Chevy Colbalt LT 4 door

[GoLowDrew]

There isn't much to ask since it's not that exciting. I rented one back in 05, so I know what it's all about.My question is, how is GM's reliability on the 2.2L and Colbalt in general?To me, consumer report's red or black dot don't really tell me much. For those who know or have experience, are they good, dependable day to day cars?TIA

[Whelan]

I cant speak for the car from direct experience. But I do know that the 2.2L EcoTec engine has been around for a few years. It first popped up in the ION stateside and it was brought over from GM Europe as part of their global platforming. Good strong engine, with I think a 140hp base. Either way if you did mod it, they take well to change and forced induction.But as a day to day, good engine, goo reliability. The Cobalt I can't imagine being much different. It seems sturdy and well built, I see a lot of them in the LT 4 door setup.

[northvibe]

yeah that engine has been used in the cavy and sunfire for a while. In my experience with a friends cavy, the engine is more reliable than the rest of the car those ecotec's are pretty solid.

[drunkenmaxx]

http://www.turbo-kits.com/cavalier_turbo_kits.html

[northvibe]

why are you guys posting links and things of FI'ing the ecotec? GoLowDrew just asked about general daily reliability

[VforVIBE]

I hate Colbalts... especially the silver LS ones. *shivers*

[pick41]

pretty solid little motors. Like stated above, they have been out in the Cav's for a while (02-03ish) and yeah Chevy did have a pretty nasty Ecotec Cav years back with multi-turbo chargers. I know the previous generation 2.2's were solid too, mom's 96 Cav had 240k on it when she got her 07 Cobalt.

[zionzr2]

Working in the car rental industry...The cobalt has a solid engine, but the cobalt lacks in so many other areas. Interior is blan at best and stains way to easily. Its Equipped with the same crummy tires as the vibes (contential) I've seen all 4 tires bald by 20,000 miles. But the engine is a solid performer. I dont think we have had to take any off the road for engine related issues. Plenty for tires, and cleaning issues though.

[millster]

I'll give the dissenting opinion to Zion's. I don't find the interior bland at all. In fact, for an econobox, I think it's pretty classy looking. Mine is the 3LT so it has the white gauge faces, leather wrapped wheel and shift knob... it's a good looking little car. I also have the Pirelli P6 tires. Now as for staining of the interior, yes it does that quite well but if you own a carpet cleaner you're good to go. A "Tide-to-go" pen is handy as well. Engine wise, it's not bad. Mine suffers from the cold-start hesitation issue. It's apparently a known problem with that engine and is caused by valve deposits. I've run Techron through a few times and each time it gets a little better but I think I just need to take it in for a true top-end cleaning.Other issues are a squeak in the rear suspension on cold days (again a known issue) and the mid-shaft on the steering clunks if you hit a bump while turning (another known issue). I just haven't taken it in yet to have these fixed. I've had NO major mechanical difficulties with the engine on the car. Because of the valve stuff it's getting pretty poor mileage right at this moment but it still starts and runs fine. Performance is solid for a small 4cyl. Nothing to write home about but certainly adequate.

[ragingfish]

I have to go with mill on this. I think the cobalt is a pretty exceptional car for it's class. My ex has had one for over a year, and AFAIK she has never had a single issue with it. As to the interior, I think it's a great interior for the car -- far superior to that of it's predecessor. Is it as nice as the new malibu's? Probably not (haven't seen the new 'bu but reviews rave about interior quality), but then again, the interior on my sunfire didn't bother me either...I'm not terribly picky about that. My G6 has seats that stain easily too...I keep a can of upholstery cleaner and a cleaning brush in the trunk just in case. And I scotch-guard once a year. As for the tide-to-go idea millster...that's brilliant! I have one in my car for my clothes (along with shout wipes), but NEVER thought to try it on my upholstery! Oh, and as for rental cars with stained interiors, you should SEE the staining on the seats of the kia rio i'm driving right now......it's disturbing...

