So I just bought a cobalt for what I keep telling my self is a good deal. The car was ran into a pole by the original owner at about 50k miles, then the next people drove it for a little and sold it to a friend who drove it for about 15k more miles and put on a cold air intake. He then sold the car back to his friends before he moved. From there it sat for around two years.
I was excited to get thing car because I know id love working on it and fixing it up. I don't know much about cars and I need help with a few things.
1. What are some basic things I should change on the car to minimalist future problems after it sat for so long?
2. From my understanding the passenger seatbelt has been jammed in re rolled up position since the crash at 50k airbags did deploy, would it be possible to have the dealer or body shop release the seatbelt from the computer? Or will the retraction unit need replaced?
From what I was told, the crash required the radiator, bumper and headlights to be replaced. And from what I was told the seatbelt was stuck on the drivers side also, but the second owner said "I just pulled really hard and it came unjammed" thanks in advance for the help!

 

I'm not sure about the seatbelt thing, but if it was repaired at a proper shop, that should have been addressed. (They did install new airbags, correct?)

I am in a similar situation. Bought a 05 SS/SC for 3100. Found out after I got home how neglected it had been and realized it had sat for a while. I would do all the regular:

-oil change
-bleed brake lines and replace brake fluid (i went through several bottles before it was clean because my brakes were locking up even while driving down the road ... it was super cloudy)
-have battery tested (just in case)
-check all your fuses and relays (my fuel pump relay went bad a few days after I got it, though it may be unrelated)
-I would also add a cleaning additive to your first few tanks of gas

Regular tune-up wouldn't hurt and will serve as preventative maintenance. Replace spark plugs, flush/replace fluids,

Of course, I bought mine and drove it a few hundred miles to get home. May have been harder on the car than if I had bought local and gave some love before driving that distance. Also, my cars previous owner ... did not appreciate the car. It still needs a lot of love. Wife isn't happy and sees it as a money pit, but I am getting her (the car) back in good shape slowly.

 

I don't think they did anything with the airbags after the crash because the light is on, only one city in New Mexico requires a check before you register as far as I know. So I guess getting those and the seatbelt serviced is my best bet?
Thanks for all the tips. Am I the only one confused by the fuse box? I opened up the interior one, and nothing seemed to match? Now I'm off to replace some wheel studs haha -_-