Search results matching tag 'chevrolet'

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Review | New Cobalt Reviews | Chevy Sedan Review

Jeffrey Ross — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:47:00 GMT

Chevrolet has been spending a great deal of time and money recently bolstering its lineup with more fuel-efficient and competitive vehicles. As one of Chevrolet’s most successful vehicles, the Cobalt is now also one of company’s the most versatile offerings. From the fuel-efficient XFE to the high-performance SS, the Chevrolet Cobalt meets the needs of just about any driver. Keep reading below for a full review on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt.

Designing a compact car these days seems to be getting more challenging for manufacturers with each new generation. Compact cars are renowned for their fuel efficiency, inexpensive sticker price and conservative styling, but a growing number of enthusiasts are beginning to expect more performance.

Chevrolet’s Cobalt manages all of this despite a design that is growing ever closer to the end of its lifecycle. Although the Cobalt is available as a sedan or a coupe, the biggest news for 2009 is limited to the sedan. From best-in-class fuel economy to best bang-for-the-buck performance, the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt comes in a wide variety of models to satisfy just about anyone’s driving desires. With highway fuel economy of 37 miles per gallon, the Cobalt XFE is the most fuel-efficient car among compact sedans, while the Cobalt SS offers 260 turbocharged horses for pure driving pleasure.

With fuel costs becoming a main buying point, buyers should welcome the all-new Cobalt XFE. Available on the base Cobalt LS only, the XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy) package increases fuel economy through a few engineering upgrades and adjustments. Despite a slight bump in horsepower (from 148 to 155) in the XFE’s 2.2-liter I-4, the Cobalt XFE benefits from taller gear ratios in its five-speed manual transmission as well as recommended shift points lower in the RPM range. low rolling resistance tires and recommended shift points lower in the RPM range. In the end, the 2009 Cobalt XFE’s 37 highway mpg beats out all major competitors including the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Ford Focus, while the 25 city mpg are right about average for the class.

While the Cobalt XFE focuses on improving fuel efficiency, Chevrolet designed the new Cobalt SS sedan to handle just about any racetrack including the famed Nϋrburgring - where the Cobalt circled the 13-mile road course in 8:22.35 minutes. Joining the spunky Cobalt SS coupe, the sedan model provides the practicality of four doors without sacrificing any performance. Under the hood, the 2009 Cobalt SS comes with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter I-4 rated at 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque to provide a 0-60 mile per hour time of 5.7 seconds. Like the Cobalt XFE, the SS uses a five-speed manual transmission as its sole gearbox but is engineered to maximize performance by utilizing higher gear ratios than the base Cobalt. With EPA fuel economy estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, the Cobalt SS is more fuel efficient than its main competitors such as Mazda’s MazdaSpeed3 and the Dodge Caliber SRT4.

The Cobalt SS features numerous exterior updates to improve aerodynamics and handling as well as helping to distinguish it from lesser Cobalt models. From aggressive front and rear fascias to unique rocker panels and decklid spoiler, the SS definitely stands out from the rest of the crowd. Up front, the conventional grille is replaced with diamond-mesh inserts, which not only provide a menacing look but also helps feed more air to the intercooler. The 18-inch, split five-spoke aluminum wheels are unique to the SS and come wrapped in low-profile Continental performance tires.

Like most sports cars, the SS doesn’t just look good, but it performs well, too. For optimized handling capabilities, Chevrolet equipped the performance-tuned Cobalt with SS-specific stabilizer bars, spring rates and damper tuning for tight cornering. Despite being front-wheel drive, torque steer was nonexistent even during wide-open acceleration. Other than acceleration, braking is one of the most important aspects of a performance car, and the Cobalt SS delivers. With four-wheel vented disc brakes and Brembo® four-piston, fixed calipers up front, the Cobalt SS helps ease all that power to rest. Helping to further increase safety, GM’s proven StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is standard.

Inside, both cars came equipped in base form. Although the XFE had crank windows and manual door locks, the standard XM satellite radio and OnStar service helped give it a more luxurious feeling. The seats were comfortable and provided adequate support and adjustments, while the split-colored instrument panel helped break up any possible monotony. As expected, the SS had all the possible power features and came filled to the brim with standard conveniences including SS-embroidered seats with added lateral support, a turbo boost gauge mounted on the A-pillar and a reconfigurable performance display.

