Hello. I'm considering getting a Chevy Cobalt later this year after my current car's lease is over (yeah, yeah...leases suck).

Anyway, if I do get a Cobalt, I'll probably have to get a base coupe or sedan with the 145 HP engine. What I'd like to know from current Cobalt owners is:

1) Does the base engine provide decent performance? My main concern is acceleration off the line. I don't really care about top speed.

2) How are the stock brakes in the base? This is important.

3) So far, does the Cobalt seem to be a reliable car? (Hopefully more reliable than Cavaliers.)

Thanks.

 

if you only want a base model then i would go to your local dealership, they should have atleast one that you could test drive. from what i hear the cobalts base models are surprisingly great! (from what i hear)

 

Personally, I find leases to be great. After 3 years, I'm tired of whatever I'm driving anyway, so I just trade up to something new..

Anyway, for your first two questions, all I can recommend is to take one for a test drive. It may provide adequate performance for some people, but not others. Performance is subjective, try it for yourself. As for reliability, its probably a bit early to really get a good answer on that..

 

I have already heard about some reliability issues about this car just from reading this board...peoples engine light coming on, as well as Ive heard two people having to get there car towed because the key wont turn...not exactly the best launch for a car...maybe they should change the name from Cobalt to Tow-balt

 

some problems are going to occur, its a first year car. My G6 has had a few pathetic problems it was in the shop for a week 2 weeks ago. It is very frustrating though.

 

I got my car in my hands a week or so ago.. and have NO PROBLEMS at all....

Like I have said, and some one just said.... On a new model, you WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOME KINKS IN THEM! Usually the first have of the production year.... I am assuming since the production year is almost at an end and 2006 models will be coming out that I got lucky.... SO, yeah so far so good!

About the car... LS COUPE WITH THE 1SB package... (5spd.) It gets up and GOES off the line. and pushes thro the rpm band very nicely and prepy. I am VERY SUPRISED because when I drove the automatic.. I was like ""Welllllll, it's ok, not bad"""" Get the 5spd if anything... Worth it!!!!!

Breaking, I just have to say wow... from my experiences... I have put the car thro some tests of my own and it handles them VERY WELL... Breaking, turning both at the same time...!!

 

Power and brakes are decent for a small car, and I'd say reliability has been great. I've had my Cobalt LS for just over a month now and it has never failed to start. I'm still waiting on a part to come in to fix my fuel gauge, but that's a long story...:p