Those turbo SS cobalts are little rockets.

Posted by sleeperspirit Those turbo SS cobalts are little rockets.

Mine was the supercharged model, and honestly I wish I had waited. The 2009+ cars were what GM should've released in the first place. Mine was a great car and very fun to drive, but there were issues that sometimes scared. The transmission was the biggest failing in that car... The transmission was sourced from the Saab 9-3 Turbo (which was a turbo ecotec). However, the gearing for a supercharged car versus a turbocharged car was very different. As a result, first and second were far too deep, so the car had a tendency to 'bounce' on launch. Each time the wheels made contact, it stressed the final drive assembly and motormounts and could lead to cracking of the bell housing or outright destruction of the final drive. On top of that, the clutch was just a normal old la-di-da clutch you'd find in your mom's Cobalt. Three or four back to back runs on a drag strip and it would start to slip. This scared the shit out of me at Napierville Dragway in Quebec. Luckily, once it cooled, it behaved normally.

The brakes on the supercharged model were nothing really to write home about as they were sourced from the 9-5/Malibu/G6/Aura platform. They were bigger than a normal Cobalt and didn't give up when you were beating on them, but they were no Brembos.

Even with the shortcomings of the 2005-2007 Cobalt SS/SC, it was still a joy to drive. Where the car really shone was on a twisty road where you could stay in the boost and work the suspension. Even with non-Pirelli tires, the grip was endless and really inspired confidence when you were doing your best Colin McRae impersonation. So I don't consider the money wasted.

The 2008 non-boosted SS was an embarrassment, a joke, something that you bought your daughter to take to school. The 2.4L Ecotec was a boat anchor and most of these ended up with that spastic automatic that couldn't decide what it wanted to do. About the only bright spot to these posers was the suspension that was lifted from the previous SS/SC.

But in 2009, when the TC was released... oh my. 260hp was a lie. These things were rocketsleds! And they had the brakes and so much more refinement than the previous car.

And just like that, they were gone in 2010, to be replaced by the ho-hum Cruze RS which, let's be honest, is an options package and nothing more. No sporting suspension, ugly 17" wheels and rear disc brakes that wouldn't look out of place on the back of Yamaha Raptor. And the worst part is that it didn't have to be that way. The Cruze and Buick Verano sit on the same chassis and the Verano comes with that same 2.0L Turbo/6speed that was available in the Cobalt SS/TC... But instead of putting that engine in the Cruze, they stuffed in the luxopuffer Buick and hook a $27k price tag on it.

(sigh)
I miss my car more than I care to say.

Posted by splumer Unless you fabricated your own parts, it's still bought.

I dunno... if it's been modified heavily, not using bolt on parts, I'd consider it to be "built". My VR6 Bug was "built". Did I make my own engine? Nope. I wanted a Beetle that made that glorious noise, so I built one. Would I put the sticker on my car? No. But it was a fairly involved job, and I'm proud to say it works.









My friend who built his very own car entirely from the ground up (and even designed his own front suspension), well, his plate says "BLTNOTBT".

That wire harness gives me anxiety .

That was probably the most tedious part of the project- merging the two harnesses. (Plus, the VR6 was throttle by wire, the Beetle still had a throttle cable.)

Posted by bandi I dunno... if it's been modified heavily, not using bolt on parts, I'd consider it to be "built". My VR6 Bug was "built". Did I make my own engine? Nope. I wanted a Beetle that made that glorious noise, so I built one. Would I put the sticker on my car? No. But it was a fairly involved job, and I'm proud to say it works.

My point was just that to an extent, anything one does to one's car is bought. I always found that statement foolish. Not everyone has the skill, facilities or desire to put their aftermarket stuff on themselves. Who cares? I'm 48, and lying on the cold, hard garage floor fixing something on my car gets less attractive every single day.

Posted by splumer My point was just that to an extent, anything one does to one's car is bought. I always found that statement foolish. Not everyone has the skill, facilities or desire to put their aftermarket stuff on themselves. Who cares? I'm 48, and lying on the cold, hard garage floor fixing something on my car gets less attractive every single day.

