For those of you pushing the Cobalt I submit the following, according to Consumer Reports review of the Cobalt/Cavalier:
“The Cavalier is crude, noisy, cramped, and uncomfortable. A more modern but still buzzy powerplant arrived in 2003. Interior pieces are flimsy and fit poorly, and seating is cramped and uncomfortable. Poor crash-test results are a concern. The Cobalt replaced the Cavalier for 2005. The 2.2-liter engine is spirited but noisy and relatively thirsty for a small car. The ride is steady, but the steering is too light at low speeds and handling isn’t particularly agile. The supercharged SS model is quick and sporty. Crash-test scores are better, but the Cobalt still received a Poor rating in the IIHS side-crash test when tested without side air bags, but later models with curtain air bags scored Acceptable. A turbocharged Cobalt SS arrived in 2008. The Cobalt was replaced, and greatly improved on, by the 2011 Cruze.”
I highly recommend buying a copy of CR’s buying guide as mountainbike suggested. I totally ignored their advice on my last used car purchase (VW) but I have a thing for German cars. =P