Car and Driver reviews the Cobalt LS Coupe
03-15-2005, 09:45 PM
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Car and Driver reviews the Cobalt LS Coupe
<img src="http://www.cobaltss.org/media/caranddriver-icon.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="2"> Those who pray to a higher power for the revival of General Motors should note that in many religions the savior prefers to arrive in plain dress.
With those words begin the Car and Driver review of the Cobalt LS Coupe. Hot of the presses today this article will be in the April's print issue of Car and Driver. You can locate it on their website right here.
The review seems down to earth and a fair analysis of the LS Coupe. The review covers the history of the Cobalt and how it's a huge step up from the Cavalier. It also talks about how the Cobalt is a marked increase of the delta platform from the ION. While Car and Driver didn't give a rave review, not many vehicles in the the Cobalt price range seem too.
With those words begin the Car and Driver review of the Cobalt LS Coupe. Hot of the presses today this article will be in the April's print issue of Car and Driver. You can locate it on their website right here.
The review seems down to earth and a fair analysis of the LS Coupe. The review covers the history of the Cobalt and how it's a huge step up from the Cavalier. It also talks about how the Cobalt is a marked increase of the delta platform from the ION. While Car and Driver didn't give a rave review, not many vehicles in the the Cobalt price range seem too.
03-16-2005, 07:45 AM
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Car and Driver always has been my favorite magazine and I take a lot of what they say seriously. They are also notoriously anti-GM so the fact that they liked the car so much makes me want my Cobalt even more.
03-16-2005, 03:49 PM
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That's what I call a review. Actual intelligent opinions backed with matter-of-fact statistics, 0-60 times be-danged.
All of these I agree with.
Good article though.
Villain
P.S. This one seems paraphrased some where else... hrm...
All of these I agree with.
The Cobalt has rental-unit styling, but buyers shopping the budget aisle of the dealership generally want more practicality than pizazz.
Certain to run up a big number on the Rockwell hardness scale, the Cobalt's front seats seem unduly firm and unyieldingat first, anywaybut then you realize why it's the one common attribute the Cobalt shares with a Porsche. A few hours in the chair, and your back and thighs are fresh, supported in all the important directions by orthopedic good thinking wrapped in premium cloth.
Returning 27 mpg over 600 miles, this engine isn't about max velocity. It's an appliance designed to reduce stress.
Still, extra body roll and softer helm responsesthere's a reason twist-beam axles aren't on F1 carsmean less entertainment for the Cobalt driver than for drivers in some other value cars, notably the Focus and Mazda 3. Yet the Cobalt drives confidently, and owners who don't regularly dust apexes on three wheels may never notice its dynamic limitations.
In the past, GM's promises of reform have been followed by the unleashing of some real dogs. The Ion and the Pontiac Aztek come to mind.
Villain
P.S. This one seems paraphrased some where else... hrm...
Goofs include the shallow cup holders, which can't hold a water bottle in place against the g-force of a freeway on-ramp,
04-02-2005, 05:44 AM
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The cobalt's 2.2 drinks much more than corolla's 1.8, but it's .3 sec slower than corolla's 0-60 time of 8.1. 8.1 seconds? That's faster than many so called sports cars and camry v6. real bang for the buck.
the handling is worse than mazda 3, i hope it's better than corolla. 0.33 cd is unimpressive even in the early 90's.
the handling is worse than mazda 3, i hope it's better than corolla. 0.33 cd is unimpressive even in the early 90's.
04-02-2005, 10:31 AM
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Just a correction that the article is reviewing the LS Sedan, not the coupe.
If I'm not mistaken, that's the time for the Corolla XRS manual transmission w/ 170hp. This review is for the 145hp automatic tranny LS. An 8.4 time on the automatic is faster than most compact car's manual times.
The cobalt's 2.2 drinks much more than corolla's 1.8, but it's .3 sec slower than corolla's 0-60 time of 8.1. 8.1 seconds? That's faster than many so called sports cars and camry v6. real bang for the buck.
04-02-2005, 07:16 PM
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true, but who would buy auto for this type of car. The gearchange I tested was extremely notchy, even when being careful. Brute force is needed when quick change is needed, and combined with long travel clutch, it's not enjoyable.
The 8.1s time is of corolla LE edition, 1.8 vvti, 128bhp if i'm not mistaken. You can check it in the car and driver mag.
The 8.1s time is of corolla LE edition, 1.8 vvti, 128bhp if i'm not mistaken. You can check it in the car and driver mag.
04-03-2005, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Firenze
Just a correction that the article is reviewing the LS Sedan, not the coupe.
If I'm not mistaken, that's the time for the Corolla XRS manual transmission w/ 170hp. This review is for the 145hp automatic tranny LS. An 8.4 time on the automatic is faster than most compact car's manual times.
If I'm not mistaken, that's the time for the Corolla XRS manual transmission w/ 170hp. This review is for the 145hp automatic tranny LS. An 8.4 time on the automatic is faster than most compact car's manual times.
As for comparing to the handling the trhe Mazda 3--I bet the 3 was a ...wahtever the model is with the 17" rims. The Coblat LS does not have such a modified suspension. Wait for the SS 4 door.
04-03-2005, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by hokman
true, but who would buy auto for this type of car. The gearchange I tested was extremely notchy, even when being careful. Brute force is needed when quick change is needed, and combined with long travel clutch, it's not enjoyable.
The 8.1s time is of corolla LE edition, 1.8 vvti, 128bhp if i'm not mistaken. You can check it in the car and driver mag.
The 8.1s time is of corolla LE edition, 1.8 vvti, 128bhp if i'm not mistaken. You can check it in the car and driver mag.
When I tested the base Cobalt's 5-speed manual, I actually thought it was pretty good. Definitely on par with the other cars in the class, if not better. Somehow I don't think "brute force" is needed for quick gear changes though - plus the clutch is no more "long throw" than any other economy car I've been in.
The Corolla actually has a 130HP 1.8L, but you can't really compare an auto Cobalt to a manual Corolla - obviously the 5-speed will be quicker. The Corolla with the auto hits 0-60 in the low 9's to high 8's - so the Cobalt's 8.3 is damn good. The 5-speed version should be about 8.0 secs 0-60, slightly quicker than the Corolla.
04-03-2005, 09:49 PM
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I alos thought the Coblats shifter and clutch were excelent. Much better then a Civic.
IF you want long throws and long travel on the clutch pedal you should try my Mazda 323....the Cobalts are short and precise.
IF you want long throws and long travel on the clutch pedal you should try my Mazda 323....the Cobalts are short and precise.
04-09-2005, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by hokman
Have you tested the car? the gearchange is the stiffest and imprecise. This car is good for old people who use auto transmission, because with auto it's still fast.
Perhaps the model that you drove had something wrong with the linkage or something, because I think you are the only one to complain about the shifter/clutch combo.
04-09-2005, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by avro206
IF you want long throws and long travel on the clutch pedal you should try my Mazda 323....the Cobalts are short and precise.
Besides, after driving it a few years, I learned not to push the clutch in more than half way, anyways. Still got a nice smooth shift that way. The only thing that I didn't like about the car was it drove too well in the snow. I'd end up the only person making it to work. Ahhh, memories...
04-09-2005, 09:37 PM
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cheap
Yea, your must be definately different. My tested car was one with no electric window coupe with cheap black ball gear knob. It's probably the bottom basement model.
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