Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test

15 messages, Last post on Jun 06, 2009 at 4:47 AM

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2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test - Bottom Line: Most small cars are moving upscale in look and feel, but the Cobalt LS XFE a throwback to that previous bare-bones tradition. (more)

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#9 of 15 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test [dispencer2] by thegraduate Nov 25, 2008 (11:45 am)
Replying to: dispencer2 (Nov 09, 2008 12:57 pm) Frankly tires are tires. I couldn't disagree more, but that'd be off-topic. I suggest those interested in replacement tires check out somewhere such as tire-rack to see the differences. Replies to this message: micweb (Nov 25, 2008 12:05 pm) dispencer2 (Mar 18, 2009 2:12 pm) vincent67 (Jun 05, 2009 8:55 am) micweb (Jun 05, 2009 12:35 pm) and 1 more...
#10 of 15 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test [thegraduate] by micweb Nov 25, 2008 (12:05 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 25, 2008 11:45 am) I think the tirerack.com tire tests are quite good, and the customer comments can be helpful. The one caveat is that everyone there seems to hate OEM (came with the car) tires and in my experience, stock tires are usually much better than the ratings at tire rack would indicate. Several times I changed from low rated factory tires to highly rated aftermarket tires, based on the information at tire rack, only to discover the improvements were minor at best. Consumer Reports is much more reliable, though they don't report on nearly as many tires as tire rack.
#11 of 15 by jdkrup77 Dec 26, 2008 (8:59 pm)
If Edmunds actually did their research then they would have known that you can get the XFE in a 1LT package with power windows, locks, cruise, keyless entry, and upgraded cloth seats.
#12 of 15 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test [thegraduate] by dispencer2 Mar 18, 2009 (2:12 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Nov 25, 2008 11:45 am) I've usually stuck with the same tire that originally came on the car but I've discovered that sometimes the cheapest cars have the most expensive tires. The Continental tires on my Cobalt seem fine and if they hold up I'll replace them with an identical one. The car handles fine and I don't have any problem with the original equipment tires. You are right though. There can be a vast different between tires and I've noticed this in sports cars I've owned. I haven't seen a lot of difference in cars like the Cobalt. Frankly, I think that 'handling" is over rated. Consumer Reports makes a big deal about driving on a track around cones. I don't drive that way so their results aren't very important to me. Replies to this message: vincent67 (Jun 05, 2009 8:55 am) micweb (Jun 05, 2009 12:35 pm) vincent67 (Jun 06, 2009 4:47 am)
#13 of 15 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test [dispencer2] by vincent67 Jun 05, 2009 (8:55 am)
Replying to: dispencer2 (Mar 18, 2009 2:12 pm) I recently bought an 07 LS, and this is my first post on this forum. The stock Continental TouringContact AS tires have been okay for me. I like the ride comfort and low noise (as does my wife, who is very picky about that), and I haven't had any problems with handling on dry or wet roads. The front ones are new, and the rear ones need to be replaced soon. I went online to order two new Contis, but was concerned about all the negative reviews I read. If only for peace of mind, I thought about ordering four new tires (was leaning toward Michelin Harmony). I finally decided to stay with the Contis because, again, I have no problems with them. I don't subject my tires to test track conditions, and I slow down in rain and snow. I can always replace all four later if the Contis don't work out, but my experience so far says that getting two new ones is a safe bet. Replies to this message: micweb (Jun 05, 2009 12:35 pm) vincent67 (Jun 06, 2009 4:47 am)
#14 of 15 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test [vincent67] by micweb Jun 05, 2009 (12:35 pm)
Replying to: vincent67 (Jun 05, 2009 8:55 am) I "upgrade" (so I thought at the time) the stock Contis on my '06 Cobalt to Kumho Solus KH4's, a tire which I have used on other cars and think is quite good, comparable to Bridgestone 950's. Unfortunately the Kumho's were noisier and did NOT improve handling or ride. The stock Conti's are actually pretty good tires. I think most of the negative reviews are bogus reviews. That has been my impression from Tire Rack, based on replacing many low-rated "stock" tires with supposedly much better "performance" tires, in same sizes (for example, tons of low ratings on Goodyear LS tires on my stock VW's, but after market Dunlops were no better, etc.). Replies to this message: vincent67 (Jun 06, 2009 4:47 am)
#15 of 15 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Sedan XFE Full Test [micweb] by vincent67 Jun 06, 2009 (4:47 am)
Replying to: micweb (Jun 05, 2009 12:35 pm) Micweb writes: "I think most of the negative reviews are bogus..." Interesting observation. I'd hate to have that same experience at the expense of buying four tires when I need only two. Also, my rear tires are covered by Continental's prorated warranty. On Tirerack's page about OE tires, they state: "Only the vehicle manufacturer and tire manufacturer working together to develop the OE tire can determine exactly which tire design and internal construction will produce the most satisfactory results. A tire manufacturer who builds 'all-purpose' replacement tires will never receive the benefit of the vehicle manufacturer's insight and intent, and is relegated to producing 'average' tires."