I'm thinking of picking a low mileage example, just wondering if anyone here has any input on these cars? I like the looks and the ecotec motor is proven to be a good one, both in 2.2, 2.4, and 2.0 versions, but overall driveability, fit/finish, little quirks/annoying things you've noticed and such would be appreciated. anyone?
------------------ 1984 Fiero SE, White, first love, sold... 1986 Fiero SE 2M6, gold, sold... sniff... 1988 Fiero 2M4, the Fox 1987 Fiero GT, Blue, 3.4/4T60 Still looking for that perfect CJB 88 GT...
My daughter has a base 5-speed Cobalt. Not a bad car so far, better than a Cavalier and a fairly good value for your money. The ecotec is the best 4-banger GM has ever offered IMO.
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04:52 PM
Hank is Here Member
Posts: 4462 From: Hershey, Pa Registered: Sep 2000
I have a 05 Cobalt SS with the 2.0. Make sure you buy the GMPP warranty if you get one. The motor and transmission are great, just all the plastic POS GM parts wrapped around it seem to fall off or break.
[This message has been edited by IEatRice (edited 01-10-2008).]
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05:02 PM
fierodeletre Member
Posts: 834 From: Behind Animal's Drum Set. Registered: Oct 2006
Yeah, I've thought about the HHR, but it does cost more. Then again, so does the G5 versus the Cobalt. But I think this is due to different options being standard. You can't even get a Base G5 with crank windows and manual locks. Power is standard so maybe this is why it costs more. I kind of like the cobalt's tail lights better though, despite my pontiac loyalty. I wonder why GM does not offer a hybrid option?
------------------ 1984 Fiero SE, White, first love, sold... 1986 Fiero SE 2M6, gold, sold... sniff... 1988 Fiero 2M4, the Fox 1987 Fiero GT, Blue, 3.4/4T60 Still looking for that perfect CJB 88 GT...
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05:03 PM
Mr.PBody Member
Posts: 3172 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Registered: Oct 2006
My neighbor DD's a 2006 HHR 2.4L it got mid 30s in mpg doing 70mph when he drove to Tennessee. He says it has decent pep (2.4L auto) around town, not fast but not a total turd. BTW his other car is a 610whp ZL1 clone 69 corvette, so he has something fast to compare it to .
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05:07 PM
Wht&BluGT Member
Posts: 1175 From: Waterford, MI Registered: Jan 2005
I have a 2007 G5 GT 5 spd, and love it. Its quick, handles surprisingly well with not too much understeer, gets good gas mileage. I just drove mine 1000 miles from Jackson, MS to Flint, MI and was getting about 34 mpg. My only complaints are the torque steer, and the seats aren't too comfortable on long drives.
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06:03 PM
htexans1 Member
Posts: 9116 From: Clear Lake City/Houston TX Registered: Sep 2001
Yeah, I've thought about the HHR, but it does cost more. Then again, so does the G5 versus the Cobalt. But I think this is due to different options being standard. You can't even get a Base G5 with crank windows and manual locks. Power is standard so maybe this is why it costs more. I kind of like the cobalt's tail lights better though, despite my pontiac loyalty. I wonder why GM does not offer a hybrid option?
Well they killed the supercharged cobalt and sometime this year they are putting in a more powerful turbo motor, that is currently in the hhr. As for a boosted G5 I don't see why they wouldn't do it and call it the GXP
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06:54 PM
CTFieroGT87 Member
Posts: 2520 From: Royal Oak, MI Registered: Oct 2002
I got an SS SC Cobalt and its a great daily driver. Only problems I've spotted are kinda cheap interior trim paint and the e-brake handle is made out of really bad rubber material. Thats just nit-picking, the car is reliable and fun to drive. Huge trunk, comfortable back seats. The Recaros in the SC model take some getting used to.
I have an Ion Redline coupe, and it's a great car. Love the plastic body panels, love the engine torque and horsepower, and love the gas mileage. Hate the oil changes, but what can you do?
I wish for the pontiac if they were going to do a rebadge, to do it right instead of putting the sedan tailights on the coupe body.