With a starting MSRP of $15,010, the 2009 Cobalt XFE not only gets better fuel economy than all of its competition, but it costs less than most of them, too. To help reduce weight, all 2009 Cobalt models come standard with a tire inflator instead of a spare tire. The car we tested came with the optional spare tire ($75), anti-lock brakes ($400) and protection package (floor mats and body side moldings) ($180) for a total MSRP of $16,325. The Cobalt SS sedan we tested had a higher base price ($23,435), but every penny of that premium is instantly worth it the first time a MazdaSpeed3 or Dodge Caliber SRT4 is left looking at the Cobalt’s rear end.

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey N. Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

Re: 2001 Impala blinker/window problems

bob dem — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:57:44 GMT

I've had both of these problems, I have 192K on my '02 impala - and it runs well. I've had many frustrations, but the car has never left me stranded anywhere. Most of the problems have been annoyances & inconveniences. I live around Cleveland, so the snow and salt in the winters takes its toll. It's a base model, but it has a spoiler on the back, sun roof, alloy wheels, pin stripes, CD & cassette player,. ... I still like the way it looks.

My driver's side master window control was hardly working - I took it apart (it was like peeling an onion - it had many parts I had to keep removing until I got to the actual metal contacts) and found that the metal contact were all "carboned up". I used an "electrical spray can contact cleaner" and a Q-tip and they cleaned up easily. I put it back together and it worked great, but be careful not to break the small parts when disassembling. be careful to put all back in reverse order and all of th parts back in the same orientation that they were originally in.

When my blinkers only worked half the time, I tried many things - the only thing that worked was replacing the 4-way emergency blinker mechanism.

I have also had the BCM replaced ($430 from a repair shop, not a dealer) when many electrical things went bad in a short period of time. It's under the dash on the passenger side. They had to program it and make sure it was the correct part. This fixed many things - daytime running lights, air conditioner, electrical "engine-front fans", ....

The entire transmission was replaced under warranty at 35,500 miles - its been fine since. I had the intake manifold gasket replaced (like everyone else) at 94K miles.(I was hoping GM would reimburse me the $400 I paid for the job, but apparently they don't do this). I also had to replace the inside rearview mirror (the cheap plastic tab that flipped it from day to night vision broke). I replaced the two rear exterior door handles after the hinges broke (very cheaply made).. My fuel guage usually doesn't work, so I use the trip odometer to tell when to fill up (the sending unit is in the gas tank and was much too expensive to fix for an older car).

Since the 2001 is the same as the 2002 through 2005 impalas, I can get most of the newer replacement parts at a very reasonable price from used parts stores who have disassembled newer impalas that were in accidents.

Even though the car is 7 yrs old and has 192K on it, it's a great car because it's paid for (its also dependable and I still like it). With the gas costs exceeding $4.00/gallon now, I am spending more on gas that I'd like, so I'm delaying starting any new car payments. BTW, I still get 29 MPG on the freeway and 24 or so around town.

Next thing I need to do is replace the interior fan resistor (its under the dash by the passenger side, next to the fan, which is in a type of canister), because "speed one" does not work on my heater/A/C fan. I'm also toying with the idea of replacing the two driver side door hinges, as they are shot and make a loud cracking noise when I open the door 1/2 way (even though I have been greasing the hinges for years).

I also noticed that the top front of my engine is covered in a light layer of oil. I thought the valve cover bolts were loose, but they're tight. so, the oil must be blowing out from the "oil fill cover" for some reason - something must be blocked up?

Hope this helps you. If anyone has info that would help me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Bob

Problems Starting a 2002 Cavalier (Ecotec)

brettman — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:45:45 GMT

The car will not start. Will start upon jump, but will lose its charge if not kept running. Both alternator and battery test out fine and no apparent shorts are visible. All of my after market-electronics have been taken out so those are not to blame. This problem occurred after a rear-end collision, causing minor and mostly cosmetic damages. Any input on this is greatly appreciated, or any ideas on what I could be missing.

Sneak Peek: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

Jeffrey Ross — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:14:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

The King is back! No, Elvis is still dead (or living in Kalamazoo) and Michael Jackson has no plans to going on tour again (or so we hope). The King that will be returning is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

Originally, the ZR1 was the most powerful Corvette ever produced until production ceased in 1995 (close to the end of the C4 Corvette model). Since then, the C5 and C6 Corvettes have kept enthusiasts happy with Z06 models. For 2009, Chevrolet will once again create a Corvette truly worthy of the ZR1 nameplate.

