R&T: WRX vs Cobalt SS vs MS3 vs Lancer RA

[Hank3]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=7103

MS3 comes in 3rd place.

[CWPspeed3]

At least its the 09 WRX, I dont believe the cobalt came in first but I'd hope after a few years of being unchanged someone would be able to bring out something new to knock the MS3 off the top spot. I've never been a fan of R&T myself.

[VermZ06]

R&T just wanted to see a flame war for the 1st time around these parts.

Regardless it's good that cars like this keep upping the ante because we keep getting great inexpensive fast cars.

I've got to say that the cobalt is great for what it is, but the styling is ancient and with its torsion beam and optional limited slip it just doesn't add up for me. Again the car needs a complete overhaul in terms of styling inside and out.

I feel the ralliart isn't getting the props it deserves, and the scooby doo was pretty darn quick. Kudos to Subie for listening to their fanboys.

MS3 still = most powerful (torque), best interior, best looking, extra sixth gear = #1 in my book.

[Antonio DiMarco]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=7103

MS3 comes in 3rd place.

I still think the MS3 is tops with respect to most well-rounded, refined package for the money. The Cobalt is fine if you want a cheap car with some balls. But I'm not the type that likes to loose my creature comforts and pride of ownership for a cool suspension and power. After all you got to live with the car beyond the confines of the racetrack. In that regard the Mitsu, Subie and MS3 crush the Cobalt.

[CoolWhip]

There will always be someone out there that's faster, better, stronger. (Starts playing daft punk)

[jdm justin]

I don't like the look at all of the Cobalt and the interior makes me want to puke. (notcool)

[jdm justin]

I still think the MS3 is tops with respect to most well-rounded, refined package for the money. The Cobalt is fine if you want a cheap car with some balls. But I'm not the type that likes to loose my creature comforts and pride of ownership for a cool suspension and power. After all you got to live with the car beyond the confines of the racetrack. In that regard the Mitsu, Subie and MS3 crush the Cobalt.

I agree

[15min5k]

I would still just buy the speed3 and put an intake sway bar and sport springs on it ($500-700). These mods alone would at least make the performance aspect of the comparision even at worst. And yeah the Cobalt is ugly as sin.

[Renzokuken]

Its like having a girl thats great in bed that looks fugly as hell.

[VermZ06]

LOL



Its like having a girl thats great in bed that looks fugly as hell.

[pdqgp]

The cobalt is the worst looking car both inside and outside. Not to mention it's the bottom of the pack in quality. I'd own a vette, but that's about the only Chevy.

It doesn't surprise me that "positioning" of titles is switching....this is the last year and the 09's are carryovers.

[VermZ06]

Yes and I'm wondering what the deal is going to be for mazdaspeed. I'm concerned because i haven't heard anything in terms of new speed models. Kinda depressing right now...

[rapter]

Yes and I'm wondering what the deal is going to be for mazdaspeed. I'm concerned because i haven't heard anything in terms of new speed models. Kinda depressing right now...

Depressing? I think its exciting. They will come out with a new model dont worry, but nobody has really any idea to what it will be, i also heard they might take one year break and go back toa 2010 mazdaspeed 6.

back to topic, yeah the Cobalt is Ugly, reminds of a Corolla LOL.
Speed 3 looks really nice for a hatch. And props for subaru for getting back in.

ANd i agree i think the Mitsu ralliart is underrated. its a great car with 230 hp + and looks sharp, i love teh Front aggressive end style. escpecially to those people who cant afford the evo for 50 grand.(canada).

[xSP33Dx3x]

wonder how the 08-07 wrx owners feel :) always been a subaru fan myself so im happy for them and excited to start seeing some.... but about the Cobalt, seriously?


Its like having a girl thats great in bed that looks fugly as hell.

haha at least with the girl you can use a paper bag or close your eyes... but what are you supposed to do with the Cobalt?

[controlo]

I still think the MS3 is tops with respect to most well-rounded, refined package for the money. The Cobalt is fine if you want a cheap car with some balls. But I'm not the type that likes to loose my creature comforts and pride of ownership for a cool suspension and power. After all you got to live with the car beyond the confines of the racetrack. In that regard the Mitsu, Subie and MS3 crush the Cobalt.

i agree too.

my only question is: why would anyone make a 260hp fwd car without limited slip????

nice comparison. i think they're all great cars. they each have their pros and cons.

