Are used Chevy Cobalt reliable???

[THINKPADT61]

Are used Chevy Cobalt reliable???

I have been thinking of trading my Focus for a used Cobalt SS non-supercharge version... or a Pontiac G5 GT...

What are your thought?

What are the warranties on a 2006 Cobalt? Is it the old 3yrs/60KMS or 5yrs/160kms??

[VivienM]

2006 warranties are the old 3/60.

But realistically, who cares about the Cobalt? It's a horrendous-riding, cheap-feeling sorry excuse of a car. If you like GM, get something bigger and actually decent like a W body. If you want an econobox, get a Civic or Corolla...

[weedb0y]

2006 warranties are the old 3/60.

But realistically, who cares about the Cobalt? It's a horrendous-riding, cheap-feeling sorry excuse of a car. If you like GM, get something bigger and actually decent like a W body. If you want an econobox, get a Civic or Corolla...

To be fair, Cobalt has been pretty reliable for what it is. Vivien is a fan of boat-soft suspension and will equally hate Corolla's suspension as well. The Ecotec engine is pretty reliable and offers great economy as well. Great buy for used cars though.

[THINKPADT61]

To be fair, Cobalt has been pretty reliable for what it is. Vivien is a fan of boat-soft suspension and will equally hate Corolla's suspension as well. The Ecotec engine is pretty reliable and offers great economy as well. Great buy for used cars though.

That is what I think... great value for a car that is only 2 yrs old...

[kleptodathief]

only if its a cobal SS!

[VivienM]

To be fair, Cobalt has been pretty reliable for what it is. Vivien is a fan of boat-soft suspension and will equally hate Corolla's suspension as well. The Ecotec engine is pretty reliable and offers great economy as well. Great buy for used cars though.

I like boat-soft suspension, sure, but how can you explain that I'm perfectly happy with how my friend's 2007 Civic rides but not with the Cobalt?

Is the Civic really a "boat"?

[Shaner]

A lot of people hate GM's small cars, and many of the things they say are accurate, but as far as a used car goes, it's hard to beat the Cobalt. You get a reliable car for dirt cheap. Sure, it may not turn on a dime, it may be underpowered, it may not ride very well either, but if all you want is a typical daily driver, it's one of the best choices out there. It won't cost you much at all.

[weedb0y]

I like boat-soft suspension, sure, but how can you explain that I'm perfectly happy with how my friend's 2007 Civic rides but not with the Cobalt?

Is the Civic really a "boat"?

I have been in Civics and Cobalts. I don't know what you are comparing it to. Handling wise, yes, Civics owns Cobalts. Comfort wise, they are both on par in the entry level bases.

I have driven both, own an Integra along with a new RSX and my brothers gfs got a Civic and have driven many Cobalts over the years. I would dare you to try checking out the crap setup on the Accents! Take advantage of the GM depreciation, Cobalt is not a bad used buy. It offers better value than a similarly priced Civic from the mid 90s. If buying new, go with Civic. If buying used, it is a better buy then most koreans as well.

[VivienM]

I have been in Civics and Cobalts. I don't know what you are comparing it to. Handling wise, yes, Civics owns Cobalts. Comfort wise, they are both on par in the entry level bases.

I'm talking comfort. The Cobalt/G5 feels as though your seat is bolted straight to the wheels. Hard to describe... but utterly unacceptable.

[Notorious_T]

I work at a chevy dealer and all I can say is that the cobalt for the price there tanks and very reliable but mind you they do drop in value so if you were to sell it you wont get what you payed for it put it that way. Best way to see if you like one is too go and drive one and see how it feels.

[skidz88]

Decent buy I guess. It's a very boring car, even the SS/SC isn't all that but much better than a normal Slowbalt. It'll serve you well for a point a to b car for the next couple of years if that's what you need.

Overall, cheap american interior, but it doesn't ride that bad. Stay away from the W body GMs. Why anyone under the age of 60 would want one of those is beyond me, you can't feel the road you're driving on at all.

[enforcerviper]

People who actually own the car:

http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Chevrolet_Cobalt.html

[scouzer]

Here. You can read my thoughts about my car I posted a thread about awhile ago. The original thread is here: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=519941&highlight=pontiac


2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT.

38,000km (23,500 miles)

I've owned the car 14 months

The issue list:

1) Steering column clunk at low speeds. Known issue, there is a TSB for this. Repaired, but they screwed up the first time so the steering wheel was off centre. Very annoying, also fixed under warranty.

2) Driver side sunvisor fell off. Fixed under warranty.

