I was looking at buying a 2010 cobalt ss with the g85 package with 240k miles for 2k. Car looks like it's in good shape and has been minimally modded (only intake and exhaust). The problem is it won't go into/stay in 5th. Meaning you can eventually get it to go in 5th but it'll pop out of it if you don't hold it in place. I assume that's probably synchros which problem means a new transmission. I've never worked on a car before and I'm not sure that a transmission swap is a great idea for my first.

Sounds like it wouldn't matter much if got lsd or not because I'm not planning on taking it to the track and I don't live in a snowy place. Also, I would think I could any year of cobalt ss transmission right? Does anyone know what kind of money I'd be looking at for parts and labor?

 

I would look for a used transmission with low miles if possible. I would look up your local junkyards to see if you can find one. The only thing with the Turbo SS it was more rare which means less of them around. The other option is convert it to a 6 speed. ZZP sells a kit for it but its obviously not cheap and then you gotta pay for the labour cost.