[dkswim]

sweet, subscribed

[03.5-dc-speed]

in my opinion and families experience chevys are built great with quality. if the cobalt didnt look like a girl car or boring then i would have thought more about getting it. and i really like how they made a 4 door ss.

[Antonio DiMarco]

Its like having a girl thats great in bed that looks fugly as hell.

That statement says it even better than my little diatribe :-) Well done.(rockon)

[RODSCALIP5]

Great job by Chevy, Ford is next.

[Alexsered]

Road and Track have always done the worst in the Mazdaspeed3- they get the worst 0-60 times out of all the magazine, and the worst 1/4 times too. Do they have something against the speed3?

I bet if Car & Driver did this comparision, it would be Mazdaspeed3 than the Lancer, than the WRX and finally the Cobalt.

If its road and track, why are they only testing the track? The cobalt looks bad, has bad quality, and I don't think it would hold up as long as the MS3.

[Alexsered]

Great job by Chevy, Ford is next.

seriously, if ford brings that Ford Focus RS to the states, I might have to consider trading the MS3 in. That this is a monster and overseas, it's crushing everything in its price range.

[15min5k]

"Best roll-on car in the group," said Kott. " - What does this mean? Fastest car from a roll?

"It hits far harder than any other engine in this test"

I think the MS3 would have faired a bit better if they tested on a road course like Luguna Seca or something. It's a bit heavy for Auto X

[speedsports]

WRX still looks like a Corolla, and the SS just needs an Budget Rental Car sticker in the back. (Although I am drawn to the SS it because its got the John Heinricy influence on it)

I'll stick with my MS3.

[djthom]

These threads make me really miss the good old days with Happy and Angry and MS3077...ah the good ol' days

Good article but you have to feel like R&T is biased against the MS3.


I am pretty excited to see the reviews for the new ford focus...

[AutoEuphoria]

I drove one of the new Cobalt SS's before deciding on the MS3, and I thought it wasn't nearly as good as the MS3 in a number of areas, including speed (the turbo seemed to lose efficiency 1/2 way through the revs), interior quality, ride quality, cargo space, steering feel, and exterior appearance.

[robin2660]

WRX still looks like a Corolla, and the SS just needs an Budget Rental Car sticker in the back. (Although I am drawn to the SS it because its got the John Heinricy influence on it)

I'll stick with my MS3.

You know, I hear so many people calling the corolla ugly. I think my GF's Corolla XRS is a nice looking car.

Oh, and get used to it. The MS3 is a fugly little car. (evil)

[Je5ter]

You know, I hear so many people calling the corolla ugly. I think my GF's Corolla XRS is a nice looking car.
(evil)

My Grandma drives a Corolla, but thanks.

[Nismothecat]

Good article but you have to feel like R&T is biased against the MS3.




really, the MS3 won the last 2 comparisons they wrote.

[mazdaspeedster3]

C&D will have their comparo out soon, you can bet on that. Hopefully they do the full audience with the new GTI, CooperS Werx and the SRT4.

[coololddude]

the MS3 still hangs with the "latest and greatest" its 3 yrs. old and still invited to the party!! did you notice in the "performance" section the 3 lost four points for fuel economy but in the comparison section the avg. for the 3 and the SS were the same.--20.4. the wrx lost 4 pts. also and it avg. 22.2, best in the bunch. ok, i wasn't this picky when the 3 was #1 but i'm a MS3 WHORE!! they are all great cars. i would be happy, happy, with any of them. that is untill i had to carry a 50in. HD tv. ha-ha

[rapter]

You know, I hear so many people calling the corolla ugly. I think my GF's Corolla XRS is a nice looking car.

Oh, and get used to it. The MS3 is a fugly little car. (evil)


Fugly? wow your the first. Yeah the corolla xrs is a step better. but still it has the name "COROLLA" = "GRANDMA CAR".

