2009 Chevy Cobalt LS Coupe XFE

[cfg83]

Old School Chevy -

Welcome to EM! I'm an XFE fan. I hope it lives up to it's heritage and saves you some coin.

CarloSW2

[MadisonMPG]

Could someone list ALL of the differences of the regular cobalt, and the XFE?

[lusth]

As of 2009 (maybe 2008), XFE == Manual Transmission

(Cobalt SS is a different beast)

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

Could someone list ALL of the differences of the regular cobalt, and the XFE?

Either the Coupe or the Sedan (which was dropped for 2010 I understand) XFE all has manual 5-Speeds, a different gear ratio (idles around 900 RPM on my tach), low resistance tires (which are quickly becoming the norm for all cars, and California is talking about passing a law forcing all new cars to come with low resistance tires because there seems to be no real down side to them) and a shift light on the dash which helps new manual transmission drivers know the best time to shift when possible. Oh, starting in 2009 the Cobalt XFE has a gas shut off at above 2,500RPM when decelerating and it is entirely impossible to detect, this change added one mile to the EPA highway rating from 36 for 2008 to 37 for 2009. Of course most of us here are getting much higher mileage.

So XFE=

#1 Low Resistance Tires,

#2 New Gear Ratio,

#3 a Shift Change light on the dash for 2009, 2010 models.

#4 For 2009 to 2010 they also added the gas cut-off upon decelerating at RPMs above 2,500 RPMs (I really can not notice it one bit).

#5: Almost forgot- XFEs have a 2.2 Liter motor, when originally the Cobalt's had a 2.0 liter engine. For whatever reason a larger engine resulting in better MPG!

#6: Manual 5-Speed Stick shift transmission. (Likely the biggest change)

These changes raised the fuel economy up about 9% based on EPA figures alone for the XFE. Honestly, unless one wants the power of the SS I feel the XFE has plenty enough power, and the Coupe has round tail lights in the rear which remind me a little bit of a Corvette. I feel the coupe looks a little like a sports car.

As far as I know that's about it. Otherwise the cars look exactly alike and come with the same standard options others (to the best of my knowledge). You can only tell them apart by looking for the rear right side badge that says "XFE". I have yet to see another Cobalt in my county that is an XFE on the roads. Although we have tons of regular Cobalts on the roads here.

If you can wait until mid-year 2010 The Lordstown Ohio plant will start building The Chevy Cruise which is rumored to replace the Cobalt and photos show a car that looks very much like the Cobalt. The Chevy Cruise is supposed to have an EPA Highway rating of over 41 MPG, maybe higher. Also the expensive Chevy plug-in electric "The Volt" shares some parts of The Cobalt and The Cruise. (Rumor has it)

[Fr3AkAzOiD]

Hit up Chevy's site and pull up full specs on the Cobalt and it will show you the different MPG ratings per trim level.

The Cruze, especialy when it first comes out will probably be a good bit more expencive then what you can get a Cobalt for now. But just like with the Cobalt, after that first production year the price will probably drop a little with manufacturer and dealer incentives.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Fr3AkAzOiD

Hit up Chevy's site and pull up full specs on the Cobalt and it will show you the different MPG ratings per trim level.

The Cruze, especialy when it first comes out will probably be a good bit more expensive *[<spll ck] then what you can get a Cobalt for now. But just like with the Cobalt, after that first production year the price will probably drop a little with manufacturer and dealer incentives.

Now that's one I was unaware of! Are these changes for 2010 models I take it? Because I do not recall seeing that on their site for 2009 models.

*NOTE: My spell check changed the spelling of this word. Did not mean to change the quote.

[cfg83]

Jammer -

Originally Posted by Jammer

...

So XFE=

#1 Low Resistance Tires,

#2 New Gear Ratio,

#3 a Shift Change light on the dash,

#4 For 2009 to 2010 they added the gas cut-off upon decelerating at RPMs above 2,500 RPMs (I really can not notice it one bit).

#5: Almost forgot- XFEs have a 2.2 Liter motor, when originally the Cobalt's had a 2.0 liter engine. For whatever reason a larger engine resulting in better MPG!

...

