off the 2.4 SS (17") and see if it fits.

 

My plan is/was to purchase a used set of 17" steel wheels from an 07+ Malibu/Aura...

GM must have a plan for this because what happens to the guy that wants to buy an 09 Cobalt SS off the lot this January in Michigan or Ontario...

If I have to buy 18" winter tires...the deal is off...I will go and buy a MS3 or Honda Civic Si...

 

Well, it has been a few weeks since TireRack.com told me that they didn't have any winter tire packages listed for the SS/TC because they had not had one in their shop yet for measurements/fitment.

I e-mailed them again today and they said that NOT A SINGLE WHEEL they stock fits over the Brembos.

This does not look good for the options on aftermarket wheels or for downsizing wheels/tires for winter. Even if you do find a wheel that fits, it will likely be an 18" wheel...and 18" winter tires are expensive...

I followed up and asked if they were just estimating using measurements or if they had done a fitment and they said they actually had one in the shop and tried fitting the wheels with no luck...

 

I really want to test something out for myself.

I DO NOT trust TireRack on their fitments. Great place to do business with, not so great at "figuring out" things. IIRC the first year winter tire package they offered for the SS/SC was so ungodly off on tire sizes it's not even funny. It also depends on who you talk to - the last time I ordered winter tires I had a rep call me and "inform" me that 16s will not fit on an SS/SC.

 

Really hope 18's aren't the only solution. Wish I could've had my 2.4 I returned to the dealer for one extra day so I could see if the wheels fit.

 

At this point, TireRack.com doesn't even have any 18's that fit. After hearing this, I'm just hoping that there is a solution for those that feel the need to get a winter set of wheels/tires...

 

Um, buddy, guy, chum...

This car has high performance summer only tires on it...that is NOT an option for winter, period...

 

I realize that...hence the reason I'm so concerned about getting a winter set.

Not everyone is as concerned about the winter tire issue from what I have read on other posts...

 

Your wording: "if those that feel the need," led me to believe that you thought you could get away without winter tires in the north.

If there are people that think they don't need winter tires...well, they're damn fools!

 

Just wait till this winter.

Every winter it's the same thing. Expect 20 posts from SS/SC and SS/TC owners saying how they wrecked their car in the winter, OMG WTF why did GM put such shitty tires on the car when they can't even hold traction in the winter, how dare people say I don't know what I'm talking about if tires are sold with a car they can't possibly be summer only, what the hell do they expect people to do, but I was only going two blocks on snowy/icy roads, etc, etc, etc.

Happens EVERY goddamn winter. People are never concerned with winter tires until they realize that SUMMER ONLY isn't mearly a suggestion............

 

I can see how that could sound like I was including myself...I was not...

The last thing I want to do is put my 6 month old car into a guard rail!

 

I can't believe purchasers of these vehicles are that stupid...

 

Now now, not all of us are stupid. That's why this thread exists. One of us on here who is concerned right now will find a solution or solutions and share the info. There is still plenty of time before winter hits.

I have a buddy that found me a set of 18" wheels from an 08 Malibu. Getting them for a good price too. BUT first we are going to meet up this Saturday to see if the 17's from a 2.4 SS Cobalt can fit on my car. If they can, they I'll pick up a set of 17's. Either way I will post my findings.

 

Sounds good! That would be great to find a set of wheels you can pick up at the junk yard for winter wheels!

 

Not all. But there are quite a few. I'm tellin ya, wait till winter and you see how many people REALLY do post how bad their tires suck in the snow/ice/cold.

Steelies are going to be out, but there are a lot of "rims" out there that work. I myself run 16" G6 wheels for winter. As long as the back of the wheel is flat instead of curved, everything should be peachy for you guys.

 

Everything is on schedule. Tomorrow morning I will meet up with 2 buddies and see if we can swap the 17's onto the front.

 

Any updates on this? There are a lot of us that are very curious...

 

Exactly , it has happened before and will happen again.

 

Just buy a $500 piece of **** car for the winter... that's what I do.

You feel A LOT better driving on the roads knowing that you Sweet Cobalt Baby isn't at risk.

 

My friend came over and we parked next to each other. We eyeballed for a while and concluded that it was not even worth attempting.

The 0.8 inches of clearance from the top of the caliper to the stock 18's, the less-than-a-finger width of distance from the side of the caliper to the inside face of the rim, and the rounding curvature of the wheel style to get around the brakes vs the 2.4s flatter style just shot down our hopes.

I think we may be stuck with winter 18's. I have a set of 18's from an 08 Malibu on hold for me. Looks like I'll need to buy them.

 

I did that and $500 POS cars are just that...piles of ****! They don't drive very well, require time and money to keep running, and in an accident...they aren't going to protect you the same way your new car is.

The cheapest, beater I would keep is one of the vehicles in my sig, but I don't have the money for that; well, I would rather invest it elsewhere.


Lazy ass.

 

lol, the reason I sold my Camaro and got the Cobalt is so I could drive it in the winter and only have 1 car

 

Same here!

I am reasonably confident a 17" rim will fit...if not...I'll buy an MS3...