Cobalt SS??
02-16-2009, 10:05 AM
#27
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The Cobalt SS can indeed go, stop, and turn remarkably well for what it is.
What it is, however, is a shitty FWD rental car that has been tuned to within an inch of its life. The design and build quality are horrible. I'm no badge snob, but the Cobalt has zero class.
Of course they're selling them for cheap. Unless you pay cash, you will be upside down in this car the second you drive it off the lot. And it gets mediocre scores in IIHS crash testing.
For me, all that overshadows its test track numbers. It might be the fastest-lapping car you can buy for $25K new, but it is FAR from the BEST car in its class or price bracket if you are even remotely concerned with things other than its performance numbers.
Just my opinion.
Wait for the Genesis Coupe R-Spec later this year. It'll have a 2.0 turbo, Brembos, LSD, tuned suspension, 6-speed, and RWD for $23K. Won't be as fast as the Cobalt in a straight line, but it should do well on the track and surpass all the deficiencies I mentioned above.
EDIT: Oh, also, don't be surprised if GM declares bankruptcy in a week or so.
What it is, however, is a shitty FWD rental car that has been tuned to within an inch of its life. The design and build quality are horrible. I'm no badge snob, but the Cobalt has zero class.
Of course they're selling them for cheap. Unless you pay cash, you will be upside down in this car the second you drive it off the lot. And it gets mediocre scores in IIHS crash testing.
For me, all that overshadows its test track numbers. It might be the fastest-lapping car you can buy for $25K new, but it is FAR from the BEST car in its class or price bracket if you are even remotely concerned with things other than its performance numbers.
Just my opinion.
Wait for the Genesis Coupe R-Spec later this year. It'll have a 2.0 turbo, Brembos, LSD, tuned suspension, 6-speed, and RWD for $23K. Won't be as fast as the Cobalt in a straight line, but it should do well on the track and surpass all the deficiencies I mentioned above.
EDIT: Oh, also, don't be surprised if GM declares bankruptcy in a week or so.
SS is a awesome fwd track car. but for looks, i rather wait for the geninses ( and i dont even like the looks of that car, but prefer it over the SS)
02-16-2009, 12:01 PM
#28
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I agree with PotatoSoup.
I don't think I could ever be obsessed enough with cheap power/bang-for-the-buck to get something like a Cobalt SS. I think of being a senior in HS or just getting my license wanting something like this. Either way if this is what your after the Cobalt SS has won a couple comparo's in the major car mag's with the tester's admittedly shocked and it seems GM has done a good job of tuning the Cobalt into a well performing car but form what I gathered all these tests were focused on performance only - not the overall car. Of the cars in these tests I would still take the WRX or MS3. The WRX with its recent power boost to 265hp is ridiculously fast (Motor Trend got a 0-60 in 4.8 sec and 1/4 mile of 13.5) and a new MS3 is coming soon plus there's the already mentioned Hyundai. I'm not sure what area you drive in but just the AWD of the WRX would be a strong consideration for my weather or in general for transferring high power to pavement when compared to FWD.
If the outdated/end-of-the-product-cycle body/interior this performance comes wrapped in doesn't bother you then go for it. Just don't let the cheap power/performance distract you from the other parts of the car you will look at and touch day in and day out and also picture yourself with this same car 4 years down the road and how it will stack up against what will have been launched in the meantime.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...gti_specs.html
I don't think I could ever be obsessed enough with cheap power/bang-for-the-buck to get something like a Cobalt SS. I think of being a senior in HS or just getting my license wanting something like this. Either way if this is what your after the Cobalt SS has won a couple comparo's in the major car mag's with the tester's admittedly shocked and it seems GM has done a good job of tuning the Cobalt into a well performing car but form what I gathered all these tests were focused on performance only - not the overall car. Of the cars in these tests I would still take the WRX or MS3. The WRX with its recent power boost to 265hp is ridiculously fast (Motor Trend got a 0-60 in 4.8 sec and 1/4 mile of 13.5) and a new MS3 is coming soon plus there's the already mentioned Hyundai. I'm not sure what area you drive in but just the AWD of the WRX would be a strong consideration for my weather or in general for transferring high power to pavement when compared to FWD.
If the outdated/end-of-the-product-cycle body/interior this performance comes wrapped in doesn't bother you then go for it. Just don't let the cheap power/performance distract you from the other parts of the car you will look at and touch day in and day out and also picture yourself with this same car 4 years down the road and how it will stack up against what will have been launched in the meantime.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...gti_specs.html
02-16-2009, 02:07 PM
#29
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Maybe 240whp was the starting point in the turbo setup. But in N/A mode the trassmission started grinding from 1st to 2nd above 4500rpm! I used to change the manual fluid every year with Red Line, but that didn't prevent the problem.
When it comes to realiablity the RX-8 wasn't the best. With only 40,000miles on it
I developed a trassmission problem, the coils were toast, Airbad sensor was replaced, Condensention was in both front headlights and rear lights, had the annoying squeaking brakes issue.
