I’ve come across a 2006 Cobalt LT (not the supercharged one) which will easily fit into my “budget” for a rallyX car. But I don’t know much about Cobalts.
As far as I can tell it is in good drivable condition. I’ll know more once I check it out.
My question is only regarding the car's potential: Would / could a Cobalt be somewhat competitive in RX in Stock?
Thank you
I can't comment at all on competitiveness, but my GF had a 2005 for 12 years from new. It was very simple, relatively easy to work on, and not needy. The only real weak point was the front control arms, which are a stupid design that puts the bolt through the rear bushing vertically (90deg off the axis of movement) instead of horizontally, which leads to the very soft bushings wearing out regularly. It did develop an unexplained rough idle at one point, which I eventually solved by siphoning a quart of water through the intake and steam-cleaning the innards. Other than that, it was robust in that basic GM car sort of way. The gearbox wasn't awful, the engine kept going, and most of the electronics worked (hers was a manual base model - crank windows and everything- which helped). I could certainly see it being fun too hoon around a rallyx circuit, but fast? That's a different question.
On the plus side, at a minimum- it's a cheap FWD car with easily accessible parts, which is a major win for something as rough as rallycross. If there was a boosted version you also have access to hardier parts including ones built for turbos if you go down that route.
I think the lightest chasses were ~2400lbs.
Depends on the region, but in general with good tires and a good driver, just about anything can be reasonably competitive.
It's your basic strut front/beam rear car, they handle reasonably well and reasonably tough. A good car to get out and drive with. Any of the engine options are good. It is based on one of the Euro cars, I cannot remember other than they brought it here first as the Saturn Ion and heavily "americanized" it, people complained, they kept more of the Euro-ness with the Cobalt.
Is it five lug or four lug? Four lug is the ultra common 4x100, make life easy if you want a second set of wheels/tires. I cannot remember if the five lug are 5x100 or 5x110.
Say what you will about the control arm bushings, everyone does it that way anymore. At least the compliance bushing is not effectively mounted in single shear like a VW, they had a habit of breaking the bolt.
Send it.
Good to know they are a fairly reliable car and lots of parts availability. Things like control arm bushings aren’t generally too hard to change.
My local region (Arizona) is fairly small but growing in spite of keeping their rallyX program somewhat secret. If I get good at it I may go to other regions to play a bit.
In reply to girthquake
I found curb weight is about 2700lbs. But even without the supercharger the hp (145) to weight isn’t too bad.
In reply to Pete
This is a 4 lug. And yes one thing on my list is to have something where wheels are abundant. Ideally I will have a second set just for rallyX.
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