Back in a GM

millster · Post by **millster** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:30 am

Well, I kind of knew GM would drag me back in. I just didn't know it would be this soon.I traded the Sebring off this morning. It was a nice car but it just never really wowed me. I had some trouble with bad spark plugs a couple of months back and while that was easy enough to fix it never really ran right afterwards. It was just time to move on.So anyway, enter the new car. A 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LT. It's pretty well loaded. Just lacking the power, leather seats and I somehow doubt I'll miss them. With a 2 year old Jack Russell terrier it wouldn't be long before I had claw marks all over the leather. The cloth is just more practical. I got a pretty good deal on it at $12,970. The dealer had mismarked the price so their loss became my gain. Didn't get much on the trade for the Sebring but I didn't really expect to. It was enough to pay it off at least.I took more pictures than this but the light sucked and it was cold and windy and I'm a perfectionist so this is the only one I'm really happy with.

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Kari · Post by **Kari** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:38 am

Nice I like! Leather is cold in the wintertime anyway...I don't think you'll miss it at all up there in MT.

djb383 · Post by **djb383** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:44 am

Nice ride and classic 5-spokes are hard to beat.

millster · Post by **millster** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:44 am

Thanks! I'm sure I won't miss the leather. I can always add the seat heaters to my cloth seats and at least have that feature. I don't adjust my seats enough to need power either. The kicker for me was the moonroof. I've missed my moonroof since I sold my Saturn to buy the Vibe in 2002.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:14 am

nice. i'm sure you'll be a lot more happier... plus, it's covered under warranty!

millster · Post by **millster** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:17 am

The warranty was a MAJOR consideration, yes. I'm already very happy with it. Far fewer squeaks! The whole undercarriage of the Sebring was squeaky. I was looking at some major dollars to replace suspension components plus the transmission was getting noisy and I just didn't want to see where that was going to go.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:20 am

yep. it was that time... for a trade in.

millster · Post by **millster** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:39 am

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 Â»Does it have a Pioneer Sub in the back like the Red one I showed ya? Glad you go it bro! It sure does. And two Pioneer tweeters in the doors.It's quite the little vehicle.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:51 am

nice little car at a nice little price. welcome back.

slvrvibes · Post by **slvrvibes** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:32 pm

Nice Cobalt. Welcome back to GM!

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:02 pm

Sweet deal! I love the color. Good choice on the 4-door too, I always thought those looked kinda better. The Pioneer system ROCKS too... It's got some bump to it.

BlueCrush · Post by **BlueCrush** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 4:45 pm

Nice Choice, Millster! Those are great little cars.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:15 pm

enjoy the new cardid you ever do the autostick mod in the sebring, and if not, will you be able to recover the money for thosee parts?

millster · Post by **millster** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:16 am

Thanks guys! CP, yes it does sound nice! I think it's truly the first time that I'll stick with the stock stereo. Of course I'm a little miffed that I can't find an iPod adaptor for it yet but I'll just be patient and use my iTrip for now. As for the 4-door, I was actually trying to get a coupe earlier this week but it sold out from under me. I never liked the looks of the sedan as well. But put it in crisp, shiny white and add the little spoiler and I couldn't resist.Joatmon, I never did put the stuff in but within minutes of posting on the Sebring forum that I had sold the car, I have a buyer for the parts. So I'm good to go there.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:37 am

Quote, originally posted by millster Â»I'm a little miffed that I can't find an iPod adaptor for it yetCheck this out millster:http://www.smartpark.net/iPod_iConnect.html

millster · Post by **millster** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:50 am

Looks promising but it looks like they're more geared toward selling to OEMs for integration. Still, maybe this will provide something for the future.Right now, I'm considering Harmon's Drive+Play with a hardwired FM modulator. It won't be the quality of a true integrated interface but I'm just not sure the Cobalt's stereo is capable since there are no changer controls.

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:08 am

The JVC FM modulator I have that Mike installed for me still works great. I'm no audiophile but I think it sounds really nice, just slightly quieter than when listening to a CD. Spoonman has the same one and he really likes it as well. Just another option.

millster · Post by **millster** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:16 am

Awesome! I am very picky about sound quality but if it seems tolerable to some then it should be pretty good. Everyone agrees that the transmitters are bad news but I have yet to read anything really bad about the hardwired modulators. I think I may just go with the Drive+Play.

