rx8 vs. cobalt ss
04-11-2009 | 09:41 PM
#77
riding in my 04 in LA
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Los Angeles Cali.
another vtec troll kid.
Last edited by RX OCHO; 04-11-2009 at 09:43 PM.
04-12-2009 | 02:33 AM
#82
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Also, I think I said...and I quote "cars are about more than numbers in glossy magazine articles"...okay?
Last edited by BlueEyes; 04-12-2009 at 02:46 AM.
04-12-2009 | 09:06 AM
#83
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From: Montreal,QC
Epic Troll, you have 4 778 posts!
I want an ITR though... I like it when the VTech kicks in.
But seriously, the SS sounds like **** if you hear it on Edmunds Inside Line. It's disgusting, I would hate to WOT in that car, it just sounds so generic. In that video, when you hear the shitty second gear chirp, you notice the whole car bouncing, now tell me it's going to be more comfortable than any car in it's class when you see the suspension bounce.
Now going WOT in an rx-8 is unique! It's so much better, sometimes words can't describe how awesome this car is.
I want an ITR though... I like it when the VTech kicks in.
But seriously, the SS sounds like **** if you hear it on Edmunds Inside Line. It's disgusting, I would hate to WOT in that car, it just sounds so generic. In that video, when you hear the shitty second gear chirp, you notice the whole car bouncing, now tell me it's going to be more comfortable than any car in it's class when you see the suspension bounce.
Now going WOT in an rx-8 is unique! It's so much better, sometimes words can't describe how awesome this car is.
Last edited by shazy; 04-12-2009 at 09:08 AM.
04-12-2009 | 09:48 AM
#86
I had a Cobalt revving next to me to race, and when the light turned green he floored it, lost control, and smacked a telephone pole 100 feet ahead. I honked my horn for that asshat as I drove by.
Suck it Cobalt. Suck it long and suck it hard.
I'm back.
Suck it Cobalt. Suck it long and suck it hard.
I'm back.
04-12-2009 | 10:01 AM
#87
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From: Montreal,QC
Hey welcome back!
WTF, how the hell does a Fail Wheel Drive lose control?
04-12-2009 | 10:15 AM
#88
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: University of Maryland
well said
04-12-2009 | 10:55 AM
#89
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From: London, Ontario, Canada
The SS is also very easy to get more power out of. $600 gets you a factory warrantied upgrade to 290hp/320ftlbs. That's cheap. In Canada the price difference is even greater $28k for the SS vs. $39k for the RX-8. There's nothing significant to critisize the '08-09 Cobalt SS for, it's a good car.
On the same token, while the SS is faster on a road course, I honestly think the RX-8 would be faster on an AutoX course where power is less important and it's all down to suspension. (I'm sure evidence exists to confirm/deny this) I don't know to quantify the qualitative difference I felt when driving the two cars, but the RX-8s seems more nimble. The SS's suspension may handle wider corners better which would explain the fast road course times. IMO the SS didn't feel like it's attributes should add up to such fast lap times.
There's always a varience between individual tests/conditions, but the best C&D numbers I can find for the RX-8 has put out in the 1/4 that I've seen are 14.5 @ 96mph.
Best C&D lane change/slolam the SS at 65.2 and the RX-8 at 68.9mph.
Best Brakes for the SS 162' and RX-8 157'.
Best skidpad .92g for both.
A couple of advantages that the RX-8 has is that it's incredibly controllable and easy to drive on the edge. It's a very enjoyable car to drive. It won two comparision tests despite being the slowest in the groups and 3 C&D 10 best awards because of these qualities.
On the same token, while the SS is faster on a road course, I honestly think the RX-8 would be faster on an AutoX course where power is less important and it's all down to suspension. (I'm sure evidence exists to confirm/deny this) I don't know to quantify the qualitative difference I felt when driving the two cars, but the RX-8s seems more nimble. The SS's suspension may handle wider corners better which would explain the fast road course times. IMO the SS didn't feel like it's attributes should add up to such fast lap times.
There's always a varience between individual tests/conditions, but the best C&D numbers I can find for the RX-8 has put out in the 1/4 that I've seen are 14.5 @ 96mph.
Best C&D lane change/slolam the SS at 65.2 and the RX-8 at 68.9mph.
Best Brakes for the SS 162' and RX-8 157'.
Best skidpad .92g for both.
A couple of advantages that the RX-8 has is that it's incredibly controllable and easy to drive on the edge. It's a very enjoyable car to drive. It won two comparision tests despite being the slowest in the groups and 3 C&D 10 best awards because of these qualities.
Last edited by Snrub; 04-12-2009 at 11:01 AM.
04-12-2009 | 11:14 AM
#90
Agreed. That does sum it up.
But I find the overall lack of respect for this car here hypocritical. So much time and effort is spent on this forum trying to explain the finer points of the RX8 because it is undestimated by the "ignorant" automobile world. But, we're talking about a car that's also underestimated, and I'm hearing a bunch ignorance about the Cobalt SS's capabilities.
