Day 1:
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Just in time for the weekend and new week ahead comes the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged. Featuring a 205hp supercharged 2.0L ECOTEC engine, a 5-speed short-throw performance manual transmission, performance suspension system and riding on 18″ graphite coloured aluminum wheels, the Cobalt may become every boy racer’s dream with a warranty.
Having driven the Cobalt coupe almost exactly 1 year ago during the CanadianDriver 50 litre challenge, I wasn’t overly excited to hop into this test vehicle. My first impressions of the Cobalt Coupe were not extremely fond. I was looking forward to finding out if I was receiving the SS body kit edition or the SS Supercharged with more go to accompany the big wing and fancy wheels.
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First impressions of the SS Supercharged? Well at first glance I was thoroughly impressed, maybe 1 year of test driving cars has made me more cynical and I really did not remember how much better the Cobalt was than the car it replaces the Cavalier.
Equipped with the Recaro Performance Package, my tester SS includes Recaro front bucket seats and a limited-slip differential. Also included are the standard issue seven-speaker 228-watt amplified Pioneer sound system including 10¨ subwoofer mounted in the trunk and a MP3-compatible CD player.
First impressions are positive on the Cobalt SS, we’ll see how the week progresses, hopefully the authorities stay off my tail as the go pedal is fun to probe on this vehicle, I’ll have to watch my speed.
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS SuperCharged
MSRP as tested: $26,560
For more information on GM and the Cobalt SS visit GM Canada
Updated July 17th 2006
Day 2:
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Working my way from the back of the car up to the front, the Cobalt SS comes standard with 60/40 split rear folding seats….. although I have yet to figure out how to get them down. Lack of ambition in the 35 degree heat really is the main reason I’m sure there is a button located someplace back there.
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The rather large rear spoiler adorns a rather small trunk lid on the Cobalt, be warned, the spoiler is NOT a handle to aid in opening and closing of the lid. Due to the spoiler’s height it does not feel very secure, especially as it wobbles up and down in the wind and over bumps. The trunk lid is gas strut assisted and rather easy to open and close. The trunk also seems rather spacious, but my main concern is the size of the opening, it really is rather narrow. Similar, in fact, to the Mazda RX8, or a 1970’s Mustang Fastback.
I certainly hate to sound too critical, so far I have really enjoyed my time with the Cobalt and I’m certain I will continue to as the week progresses. There are just some things as everyday practicality goes, even on a somewhat impractical vehicle such as a racey coupe, that must be addressed. The doors, oh boy, oh boy, the Doors. Jimmy sounds amazing out of the 7 speaker stereo he really does.
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The passenger doors on the other hand are really just too long. The doors allows for almost a 90 degree opening, safe for an empty football field, when are you ever going to be able to use that kind of travel? Unfortunately if opened an average amount, only back seat passengers could get out. It is a hard concept to explain, the gist of it is, the front seat is just too far forward in relation to the door, making egress a difficult task in a parking lot.
Continuing on to the inside of the Cobalt we move into the beautiful Recaro bucket seats. Embroidered with SS logos, an impressive amount of bolstering and finished off with a mesh insert, these are beautiful seats to look at, and sit in. When hard cornering there is no doubt that these seats are top notch, if you are built with very broad shoulders you may have issues with the upper portion of the seat. Taller drivers will love the lower portion of the seat that supports your thighs. At 5′9″ I find on longer drives that there is a little too much pressure on my lower legs for my liking. As far as durability the main seat material certainly feels durable enough, the mesh inserts on the other hand are easily rip-able as proven by a few tears in my tester.
Updated July 18th 2006
Day 3:
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On the highway the Cobalt SS is fairly quiet and smooth which is surprising for a vehicle with a tightly sprung suspension and 18�? wheels with low profile performance tires. Chevrolet did an excellent job of tuning the suspension for comfort and performance.
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Although the Cobalt performs well on the highway and handles extremely well, city driving in the Cobalt can be a strenuous task. The clutch on the Cobalt SS is extremely stiff; from my experience it is even stiffer than a vehicle such as the Mustang GT. Crawling along in bumper to bumper traffic or waiting at traffic lights will ensure that your left leg is stronger than your right.
Visibility is a little difficult when reversing the Cobalt, as you can see from the image provided; the rear view is a mixture of spoiler and sky. The slopped rear window of the Cobalt and high rear combine to provide a difficult viewing angle. The spoiler really should be an optional piece as it certainly cannot be crucial for aerodynamics.
Updated July 19th 2006
Day 4:
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The Cobalt SS is one car that fuel economy is directly correlated to the amount of pressure you apply to the gas pedal. When I first stepped in the vehicle I was constantly “testing” its capabilities and as a result I was returning a measured 12L/100km, over the week I became less and less aggressive in my driving style and brought the fuel economy down to a respectable 9.3L/100km 50/50, highway and city.
