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Cavalier gives way to hip 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
Looking for an inexpensive, stylish new domestic car? Not willing to pay high prices for Japanese imports? Chevrolet has just the car for you. The Chevrolet Cobalt is the new replacement for the Cavalier.
Just launched in Canada both coupe and sedan versions are available, with a very sexy looking sporty SS Supercharged coupe as the main attraction.
Garden variety Cobalts are equipped with a reliable 145-hp, 2.2-litre four-cylinder or a slightly more powerful unit.
It’s an impressive vehicle with a neat, unfussy interior, a well designed dashboard with easy to read gauges.
It’s an easy to drive car and its forbearer the Cavalier has always been attractive to female buyers… something that’s set to continue with the Cobalt.
"It’s very popular due to the low price with first time buyers and college graduates looking for their first time car" says Richmond Dennison Chevrolet sales representative Rossana Leung (22).
“It's a nice car to get you around in commuting and everyday driving and is attracting a lot of the younger market” Rossana Leung, Sales Representative Richmond Dennison Chevrolet |
Leung also says "We find a lot of younger people say it will be good for modifying and even the SS version the 171 horsepower is selling very well." Our tester came with a metal trimmed interior which added a classy touch. There have definitely been improvements and more attention to details, for example the power window switches on both drivers and passenger sides are illuminated. A minor thing, but it adds to the feeling of quality.
"It’s a nice car to get you around in commuting and everyday driving and is attracting a lot of the younger market," she continues.
Garry Fogarty of Richmond is buying Cobalt for his University starting daughter and says he is attracted by the price and specifications.
"I'm not concerned about resale as when my daughter gets through with it I will take it back and keep it for a long time." Garry Fogarty Customer, Richmond |
"I find the Japanese imports too highly priced," he states.
"I think however that domestics cars have really improved and offer more value for money.
"I’m not concerned about resale as when my daughter gets through with the car I will take it back and keep it for a long time," he says.
The most exciting model the Sporty SS adds cool looking "Fast and Furious" styled front and rear bumper fascias, 17-inch alloy wheels.
A big rear spoiler and of course the more powerful engine.
Safety wise, the anti-lock brakes are standard on some models and optional on others along with optional full-length side curtain airbags. In US crash tests the Cobalt received an impressive four stars for the driver and five for the passenger in frontal-impact tests.
The Cobalt possesses better handling and driving dynamics than the outgoing Cavalier, with less vibration and road noise.
The Cobalt possesses better handling and driving dynamics than the outgoing Cavalier, with less vibration and road noise.
Good acceleration makes this a smooth and powerful vehicle and it also stops as well as it goes. The five speed manual transmission proves firm, decisive and easy to use. The Cobalt seems competitive with any of the Korean import cars needing refinement in only a few areas to become a really top notch car. However it’s a fitting replacement for the much loved Cavalier and offers excellent value for money, a good engine and a smooth comfortable ride.
With the right pricing strategy GM could have a real winner on their hands. The original Cavalier was a mainstay in the Chevrolet fold. Let’s hope the Cobalt will be the same.
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Specifications
BASE PRICE: $19,795
TYPE: 2-door, 5-passenger compact coupe
TYPE: 2-door, 5-passenger compact coupe 2-door, 5-passenger compact coupe
TYPE: 2-door, 5-passenger compact coupe 2-door, 5-passenger compact coupe
LAYOUT: Transverse front engine/front-wheel-drive Transverse front engine/front-wheel-drive
ENGINE: 2.2 litre, 4 cylinder,2.2 litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valves
HORSEPOWER: 140hp, 171hp or 205hp ,140hp, 171hp or 205hp
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual or automatic 5-speed manual or automatic
LENGTH: 4580 mm (180.3 in.) 4580 mm (180.3 in.)
WIDTH: 1725 mm (67.9 in.) 1725 mm (67.9 in.)
ENGINE: 2.2 litre, 4 cylinder,2.2 litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valves
HORSEPOWER: 140hp, 171hp or 205hp ,140hp, 171hp or 205hp
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual or automatic 5-speed manual or automatic
LENGTH: 4580 mm (180.3 in.) 4580 mm (180.3 in.)
WIDTH: 1725 mm (67.9 in.) 1725 mm (67.9 in.)
HEIGHT: 1415 mm (55.7 in.) 1415 mm (55.7 in.)
TRUNK SPACE: 394 litres (13.9 cu. ft.) 394 litres (13.9 cu. ft.)
TRUNK SPACE: 394 litres (13.9 cu. ft.) 394 litres (13.9 cu. ft.)
FUEL CONSUMPTION CITY: 10.1 L/100 km (28 mpg) Imperial 7.3 L/100 km (39 mpg) Imperial
10.1 L/100 km (28 mpg) Imperial 7.3 L/100 km (39 mpg) Imperial
WARRANTY: 3 yrs/60,000 km 3 yrs/60,000 km
WARRANTY: 3 yrs/60,000 km 3 yrs/60,000 km
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