02-17-2009, 09:04 PM
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When it comes to realiablity the RX-8 wasn't the best. With only 40,000miles on it I developed a trassmission problem, the coils were toast, Airbad sensor was replaced, Condensention was in both front headlights and rear lights, had the annoying squeaking brakes issue.
Now.... blown engine or consistent engine issues, drivetrain component failure, failed brakes, coolent system failure, ect. Those are reliability issues. Not a replaced sensor or bad coils (which is not uncommon at that mileage). No offense, just sayin.
The RX-8 , or any series RX-7 for that matter, is a high maintenance car w/ little issues that pop from time to time. You just have to nip them in the butt early and keep up on maintenance...even then you will STILL likely have some issues depending on how long u own them
Go's with the territory. Some can handle it, most cant. GL on ur new ride, post pics when u get em.
Last edited by jones75254; 02-17-2009 at 09:11 PM.
02-17-2009, 11:00 PM
#32
looks like some truth to the gl5 tranny fluid issue.
did you guys up north not get the 5 year 60k mile powertrain warranty?
just put a new tranny in mine at 103k miles. oil leak.. and sadly it seems like i did not have to replace the tranny.. but i had a spare..
coils. ok. you got me on that one. weak link.
come back, you were great to have around..
or you could buy a corvette. that is the one car that i would move to..
beers
did you guys up north not get the 5 year 60k mile powertrain warranty?
just put a new tranny in mine at 103k miles. oil leak.. and sadly it seems like i did not have to replace the tranny.. but i had a spare..
coils. ok. you got me on that one. weak link.
come back, you were great to have around..
or you could buy a corvette. that is the one car that i would move to..
beers
Maybe 240whp was the starting point in the turbo setup. But in N/A mode the trassmission started grinding from 1st to 2nd above 4500rpm! I used to change the manual fluid every year with Red Line, but that didn't prevent the problem.
When it comes to realiablity the RX-8 wasn't the best. With only 40,000miles on it
I developed a trassmission problem, the coils were toast, Airbad sensor was replaced, Condensention was in both front headlights and rear lights, had the annoying squeaking brakes issue.
When it comes to realiablity the RX-8 wasn't the best. With only 40,000miles on it
I developed a trassmission problem, the coils were toast, Airbad sensor was replaced, Condensention was in both front headlights and rear lights, had the annoying squeaking brakes issue.
02-17-2009, 11:11 PM
#33
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hmm, other than the tranny issue, those other reasons are pretty weak dog, not to mention really have nothin to do with the car's Reliability. More like typical RX-8 "quirks" that are either warranty covered or otherwise easily remedied.
Now.... blown engine or consistent engine issues, drivetrain component failure, failed brakes, coolent system failure, ect. Those are reliability issues. Not a replaced sensor or bad coils (which is not uncommon at that mileage). No offense, just sayin.
The RX-8 , or any series RX-7 for that matter, is a high maintenance car w/ little issues that pop from time to time. You just have to nip them in the butt early and keep up on maintenance...even then you will STILL likely have some issues depending on how long u own them Go's with the territory. Some can handle it, most cant. GL on ur new ride, post pics when u get em.
Now.... blown engine or consistent engine issues, drivetrain component failure, failed brakes, coolent system failure, ect. Those are reliability issues. Not a replaced sensor or bad coils (which is not uncommon at that mileage). No offense, just sayin.
The RX-8 , or any series RX-7 for that matter, is a high maintenance car w/ little issues that pop from time to time. You just have to nip them in the butt early and keep up on maintenance...even then you will STILL likely have some issues depending on how long u own them
Go's with the territory. Some can handle it, most cant. GL on ur new ride, post pics when u get em.
02-17-2009, 11:26 PM
#34
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looks like some truth to the gl5 tranny fluid issue.
did you guys up north not get the 5 year 60k mile powertrain warranty?
just put a new tranny in mine at 103k miles. oil leak.. and sadly it seems like i did not have to replace the tranny.. but i had a spare..
coils. ok. you got me on that one. weak link.
come back, you were great to have around..
or you could buy a corvette. that is the one car that i would move to..
beers
did you guys up north not get the 5 year 60k mile powertrain warranty?
just put a new tranny in mine at 103k miles. oil leak.. and sadly it seems like i did not have to replace the tranny.. but i had a spare..
coils. ok. you got me on that one. weak link.
come back, you were great to have around..
or you could buy a corvette. that is the one car that i would move to..
beers
The corvette would be a nice upgrade..... but I need a car with good fuel economy, thats cheap, and has some power.
I'm treating the SS as an economy car with alittle kick, the main issue that I had with the 8 was the fuel economy. Even if i was on the hwy doing a steady speed of 70mph I was still 20.5mpg!
by the way, the SS coupe 1/4miles in at 13.6 @ 104mph stock
02-18-2009, 12:15 AM
#35
The corvette would be a nice upgrade..... but I need a car with good fuel economy, thats cheap, and has some power.
