Colbalt SS or ______ ?

[Boyd]

Gas prices are beyond ridiculous and show no sign of coming down any time soon. With that said, I'm fortunate enough to have a company car (Toyota Rav4) and a gas card. My employer gives us a choice of driving a company vehicle, or taking a car allowance (gas is still paid for by employer). My car allowance is $550/month (taxes are deducted from that, so I'd be netting about $375/mo) and it will soon be time to get another vehicle.

Once upon a time, I was actually thinking about getting a new Camaro or Challenger and letting my employer foot the bill, but because of gas prices, they recently changed the fuel economy requirements. Whereas there was once no minimum fuel economy standard - I must now select a vehicle that gets a city/highway average of 25mpg to be eligible for the "full" allowance. So my next vehicle choice will be limited to these criteria:

1. Must average 25mpg.
2. Cost less than $25k. (or as close as possible)
3. 2 Door coupe
4. Performance oriented.

So far, all I can think of is the Cobalt SS. 260hp, costs less than $23k, and gets 22 city/30hwy.

What else is out there?

[ajjones44]

Mazda 3 Speed hands down. 0-60 in 5.6 sec....great ride....plenty of room....and looks way better than a cobalt. It is also cheaper. Believe me you wont be disappointed.

[paulk68]

i guest read an article on how great the new cobalt ss is. if some one else was paying the bill that is what i would get plus i would always like to help out GM

[Young Gun]

http://www60.forddirect.fordvehicles...sh&statetoken=

mustang?

[paulk68]

On first inspection, the 2008 Cobalt SS appears unchanged from its predecessor. Closer examination reveals a mild body kit, 18 x 7½ forged wheels shod with 225/40ZR-18 Continental ContiSportContact 2 tires and Brembo brakes. Up front, 4-piston fixed calipers wrap around 12.4-in. rotors while 11.5-in. rear rotors are vented for heat dissipation.
Under the hood is a transversely mounted version of that powerplant from the Pontiac Solstice GXP and the Chevy HHR SS — a superb little turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with direct injection whose 260 bhp is a 55-bhp increase over the past supercharged version. A newly designed and heavily bolstered driver's seat clearly means business. An A-pillar boost gauge is a nice touch, as is the 3-spoke steering wheel lifted from a Corvette.
Toss the Cobalt SS into a corner and one immediately appreciates the finely tuned details of linear brakes, quick steering, superb ride damping and the car's composure. I tested it for more than 30 laps around Buttonwillow Raceway and can verify that it provides the driver a grin that will last for days. On the street or track, the electric power steering assist is spot-on. Even with the extremely sporty steering ratio of 14.8:1, there are only mild tugs when pulling out of corners under power.
Slideshow >>

Although the stability control simulates a limited-slip differential through front brake control, the extra performance of the optional $450 torque-sensing unit is well worth the cost (it's on our test car). The stability system features four modes: on, traction off, competition mode and fully off. In comp mode, the limits of the yaw control are higher and launch control is enabled. Launch control will hold engine rpm at 5100 when the throttle is floored at a standstill. The clutch is still driver-controlled, but a nice quick smooth release will produce about 3 ft. of scratch at start.
The car also allows a no-lift shift — in all gears, any time the car is at full throttle. Near the 6300-rpm limiter, simply shift without lifting off the throttle. The system will selectively cut spark and phase the variable camshafts, thereby holding boost pressure and rpm. The ingenious anti-lag can be maintained for roughly 0.2 second. A single pop! from the exhaust is the sound of a quick shift.
I haven't enjoyed driving a front-wheel-drive car this much in ages. The Cobalt's FE5 suspension is stiffer, better damped and infinitely more compliant than the previous car's. I dare say it's the best-driving fwd sports compact out there, matching the power of a Mazdaspeed3, but easily out-handling it. At the limit the Cobalt SS is predictable, controllable, balanced and should make any driving enthusiast quite happy.
A glaring fault is the hard plastic found on the interior, but that's easily overlooked. It has boy-racer charm with grown-up performance. A starting price of $22,335 will lure away many a Subaru Impreza WRX and Honda Civic Si buyer. Want four doors? Don't worry; they're coming soon with nary a change in price or performance.
Related Links:

• Slideshow: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

[trapin]

Is the "performance orientated" part your company's criteria or yours?

