Anyone know someplace I can bring my sons car for a power locks/window conversion(NJ)

edco · #1 01-09-2009, 11:16 PM

Greetings..
My son proudly passed his road test and rather than let him drive my X5 or his mom's 325 Ci vert, we found a 2007 Chevy Cobalt sedan, with low mileage and still under GM warranty. The car REALLY runs well gets a staggering 32+ MPG, and even has a plug for his Ipod on the radio!

However, it has manual (as in roll up) windows and door locks. I never realized how much of a pain it is to run around the car and roll up all the windows and lock the doors (please dont remind me how lucky he is to get a car at 17..much less a 1 year old one in perfect shape..my first car was a 1963 Mercury Comet which would make left turns whenever it wanted..)

BUT, being the fact he's a good lad, good student, and all around good kid, I'm trying to find someone/somewhere that would do the install. There is actually a GM retrofit kit which is quite reasonably priced (like $200 for locks and windows)..it's just that I'm never any good at electrical..

So if someone has a relationship with a good shop to do this kind of conversion kit (in the big scheme of lambo doors, and subwoofers, TVs in headrests, this cant be that big a deal to accomplish), I'd like to hire he or she to do the job. Preferably within a reasonable distance from 08840 (central NJ). Willing to pay fair wages + any commuting costs if you decide to do it here since it can be done in my garage or yours.

I've started to prowl the Yourcobalt.com and similiar sites, but thought I'd drop a line here too, just in case there might be someone here that has a good contact..I do not want to go to BestBuy, Circuit City or any of those shops..and I've reached out to James at Mobile Addictions..Havent heard back from him yet.

Thanks and I appreciate your help in advance!
Ed in Metuchen, NJ 08840

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LeMansX5 · #2 01-09-2009, 11:45 PM

Didn't your son want a Camry or minivan?

edco · #3 01-09-2009, 11:47 PM

I tried to show him all the "chicks" that pulled up in minivans, but he wouldnt buy it.. And a Camry..in his words "Uber Boring"

vegasX5 · #4 01-10-2009, 06:08 PM

I don't have any recommendations, but I wanted to commend you on what you're doing for your son. I think that was a great choice of car, not too flashy or fast, but a reasonable and responsible and hopefully reliable vehicle for him to sport around for a few years! I'm sure he's a good kid and I think you made a great decision. Good luck!

trueX5er · #5 01-10-2009, 06:17 PM

not too late to return the car

? While your at it you can get a comprably priced TWO year old Cvic, that's actually safe! How much did you spend on the car? GM's price sounds really good, they can't do it at the dealer? Then it's under some sort of warranty I would presume.

blondboinsd · #6 01-10-2009, 06:40 PM

Please tell me you made sure the Cobalt got side airbags?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GVkj...eature=related without
BIG different between the 2

On the power door locks, I've noticed many places specialize in those type of things. Open up a local reader etc and you should see ads for them. My local one has tons of ads and their not to expensive.

Dannyell · #7 01-10-2009, 07:03 PM

edco if u find one let me know..I want to convert my X

back to the good 'ol days

edco · #8 01-10-2009, 09:57 PM

Yep got the side airbags.. It was really a great deal, but I KNEW that going in on the last day of the year, the quarter, the month, that they would bend over backwards to close one more car. I arrived at 5 PM, and the sales man told me that one more car pushed him over the quota. And truly except for the roll up windows, it is a great car. I test drove a lot of cars with him from Civics to Altimas and everything in between, and even though gas is below $2.00 in NJ, small cars are fetching a dear premium. I even did the Edmunds TCV model and I not only got a) a great price b) still under GM warranty for 18 more months bumper to bumper plus another 3 1/2 on the power train, and (because they advertised it and tried to weasel out saying that it only came if I bought it at the advertized price), he also went home with a Magella Maestro GPS. All for (drum roll please) $10K including tax, doc fees, DMV fees, da woiks !

A buddy of mine told me about a "you pick it" boneyard not to far away from home so if I can't find someone to do it for a price, I'll see if I cant find the entire door cards, switches and window regulators. When I get the parts home, I'll figure out what goes where, and for any parts that look particularly nasty, I'll buy them from either a Chevy dealer or "Autoloc" a company that provides aftermarket power windows and power door looks.

But I think we did good.. safe, reliable (ranks high on Consumer Reports - right behind the Mazda 3), it rides great, came with no dings scratches or otherwise..He saved $5K from working over the summer, and I matched it. I was not expecting the insurance (anyone who knows NJ insurance can appreciate this part) to TRIPLE from $1,000 for my X5 and the wife's 325 Ci (remember we are both over 50 and accident free) to $3,000 by adding the Cobalt and the "occasional driver" to the Bimmers (which you have to do in NJ)..It may be time to move to MD !!

In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open for me..
Thanks !

edco

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

Please tell me you made sure the Cobalt got side airbags?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GVkj...eature=related without
BIG different between the 2

On the power door locks, I've noticed many places specialize in those type of things. Open up a local reader etc and you should see ads for them. My local one has tons of ads and their not to expensive.

edco · #9 01-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueX5er

not too late to return the car

? While your at it you can get a comprably priced TWO year old Cvic, that's actually safe! How much did you spend on the car? GM's price sounds really good, they can't do it at the dealer? Then it's under some sort of warranty I would presume.

I woudnt trade it back on a bet..the same car configured as a civic on the lot cost $7,000 more + tax, title, etc and higher insurance..and as u can see in the photo we actually bought the cobalt at a Honda dealer..I think folks are afraid of American car companies going out of business and being unable to honor warranties, hence the discount..

mrkbbd · #10 01-10-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edco

I was not expecting the insurance (anyone who knows NJ insurance can appreciate this part) to TRIPLE from $1,000 for my X5 and the wife's 325 Ci (remember we are both over 50 and accident free) to $3,000 by adding the Cobalt and the "occasional driver" to the Bimmers (which you have to do in NJ)..It may be time to move to MD !!

edco

You may not want to hear this, but that actually isn't that bad, when I turned 16, my parent's insurance went from 1500 / yr to 8000 / yr

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