Some cars show up with some pretty big shoes to fill; it's probably fair to say that the Cavalier's shoes had shrunk in the wash a bit by the time the Cobalt showed up. But sometimes, low expectations can be a good thing -- especially when they're fulfilled by something as legitimately good as the Cobalt. Even amid intense competition from overseas, the Cobalt, however belatedly, had fulfilled the Cavalier's promise of a true "import fighter."
The stock tires size for a 2005 Cobalt LS was 195/60R15, and the stock replacements are Continental Touring Contact all-season tires. These tires are known for long life and good fuel efficiency, but not much else. As of 2014, they're $84 a piece from Tire Rack, which makes them fairly inexpensive, but not as much as the most popular replacements. Currently, the top-selling replacement tire for this car is the $50 Fuzion Touring, which is a decent tire all around. The second-best seller is the directional General Altimax HP, which offers better traction, comfort and performance at a slightly higher $63, but less flexibility in terms of rotating tires. If you've got an extra $2 per tire, you might consider upgrading to the Altimax RT43, an all-season touring tire rated at the top of its class in the category.