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Oh, and as for rental cars with stained interiors, you should SEE the staining on the seats of the kia rio i'm driving right now......it's disturbing...I'd have stained seats on anything I drove in Jersey, just being a passenger is enough to scare the hell out of me. (removed)

[GoLowDrew]

Two more questions as I research this as my potential next new car.- Oil filter. Something special about it where it's welded on the block, so you just change the filter? Is this common, special? Good or bad? Does other oil change places know about this, such as Jiffy Lube?- Electric power steering. When I drove it back in 05, I didn't know it was electric PS. I'm ok with it. Has it always been electric? Looking at a 08 model. I know electric PS is not performance steering of choice, but there's a few complaints on the new 08 Malibu (so that's kind of why I'm shying away from it). Has anyone actually driven the 08 Malibu? Is it really that bad? There are no complaints about the Cobalt's steering, is it because it's not a performance car so people use a different standard?TIA

[millster]

The oil filter is behind a small plastic cap on the top of the engine block. You unscrew this cap and just replace the paper element inside. It seems to be logical enough that not many places have trouble with it. At least the one I always take mine to does OK with it. No known issues with it that i'm aware of other than the potential to damage the cap if you overtighten it.My car has the electric PS. It's weird in that it feels a little vague, kind of like you're not really connected to the wheels at all. I tend to kind of push mine and say compared to my ex's Saab 900 there is a definite difference in cornering feel, but I'd say if you're a pretty competent driver you won't really mind it too much.

[ragingfish]

I have electric power steering on my G6...no problems at all!

[drunkenmaxx]

Quote, originally posted by millster »The oil filter is behind a small plastic cap on the top of the engine block. You unscrew this cap and just replace the paper element inside. god, i did an oil change on drunkengirlfriends cavalier when she had it, and it took me forever to find that damn thing!the oil change places will know where it is. think about it, it's an extremely common motor, they probably do 10 a day.

[pick41]

Well since the truck in on the IR after taking out a guardrail on the interstate. I guess I will be able to add to this. My loaner car is a 07 Cobalt LS. 4-door, AT. So far, I'm not a big fan. But only driven 8 miles. We'll see if that changes between now and the time I get the truck back. Some how, I doubt it.

[GoLowDrew]

<------Owner of a 08 Cobalt LT/1LT Sedan automatic. GM top off my GM card rebate to $2K. Plus currently incentives = a great deal.

[millster]

Congrats on the purchase! You should be very happy with it for a long time to come.

[GoLowDrew]

White was my second choice and we would have the exact same car. But I choose red sports tint coat just because it looks good under the sun. That was a $295 option. I would have like to get the 2LT package with the 16" alloy wheels. I though there would be tons of guys selling theirs, while they opt of 17" or 18." NOT!!!! A used 16" OEM wheel cost more than aftermarket 17" wheels.Knowing me, once I go aftermarket, there is no $topping.

[millster]

Yeah, mine's the 3LT with the 16 inch alloys. The white is great. Looks really good on the car, but come winter time it's miserable. My car is basically brown right at the moment.

[GoLowDrew]

Do you have a side profile of your car with the 16" wheels? I'll try to have someone photochop it, with your permission.I'm also on a Cobalt forum and most guys there have 17' or 18' wheels. There is no love for the 16" wheels.What I really want to see if how OEM 16" wheel will look on a 1" drop.

[millster]

http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...C.jpgRight there, ya go. I have no problem with someone PS'ing it. Although, give me a little longer to build the funds and I can show you a photo of a REAL dropped 'Balt on 16s. I can get you a better photo tonight when I get home, too if you need.

[GoLowDrew]

Nice wheels. The reason why I did not get them is because the dealer is completely out of inventory. I also read that Chevrolet sales are up 10% in Jan and for the Cobalt, they added another production shift to meet demand. The Cobalt may be "old," but with the good MPG and gas prices, and lower MSRP (discounts), it has become a hot seller. My LT was one of 4 left on the lot.

[millster]

Thanks. I really like them. I think they fit the car well. On another note, if you happen to find some spare "good MPG" could ya send it my way? My car is a victim of the early model valve deposits. So it has the nice hesitation when it's cold and crappy gas mileage. Just have to get it out to the dealer to have it fixed but I haven't done it yet.