I dont want to biased but its true people see that name and thats what they think, at least the MS3 is a nice sporty looking car, infact i think thats what they mean by zoom-zoom. lol

[Rotary_Powered]

Hats off to chevy, that little car's faster around a track than an EVOX and STi for over 10k less. It is nothing less than a performance bargain.

[tiagotiago]

I feel very happy with my car and I'm kinda happy that other cars are beating it, this only means Mazda engineers are going to have to work hard on the Ms3's successor, if they decide to do one of course.

In any event, I can't get the other 3 featured cars that beat the ms3 here :)

[Rotary_Powered]

I give full props to chevy and subaru for uping thier games. But I will be honest as a mazda fan this version of the MS3 has always impressed me http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=122361 better value than the evo and sti, imo. But like I said the performance of the new SS is astounding for it's class.

[Ajburr]

Have to wonder what Chevy was thinking when they designed (or.... I guess chose not to re-design) the exterior of the Cobalt SS. I mean, the sleeper arguement works for the MS3, because the base model already looks good, just give it a few aesthetic tweaks and we're good to roll, but you can't apply the same logic to the cobalt. It's terribly bland on the outside.

[LASERBLUE135]

Hats off to chevy, that little car's faster around a track than an EVOX and STi for over 10k less. It is nothing less than a performance bargain.

Well I wouldn't say that. an EvoX would probly destroy it around a track, I just saw that one stomped a twin turbo BMW 1 series by 4 seconds around a good sized track.

However, it IS a performance bargain. And ASTONISHINGLY!!! PLAIN JANE LOOKING. This car in 4 door sedan version is the ultimate sleeper of all time.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2008/W39/092320081739137255.jpg
if that doesn't look like your grandma's cavalier...yet it could send you home with your tail between your legs. It's kind of hilarious. Way to go GM!

[Je5ter]

Well I wouldn't say that. an EvoX would probly destroy it around a track, I just saw that one stomped a twin turbo BMW 1 series by 4 seconds around a good sized track.

However, it IS a performance bargain. And ASTONISHINGLY!!! PLAIN JANE LOOKING. This car in 4 door sedan version is the ultimate sleeper of all time.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2008/W39/092320081739137255.jpg
if that doesn't look like your grandma's cavalier...yet it could send you home with your tail between your legs. It's kind of hilarious. Way to go GM!

But its so boooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. fuck I would have picked any other of the three cars before I even batted an eyelash at it.

[Byrnie]

seriously, if ford brings that Ford Focus RS to the states, I might have to consider trading the MS3 in. That this is a monster and overseas, it's crushing everything in its price range.

+1000000000000 I love the Ford Focus RS, such a neat looking car.

[LASERBLUE135]

But its so boooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring. fuck I would have picked any other of the three cars before I even batted an eyelash at it.

I wouldn't say I'd buy one, personally I'd rather have a SRT4 neon than that and save 1/2 price. If I had my pick of the 4 (If I got one for free), I'd without question pick the wrx (in wagon trim).

But admit it. It's hilarious that you would step up to this thing at a light/dragstrip and get destroyed! To me its very funny.

[Je5ter]

I wouldn't get destroyed.. Speak for yourself :P

[Rotary_Powered]

Well I wouldn't say that. an EvoX would probly destroy it around a track, I just saw that one stomped a twin turbo BMW 1 series by 4 seconds around a good sized track.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2008_feature?cid=320

Yep...it's as quick or quicker than the evoX...

[LASERBLUE135]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2008_feature?cid=320

Yep...it's as quick or quicker than the evoX...

That really is fucking unreal!!! OMG, holy shit and the works. However the track layout/conditions did play a part here I'm sure. EvoX's are track masters in MR package and put the smack down on just about anything in the price range. The fact that a 350Z went faster than the Evo or the Cobalt says this has to be true.

That said, the fact that a Cobalt can outrace an Evo on a track with corners in any conditions in UNBELIEVABLE! I am absolutly shocked that GM put together such an incredible fwd performer. Amazing car, simply amazing.

little shit even thumped the Supercharged lotus Elise by 3 full seconds!

[15min5k]

That really is fucking unreal!!! OMG, holy shit and the works. However the track layout/conditions did play a part here I'm sure. EvoX's are track masters in MR package and put the smack down on just about anything in the price range. The fact that a 350Z went faster than the Evo or the Cobalt says this has to be true.