With a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V-8 and a $100,000+ price tag, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will mark the fastest, most powerful and most expensive Corvette ever to roll out of the Bowling Green, Kentucky production facility (the original ZR1 maxed out at 405 horsepower - 25 horsepower less than the base 2008 Corvette - and came with a hefty price tag close to $60,000). GM’s goal of 100 horsepower/liter means that the new LS9 will put out at least 620 horsepower (with an expected torque rating at 595 lb-ft.), which should easily propel the 3,350-pound super Vette well over the 200-mph barrier.

In addition to the unique engine and the plentiful power that will accompany it, many exterior enhancements set the ZR1 apart from other Corvette models. The extensive use of carbon fiber on the new ZR1 allowed Chevrolet designers to not only cut the weight of the car, but it also Besides the numerous carbon fiber accents that adorn the ZR1’s exterior, the most noticeable and unique visual aspect has to be the raised bump in the hood. The bulging hood features a clear window that displays the supercharger’s intercooler and leaves no doubt what powers the ZR1 with “LS9 SUPERCHARGED” clearly visible on each side of the iconic “crossed flag” Corvette emblem.

Pictures and Wallpapers

Domestic factory tuners: Chevrolet HHR SS vs. Dodge Caliber SRT-4

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:48:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

While the highly anticipated Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger are still at least a year away from production, Chevrolet and Dodge performance enthusiasts can take solace in the latest pocket rockets that will hit showrooms later this year.

Dodge and Chevrolet will both release turbocharged versions of their compact hatchbacks, the Caliber and HHR, respectively. With high horsepower, low weight and sport-tuned suspensions, the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 and 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS should provide phenomenal bang for the buck.

Side by side, both cars feature designs that substantially different routes. While the Caliber uses sharp edges to match Dodge’s identity, the HHR uses a retro-inspired design that borrows heavily from the 1949 model Chevrolet Suburban.

Underneath the hood, is where the true comparison will take place.

The Caliber SRT-4 features a turbocharged 2.4-liter 16-valve four cylinder that produces 285 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The HHR SS is equipped with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four cylinder that pumps out 260 horsepower when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission (235 horsepower with the four-speed automatic transmission).

The Caliber SRT-4 carries on the name of the powerful Dodge Neon-based variant, except with the Caliber’s roots tracing not too distantly to the Mitsubishi Lancer the latest compact tuner from Dodge promises to be a vast improvement over its already-stellar predecessor.

Despite giving up displacement and power to the SRT-4, the HHR SS features a sport-tuned suspension that was tested on legendary Nürburgring track in Germany where other GM cars such as the Corvette and the Cadillac CTS-V, not to mention some of the best Italian, German and Japanese sports cars, were tested.

Inside, both cars feature unique bucket seats for the driver and front passenger that offer increased lateral support. The HHR SS instrument cluster is not much different from the base model cars except for a 140-mph speedometer. The SRT-4 completely revises the cluster inserting an 8,000-RPM tachometer dead and center with the SRT-specific 180 mph speedometer to its right.

Both feature turbo boost gauges with the HHR’s mounted on the A-pillar trim and the Caliber’s mounted in a small and not-too-useful cubby hole.

The high performance variants of both cars should help fuel increased sales which are already tight for the two. Through July, the Caliber has sold 64,684 units (up 27 percent from last year) and the HHR has sold 59,267 units (down 11 percent from last year).

So far, only the Caliber SRT-4 has been given a starting MSRP ($22,995), but both vehicles will go on sale this fall.

HELP

pike2002 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:41:17 GMT

My 2002 Impala is having issues. The service vehicle soon light come on then the battery light will flash and then the security light will come on and the message "locked" will apear on my radio when it does all of this at the same time it will not allow my AC to work. I have changed the alternator and battery but dont know what else to do. I dont want to spend alot of money by taking it to a dealership.. PLEASE HELP!!

GM offers zero-percent financing, cash back for Transformers debut

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:17:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

Many children of the ‘80s have been counting down the days until Independence Day this year. Aside from cookouts, trips to the beach and a midweek day off, moviegoers can look forward to the live-action “Transformers” movie, which is set to release July 3, 2007.