Cool. I have the shift change light and the DFCO above 2500 RPMs. When I talk about the Cobalt, I like to say that the Saturn Ion was the "proto Cobalt" because it was an Ecotec + Compact car. I wish they had made an Ion XFE Quad Coupe back in the early 2000s. An American car could have had segment leading fuel economy, .

CarloSW2

[oldertech]

HI,

Congrats on the XFE. I owned a Cobalt for 2 years and recently sold it to get a 17 year old Honda VX.

The Cobalt continues to be an underrated car that is amazing in its efficiency and performance. I find it interested that it gets better mileage than it's little Chevy brother, the Aveo.

I've seen some XFEs in our area in Kansas. The car I had was from the model year before, with a stick. It didn't have the XFE gearing or low rolling resistance tires, but it did very well on gas. I could easily get the EPA numbers. 36mpg on the two lanes was easily accomplished.

Funny that Consumer Reports didn't care for this car. The said it had poor mileage and had average handling. I didn't think that at all. They criticized the steering, yet it was a Japanese electric rack - an efficiency saving device that all cars will probably have in the future. Anyway, I'm done with Consumer reports. I think they are out of touch with normal folks and have a bias toward imported vehicles based on feedback from their limited.
subscriber base.

As far as Chevy, I'm looking forward to seeing the Spark. I like the idea of making cars that have no exotic batteries and are simply small and efficient. I hope they don't degrade the car's abilities and pump up the motor from it's European specs "for the American Market," and strip it of it's mileage. I have my eye on the new Ford Fiesta as well. We'll see. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the Honda VX.

Scott

[Jammer]

Opps, I forgot to mention the most obvious change in an XFE- The Manual 5-Speed Stick shift transmission! (that is now #6 on the list).

What a wide range of views we have here. A good thing indeed.

I have already commented on another forum here how much I distrust Consumer Reports, as with every product I had knowledge of the magazine and I have NEVER once agreed with their opinions. I strongly feel that anyone that soley bases their car purchase on what Consumer Reports says could be making a big mistake. It's far better (imho) to talk to the owners of such cars/products and get their opinions.

I feel all car companies are slowly converting over to all electric cars. It all started with electric wheelchairs and electric golf carts. The problem with electric cars is we have no way of stopping at a station for a fast electric charge, we can only purchase gas or diesel for hybrids, and can charge a plug-in car in about 8 hours (see the 2010 plug-in Chevy Volt- yet to be on the market). In many years we may someday see a time that it will be possible to charge a battery in a matter of a few minutes- and I am sure they are working on making that a reality. Many point to solar Cells, but they are a long ways from being efficient enough to use for power to drive a car under average conditions. Until that day we will see more and more small gas/diesel power cars, and many new Hybrid cars. Personally I do not see a long future for oil gasoline and diesel powered cars and trucks. I strongly feel it's a matter of National Defense for many countries, and that electric cars are quickly becoming more efficient everyday. The big problem that is emerging is to find a method of doing a fast charge on a vehicle when it is depleted of electricity. Also some have a strong fear of EMF- which I do not share.

Some people hold out hope for alternatives such as algae or hemp seed oil- (like Willie Nelson's bus!), methane gas fueled cars/trucks and many other technologies in the R&D phase right now. Maybe one of these technologies will someday gain some headway. I strongly doubt we will be as dependent on oil in the near future. This is why Oil companies, such as BP are already diversifying into alternatives such as solar technology as I type this. Google BP Solar and see what I mean. For example, see this link: http://www.businessinsider.com/bp-so...modules-2009-4 - Solar business is not booming YET. But the big oil guys are looking years into the future.

[Jammer]

Until I get around to my first oil change I think this is about the best milage I can get. It's 2 tenths higher than before, and that is with a lot of use of EOC. I really feel I'll be able to break 50MPG once I get the break-in oil out of the engine, which is due within a couple of weeks.

So, for now, here is my record mileage for ALL of my driving done on this car, not just for one tank or a trip. This is the entire average without resetting.


It sure beats the regular Cobalt at EPA 33 Highway.

I realize this car can do better, and I will get 50MPG plus or die trying.