2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Faces Four Forced-Induction Fours and a High-RPM Honda

[MS3077]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/2008_chevrolet_cobalt_ss_faces_four_forced_inducti on_fours_and_a_high_rpm_honda_feature/(page)/1

[MS3077]

So the MS3 is actually a bit quicker than the New cobalt ss..(peep)

[Super Unique]

they are so close in performance, the drivers skills (lack thereof) will determine which is quicker. Besides, these are all street cars. With performance numbers so close, why not get the car that you like the most.......

I don't know about you, but everytime I make a payment, I am NOT thinking about how to shave a tenth of the 1/4 times.....

[MS3077]

they are so close in performance, the drivers skills (lack thereof) will determine which is quicker. Besides, these are all street cars. With performance numbers so close, why not get the car that you like the most.......

I don't know about you, but everytime I make a payment, I am NOT thinking about how to shave a tenth of the 1/4 times.....

Competition is fun.

And no I'm not thinking about shaving a tenth off my 1/4 every time I make my car payment lol! My opening comment was just to get people into the discussion, not really trying to start a pissing match about which car is faster, etc. I mean the article talks about the hottest sport compacts on the market and gives a little bit of info on each car. Thought it was interesting is all. Plus I think there’s been a common misconception on the Speed3’s attainable 0-60 and ¼ times, thought maybe this might clear some things up.

[Super Unique]

I just get bored of the fan boy justifications of a particular brand/make of car.

Every single care made is an amalgam of compromises meant to satisfy the masses. EVERY car has weak points, and 100% of them are certainly not the awesome, perfect car that you have to get... Car companies are masters at extracting maximum $ from you for their minimum of effort. Why else are cars still sold with laughable MSRP posted on the window? It's a suckers game thats why.

If you want a real eye opener, add up what you spend on your car in a given year. Payments, tags, license, gas, oil, maintenance, car wash supplies, add ons and mods, insurance etc... The total percentage of your annual income going to the car is shocking, Just imagine what you do with that money spent in other ways in your life.

[MS3077]

I just get bored of the fan boy justifications of a particular brand/make of car.

Every single care made is an amalgam of compromises meant to satisfy the masses. EVERY car has weak points, and 100% of them are certainly not the awesome, perfect car that you have to get... Car companies are masters at extracting maximum $ from you for their minimum of effort. Why else are cars still sold with laughable MSRP posted on the window? It's a suckers game thats why.

If you want a real eye opener, add up what you spend on your car in a given year. Payments, tags, license, gas, oil, maintenance, car wash supplies, add ons and mods, insurance etc... The total percentage of your annual income going to the car is shocking, Just imagine what you do with that money spent in other ways in your life.

Wow man! I didn't mean for this to get so deep :( I'm sorry you feel that way, it's depressing (how much is spent on the car yearly) Some of us like to compete and compare cars. I didn't realize it was such a bad thing to do. I mean if it really bothers you there are many other threads in the forum. Not all of us have the same opinion, views or whatever but the "fan boy" name calling crap isn't necessary. I really don’t understand it, you know I support the MS3 obviously but I’ve in no way indicated and or suggested it was the best thing out since sliced bread, etc. Yes, if member post information about it (MS3) and it’s not true I’ll defend it but how does that make me a “fan boy”? I thought it would have been clear by now that I don’t think the MS3 is the best thing ever. Guess I was wrong, either way it’s getting annoying. This forum is starting to = FAIL. Seems like every time I make a thread a flame fiesta develops

[Nismothecat]

when i bought my MS3 i got free car washes for as long as i own the car. seemed like a good deal to me.

[UHATEIT]

you have posted a lot of stuff out there about the cobalt ss... I liked them when i owned a Z24 Cavalier, but having since moved on and on, The cobalt SS is an ugly looking car and yes it is much slower. Do you dwell on the Cobalt SS or did you once own one?

