Yikes......this is not what one wants to read after having one for three days. I bought it saturday, havent driven it since....maybe I never should? Talk me off the ledge.

 

In the small car segment, not a one of the cars have any more reliability than the cobalt. There've been a few lemons on the cobalts, just as their have been for the Mazda 3's, Honda Civics, Toyota tC's, etc.

Overall last year reliability ratings slipped for every car manufacturer in existence. It was the first time in over 6 years where reliability did not improve for companies like Honda/Toyota. That's the Consumer reports version of the story anyway. In reality, their reliability has slipped a great deal since 2001.

The really sad fact is that you're buying a high performance sport compact car with 200 hp for around 20k. I know 20k seems like a lot of money to spend on a car to me too, but the auto industry seems to believe that if you want top notch workmanship and materials then you have to spend a minimum of 30k to get it. Sad, but true. It's going to have more problems. These aren't the old 1990's hondas that can be beat to **** and will keep on ticking. And those cars are so old now that THEY have major problems too.

With an SS/SC, If I was buying it, I'd expect to have to spend $$ on it, because I would expect things break occasionally warranty or not. What I wouldn't expect is what the OP has gone through with his car, that's indicative of a vehicle with 100,000 miles on it, not 40k.

However with everyone taking these cars to the track, that's what's going to happen, it's why i'd NEVER buy one of these (or any car like it.) used. Because the original owners tend to beat on them whether they say so or not, and by the time they're being traded in, there are multiple problems with them.

Not even Honda will warranty their SI's if the user takes it to the track and trashes his car. In fact there have been cases of Honda VOIDING the warranty upon finding out the car has been used for street racing, and there's a good reason why. It's because they know those cars will have issues later on, and they don't want to cover it.


I'm not so old that I can't remember what it was like to be 16-17-18-19. I don't care how responsible people say they are at that age. they bought a car with a supercharger on it, and they bought it for a reason. If an 18 year old with a SS/SC says he's being responsible with the car, to me, that means he's only spending HALF of his time in the car bringing it to it's limits. It's pretty foreseeable that the Cobalt SS/SC will probably go away at some point because of all the problems with them. Or their price is going to end up being 23-25k with the upgraded parts needed to sustain these vehicles for their basic warranties.

It's one of the reasons why the Impala went with a V8 this year instead of the V6 again with the SC for it's SS version. More reliable, same gas mileage with it's new engine technology.

In short, your car is safe to drive, but don't expect it to be problem free either. And every time you get on it, remind yourself that you'll probably pay for that later on.

 

Everything is only covered on the 3 year / 36k mile warranty , after that extended warranty covers only drive train specfic parts.. nothing about the exterior of the car, the interior, rattles, etc. It's really dumb. I checked it with a fine tooth and comb.

I went to a suby dealership today and wanted to see an STi but they told me I can't without a down payment and approved credit. They only wanted to give me 12k for my SS , they said they would pay my car loan off but roll the 4k difference I owe on the STi and have about $650 a month payments after tax, title etc. I told them how can I even know if I like the car without taking it for a test drive, they said well if your serious about it we will let you only after things check out ok. *sigh* I have no doubt I can get approved.. just seems silly that you have to go over all this just to drive one. It's not like I am driving a vette or a ferrari.

 

My security light keeps coming on and they say it's because of my automatic car starter (same car starter used in Impala/Monte Carlo/HHR etc.) I also have a problem with the car occasionally not starting. Just goes tick tick tick! and does nothing but all the lights come on. I had a day where all electronic functions stopped working on this car too and I couldn't steer, use my brakes, nothing! And I was fortunate I was only going 25mph when it happened. They said it was a faultly ground but after there fix it's still happening.

The heated seats stopped working on the passenger side because of a voltage spike in the seat cushion warmer. That got fixed but still pain in the ass, I have a TSB for the exhaust header causing premature carbon monoxide leaks because of a faulty gasket and the trim pieces are starting to show the same wear my SS is having. This car only has 15k miles on it. I plan on using it as a daily driver again but I can't till the header is fixed because I don't want to pass out (gets really bad sitting in traffic) I don't have time to keep taking this **** to the dealership, I have a busy life that doesn't involve going to the dealership every other day.

 

wow sneaky thats serious. i think you are getting lemons from ur dealership. (i have a friend who works at a chevy dealer and he told me what kind of stuff they would do to new cars....im staying away forever from that one)

but im sorry to hear about the problems.......you should seriously get them to buy back both cars

 

the LT is 10x better at least in terms of the fewest problems then the SS. Still has it's share but nothing near the SS.

 

See all you did was resurfaced the stock rotors, if it was not done right that could be your problem, but truly you ised a stock factory rotor. GM rotor's suck from the factory. I have had GM Techs tell me that. I also worked at Pep Boy's for a while and have seen the difference. GM factory rotors warp easy.

 

resurfaced or not I shouldn't be seeing these problems.

 

this is why i did not buy this car. When my lease is up I am getting something else. No pull ahead. Peace out GM.

 

what a read...sounds like your dealer's tech's just like gravy work and ignore real problems.
oil leaks should be covered under powertrain...and if they don't make a problem that will fix the other problems

i have been a tech with toyota for 4 yrs now and see problems like this every day, but never dealt with it as i have seen you had to. the cars are taken care of by the dealer or toyota themselves.

i think u need to speak to a gm. many times they will help out. heated seats are a problem with every company, as is trim. clutches are a decent size problem with toyota's too...

every automaker has there problem car. believe me.

 

i've talked to the service managers and the owners (most of the time they are there). They assure me they are doing everything possible...

 

That sucks. I have test drove both an STI and an EVO. While driving the STI the guy told me that I needed to get on it more. And when I drove the EVO the guy threw me the keys and said have fun....did I ever. Personally, I wouldn't deal with a dealer like that. Take your business elsewhere.

 

Welcome to the world of lean manufacturing and 6 Sigma. Everything looks good on paper and you might save a couple bucks, but whatever happened to being proud of what was going out your shipping floor?? Anyways, a lot of these issues are small and should be repaired right the first time. After finishing my car deal and receiving just about the worst customer service ever, I mean even the Customer Assitance Hotline won't return your phone calls. I have come to the realization that GM doesn't realize that no matter what quality your product is or how effective your marketing campaigns are that if you have un-educated weasels selling your product you aren't going to make money. Engineering doesn't sell products, salesmen do. Sorry about the rant, I love my car, I just don't have the fonded feelings towards the company that produced it. Luckily my friends neighbor is the Service Rep. at the local dealer and after our conversation, I felt a little comfortable.

 

Exactly. I leased mine as well (3 year term) and I'm thankful I did. I've gone through a load of problems myself.

Just when you think GM stepped up their quality standards, they prove you wrong 3 months later....

 

crap happens...sometimes you get a bad apple...that is why you have people who say Fords, Chevys, Hondas, or whatever are better than the other...but its all based on personal experience. No matter what car you get...there will be someone who has one that will be a POS. When you start having huge problems on a wide scale...then you have a big problem...but if it is just small stuff and its not worth the recall...it won't happen. Recalls usually only happen if it means you can get hurt or it could cause a serious problem. Its all about money. If someone can sew them over it...they will probably do a recall or if it will cost a lot to keep fixing it...like say its just ur radio going bad or whatever...then its not going to happen...they will probably just take note...and fix it with then next batch lol. I mean there is a lot more to it...but you get the idea.