The movie features Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight and a slew of General Motors’ vehicles.

In a cross-promotional push to increase sales for the end of the month, GM will be offering incentives on a number of its vehicles. The “Transform Your Ride Sale” will run from June 26 through July 9, 2007 and will give qualified buyers zero-percent financing for 36 months as well as $1,000 cash rebate on select Pontiac, Buick, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. Unfortunately, the “stars” of “Transformers,” the Pontiac Solstice and the unreleased 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, are not among the incentivized vehicles.

While GM’s remaining brands have seemingly been left out of this offer, they will most certainly feature some sort of end-of-the-month sales push, including Saturn’s “Side by Side by Side” campaign in which Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys are displayed on Saturn showrooms next to the 2008 Aura. Saturn has experienced incredible sales due to a completely new lineup of inspiring vehicles.

Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac are all experiencing sales gains compared to last year but look to make a push heading into the summer months. Buick is still in process of whittling down its product lineup while concurrently producing vehicles that are both fun to drive and uniquely designed.

Hopefully, “Transformers” will invoke childhood memories for many viewers and not end up feeling like an hour and a half General Motors commercial.

The vehicles eligible for this sale are (by make):
Pontiac: 2006 and 2007 G5, G6, Grand Prix and Torrent
Buick: 2006 and 2007 Lacrosse, Lucerne and Rainier
Chevrolet: 2006 and 2007 Cobalt, Monte Carlo, Impala, HHR, TrailBlazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and the all-new 2007 Silverado
GMC: Envoy, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali and the all-new 2007 Sierra

[source: GM press release]

small block Chevy

BigAWB — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:55:44 GMT

What is the normal vacum pressure reading of a 1987 small block chevy at idle?

2002 Chevy Impala

Anonymous — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:41:11 GMT

I have an 02 Impala. My cruise has suddenly quit working. The light still comes on when you push cruise. HELP!! Thanks.

keywords: chevrolet impala, chevy impala, chevy, chevrolet,

Green Bowtie: Chevrolet Volt and Tahoe Hybrid

Jeffrey Ross — Mon, 21 May 2007 19:27:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

After years of resting on their laurels and raking in every last cent from the SUV and crossover boom of the 1990s, American automotive companies realized that to get out of the red, they must get into the green.

Ford had a bit of a head start releasing the Escape hybrid in 2004, but General Motors and Chrysler are not wasting any time playing catch up in the quest to produce more fuel efficient vehicles.

Responding to recent criticism about falling behind technologically, General Motors may actually be the leader in hybrid technology by the end of the decade. Chevrolet could benefit the most from GM’s green push as the company is set to have at least five hybrid vehicles on the market. The most important of which will be the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt by 2010 and the two-mode hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe scheduled for a fall 2007 debut.

The Chevrolet Volt concept was first showed at the 2007 North American International Auto Show to rave reviews in January and has only gained in popularity since. The Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which General Motors hopes to have in showrooms by the 2010 model year. Unlike GM’s first try at an electric vehicle, the 1997-1999 EV1, the Volt seats up to four passengers and comes in an attractive and sporty design.

The most lauded feature of the Chevrolet Volt concept is the ability to drive 40 miles while using only electric power. This means that on an average daily commute, the Volt will consume absolutely no gasoline. Additionally, the Volt’s batteries can be fully charged by a standard 110-volt outlet in just six hours, which means that while the car is sitting during the workday the Volt can be recharge for another gasoline-free afternoon commute. A 1.0-liter, three cylinder gasoline engine helps to extend the overall range of the Volt and charges the batteries while driving.

The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid uses a more conventional hybrid technology than the Volt. The two-mode hybrid system, jointly developed by General Motors, BMW and DaimlerChrylser (see related Dodge Durango hybrid article), works with the Tahoe’s Vortec 5.3-liter V8 to improve overall fuel economy by 25 percent. Chevrolet’s 320-horsepower V8 uses the Active Fuel Management system to deactivate cylinders to further aid the improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe is visually differentiated from other Tahoe models by unique 12-spoke wheels and a more rounded front fascia to improve aerodynamics.

In addition to the 2008 Tahoe hybrid and the production version of the Volt concept, Chevrolet is also expected to produce hybrid models of the all-new Malibu, the Silverado and the Equinox by 2010.