[Super Unique]

Wow man! I didn't mean for this to get so deep :( I'm sorry you feel that way, it's depressing (how much is spent on the car yearly) Some of us like to compete and compare cars. I didn't realize it was such a bad thing to do. I mean if it really bothers you there are many other threads in the forum. Not all of us have the same opinion, views or whatever but the "fan boy" name calling crap isn't necessary. I really don’t understand it, you know I support the MS3 obviously but I’ve in no way indicated and or suggested it was the best thing our since sliced bread, etc. Yes, if member post information about it (MS3) and it’s not true I’ll defend it but how does that make me a “fan boy”? I thought it would have been clear by now that I don’t think the MS3 is the best thing ever. Guess I was wrong, either way it’s getting annoying. This forum is starting to = FAIL. Seems like every time I make a thread a flame fiesta develops

first off, I never called out anyone in particular. Just stated how I feel. There are a lot of different choices out there, and they are not all neatly lined up in a wins/losses style of catalog. Perhaps your misinterpreting things a bit. Yes I like the speed 3, yes I own one. No, I don't think it's the fastest thing since tokyo drift. Also, the general reception you get might be a good opportunity to consider how you interact with others. 1 person giving you a hard time is nothing, 2 or 3 becomes troublesome. But when you perceive an entire forum as out to get you, perhaps there is something to what they are saying?

The reason I responded the way I did? This same or similar threads have consistently been trampled through, and completely played out to the point of them becoming locked. Only to pop up again in some incantation or another. It gets annoying after a while.

ps. grow some thicker skin, all this beating around the bush is tiring. You are local to me, and I have met you in person. IRL your a much nicer person. Figure out why that changes behind a keyboard and your well on your way towards being more well rounded and personable while online.

[Betelgeuse]

Well this is interesting because everyone and their mothers jumped the gun saying how much faster the Cobalt SS will be.

Yeah this is just one mag and they are close enough in performance that the driver will make the difference, but still interesting nonetheless.

Unfortunately for this thread, I smell the dumpster only because it will probably end up becoming heated. I hope not.

[Super Unique]

Well this is interesting because everyone and their mothers jumped the gun saying how much faster the Cobalt SS will be.

Yeah this is just one mag and they are close enough in performance that the driver will make the difference, but still interesting nonetheless.

Unfortunately for this thread, I smell the dumpster only because it will probably end up becoming heated. I hope not.

The cobalt will remain a good choice for the domestic brand folks. It's certainly shaping up to be far superior to the srt4. I am still not sure what Dodge was thinking with that one.

There is an upside to all these different sport compacts on the market now, each new generation of car gets better and better. Each time one is released the bar gets raised in one way or another. This is good for everyone :)

The only way to know for sure what you like is to try them all, and thats a LOT of fun. If only the sales people were a little easier to deal with it would make the experience better.

[MS3077]

you have posted a lot of stuff out there about the cobalt ss... I liked them when i owned a Z24 Cavalier, but having since moved on and on, The cobalt SS is an ugly looking car and yes it is much slower. Do you dwell on the Cobalt SS or did you once own one?


Neither! Geez man I thought it was an interesting article is all. There was one (1) thread about it and we had a little discussion and some were saying things like "The king as been dethroned!" and that type of thing. So my argument was that it's a little too soon to say that and that there are more things to consider than what one or a couple mag entities suggested about it. I do give it credit but I don't thinks it's all that. Doesn’t mean I’m right doesn’t mean I’m wrong. It’s all a matter of opinion but if we're going to talk #'s lets at least be fair and post #'s which have been attained before because this is what the car is truly capable of in the hands of a decent driver. For example, to say the MS3's best 1/4 time is 14.4 and 0-60 5.8 is simply incorrect as better #'s have been and or can be achieved.
So if we are going to have a #’s battle lets post the best #’s for each car and not pick and choose which one’s we want because we might be biased or something.

[MS3077]

first off, I never called out anyone in particular. Just stated how I feel. There are a lot of different choices out there, and they are not all neatly lined up in a wins/losses style of catalog. Perhaps your misinterpreting things a bit. Yes I like the speed 3, yes I own one. No, I don't think it's the fastest thing since tokyo drift. Also, the general reception you get might be a good opportunity to consider how you interact with others. 1 person giving you a hard time is nothing, 2 or 3 becomes troublesome. But when you perceive an entire forum as out to get you, perhaps there is something to what they are saying?

The reason I responded the way I did? This same or similar threads have consistently been trampled through, and completely played out to the point of them becoming locked. Only to pop up again in some incantation or another. It gets annoying after a while.

ps. grow some thicker skin, all this beating around the bush is tiring. You are local to me, and I have met you in person. IRL your a much nicer person. Figure out why that changes behind a keyboard and your well on your way towards being more well rounded and personable while online.