I'm treating the SS as an economy car with alittle kick, the main issue that I had with the 8 was the fuel economy. Even if i was on the hwy doing a steady speed of 70mph I was still 20.5mpg!
by the way, the SS coupe 1/4miles in at 13.6 @ 104mph stock
I'm treating the SS as an economy car with alittle kick, the main issue that I had with the 8 was the fuel economy. Even if i was on the hwy doing a steady speed of 70mph I was still 20.5mpg!
by the way, the SS coupe 1/4miles in at 13.6 @ 104mph stock
the vette is not cheap.. but they have been getting almost 30 mpg on the hi way..
i keep on looking at them. yet i stay!
beers
02-18-2009, 01:01 AM
#36
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My chevy truck is a 98 with about 78k on it. It blew a headgasket, water pump went out, abs is screwed, climate control gauge has failed 3 times, wiper motor broke, wiper switch has broke, fm radio quit so im listening to am, alternator broke, and the tailgate latch needed replaced. Im sure i am forgetting something. Its not like im driving it dumping rocks in the bed like the commercials. Its mostly easy driving to and from work. I will NEVER buy another chevy. American companies are goin to ****. Good job detroit. Wonder why you are going bankrupt?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk
Sux about the 8 man. But I agree with others on looking at a WRX or MS3. When I think of the Cobalt I think of the 90s Cameros. It's like the sports car that every red neck in HS wanted. I don't like the looks of the Genesis coupe. Sure it looks good on paper (and in RL, saw one at Detroit) but so does the Tiburon and that thing is just a Korean Toyota Celica (chic car). I'm not quite impressed with Korea's moves in the sports car market... YET.
Hell, why not just get an Evo if you want ridiculous power with ridiculous impracticality. Sure it will be a bit above budget but you wont find yourself on a Cobalt forum or a MS3 forum 2 years from now complaining that you just did these mods to your Cobalt and a guy in a stock Evo is beating you around the dirt corner or dusting you off the line. This is true and if you ever make your way to the EvOwned forums you will notice no one ever complains about getting owned by a Porsche, GTR or any other car that cost 4X more than theirs.
02-18-2009, 09:16 AM
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I remember going from a RWD car to a front wheel drive, and at first it didnt bother me. A year down the road it still didnt bother me. And the limitations start coming around, and by the time I wanted to get rid of the thing, depreciation had killed the car. And the fact that the Cobalt is from GM means the depreciation will be even worse. Buying the car is going to result is massive loss money wise unless you keep it for well beyond the payment period. I am with the guys saying wait, and see what the reviews say about the Genesis. The car is very promising, and to get 220bhp to the Rear wheels, the car is begging for aftermarket support... I see this car becoming what the 240sx is to the aftermarket now... an awesome platform, and goldmine.
02-18-2009, 10:05 AM
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02-18-2009, 11:14 AM
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02-18-2009, 11:35 AM
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I regularly get 30+ on the highway in my '08 Corvette
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 02-18-2009 at 11:37 AM.
02-18-2009, 11:52 AM
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Yeah right, I love hearing statements like this, such BS. I love the way people tag on the few extra MPG to make it sound good at 30. The MPG is good as it is, why do people have to embellish. My friend and I rolled in her C6 to the coast and she got 24mpg cruising at 70mph.
02-18-2009, 12:12 PM
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Yeah right, I love hearing statements like this, such BS. I love the way people tag on the few extra MPG to make it sound good at 30. The MPG is good as it is, why do people have to embellish. My friend and I rolled in her C6 to the coast and she got 24mpg cruising at 70mph.
Was it an automatic convertiable?
02-18-2009, 02:30 PM
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Yeah right, I love hearing statements like this, such BS. I love the way people tag on the few extra MPG to make it sound good at 30. The MPG is good as it is, why do people have to embellish. My friend and I rolled in her C6 to the coast and she got 24mpg cruising at 70mph.
To the haters...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtPwnsyGTxw
It's all about how you drive the car. 30mpg is very achievable in an 8 cyl.
02-18-2009, 07:34 PM
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And here is a C6 vette WITH 4.10's that dropped the MPG a bit..still getting 31-32mpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGuaC...-worth-it.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGuaC...-worth-it.html
02-18-2009, 09:02 PM
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I agree my cars interior isn't as nice as other sports cars. But when someone tells me that my car doesn't get 30+mpg on the highway...i'm going to show video proof of others that have.
02-18-2009, 09:20 PM
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I was recently at the chevy dealership and they had a few corvettes in the showroom, and I really don't understand why people are complaining about the interior quality of them? The interior is alot nicer then that of the RX-8. I do agree that the vettes interior below the year 2004 were not very nice.
02-18-2009, 09:35 PM
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I was recently at the chevy dealership and they had a few corvettes in the showroom, and I really don't understand why people are complaining about the interior quality of them? The interior is alot nicer then that of the RX-8. I do agree that the vettes interior below the year 2004 were not very nice.
02-18-2009, 09:41 PM
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If its not a video of YOUR car proving YOUR claim, dont post it. Youtube is notorious for being completely biased and often times plain BS. Just because it has been done before by some dude with a vid on youtube, it doesnt prove anything other than THAT guy doing it, whether its legit or not. You dont have to prove anything to anyone here, if they dont believe you, who cares? The Vette gets great gas mileage and is a badass car, always will be. Period.