I had Pontiac G5 and it was very good car, similar to your Cobalt.
I believe that in general if you buy a car with few gizmos...less goes wrong...just keep revs max at 3000 rpm unless rapid acceleration needed...change oil...coast when safe..they last long time...even relatively inexpensive cars can last..cant get much with 150k miles...so i keep em till they blowup...sell as junk. Wish i could part them out...