Well I apologize and I see where you're coming from now. However, you have to understand where I'm coming from as well. I mean really, most of the time I'm just stating my opinion and a member just comes out of no where and flames me for something trivial. Sorry if I came across as an ass which apparently I did. No hard feelings! - I'm about (1) key stroke away from being banned anyway so you probably wont need to worry about me anymore regardless.

[Super Unique]

I am eligible for GM employee pricing, and tried, keyword tried to get into the cobalt coupe & sedans. Not happening :)

Keep that in mind if your a larger person. Same holds true for the subies as well. I could easily afford any of them, including the sti and evo. The mazdaspeed 3 was the car I fit in comfortably. Also as long as I am handing out info like I am some sort of expert (sic) maybe if I could manage to loose a few pounds I wouldn't need a shoehorn to get out of a 2 seater convertible LMAO...... But then again, when your 6'4" tall and big boned, even if you loose weight your not fitting in several of these cars.

[hectik1]

Good read.

[mckraut]

I am eligible for GM employee pricing, and tried, keyword tried to get into the cobalt coupe & sedans. Not happening :)

Keep that in mind if your a larger person. Same holds true for the subies as well. I could easily afford any of them, including the sti and evo. The mazdaspeed 3 was the car I fit in comfortably. Also as long as I am handing out info like I am some sort of expert (sic) maybe if I could manage to loose a few pounds I wouldn't need a shoehorn to get out of a 2 seater convertible LMAO...... But then again, when your 6'4" tall and big boned, even if you loose weight your not fitting in several of these cars.

I agree with you on the comfortable fit. I'm not crazy tall, 6', but I am big boned as you say and I've got room to spare in the MS3. The little beastie even fits my fedora when I choose to sport it. :-)

[happy and angry]

6'3" and I ended up sold on the Mazda3 and then the Mazdaspeed3 primarily because I fit in it. My '07 Mazda3 Sport (5 door to you yanks) GT has a moon roof and my hair kisses the roof, so it can be a close fit, too. I'll never drive an S2000 or a Porsche (probably), but this car fits me well.

That said, I'm going to be spoiled by this car. When I got to replace it, how am I ever going to be able to step down in terms of power, handling, precision, utility and... well, frankly, fit.

I drove my mom's Cobalt for a year, and it was hell. I fit, awkwardly, and I hated it.

[Super Unique]

We should enjoy the speed 3 for now, who knows for certain what mazda and the mazdaspeed team will have up their sleeves for the next sporty and quick compact from the flying M brand :)

Because if they don't, another carmaker will......

[Rotary_Powered]

kind of a half as comparo when they haven't even driven the Ralliart. They're just magazine racing. No lap times or real driving impressions.

[MS3077]

kind of a half as comparo when they haven't even driven the Ralliart. They're just magazine racing. No lap times or real driving impressions.

Yeah, it was meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

[dkswim]

sweet ill have to read this later.

[oaklandopen]

when i bought my MS3 i got free car washes for as long as i own the car. seemed like a good deal to me.

boooo...my dealer only gave me 4, and they had to be used up in a month. there's another mazda dealer that has a certificate good for a month, but you can start it whenever you want. not only that, the place i went to had a guy throw half his body on the top of the car to try to get the antenna off, i told him "let me do it" and twisted it off w/out touching the paint.

[MS3077]

I bought the MS3 for several reasons but the biggest being that it's a really fun car to drive and it's very practical. I think the New cobalt ss would be a slightly better track toy but I don't track my car much so to me it really doesn't matter. Guess that's the same reason I would go with the New BMW 135i over the New EVO. The EVO is a better track car but to me the BMW is a better daily driver and is still just as fun as the EVO in most situations from what I've been reading anyway. I guess it's silly for me to make these assumptions without driving the cars but I'll get to soon enough. So in the end the best car is the one that makes you happiest.

[assman]

So the Cobalt SS does teh 1/4 at 146MPH. VERY impressive!!!!!!!!!!!

[MS3077]

So the Cobalt SS does teh 1/4 at 146MPH. VERY impressive!!!!!!!!!!!