Try fixing cars every day for the last ten years , the only time I like "fixing " my own anymore is just if I'm modifying it to make it better. Don't get me started on everyone (friends, family ) else's crap that Somehow become my problem .

Posted by sleeperspirit Try fixing cars every day for the last ten years , the only time I like "fixing " my own anymore is just if I'm modifying it to make it better. Don't get me started on everyone (friends, family ) else's crap that Somehow become my problem .

I've been working full time as a mechanic since 2001.

I hate everyone's car but mine.

Posted by splumer My point was just that to an extent, anything one does to one's car is bought. I always found that statement foolish. Not everyone has the skill, facilities or desire to put their aftermarket stuff on themselves. Who cares? I'm 48, and lying on the cold, hard garage floor fixing something on my car gets less attractive every single day.

I think the point Splume is anyone can throw money at a car. It takes a little more dedication to turn the wrenches and make the effort to modified parts in your backyard.

Everyone knew the kid in highschool who let daddy's money build him a badass car but couldn't change a tire.

Posted by bandi I've been working full time as a mechanic since 2001. I hate everyone's car but mine.

I think that is one of the reasons my brother took the job where I work. He had worked as a mechanic since 1996 and was tired of it, especially at the dealership where he worked. Now, of course, he is tired of the shiftwork.

Posted by jeepdave I think the point Splume is anyone can throw money at a car. It takes a little more dedication to turn the wrenches and make the effort to modified parts in your backyard. Everyone knew the kid in highschool who let daddy's money build him a badass car but couldn't change a tire.

True.

Posted by splumer True.

I used to know a kid like that at the height of the fast n furious craze... traded in a brand new Civic (after a certain blue striped cavalier beat him repeatedly one fateful night) for a brand new Acura RSX. Kids daddy paid for GReddy turbo kit and they slapped it on, never taking into account all the other stuff that one needs when upgrading to forced induction.

inside of two months, the engine in the RSX was spewing blue smoke... and of course the warranty was voided by the improper turbo install.

Moral of the story? Money can't buy everything including credibility.

'75 Jeep CJ5:
https://outerbanks...to/5480755948.html

Posted by jeepdave Everyone knew the kid in highschool who let daddy's money build him a badass car but couldn't change a tire.

I have a customer with a brand new 2016 Golf. It's 1000% stock.

Rear window stickers include:
"Built not bought"
"No it's not my BF's car"
"Boosted"
"Daily Driven"
"Real women use 3 pedals"

So I guess she built her own Golf. Fairly impressive. I'm not sure why we're responsible for the warranty on it.

Posted by bandi I have a customer with a brand new 2016 Golf. It's 1000% stock. Rear window stickers include: "Built not bought" "No it's not my BF's car" "Boosted" "Daily Driven" "Real women use 3 pedals" So I guess she built her own Golf. Fairly impressive. I'm not sure why we're responsible for the warranty on it.

Maybe she didn't know what the stickers meant , the real question is ... Are they all on an angle on the rear window ?

there are two things on my rear window...

a "mighty car mods" sticker
and an "alpinestars" sticker.

Posted by bandi I have a customer with a brand new 2016 Golf. It's 1000% stock. Rear window stickers include: "Built not bought" "No it's not my BF's car" "Boosted" "Daily Driven" "Real women use 3 pedals" So I guess she built her own Golf. Fairly impressive. I'm not sure why we're responsible for the warranty on it.

Maybe she works at a VW factory.

there are two things on my rear window... a "mighty car mods" sticker and an "alpinestars" sticker.

Maybe we should do a stickers thread...

Posted by splumer '75 Jeep CJ5: https://outerbanks...to/5480755948.html

That thing is stupid nice for the price.

Posted by splumer Maybe she works at a VW factory.

Hell of a commute from Mexico to Ontario.

Posted by sleeperspirit Maybe she didn't know what the stickers meant , the real question is ... Are they all on an angle on the rear window ?

YES!!!