http://motortrend.com/roadtests/seda...507_citylites/

 

Wow they really didn't have much good to say about the Cobalt besides "its stout structure, clean styling, and high build quality". I agree with them in that the stick is just slightly too far back since my arm hits the seat shifting into 2nd and 4th, but I've never found it to be "recalcitrant" at all. There's been the occasional time I had to give it a little extra to put it in gear but I find it glides in and out cleanly and easily more than the majority of the time. Maybe whoever took it out for the test drive needs to start going to the gym .

I'm unsure how they consider the car "bland" when you could put all the pics side-by-side and they all have a similar look and feel to them, especially when it comes to the interior. Out of the group reviewed, the only two I considered was the Cobalt and the Mazda. I found the Mazda 3 was just too small for my liking, and I couldn't get past the car being 4 doors. That and I really wanted to stick with Chevy and the Cobalt definitely caught my eye.

Permafried-

 

So what exactly is that supposed to mean?

Eratic drivetrain behavior, that's not good, and who is walter mitty?

Handles like crap, but if you crash it there's 6 airbags to save your dumb ass

Are they calling the car a redneck?

So it's different, and apparently good at being so.

No, they don't favor imports at all, when the best thing they can come up with for the kia is that it has 6 airbags, but yet it still beats out the focus and cobalt!

 

yeah they suck poo

 

heh....i think its funny..........i dont know why they think the Mazda3 is so great......have you seen the crash testing on those cars? they are horrible........same quickness as the cobalt, worse on gas, and cost more.......

to me there was no question.....i almost bought a 3 until i drove it.........ick

 

Just for those who don't know, the Mazda 3 uses the same frame as the highly-regarded Ford Focus from Europe. Hence the Euro remark from M/T.

Also they should have used the 2.4L Cobalt but GM couldn't get it to them in time.

 

yeah, I think most buyers shopping for a compact 4 door consider the mazda 3. i think the mazda 3s looks sexy, better than the cobalt sedan.
I bet the cobalt coupe ss gets a great review, what other cars can it be judged against?

 

^^^ actually, the SS is better for the comparo than the LS they put in this one. The 2.4 SS has upgraded suspension, and more power. It will probably beat out the Tc (160hp), Focus ZX4 ST (151hp), Mazda3 (160hp), and maybe even the current civic si. With more power and better handling, the 2.4 SS will probably be ranked a lot higher on the next comparo.

 

i have had my car a couple of months now, commuted many miles with it and taken it halfway across the country and I found it to be much more than the Cavalier was. I have ridden or driven in 3 of the cars that they tested and there is no way a ******* Kia or a Mazda or a Focus tested better than a Cobalt! Sorry, but I call bullshit... again.

Motor Trend, like Car & Driver, can eat a big fat dick.

Scott

 

^^^ i agree with you other than the Mazda3. That car is very nice. decent power, awesome interior, and cool options. One of the coolest things is the guages. One of the coolest lighting displays I've seen on most any car. I think the cloth patterns on the cobalt ruins the whole interior.

 

ok... so i know this is a really old thread, but i have a question... 06 cobalt LS 2dr 2.2l vs. mazda3 S.... who would take the win?

 

Mazda3 S. We all have to face the fact that the Mazda3 is a overall better car than the 2.2 cobalt. But, OUCH to rating the KIA as better than the cobalt!

 

the mazda 3 s is slow as *****.

I test drove a m/t hatch a couple weeks ago. I was flooring it up to red line, but it didnt go... felt about the same as my old 2.2 cav, but much heavier. The engine in that thing is touchy, kinda like the ecotecs, but very very sensitive and more responsive. It took me several times to appropriatly engage the clutch for "normal" driving. Speaking of which, it felt like my feet were on top of each other when I applied the brakes. the clutch is littery 1 inch from the brake pedal. And I F**King hate the guage cluster. I kept trying to check my speed, but every time I looked down, it was like i was trying to read an old retro clock. not my taste.

The stearing and suspension were nice though.


So I honestly think think a m/t 2.2 eco cavi could beat a 3s, if not keep up even with it. I dont know much about the 2.2 cobalts, but they sould put out equall times.