If my wife hadnt got a job getting paid more than double what I make we were going to upgrade our 07 cobalt to an 09 cobalt. Instead I got a Camaro
However, look around. Get an aftermarket tune and drop $3k into that Cobalt and you'll be able to pace a stock SS Camaro. The 08-09 Cobalt is the #1 sleeper car on the market right now, take it bone stock from the dealer to the tuner and you'll walk out with a rocket pushing ~315hp and ~290tq.
In case you can't tell, I actually like the Cobalt. Another excellent GM car, my only gripe is those incredibly cheap HVAC controls.