That said, the fact that a Cobalt can outrace an Evo on a track with corners in any conditions in UNBELIEVABLE! I am absolutly shocked that GM put together such an incredible fwd performer. Amazing car, simply amazing.

little shit even thumped the Supercharged lotus Elise by 3 full seconds!

Yeah and the MS3 basically tied with the Elise running a 3:16. Honestly I know the Cobalt is quicker around the track but I wouldn't trade the MS3 in for one.

[azturbo3d]

Just give our car a redesign (like the cobalt got) and we'd be back at one.

IMO ms3 needs a better gearbox and needs to go on a diet!

[Renzokuken]

wonder how the 08-07 wrx owners feel :) always been a subaru fan myself so im happy for them and excited to start seeing some.... but about the Cobalt, seriously?



haha at least with the girl you can use a paper bag or close your eyes... but what are you supposed to do with the Cobalt?

I guess you can get really dark tint so that no one will see you driving around with that thing.

[LazerBlueP5]

Truth be told, with it's infinitely better "sleeper/unassuming" looks, it's got to be a lot of fun to own. You have to get a drab color (definitely NOT yellow or red), de-badge and/or rebadge it as a base model and swap it for the base wheels w/ wheel covers (with high-performance rubber of course). Almost NO ONE would see it coming. ;)

[Sveivo]

What the world needs is P5 looks and Cobalt performance. That's it and that's all!

[Donas64]

What the world needs is P5 looks and Cobalt performance. That's it and that's all!

I know right. Why oh why didn't the P5 get the mazdaspeed touch. It could have been great!

[Donas64]

Hats off to chevy, that little car's faster around a track than an EVOX and STi for over 10k less. It is nothing less than a performance bargain.


I give chevy massive props. I actually very much like the cobalt ss in coupe trim and in sedan trim it's a great sleeper. Chevy worked some chassis magic. The cobalt replacement whenever it comes could be a world beater if it takes some styling and interior cues from its big bro malibu.

[Donas64]

I wouldn't say I'd buy one, personally I'd rather have a SRT4 neon than that and save 1/2 price. If I had my pick of the 4 (If I got one for free), I'd without question pick the wrx (in wagon trim).

But admit it. It's hilarious that you would step up to this thing at a light/dragstrip and get destroyed! To me its very funny.

right there with you. I still drool at SRT4 neons till this day. So mean looking when done up right. Especially in blue. That car still sets the standard for stock FMIC's

[specvspeedfreak]

I was waiting for a test like this one.. I do think R&D got it right on their ranking (only if they rank on performance)... I wouldn't even consider the cobalt cause of its quality and looks but I knew from the beginning it would outperform the MS3 or even be the best in its class.. what i wanted to see is the new rex.. they did a great job on the car... at the end I do believe I made the right choice... the rex is a lil more expensive but it wasn't even around when i got the ms3... I like knowing my car is very tunable ( you can even say more detuned than the others) and with a few cheap mods it will keep up or even beat the others but be unique doing it.

[Donas64]

My frankeneconorocket would be:

Cobalt Engine & Handling + MS3 Interior - heavy and apparent unnecessary AWD from WRX and Lancer Ralliart.

[kura808]

i think i'd take a ms3 out of all of them..wrx looks like a kia..cobalt looks ugly as ever. the ralliart is ok..

i always thought the ms3 had higher lateral g than that .86? i mean our p5s have .86g lol..unless they got misprint info on our cars.

[15min5k]

i think i'd take a ms3 out of all of them..wrx looks like a kia..cobalt looks ugly as ever. the ralliart is ok..

i always thought the ms3 had higher lateral g than that .86? i mean our p5s have .86g lol..unless they got misprint info on our cars.

The highest I've seen was .91g's for the MS3. Depends on who's driving it, etc.

[turbo23]

It really comes down to the driver with all these cars. I noticed they said the ms3 could use some better initial turn in and grip. Just throwing on the eibach's and a RSB did just that. I think the chevy would be a great new race car, meaning, buying it new, stripping it right away, and making it a full out race car.