3) The turning signals fail to disengage themselves after turning. Will hopefully be fixed on my next dealer visit.

4) Insane brake squeal in cold temperatures. Rear brake pads replaced after 4 dealer visits complaining about the same thing. They still squeal, but it's not nearly as bad. I just ignore it now, because it's clearly unfixable.

5) 'All Season' Pirelli tires that came with the car cannot be used in the winter. I could not believe how little traction I got with them, it was ridiculous. Replaced for $1100 of my own money.

6) Loose plastic panels in the backseat means if someone rests their arm on the 'armrests' back there they rattle, squeak and you can feel them moving around. Dealer said it's a known issue from GM and there's no fix.

7) Passenger side door was assembled poorly and would get 'caught' against the body of the car resulting in a loud popping noise everytime it was opened or closed. Fixed by dealer, still happens occasionally.

8) The plastic trim by the deadman pedal sticks out so when you get out of the car you can catch your foot on the plastic and break the plastic off. Unfixable.

9) Seek button on the steering wheel audio controls not working. Took three visits to fix this one-- First time they couldn't replicate it, second time they did, third time to install the new parts.

10) Horrible sunroof groaning and squeaking noises in the winter. Unfixable.

11) Passenger door rattle. Unable to replicate.

12) Suspension noise. Both front and back in cold weather make ridiculous amounts of squeaking, bouncing and other horrible noises you should NEVER hear with suspension. I have a dealer appointment in a few days to start trying to get them to replicate this I expect this one will take 2-5 visits on it's own as the noise is very loud and very extensive.

13) Front grille falls off at random. The plastic clips are poorly constructed and do not clip properly. Dealer won't replace, just clips it back on after it falls off. (The dealer put it back on once, twice I have)

14) Clutch used to get stuck in the down position. seemed to fix itself.

15) Hard to start. When started, the car will go to 500rpm, shudder sputter and shake for about 3-4 seconds, then kick up to 1500rpm. Unable to replicate at the dealer several times.

16) Extensive winter rattles, the whole car sounds like an earthquake. Related to the suspension noise #12...will try to get to replicate next visit.

Total dealer visits - 10 (that I can find the receipts for)

**** you GM. Never again. You tricked me once, that's enough for me.

When I called corporate and explained my myriad of issues, they offered me a free oil change. Thanks, that's how you get my business back again.

[CatDog]

scouzer, is your car from .ca or imported from .us? You mentioned miles above, so just looking to clarify.

I've heard that chev cars from .us are ALOT worst than cars built within Canada as far as quality and reliability.

[scouzer]

Well my car is from Canada, the miles are in brackets because I cross posted that in a Yank forum.

All Cobalts and G5's are built in Lordstown, Ohio... so there is no difference in quality between Canada and the US

[Notorious_T]

Here. You can read my thoughts about my car I posted a thread about awhile ago. The original thread is here: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...hlight=pontiac


2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT.

38,000km (23,500 miles)

I've owned the car 14 months

The issue list:

1) Steering column clunk at low speeds. Known issue, there is a TSB for this. Repaired, but they screwed up the first time so the steering wheel was off centre. Very annoying, also fixed under warranty.

2) Driver side sunvisor fell off. Fixed under warranty.

3) The turning signals fail to disengage themselves after turning. Will hopefully be fixed on my next dealer visit.

4) Insane brake squeal in cold temperatures. Rear brake pads replaced after 4 dealer visits complaining about the same thing. They still squeal, but it's not nearly as bad. I just ignore it now, because it's clearly unfixable.

5) 'All Season' Pirelli tires that came with the car cannot be used in the winter. I could not believe how little traction I got with them, it was ridiculous. Replaced for $1100 of my own money.

6) Loose plastic panels in the backseat means if someone rests their arm on the 'armrests' back there they rattle, squeak and you can feel them moving around. Dealer said it's a known issue from GM and there's no fix.

7) Passenger side door was assembled poorly and would get 'caught' against the body of the car resulting in a loud popping noise everytime it was opened or closed. Fixed by dealer, still happens occasionally.

8) The plastic trim by the deadman pedal sticks out so when you get out of the car you can catch your foot on the plastic and break the plastic off. Unfixable.

9) Seek button on the steering wheel audio controls not working. Took three visits to fix this one-- First time they couldn't replicate it, second time they did, third time to install the new parts.

10) Horrible sunroof groaning and squeaking noises in the winter. Unfixable.

11) Passenger door rattle. Unable to replicate.

