Hey guys,

I am going to look at a 2005 Cobalt SS/SC saturday. i was wondering if there is anything that i should look for before buying it.

Thanks

 

1. Run the VIN in CARFAX.
2. Take the car for a ride and make sure the clutch isn't slipping and that the car seems to run good.
3. It is always a good idea to have a mechanic or someone knowledgable about cars check the car out.

Are you buying the car from a dealership or private party?

 

Bump i need this info too

 

thanks. i know a good bit about cars just didnt know if there is anything special to look for with these cars im buying the car from a dealership

 

1. Besides Carfax, have the dealer run the VIN#. That way you will know what/if any warranty work was done.

2. Definitely test drive it for sure.

3. How many miles are on it? That will kind of give you an insight as to how it was cared for.

4. Is it bone stock?

5. Make extra sure (if you do buy it) before you sign any paperwork look it over with a fine-tooth-comb mentioning anything you see or feel that's not right. (interior trim peeling, etc)

My .02.

 

even better, buy my car! haha

 

When you test drive it make sure you pop the hood and listen to it as well as listen when you accelerate. The Cobalts are loud cars, so a slight ticking or clanking kind of sound is ok. Listen to the SC and see if it is quiet at idle (should hear a little bit of a metalic whooshing sound but nothing too loud) and also listen to the SC under accel for any noise other than a whining. If the SC sounds like marbles in a tin can at idle than you can probably try and talk them down as the coupler will need to be replaced (coupler replacement isnt bad, maybe an hour or two of work and about $60) but "technically" the SC would need to be rebuilt so you can try to talk them down $500. If the SC makes any grinding noises or if it makes any noises during acceleration then you could have more problems.

Another thing to note, if the car is stock (stock or stage 2 tune) you may notice the car kind of "jerks" under moderate acceleration (not under full throttle) this is perfectly normal so don't let it freak you out.

 

will there be any way to tell if it has a stage kit on it??

 

If the supercharger pulley has bolts in it then has a smaller pulley and hopefully a tune to go with it. Stock pullied superchargers are pressed on and have no bolts on them.

 

They usually put a badge on there aswell if it has had a stage kit put on, not too sure but just look for the bolts(blue) and that well tell you.

 

thanks guys

 

stage 2 basically you can tell by the blue bolts if its the stock pulley on the car... or if it has any bolts on the car you can tell it has even a smaller pulley usually is obvious because they are either polished pullies or different polished bolts holding on the pulley