Regular Car Reviews: 2009 Chevy Cobalt XFE (YouTube)

[darcane]

Originally Posted by mechman600

I just searched Vancouver (BC) Craigslist for "XFE". None. Zero.
Then I searched Seattle Craigslist for "XFE". None. Zero.
Hmmmm....

Funny, I watched the video and did exactly the same thing with the same results (well, Seattle only) before reading any further posts.

As the video says, I suspect most people are unaware of what they have.

I'm also not clear on what years had it ('08-'10?) and if it is just Coupes, or Sedans too? Is the only way to tell the little XFE badge on the trunk?

[The Other Andy]

I see them fairly often, actually. I really, really want to like them. Unfortunately, my ex-gf's Cobalt SS soured me. Piss poor materials, horrendous panel alignment, electrical problems all over the place (dead guages, intermittent interior lighting, etc), the usual GM issues of the time.

It (and the few others I test drove) did drive pretty nice though, and it's hard to argue with the XFE's numbers. Plus, the two door Cobalt looked pretty good (four door was an afterthought, and looked/felt like it). An example that's mostly intact today would be hard to pass up, especially at the prices they're going for.

Certainly a massive step up from the Cavalier.

I disagree that advertising (or lack thereof) was the XFE's biggest problem. Wasn't this only available in a stick? Those don't exactly sell all that well here. Plus, a car like the Prius gets great milage with all the luxuries that people want. A stripped-down economy car is a harder sell, especially back when loans for nicer cars were easier to get.

[backpacker3]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

I see them fairly often, actually. I really, really want to like them. Unfortunately, my ex-gf's Cobalt SS soured me. Piss poor materials, horrendous panel alignment, electrical problems all over the place (dead guages, intermittent interior lighting, etc), the usual GM issues of the time.

It (and the few others I test drove) did drive pretty nice though, and it's hard to argue with the XFE's numbers. Plus, the two door Cobalt looked pretty good (four door was an afterthought, and looked/felt like it). An example that's mostly intact today would be hard to pass up, especially at the prices they're going for.

Certainly a massive step up from the Cavalier.

I disagree that advertising (or lack thereof) was the XFE's biggest problem. Wasn't this only available in a stick? Those don't exactly sell all that well here. Plus, a car like the Prius gets great milage with all the luxuries that people want. A stripped-down economy car is a harder sell, especially back when loans for nicer cars were easier to get.

Cavaliers and sunfires have pretty good reliability though so was really that much better? I might be biased but I think cavaliers and sunfires just get a bad rap because of the drivers who own them. Think about it, the majority of people who have them use them as beaters and do t really take care of them but they continue to run. Kids just getting there licenses get them as first cars and you all know how well they care for there cars. My sunfire was originally owned by a friend who sold it to my aunt it was driven all around as a commuter car but properly maintained and cared for and now that I have it there aren't any issues with it. Considering the original cost it's worked out to be a pretty good deal and it hasn't needed any repairs or anything other than just regular maintenance. So if you experience was that bad with the cobalt then I'll stick to my crappy old sunfire any day at least everything works.

[The Other Andy]

Originally Posted by backpacker3

Cavaliers and sunfires have pretty good reliability though so was really that much better? I might be biased but I think cavaliers and sunfires just get a bad rap because of the drivers who own them. Think about it, the majority of people who have them use them as beaters and do t really take care of them but they continue to run. Kids just getting there licenses get them as first cars and you all know how well they care for there cars. My sunfire was originally owned by a friend who sold it to my aunt it was driven all around as a commuter car but properly maintained and cared for and now that I have it there aren't any issues with it. Considering the original cost it's worked out to be a pretty good deal and it hasn't needed any repairs or anything other than just regular maintenance. So if you experience was that bad with the cobalt then I'll stick to my crappy old sunfire any day at least everything works.

Cavaliers and Sunfires were essentially late 1970's designed compact cars. That J-body platform was ancient and not all that great to begin with (although to its credit my '83 J2000 was still kickin' way beyond it's sell-by date), and it performed as such:
Vehicle details

It wasn't a particularly good ride, either. Drive that early '00s Cavalier back to back with a Neon, Focus, Civic, or what have you. They were all better. The Cobalt's ride and handling was a night and day difference compared to the Cavalier/Sunfire.

Understanding just how long GM had kept the J-body going in the US, were they necessarily bad cars by the time they were put to pasture? Probably not. Cheap, fairly reliable, basic cars. That said, having them around well after everyone else had gotten something far newer was a poor business decision (especially with the rather damning crash test ratings). Bad for GM's image, bad for American-based car manufacturer's image.

I will admit, I did like the late-model Cavalier styling. GM went a little too toned down with the Cobalt. Though that said, J2000 > All.

Same model and wheels as mine, though mine had far more rust and most certainly did not attract the ladies

[The Other Andy]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

Wanted a turbo sunbird way back then, but settle for a non-turbo, traded it off a couple years later when it started drinking antifreeze.

Those were sweet, though (to completely derail the thread) a company was inserting the turbo Sunbird powertrain into Fiero's for a bit. Having owned both, the Fiero would be far more fun

Was your 'bird a V6?