Last but not least I cannot forget to mention the stereo as it is as important as the large rear spoiler to the younger male buyers. Compared to the Caliber 9 speaker stereo I had a few weeks back the Cobalt is lacking a little in deep clean bass, but clarity and volume are available in spades. The pioneer subwoofer in the trunk is looks somewhat like an after thought unfortunately. That being said, all but the most critical will love this audio system.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS SuperCharged
MSRP as tested: $26,595
For more information on GM and the Cobalt SS visit GM Canada
October 02, 2008, 07:23:37 pm Hey! When is anybody going to test the new turbo/ lsd version of this car?
It kicked the S2000, STi, and Evo's ass in the latest C&D mag not to mention my fav the MS3.
I love cheap speed and would like to see CTC spend a couple of days with this car to see what it is like to live with.
October 02, 2008, 07:26:31 pm It's got some good speed apparently be nice to try it.
October 02, 2008, 07:35:43 pm Alright, make it happen before the snow flies.
October 02, 2008, 07:41:00 pm Doubt it -- maybe next spring. Or I'll be so lucky to get one mid winter with summer tires on it.
October 02, 2008, 07:53:54 pm You would need to get danger pay to drive that in the winter.
October 02, 2008, 08:17:21 pm But damn...the car is just so FUGLY. Why can't GM make a scaled-down CTS body and throw it on that chassis??
October 02, 2008, 08:30:14 pm You can get it without the big wing. In the wingless format, I respectfully disagree but hey it's a subjective thing. The worst thing I would say about it's looks is that it is generic.
October 02, 2008, 08:33:44 pm
You're far too kind....
October 02, 2008, 08:52:17 pm After a backwards read through this thread I would say you are the first to express strong negative feelings towards the way it looks. Sure there were the odd shot at the wing and it's colour but there were others who liked it.
October 02, 2008, 08:54:34 pm
That's because I'm the only one willing to beat the dead horse aspect of the looks.
FWIW, I'm the one who said (months ago) that the Cobalt is the best handling FWD car on the market..and possibly of all time.
So I'm ot a complete hater....just in the looks category. Which is why I prefer the HHR SS over the Cobalt...
October 02, 2008, 08:58:56 pm It is very challenging to make a compact sedan look aesthetically pleasing to the eye. That is why I am a huge fan of hatches.
October 02, 2008, 09:01:02 pm
So is it easier to put a man on the moon??
October 02, 2008, 09:12:22 pm They did get to the moon in the '60's, when most of the cars where boats
October 03, 2008, 08:55:50 am
As a SS/SC driver I would agree.....but I still think you're being a little hard on the looks. It's not sexy, nor beautiful, but it's not ugly. Still, mini CTS...sign me up. I'd love a little car from Cadillac with this (the new turbo) engine. Anyway, the major problem with the looks at this point is that they're outdated, it was fine when it came out.
Anyway, my my experience, the SS/SC or SS/TC is not a car you want to be driving when you're over 30 (if you can help it)......
October 03, 2008, 11:06:48 am The Cobalt's not the looker that, say, a Volvo C30 is, but it still falls into the "better looking than the Civic Si" category for me. And don't make me post pictures of the Caliber SRT4...
Anyway, the Cobalt's successor is on the way, and it's attractive inside and out. I can't wait for the Cruze SS Turbocharged.
October 03, 2008, 01:47:11 pm
Anyway, the Cobalt's successor is on the way, and it's attractive inside and out. I can't wait for the Cruze SS Turbocharged.
Oh look, the Chevrolet3. Good lookin' car, but I'm sure I've seen that design before...
October 03, 2008, 02:01:30 pm Haha, change grill -- new car!!!
October 03, 2008, 03:46:34 pm Looks great! GM following Audi’s lead James
October 04, 2008, 12:43:17 am
WopOnTour
Vmango, dude get your own avatar!
October 04, 2008, 10:39:02 am I can't believe you stole my avatar......
When I first looked at this post, I was like "I didn't write that," then looked at your name.
October 04, 2008, 04:51:50 pm AVATAR WAR!!!! AVATAR WAR!!!!
October 04, 2008, 05:27:03 pm ..little wheels keep on turnin'..........................
back to thread...why the cheap lookin "V" plastic aluminium pretending to be WOT!!!??? trim on all steering wheels lately.....did WALMART have a SALE!!!!..........
October 05, 2008, 04:01:44 pm
When I first looked at this post, I was like "I didn't write that," then looked at your name.
WOT
October 05, 2008, 04:12:13 pm VMango's had that avatar here for a while. VMango, where did you get that avatar, or did you make it yourself? WopOnTour, you claim to have made that avatar, when did you make it?
October 05, 2008, 04:35:32 pm