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:06 am

Welcome back! Nice looking car Millster

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:42 pm

Congrats, man. White looks nice. Can I ask why you didn't opped for the SC'ed SS? Hot little number!

millster · Post by **millster** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:46 pm

Thanks Arcs and Saved.The SS was just a little more than I was wanting to spend at this point. I liked the looks of the coupe better but in the end the sedan won out for praticality and price. Seems to be the way it always goes.

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:56 pm

Ah yes! Hence the new edition to my family. Wanted and SRT4, got a Magnum. Can't complain too much, though. It's got a HEMI!

ToolGuy · Post by **ToolGuy** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:43 pm

Looks good buddy! Nice rims, spoiler and roof! I think you will be happy with it!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:43 pm

very nice! my cousin has a red one and the stock head unit is pretty freaking cool! not to mention the 150 ponies!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:22 am

Quote, originally posted by Kari Â»The JVC FM modulator I have that Mike installed for me still works great. I'm no audiophile but I think it sounds really nice, just slightly quieter than when listening to a CD. Spoonman has the same one and he really likes it as well. Just another option. Sadly, JVC has long since discontinued the KS-IF200. I've been trying desperately to track down one for the woman's cobalt, but they're nowhere to be found. The reason I want that particular one is for the auto-sense/auto-on feature. No switches needed. It just senses an audio signal and kicks in. You can ironically still order them in Canada through JVC canada, but they won't ship to the states, and they aren't available through JVC US.

millster · Post by **millster** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:03 am

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»very nice! my cousin has a red one and the stock head unit is pretty freaking cool! not to mention the 150 ponies!It really is. I'm pretty happy. I think this is the first car since the Vibe that I am really excited about (I still miss my Vibe though but I couldn't find a GT this time around).Just an update on the iPod situation, too. I ended up with Harmon Kardon's Drive+Play with the hard-wired modulator kit. I haven't hooked it all up yet but with the Cobalt's fuse panel location, it should be really easy. The difficult part is placing the external display. It's hard to find a spot that it's not either glaringly obvious, in the way of something or just too hard to read. I think I have one that won't really allow it to be used whilst moving but I try to avoid that no matter where it's placed, anyway.I'll, of course provide plenty of photos once it's all in place. I need to get a few more anyway but my camera's battery died and it is the SLOWEST charger I've ever seen!

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:11 am

I dont really like the coupe or the 2-door, just the SS coupe. But you make that white one look really nice!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:18 am

blech! i saw an SS last night and was expecting to see paul walker behind the wheel!

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:01 am

But instead you saw a 16 year old with a 3 day old license huh!!!The ones i see out here are either teens or girls/women

millster · Post by **millster** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:20 pm

Well, I can certainly vouch for the build quality of the Cobalt. When they say that the dash is constructed of tightly fitting pieces it's no joke! I can also sympathize with Colonel Panic for not wanting to tear into his Accent too much. I started to install my Drive+Play today and it did not go well. I have to remove three trim pieces from the dash to get to the back of the stereo in order to wire the FM modulator. I got ONE of the pieces off. The rest are stuck so tight that I'm afraid I'll break them before they come off. I need to find some kind of thin tool I can use to pry them off without messing them up. I have faith that I can get it done but it's not going to be as easy as I thought.

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:05 pm

You are definitely a stronger man than I. Days into it and you're already taking stuff apart, 15,000 miles later I still can't. All I really want for mine is that inline relay thingy that plugs into the FM out port on my Sirius tuner so there's a direct connection between the sirius and the HU.... But the part I'm stuck on is removing the center bezel, I just can't pull up on the bottom like I could with the Vibe, oh no... Instead the service manual says use a screwdriver to pry, and when I do that, I scratch things up. It says to wrap tape around the screwdriver to help from scratching stuff but I dunno... Someday I'll do it. lol!I wonder if a thin putty knife would help you break those pieces loose? Wrap tape around the end of it so you can tell me whether that actually works to keep it from being scratched.