12) Suspension noise. Both front and back in cold weather make ridiculous amounts of squeaking, bouncing and other horrible noises you should NEVER hear with suspension. I have a dealer appointment in a few days to start trying to get them to replicate this I expect this one will take 2-5 visits on it's own as the noise is very loud and very extensive.

13) Front grille falls off at random. The plastic clips are poorly constructed and do not clip properly. Dealer won't replace, just clips it back on after it falls off. (The dealer put it back on once, twice I have)

14) Clutch used to get stuck in the down position. seemed to fix itself.

15) Hard to start. When started, the car will go to 500rpm, shudder sputter and shake for about 3-4 seconds, then kick up to 1500rpm. Unable to replicate at the dealer several times.

16) Extensive winter rattles, the whole car sounds like an earthquake. Related to the suspension noise #12...will try to get to replicate next visit.

Total dealer visits - 10 (that I can find the receipts for)

**** you GM. Never again. You tricked me once, that's enough for me.

When I called corporate and explained my myriad of issues, they offered me a free oil change. Thanks, that's how you get my business back again.

I dont know I never seen stuff like that come in at chevy, to be honest I think you just ended up with a lemon. Also they may be built same place or city or look like there the same but they are totaly different car in some ways aswell. Did you buy the car brand new or used??

[scouzer]

Brand new.

[weedb0y]

Brand new.

Do you want me to post the story of my buddys accord which has had 2 transmission jobs, few other recalls already? He bought it brand new as well. I think you had a lemon. Most of things that you mention are 'unable to replicate'? Did they happen once and fixed themselves?

Overall, if you check the stats, cobalt is a reliable econobox. Great buy for used as you take advantage of the GM persona depreciation. Far better buy than typical korean or used ford etc and better than buying a 10 yr old used Japanese for the same price range. If I was buying it brand new (and not leasing), I wouldnt. But for used, go for domestics, far better value for the dollar.

[scouzer]

Do you want me to post the story of my buddys accord which has had 2 transmission jobs, few other recalls already? He bought it brand new as well. I think you had a lemon. Most of things that you mention are 'unable to replicate'? Did they happen once and fixed themselves?

Overall, if you check the stats, cobalt is a reliable econobox. Great buy for used as you take advantage of the GM persona depreciation. Far better buy than typical korean or used ford etc and better than buying a 10 yr old used Japanese for the same price range. If I was buying it brand new (and not leasing), I wouldnt. But for used, go for domestics, far better value for the dollar.

I'm not arguing that mine is a lemon. My point simply was "this is my experience, take it FWIW"

The unable to replicates are stuff the mechanics simply ignore, or are intermittent issues that, like doctor visits, do not occur at the garage.

[gordholio]

Decent buy I guess. It's a very boring car, even the SS/SC isn't all that but much better than a normal Slowbalt. It'll serve you well for a point a to b car for the next couple of years if that's what you need.

Overall, cheap american interior, but it doesn't ride that bad. Stay away from the W body GMs. Why anyone under the age of 60 would want one of those is beyond me, you can't feel the road you're driving on at all.

A lot of people just want a simple, decent, inexpensive car that gets them from point A to point B. To most people, a car is just a car, nothing more. I have a 2000 Hyundai Accent and love it - no power anything - just the basic model with a Pioneer radio and Alpine speakers (no subwoofer). Less things to go wrong.

[VivienM]

Stay away from the W body GMs. Why anyone under the age of 60 would want one of those is beyond me, you can't feel the road you're driving on at all.

And WHY you want to "feel the road" (Cobalt-style) is beyond me. :) A decent car should absorb imperfections in the road, not transmit every damn vibration to the occupants.

[Marlek]

According to Consumer Reports, the Cobalt has a used car reliability rating of below average for the 05-06 models. The 07 used car rating is above average. In owner satisfaction for the "small car" class it rates second to last with 45% who "would buy again".

Take that as you will.

[skidz88]

And WHY you want to "feel the road" (Cobalt-style) is beyond me. :) A decent car should absorb imperfections in the road, not transmit every damn vibration to the occupants.


My car absorbs bumps, I find it comfy and my passengers do too. But it's pretty stiff and sporty and makes the drive more enjoyable. W bodys feel more like...well, a boat, and even that is an understatment. To each their own...

[MrDisco]

Stay away from the W body GMs.

Stay away from the W body and their notorious gasket leak design flaw - unless you enjoy spending a min. $1000 to fix. (not to mention all the various cheap plastic bits which will break under normal use).

op: why not consider an Elantra? Recently rated a top-pick by Consumer Reports for the small car category.
edit: nvm that's for a new car. I'll have to check back later to see their write up on used cars.