2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LT basic 2.25 from North America

Summary:

Crappy

Faults:

This car is a general piece of crap.

First, the most expensive problem is it keeps burning up tires like it's going out of style; they don't stay aligned and we have blown a few from balding.

The car drives like a bunch of snakes; very poor steering. I have heard numerous complaints here about a shaky steering column and must agree, the column shakes and rattles constantly.

Very loud inside the interior when driving on freeway. The plastic interior is starting to crack and break.

General Comments:

The only two good things I can say about this car is that it gets GREAT gas mileage (I can average about 34 mpg at 60 mph), and second, it has an integrated oil filter that makes changing the oil a snap.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th March, 2008

26th Mar 2008, 19:32

Get your Cobalt's suspension and alignment checked out by a reputable shop. They are a light car so there's no reason for you to be going through tires like that. Tire scrubbing and misalignment might also account for the loudness and shaking that you mention, too.

See if it has a salvage title, some mechanics slap together wrecks and sell them as 'gently used'. It may meet alignment specs and still be out of whack.

Good luck. I like my 2007 Cobalt and haven't had any of the trouble that you've had.

28th Dec 2009, 18:40

I agree with the comment above. There's no reason that a car should be going through tires like that after an alignment. Maybe there's frame damage. Any significant change in the alignment will affect the handling just as you described. I drove a small car around with bad alignment, and when it was corrected, everything worked a lot better.

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Base 2.2L from North America

Summary:

Very economical to own

Faults:

Driver seat wore through rather quickly where I brush the back of the seat entering and leaving.

Check Engine light first came on at about 30k (84k now) : Tested at Auto-Zone (not clear by their diagnostics), doesn't seem to effect anything that I can detect. Definitely NOT: fuel mileage, engine oil, coolant (???). I seem to be able to control it now after it is warm by how I turn the key.

Air doesn't seem to blow very hard as new. Needs highest fan setting when really hot or cold weather.

Factory tires need upgrade. Especially wet payment.

General Comments:

I am very satisfied with this car for $13,500 new. I chose not to spend $5k more to get the Toyota.

I get 27/34mpg City/Highway summer time - 23/31 winter. If you drive as in a hurry, don't expect these numbers.

I use quality synthetic oil and use less than 1/2 qt oil in 20k mile oil changes. I give credit to Chevrolet for their engine when new, if at 150k anything similar the credit shifts equally to the oil.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th August, 2007

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt LS from North America

Summary:

Bad ignition!!!

Faults:

The key got stuck in the ignition. I was able to put the car in park. I had to park in the garage so no one would see the key in the ignition. I had to wait to Monday to get it towed yes towed to the dealer because this happened on a Saturday and I had to wait to Monday so the battery was dead. This is a big problem they should do a recall because this can be very dangerous. I am trading this car in as soon as my year is over in September.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th July, 2007

28th Dec 2007, 22:30

Ignition/Key problem.

I have ignition problems, it seems the key gets stuck and then, the keys begin to get worn and cracked. I have been through 4 sets of keys, and each time the problem has been reported to the GM consumer warranty phone line. This has been documented and each time I have been told it will be investigated and the problem will be fixed. I, like the previous person had to get my car towed too, because the latest incident, the key broke off in the ignition, and this was on Christmas Eve, I had to wait until Dec. 26th. to get it towed. It is Dec 28th. and I got the car back today, and after being told to "insert the key gingerly" by the service advisor, guess what???, the key still seems to get stuck, and it want be long that it and the other replacement, start to get cracks/fractures once again. I like the previous person complaining about the ignition problem, will not be purchasing another GM product again.

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