millster · Post by **millster** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:33 pm

Heh, it's being driven by my music addiction. I've had the iPod in my car long enough that changing CDs simply will not do! Funny thing is, it sounds like we're both going for installing the same thing and hitting the same problem. I found a walk-through on a Cobalt forum last night where a butter knife was suggested as a pry tool. If I go that route, I'll let you know how bad I muck up my dash. I'm hoping not at all.

millster · Post by **millster** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:00 pm

Uh uh! No way. The day I pay for something like that...

ramenboy... · Post by **ramenboy...** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:42 am

welcome back, millster!!i actually like the sedan better than the coupe. i've seen a 'fusion' sedan cruising around here, lowered and with nice wheels.sweet carenjoy the ride

millster · Post by **millster** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:46 am

Thanks! Oh, now I LOVE the fusion orange ones but I only had the option of white or red. I'm not complaining though. I like my white one just fine. I'll be lowering mine before too long, probably. Like the Vibe, it handles pretty well but just not as well as it could.

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:11 am

Not only is Millster tearing apart the dash, but he is lowering too? Man! You picked a good car if you wanted one that gives you plenty of aftermarket options too, the aftermarket guys are probably paying attention to the Cobalt the same way they did the J-bodies if I had to guess. I'm looking forward to seeing this ride progress!

millster · Post by **millster** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:22 am

Oh, I know. I'm insane!I had a bunch of plans for the Sebring, but lack of A/M support and lack of my love for the silly thing kept me from actually doing anything. This little car though, it's going to get the works I'm afraid. Once I recover the funds from the down payment, that is.Stay tuned to this thread for the updates.

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:55 am

When it comes to aftermarket things though... Step away from the spoilers, sir! The one you have is good enough. lol!

millster · Post by **millster** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:00 am

Oh yeah! No spoilers for me. Lowering springs, maybe new wheels, intake, exhaust, window and sunroof deflectors, tint and the iPod adaptor should be about all. For now, at least.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:33 pm

Cobalt definitely has lots of customization options...probably more than the G6 even...

millster · Post by **millster** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:48 pm

A few more photos of the new rig. Interior, this time.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:11 pm

mmmm....steering wheel controls....that's top on my list of mods i will be doing (read not hoping to, but will be doing) as soon as the money flow starts up again...

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:22 pm

The controls in the middle look a lil plain or robotish!but looks good...like the cluster

millster · Post by **millster** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:35 pm

Oh yeah. The steering wheel controls are great! Those are the only reason I didn't just swap my Panasonic in to resolve my iPod issue. Now, Mrizzle I'm not quite sure what you mean. Robotish? Which controls are you talking about?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:38 pm

my guess is he's referring to the center stack...it's "unfamiliar" to me too...rare that i see a GM car that has a non-black-or-gray interior!

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:51 pm

Oh, cool - you've got the white face gauges. I really like the way those light up at night, how they do that gradient thing... I can't remember which way it goes but it was cool! Does the whole face light up at the top and fade out as it goes to the bottom, or does the whole face at the bottom light up and fade toward the top where just the numbers light up? I can't remember how it goes, but they light up cool man! That's a nice interior those cars have.

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:25 pm

yeah what raging said... that second to last picture... the dash/controls seem very bland and like i guess typical or unattractive to me.But thats the only complaint i really see as of now. and that it needs some F/I!

millster · Post by **millster** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:24 am

Oh I know! The gauge lighting is really cool! The Vibe excepted, it's my favorite ever. I liked the Vibe with its blackout gauges but these are neat.It's kind of hard to explain what they do. I'll have to slip my SLR out there and get some night shots of them, I guess. I see now Mrizzle. Well, that's your opinion so it's cool. To me, it reminds me of my Vibe. I think just because it's a GM again. There really isn't much similarity. Now as for that F/I... once the warranty is up, all bets are off!

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:34 am

Haha no doubt... to each there own.I love your car... its a nakes me like them more the i used to (besides the SS)Congrats again on the new car... and some night shots of the cluster would be nice to see.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:12 pm

too bad you ended up getting the harmon/kardon thing...the G6 guys found these on ebay, looks like it's the answer people have been waiting for!