If you're looking for a decent performance sports coupe that won't cost an arm and a leg, check out Chevy's all-new Cobalt SS. Well-made, reasonably fast and a strong handler, this car comes loaded -- sunroof, leather seats, OnStar, aluminum wheels and other equipment -- yet lists for only $21,155.

But there's an ever bigger reason to check out the Cobalt SS. It's possible to get it with an automatic transmission, which should please the many people who loved the more powerful Cobalt SS Supercharged, but only could get it with a manual transmission.

Chevy's decision makes sense to me. If a car can drive decently with either an automatic or manual, I say let the consumer make the choice. Many people have not been trained to drive a manual, while others don't like using one in traffic-congested and hilly cities such as Pittsburgh because they can be maddeningly inconvenient.

My drive time with the Cobalt SS was lots of fun. Yes, it's a bit slower with its 171 horsepower, 2.4 liter four (rated at 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway) cylinder engine, vs. the 205 hp SS Supercharged model, but enjoyable nonetheless. It handles quite aggressively, with a sport-tuned suspension, high performance tires and other things that make for strong cornering and handling.

The interior was a big improvement over the old Cavalier. The seats were made of a comfortable leather and were quite supportive around the rib cages and shoulders. The dash, with its round gauges and European sport sedan design, marked a pleasant departure from the older styles General Motors has used in the past. Highly legible white numerals against a charcoal black background made for good vision day and night, too.

But there were a few problems inside. The biggest was the armrest console, which blocked the parking brake. I had to raise the armrest each time I used the parking brake, which became annoying. Another problem was the location of the adjuster levers for the driver's seat. They were tucked away and hard to use, requiring a lot of poking and feeling around to find them.

But what really bothered me was the inconvenience of the levers for lowering the back seat in the hatchback. I looked everywhere -- even using the owner's manual -- and still could not find them.

Standard equipment is generous. Power steering, antilock brakes, aluminum wheels, a 60/40 folding rear seat, tilt wheel and cruise control, and power windows and locks with keyless entry are all standard equipment.

Annoyances aside, Chevy's scored a hit run with the SS Coupe. And once again, the concept of consumer choice rules the day.