Reviewing a Cobalt reveals some surprises
The biggest shock is that The Truth About Cars' Chris Paukert knows the root of the word cobalt. The other surprises include really bad images throughout the review and the fact that the Cobalt is such a quiet road car (and quieter than a Civic or Corolla?!). But Chris reveals a lot to rant against and gives a thorough explanation for his reasoning. We're still not sure how he rates the aging Neon platform over a new Cobalt but we'll have to see for ourselves.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
laserwizard 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I am amazed at each Cobalt review that misses a dramatic flaw in the interior that makes the Cobalt completely unsatisfactory for purchase.
It has no interior room. The back seat is simply cosmetic since any passenger sitting behind a 6 foot or taller driver cannot find room for their legs and knees. Place a driver of over 6 foot 2 in the driver's seat and you'd have to be a double amputee to ride in the back.
This was (and continues to be) a glaring problem in the Ion and once again GM delivers a half-arsed attempt to enter a market with a vehicle that it proclaims as new and offers no improvement. At least the Cavalier four door had more usable back seat room. Moreover, the Cobalt is so inferior to the Focus in room that one wonders how Chevrolet can pass this piece of crap off as a four door since only infants and children in carseats will be able to occupy the space back there.
Maybe the Cobalt is dynamically better than the Cavalier, but it is still inferior to the years old Ford Focus in handling and ride not to mention interior usable space.
Cobalt is a Goblin. It is also far more like an AMC Gremlin than of a precious metal.
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SGV 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
:) ^^
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Seth L 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
"the abrasive charisma of the Dodge Neon."
SRT-4 aside, I don't know what he's talking about either.
laserwizard- And here I thought foci had bad backseats. The Cobalt is worse?
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tech222 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
rear legroom (sedan)
Focus: 37.6"
Civic: 36.0"
Cobalt: 33.7"
ION: 33.3"
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Robert Farago 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Chris' copy did say Dodge Neon SRT-4. I cut the important bit by mistake. That's been rectified.
If anyone has access to better jpegs of the Cobalt, please email them to robertfarago@hotmail.com .
Thanks for reading.
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tech222 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
"If anyone has access to better jpegs of the Cobalt..."
Just create an account with GM's media site: http://media.gm.com
They have plenty of stock photography for journos to use. Most of the manufacturers have similar efforts.
http://media.daimlerchrysler.com
http://media.ford.com
etc...
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
or just the regular gm site, click save as.
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Travis 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
holy crap, I normally don't take anything TTAC says seriously, but that was pretty bad. 10+ seconds for the 0-60?? Sure hope that's an auto and he just sucks at launching, b/c that's downright piss poor for a 145hp engine.
Although the SS sounds pretty sweet, everything under it seems pretty boring. A pitty that they're using the SS to sell the boring versions, especially since the SS isn't out yet.
It seems like a nice, little car. Compared to other GM offerings it's definitely a step above, and compared to the Cavalier it's a HUGE step up, but compared to the Mazda3, Focus, Scions, etc it's nothing special. Congratulations, GM, you've worked so hard you've achieved mediocrity. :)
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Justin Hollabaugh 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Only GM could be lambasted for producing a boring car for a boring market segment. Civic? Corolla? Lancer? Neon? Focus? I'm sorry but none of these cars excite me one bit.
Why can't someone review the Cobalt for what it is... an automotive appliance. Sure, it evokes no more passion than my refridgerator but in this market segment, it doesn't need to. If it is a good value and a reliable point-to-point transportation appliance then it has done it's job.
Also, comparing a base Cobalt to a Neon SRT-4 is ridiculous. A proper comparison would be SS vs. SRT-4.
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John Gonzalez 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Good review!
http://www.cobaltss.com/
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Stacy S. 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I just purchased the 2005 Chevy Cobalt on 1-24-05, and I love it. It's such a great ride and has plenty of room without being a large car.
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dave 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I just bought a new chevy for the first time in my life. I like the car. Its plenty peppy, the automatic trans. shifts beautifuly, and the exterior is nice looking(handsome). It handles real nice with a sharp turning radius, and stiff suspension that feel good. Its a very quiet car and is getting good gas mileage. The interior is ok,,not bad for this car class. I am glad i bought it. I think this car will sell well, its the only really good small car chevy has ever made. Drive it,,,you'll like it.
dave
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Jonel Z 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Nice Job. I cant wait for my SS!
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Merrill Davis 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I really think the author has an overwhelming bias towards Neons. I myself was a big Neon fan until recently (Like test Driving the cobalt) I've found that this is a very peppy little car and if One actually knows HOW to drive a Four Cylinder machine they will actually find that this car OUTPERFORMS many of the other cars in it's class. *The SRT-4 is an Unfair comparison since it's a mini-viper engine and he should wait for the SS S/C to come out to compare a both sporty versions against each other.* I have no problems with my interior since it is the same quality as the Corolla and Civic. I just strongly disagree w/ the author on several points since this car handles, accelerates and is styled much better than my Neon Highline sedan ever was... But to each their own.
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