I would be first in line if it could do that! Ha-ha! Just kidding :)

[assman]

Ya even so, still a piece of crap. Too bad they invest in a decent motor for once but leave it in the same body as one of the cheapest cars on the road.

[boostdog]

i like the cobalt ss/tc but it won't make any more power than stock ( for the most part) due to the ecu having the ability to pull power to stock levels until some sort of EM is made for it.

[mazdaspeedster3]

I am eligible for GM employee pricing, and tried, keyword tried to get into the cobalt coupe & sedans. Not happening :)

Keep that in mind if your a larger person. Same holds true for the subies as well. I could easily afford any of them, including the sti and evo. The mazdaspeed 3 was the car I fit in comfortably. Also as long as I am handing out info like I am some sort of expert (sic) maybe if I could manage to loose a few pounds I wouldn't need a shoehorn to get out of a 2 seater convertible LMAO...... But then again, when your 6'4" tall and big boned, even if you loose weight your not fitting in several of these cars.

I am the same way, I wanted a WRX for years! I bought a 99 si and then in 2002 the WRX came out (01 launch) I was made. So in 03 (04 product line) I set out to trade my Honda in for a Silver WRX wagon. Man, by the time I got in the car and got the seat adjusted to even attempt to drive it my wife was outside the car laughing at me for how big I looked in it. Very strange. I bought the 04 Mazda 3 that day. So, when the Speed3 came out I was very excited. Cobalts are the same. I get employee discount as well but dont fit in those cars at all!

[Hikaru9]

6'3" and I ended up sold on the Mazda3 and then the Mazdaspeed3 primarily because I fit in it. My '07 Mazda3 Sport (5 door to you yanks) GT has a moon roof and my hair kisses the roof, so it can be a close fit, too. I'll never drive an S2000 or a Porsche (probably), but this car fits me well.

That said, I'm going to be spoiled by this car. When I got to replace it, how am I ever going to be able to step down in terms of power, handling, precision, utility and... well, frankly, fit.

I drove my mom's Cobalt for a year, and it was hell. I fit, awkwardly, and I hated it.

I feel your pain. I've had some tall friends in my cars, and they looked so awkward and folded up. >_< I am glad I'm only 5'8", so I can fit in any car I want to drive without issues.

I understand the feeling of being spoiled by power, but couldn't you just get something even more powerful when you replace this car? *^_^* It's very true that not many cars out there perform well in many areas like the MS3 (fast, economical, fun to drive, relatively comfortable, and practical)

[Alain]

Cobalt is ugly anyway. (bolt)

[hard2kill]

I think the New cobalt ss would be great for that person that doesn't want to spend $$ on a decent car to track. It's probably an alright daily driver but lacks in the practically dept and in my opinion doesn't look so good. When there's another comparison between the newest cars (cobalt, ralliart) vs. MS3 they're surely going to take all aspects into account. I think when you look at all these cars from an over all standpoint most would chose the MS3 - It'll be just as and or more capable then all its competitors perhaps slightly less in some areas (handling via the cobalt and maybe ralliart) but it will have them pretty soundly beat in other areas that would matter more to most people. That' my prediction - Not that it really matters because like MS3077 already said it's what makes you happy in the end :)

P.S. You do have to admit it was kind of silly for ppl to jump the gun a say the Cobalt ss is new king and this kind of thing before a fair comparison even took place.

[Super Unique]

Ford itself has yet to field a serious contender. Rumors keep swirling about the possibility of the european focus RS to land on our shores in the coming few years. If so, that could be interesting. Not to mention all the manufacturers seem to be throwing their hat into the ring with direct injected, turbocharged gas engines recently. There is serious appeal to having a single 4 cylinder engine that fits across a wide swath of vehicles. It saves the manufacturer a LOT of money over a period of years. In the past this wasn't as practical or possible, but now with matured turbo tech and Direct Injection becoming workable, the rules are different.

[ericrapp]

The Focus RS is coming 09. and about f'n time. with a 300 horse 5cyl probably maybe. But I would bet it will be pricey. And one of the tests I read on the Cobalt ss said is was a pretty well balanced chassis in a poor fit and finish car, but much better than the first one. To each their own I say. I have Mazda blood in me now!

