Hey I'm very new to this forum and I am still getting used to how thinks work.

I am 16 years old and have been working and recently got enough money to buy a used cobalt ss. I can't afford going to a used dealership, so I am relying on private party sellers via facebook marketplace and craigslist. I initially wanted a cobalt ss, but im having trouble finding any with good mileage. However i am seeing a few good looking, low mileage Cobalt LS and LT cars. What is the difference between these 3 models, and which would be best for me? I value speed and power, looks, and practicality (back seats, fancy gadgets, etc), in that order (speed, looks, practicality).

Thank you for your time.

 

LS/LT are both 2.2L engines making the least power, typically better economy. 05/06 LS/LT have the L61 engine have no tuning available. You use basic bolt ons but you won't gain much. 07/08 were an updated L61. Tuning is available for these they can be built and boosted. 09/10 they switched to the LAP engine. Basically the same as the L61 but they added VVT. Bottom line 07+ can be tuned. 05/06 cannot. All of these were around 150 HP

SS/Sport
06-08 there was a naturally aspirated 2.4 LE5 engine. 06/07 This car was an SS then renamed Cobalt Sport in 08. These can be tuned. The 2.4 was rated about 1about.

05-07 SS Supercharged
2.0 Supercharged, LSJ Engine, available in manual only, rated at 205 HP. Very tunable.

08-10 SS Turbocharged, LNF Engine, manual only, rated at 260 HP. Very tunable.

The wikipedia page for Cobalts is actually pretty solid. Honestly If you can't get an SS I would save a little longer. The stock 2.2 engine can't handle the power very well. There have been people that have gotten luck any made decent power for a while but they typically give out and need a rebuild. The LSJ is a solid engine. The LNF is a solid engine. The LE5 can handle decent power. Many people say the LSJ is superior to the LNF but that's kind of a matter of opinion as close to 500whp is where most people with either get stuck.

 

Another option would be to find a Pontiac G5 GT as you might find say a 2006 or 07 cheaper than a Cobalt ss/sc or TC. Also out of all the N/A ecotec engines the LE5 is the best especially if you can find a 06/07 because the engine has stronger internals than the 2.2 and like BLU3 said can make decent power and will not break as easy as the 2.2 engine.