The one car I would suggest (from my company) if it doesn't necessarily need to be "performance orientated" would be the new Malibu. It starts around $19K and for $25K you can get one nicely equipped. And it's a fantastic car.

I don't know much about the Cobalt other than Mark Steilow had a major hand in the car's suspension and even traveled to Nürburgring to put the final tune on it.

Please don't buy a Japanese car. Japan doesn't need any more of our money.

[Young Gun]

after reading that thing im gonna have to say go with the cobalt! and yah im gonna have to agree with tony...dont buy an import...I dont care if the car is made in the US...the money goes right over seas...

[hdesign]

A year or so ago I test drove a bunch of cars in that category and price range. (I was thinking about getting a fun little eco-daily driver). The Cobalt SS Supercharged really stood out for me. Talk about bang for the buck! Highly recommended.

Also, Tony's right about that Malibu. My neighbor just traded his 3rd Camry for a gorgeous dark blue one. Between the Malibu and CTS, I'm really reconsidering the "sensible 4door" stigma.

[72NovaSS]

you could also go with a HHR SS..

[Tony_SS]

you could also go with a HHR SS..

That was my thought until he put the smackdown on more than 2 doors. :P

The Cobalt SS sounds like a blast to drive.

[andrewb70]

How about a Cooper S?

Andrew

[Steve1968LS2]

Cobalt SS...

I drove one at Buttonwillow raceway for the day.. that car, for the money, flat out hauls ass. I have a video if I knew how to post it.

Anyways, that car holds the record for it's class at the Nring.. true story.. a great buy for the money and the 260hp ecotec turbo is a great engine.

[Steve1968LS2]

That was my thought until he put the smackdown on more than 2 doors. :P

The Cobalt SS sounds like a blast to drive.

I also got a sneak peak at the new Cobalt SS FOUR DOOR sedan.. it looked even better than the two door.

Hell, for that money you get so much including launch control and no-lift-shift... cool stuff...

[Steve1968LS2]

Brembo brakes..

[hdesign]

The ONLY negative comments I have for the 08 are that I don't think Recaro seats are available as an option and the premium wheels from the previous years were much nicer looking IMO. (That's what Ebay is for though) I've also never been a fan of the boy-racer wing and coupe tail lights.

[Tony_SS]

Wow that sedan is not as bad as I imaged. I'm glad Chevy is at least backing up the SS badge a little more. I would still probably choose the HHR SS over the Cobalt SS sedan for more room, but still that sedan looks pretty nice.

[trapin]

Boyd, I can get you a discount on a new Cobalt SS through the Friends & Family Plan if you decide to go that route. It's not much (5%) but it's better than nothing.

[Boyd]

Wow, that 4 door does look good! Thanks for all of the input guys. I'm still a month or so away from buying, but I always like to take my time and shop around. I'll keep everyone informed on what I get.

Tony, do you know if that F&F discount can be applied in addition to other discounts? My employer has a "preferred customer" discount set up with GM. I'm just not sure how big of a cut it is.

[6'9"Witha69]

If you want to know about the HHR, let me know. I drive it 80 miles a day and LOVE it. Even with a lead foot I get 26-27 MPG from it. Just notice that the HHR and Cobalt SS recommend premium. This is a heated debate on www.ChevyHHR.net, but most just use premium. Just pointing it out since the co. is paying for the gas it may be a point of contention.

[trapin]

Boyd, not sure about that. When you get ready to buy I will get you an authorization number. From there the dealership will tell you if you can use it or not. Doesn't hurt to try. When you're ready send me a PM with your cell number and we can go from there.

By the way....I can get pretty much anyone here that same discount on any GM car or Truck. This offer is extended to all of you.