[happy and angry]

P.S. You do have to admit it was kind of silly for ppl to jump the gun a say the Cobalt ss is new king and this kind of thing before a fair comparison even took place.Who said this?

What is this thing where people who acknowledge the merits of a car must actually be "crowning it king", as if there is such a thing for vehicles?

[Super Unique]

Nobody here was crowning it king, but we were pointing out that it met or exceeded some of the performance numbers on the speed 3 for sure.

Now, I am quite confidant, that like our car, several folks will manage to beat the magazines best posted performance numbers. Where will that leave things? who knows, but I am happier to see yet another hot hatch on the american market. We got ignored for far too many years. What we ended up getting, was always a watered down, poor excuse for what the rest of the world got was the really good stuff. No more 2nd best please :)

[jbiird317]

Not that it really matters because like MS3077 already said it's what makes you happy in the end :)

i wonder why it is you guys agree so well?

[hard2kill]

i wonder why it is you guys agree so well?

What are you talking about???

[hard2kill]

Who said this?

What is this thing where people who acknowledge the merits of a car must actually be "crowning it king", as if there is such a thing for vehicles?

Well, I remember seeing a thread titled "the king has been dethoned" or some bs like that (perhaps I'm wrong). But hey your right it doesn't matter :)

[Rotary_Powered]

I think that thread was over the ring lap time the new cobalt ss set.

[hard2kill]

Anybody know when the MS3 is going to have a real shot at "The Ring"? Didn't it run a 8:39 with traffic and a virgin driver?(ghey)Not trying to make excuses for it or anything but that's be real here..

[happy and angry]

I'm sure the Mazdaspeed3 has had several real runs at the ring with experienced test drivers, since its suspension was tuned there. It just doesn't seem like Mazda recorded any numbers, or if they have, they just haven't made them public.

[hard2kill]

I want bragging rights damnit! (protest)

[whitey4311]

Do they even have MS3's in the Philippines? I know they do in Florida and I know of one skinny white guy in particular that does, lol.

[dkswim]

Well the way I see it is the ralliart is good there are a lot of things going for it, lot of evo parts or ease of getting evo parts to work with it. its nice to see Mitsubishi made a medium level as opposed to previous there top shelf evo and there bottom shelf lancer/ most of the rest of there cars (performance wise). The Chevy has parts bin galore of racing parts already made for the core engine minus come of the direct injection stuff that is sure to come out soon. And our car is coming to the end of this production run so there are not going to be that many comparisons. As great as our car is I wouldn’t call ours the benchmark. My 2 cents though

[dkswim]

if I recall right the stated time for our car is a shoe of a driver on an early morning run little to no traffic full track (not the stupid chicanes on the long straight away for traffic integration.)

Any ways you should take those times and hell even the tuskabusa track times as a grain of salt there are too many variables iv heard teams using full race slicks ive heard of companies upping boost, or tweaking the computer a little, or running the easter egg that no one knows about except the race team and all the engineers. and tuskabussa has traffic issues they only run 3 laps ive seen tons of great cars get hold up by traffic on the first lap and not be able to recover but you can see its charging through the course, its generally the car that can get the inside of the first turn that wins there.

[hard2kill]

Do they even have MS3's in the Philippines? I know they do in Florida and I know of one skinny white guy in particular that does, lol.

No, Mazda doesn't sale MS3's in the Philippines only the regular 3. I'm here on business for a couple months without my MS3 :(

[100$ GUY]

Cobalt is ugly anyway. (bolt)

Oh really? hahaha, I havent noticed.

[Vindikacione]

Cobalt SS=Wannabe Corvette
MS3=MS3 (Afterall, it does have more hp than big brother: RX8)

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=RX8

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=MS3

If you want good gas mileage, buy the Cobalt SS. If you want Zoom-Zoom, buy the MS3. Can't squeeze Zoom-Zoom out of a US Brand or Honduh for that matter. Never been happier.

And I'm an equal opportunity car buyer, I happen to own the baddest grocery-getting, soccer-mom driving, WB AWD Chevy Venture Minivan this side of the Mississippi. LOL. So I don't hate. I'm just a realist with capitalist tendencies.

Long live the MS3. For He's a jolly good fellow and all that jazz...

[ericrapp]

The ice cream will not melt in our speeds, but it might get jostled on the way home from the grocery store!