Gimme some input, Please.

[PamzJoe]

We have a Daughter thats turning sixteen in the fall. We have been doing research on whats out there. Naturaly, everythingg she likes, we cant afford. Everything we can afford, she does'nt like. Then we saw the Cobalt. Very sweet. So, how bout it. Are they good cars? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe

[ClearHooter]

Had basically the same question up for almost three weeks now without a response. So if no news is good news they're a great car. We bought an '06 LS and like it...So far very much. But any car, except a TR7 and an 850 FIAT SPYDER is a good car till it rolls over 50,000 miles. Then we start seperating the wheat from the chaff. Great cars get 300,000 to 600,000 + miles.

[BullDog71ss]

There's a good reason a lot of questions on Cobalt's go unanswered on the Auto forums. It's still a fairly new car to the market and not a lot of this site's members own them and out of the few that do own them, only one or two really know anything about them.

As far as the car being good for a 16 year old...it would be a great car for a young driver. They have very good frontal impact ratings and if equiped with the side curtain airbag option they have excellent side impact ratings. Chevy has also hashed out most of the new car bugs over the last year and it's surprisingly reliable for GM car and for any car for that matter. The 2 door model is very sporty looking and handles like a good 2 door coupe should. The Ecotec is also as good or better than ANY 4 cyl motor on the market. The base 2.2L may not be as powerful as some of the hot motors on the market, but it's tough as hell and has very good torque, which makes it a fun car to drive. It also sips gas which is nice with the high fuel prices any more.

Nothing short of a Corvette will satisfy a lot of young drivers, but the Cobalt is never-the-less a great car for a young driver. If she won't settle on the Cobalt or something as nice, then stick her in a 1975 Pinto and tell her to deal with it

[venus]

I have had my 06 Cobalt SS/SC for just over two months now. I have got to say that I think this car is the best car that I have ever purchased new from Chevrolet. It's extremely fun to drive, the controls are all so easy to use and to get to and the car looks great no matter what model you get.

The worst new car I ever owned was a Camaro, needed a fuel pump two months out.

I say, get her a Cobalt and tell her to have fun and enjoy it. 16 is a great age, wish I could go back!

[SilverCobalt]

If you are asking if a cobalt is a good car for a teen.... I can personaly tell you YES! I got my silver 2006 Cobalt LT for my 17th Birthday several months ago and I think I made a great choice. I had at first thought it was a "girl car", so I wasn't crazy about the idea of owning one (being a teenage male), but it's great. They get excellent gas mileage, VERY easy to drive and handle, and look pretty sporty too.... all for a very fair price. It would be no exaggeration to say that the Cobalt is probably the best new car for teens. The only other car that I have thought back on is the Pontaic G6, but that was a little more expensive. The only complaint I have about the cobalt, being a relatively new driver; is that it is a little harder to see out the back window he way the car is designed.... but that is what mirrors are for!

[knuckle ears]

Daughter has a 2005 and the car is very nice to drive, and yes has sporty looks. Other then some minor warranty issues at the begining no other problems.

Until yesterday. While out washing it as she faithfully does, she noticed rust spots in the middle of the drivers door. I wasn't sure if the door was metal or fiberglass. Got out the magnet and it is metal.

The car is about 10 months old. She lives in a small northern city that uses a bit of salt on the road but not like a large metro city would. She commutes 15 minutes to work every day.

Needless to say it will go back to the dealer for warranty.

I hope it isn't one of those wamy's GM used in the 80's where the paint fell off and the clear coat peeled back and then the fenders and bumpers dropped to the ground.

[97cavalier]

well the dealer should fix it for free, and it is probly something waxed in the paint or stuck on the paint because i don't think that the door can rust because it is fiberglass.

[knuckle ears]

Took the Cobalt to the dealer but General Manager is on holidays untill next week. They say he is the only one that can decide. I suspect an initial push off at this time. Let you know next week.

[SilverCobalt]

Originally Posted by knuckle ears

Daughter has a 2005 and the car is very nice to drive, and yes has sporty looks. Other then some minor warranty issues at the begining no other problems.

Until yesterday. While out washing it as she faithfully does, she noticed rust spots in the middle of the drivers door. I wasn't sure if the door was metal or fiberglass. Got out the magnet and it is metal.

The car is about 10 months old. She lives in a small northern city that uses a bit of salt on the road but not like a large metro city would. She commutes 15 minutes to work every day.

Needless to say it will go back to the dealer for warranty.

I hope it isn't one of those wamy's GM used in the 80's where the paint fell off and the clear coat peeled back and then the fenders and bumpers dropped to the ground.

There's no metal on the door panels. At least not on my 2006. LOL. At least I sure hope there isn't. because I'll be moving to Upstate NY to go to school next year.

[knuckle ears]

Originally Posted by SilverCobalt

There's no metal on the door panels. At least not on my 2006. LOL. At least I sure hope there isn't. because I'll be moving to Upstate NY to go to school next year.

I am going to check the doors again. Maybe their is a metal bracket inside the doors for strength. The magnet stuck to the door where I placed it.

Let you know later.

[knuckle ears]

Originally Posted by SilverCobalt

There's no metal on the door panels. At least not on my 2006. LOL. At least I sure hope there isn't. because I'll be moving to Upstate NY to go to school next year.

Have an appointment Monday next week with the dealer.

Checked again on this 2005 for metal on the doors. I have a strong magnet and went all over the car. The only parts that aren't steel are the bumpers and rims.

The doors , hood, tunk,and fenders are steel. Maybe the 2006's are fiberglass , don't know.

Let you know how I make out.

[wcoffey]

the common term for what you are seeing is called "rail dust". if i am correct it is covered under warranty. your best line of attack is to take it to the bodyshop manager and have him/her take a look. the general manager will not know the difference between moon dust and rail dust so seeing him is a waste of time! GM has set methods for removal and treatment as do ford, chrysler
and others. it's a problem they all have and are working on ways to prevent it!

[knuckle ears]

Originally Posted by wcoffey

the common term for what you are seeing is called "rail dust". if i am correct it is covered under warranty. your best line of attack is to take it to the bodyshop manager and have him/her take a look. the general manager will not know the difference between moon dust and rail dust so seeing him is a waste of time! GM has set methods for removal and treatment as do ford, chrysler
and others. it's a problem they all have and are working on ways to prevent it!

The dealer says was stone chips. They ruled out rail dust.
They took it in and did a mild acid wash to it and then buffed it out. Hope it stays good.

[wcoffey]

they told you one thing but the treated the car for another. the acid wash and buff is the treatment for rail dust ! not for stone chips. the reason they did this was to avoid documenting "rail dust"! if they do and the stains come back later you have a valid claim for a repaint. if the repair order says stone chips and you have signed it, then you have no future claims.