My brother test drove a g5 with me at a local dealer, it was a 2.2 auto. It had 7 miles on it, but broke down ~3 blocks from the dealer; I think the battery had a factory defect. A tech came to get us in a used Aztec that they couldn't give away. Unfortunately, my brother fell in love bought the ass-tek. 3 years old, 16,200 miles, $9500.
I wish for the pontiac if they were going to do a rebadge, to do it right instead of putting the sedan tailights on the coupe body.
I thought they looked similar, but are the G5's tailights identical to the cobalt sedan's?
Someone mentioned torque steer in a GT. I know the GT gets the 2.4, but does it not get the Getrag F35 that the SC cobalt gets? That tranny has equal length cv axles, with the long one attached to a braced jackshaft. So maybe the G5 GT still has the getrag F23 then? I was wondering about that...
Where was the cheap interior paint?
Did the rubber feeling E brake handle seem like it could still be long-lived?
How much are you guys paying for these babies?
------------------ 1984 Fiero SE, White, first love, sold... 1986 Fiero SE 2M6, gold, sold... sniff... 1988 Fiero 2M4, the Fox 1987 Fiero GT, Blue, 3.4/4T60 Still looking for that perfect CJB 88 GT...
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03:32 AM
fierodog Member
Posts: 972 From: Mantua, Ohio, USA Registered: Jun 2004
We have a g5 no problems except the computers needed reset so far and were up to 15,000 already. And it seems every new car my wife drives needs this done after 12,000
Did the rubber feeling E brake handle seem like it could still be long-lived?
How much are you guys paying for these babies?
2006 base Cobalt - 8900 miles - purchased May 2007 - $9000 with remainder of factory warranty and 5 yr. 100K drivetrain warranty.
No issues with e-brake handle here and it gets used all the time since it is a stick.
I recently test drove a 2006 Cobalt SS/SC with 75K miles on it. Still felt solid but it rides ALOT rougher than a base Cobalt. Tires spin easily with a bit of throttle. I did notice the power window buttons and the bezel around them were worn and finish was chipped off.
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08:55 AM
fierodeletre Member
Posts: 834 From: Behind Animal's Drum Set. Registered: Oct 2006
good to hear. how is the 5 speed? does it shift well? Are the ratios well-matched to the engine? Clutch feel solid? Pedal effort/travel? I haven't had the chance to drive or even see a manual cobalt/G5 yet, sorry for the interrogation.
------------------ 1984 Fiero SE, White, first love, sold... 1986 Fiero SE 2M6, gold, sold... sniff... 1988 Fiero 2M4, the Fox 1987 Fiero GT, Blue, 3.4/4T60 Still looking for that perfect CJB 88 GT...
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01:35 PM
Wht&BluGT Member
Posts: 1175 From: Waterford, MI Registered: Jan 2005
I love the 5 spd, it shifts with little effort, and it is easy to find the gears. For pedal feel, the clutch is easy to depress, and the brakes are pretty stout. the gas pedal is mounted to a variable resistor or something like that because to the electronic tb.
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01:51 PM
fierodeletre Member
Posts: 834 From: Behind Animal's Drum Set. Registered: Oct 2006
Oh that's right, I had forgotten that GM started to but drive by wire on the 2.4... No problems with that system then eh? Do you have any pictures of your GT? How harsh is the ride? Does it compare to the SS/SC Cobalt's? Noted on tranny's snickiness. What was the primary problem with the seats not being comfortable on long drives? Lumbar support? Armrest geometry? Other geometry?
------------------ 1984 Fiero SE, White, first love, sold... 1986 Fiero SE 2M6, gold, sold... sniff... 1988 Fiero 2M4, the Fox 1987 Fiero GT, Blue, 3.4/4T60 Still looking for that perfect CJB 88 GT...
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02:01 PM
Jan 12th, 2008
fierodeletre Member
Posts: 834 From: Behind Animal's Drum Set. Registered: Oct 2006
Just looked at a 2.2 manual G5 today, it says the tranny's country of origin is Italy. I always thought Getrag was a German company? I must say that the car looks nice, but you got to get rid of those ugly wheel covers!
------------------ 1984 Fiero SE, White, first love, sold... 1986 Fiero SE 2M6, gold, sold... sniff... 1988 Fiero 2M4, the Fox 1987 Fiero GT, Blue, 3.4/4T60 Still looking for that perfect CJB 88 GT...
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