Here's a quote... what's not to like about being able to throw it around Buttonwillow for 30 laps, and being fun to drive even though it's FWD?
"Toss the Cobalt SS into a corner and one immediately appreciates the finely tuned details of linear brakes, quick steering, superb ride damping and the car's composure. I tested it for more than 30 laps around Buttonwillow Raceway and can verify that it provides the driver a grin that will last for days. On the street or track, the electric power steering assist is spot-on. Even with the extremely sporty steering ratio of 14.8:1, there are only mild tugs when pulling out of corners under power. "
And another in that a same article, comparing it to the MS3:
"I haven't enjoyed driving a front-wheel-drive car this much in ages. The Cobalt's FE5 suspension is stiffer, better damped and infinitely more compliant than the previous car's. I dare say it's the best-driving fwd sports compact out there, matching the power of a Mazdaspeed3, but easily out-handling it. At the limit the Cobalt SS is predictable, controllable, balanced and should make any driving enthusiast quite happy. "
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6702
But I find the overall lack of respect for this car here hypocritical. So much time and effort is spent on this forum trying to explain the finer points of the RX8 because it is undestimated by the "ignorant" automobile world. But, we're talking about a car that's also underestimated, and I'm hearing a bunch ignorance about the Cobalt SS's capabilities.
Here's a quote... what's not to like about being able to throw it around Buttonwillow for 30 laps, and being fun to drive even though it's FWD?
"Toss the Cobalt SS into a corner and one immediately appreciates the finely tuned details of linear brakes, quick steering, superb ride damping and the car's composure. I tested it for more than 30 laps around Buttonwillow Raceway and can verify that it provides the driver a grin that will last for days. On the street or track, the electric power steering assist is spot-on. Even with the extremely sporty steering ratio of 14.8:1, there are only mild tugs when pulling out of corners under power. "
And another in that a same article, comparing it to the MS3:
"I haven't enjoyed driving a front-wheel-drive car this much in ages. The Cobalt's FE5 suspension is stiffer, better damped and infinitely more compliant than the previous car's. I dare say it's the best-driving fwd sports compact out there, matching the power of a Mazdaspeed3, but easily out-handling it. At the limit the Cobalt SS is predictable, controllable, balanced and should make any driving enthusiast quite happy. "
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6702
Its not a bad car, I just cant justify the fit & finish of the car. GM's quality is sub-par compared to most import companies. I currently work at a VW dealership and we have a pre-owned Cobalt SS in our inventory, the car is fast, but the quality just doesnt cut it.
That's my gripe with the car, it's mainly cosmetic disapprovals on my end.
04-12-2009 | 11:40 AM
#91
GM is not doing well in sales but they're at the top of their game as far as performance goes. The SS Cobalt is the fastest FWD production car at the 'Ring, and anyone who thinks it can't take a turn needs to do more research. I think it was Motortrend that tested it? Beat the new STi around a ~2 mile race track by a few seconds and bested the Evo X by about 2 tenths. Not much but when you consider the price difference thats just embarrassing for Mitsubishi. Most people will probably like the Cobalt over the RX8. Its cheaper and offers more blunt fun, whereas the RX8 is more refined and eccentric.
04-12-2009 | 11:58 AM
#92
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From: Montreal,QC
/\ Well put. Most people look at performance numbers other than fun. That's why so many people bought the GTR, cause it was damn fast. But soon, many of them traded it as it was extremely boring and wasn't very dangerous to drive. That's why when the traded them, they went for Vipers as those are hard to control and exhilirating to drive.
Go to the GTR forums if you want, many of them traded the cars in for something slower but much more fun to drive.
Go to the GTR forums if you want, many of them traded the cars in for something slower but much more fun to drive.
04-12-2009 | 12:38 PM
#95
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From: Dallas, TX
I've driven a Cobalt SS and I would give handling to the RX-8. The Cobalt SS doesn't handle bad, it's actually pretty good - but not as good. The RX-8 also just looks a lot better.
04-12-2009 | 12:48 PM
#96
I don't agree with the "my 8 gets all the *****" mantra. Any girl that drops their panties just because you have a good looking car isn't worth anything. I actually like that while my girlfriend knows my car is good and she appreciates it as a fine automobile, she doesn't cream over it. I'd like a girl who likes me, not my car thanks.
You guys can keep the nice car chasing skanks.
You guys can keep the nice car chasing skanks.
04-12-2009 | 12:52 PM
#97
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From: Dallas, TX
I don't agree with the "my 8 gets all the *****" mantra. Any girl that drops their panties just because you have a good looking car isn't worth anything. I actually like that while my girlfriend knows my car is good and she appreciates it as a fine automobile, she doesn't cream over it. I'd like a girl who likes me, not my car thanks.
You guys can keep the nice car chasing skanks.
You guys can keep the nice car chasing skanks.
04-12-2009 | 12:55 PM
#98
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From: Montreal,QC
I agree on all accounts. Had we gone from a dig, the Cobalt would have lost, but we only went from a roll. From a roll, he was already in his power band and was able to keep up. At about 130 I started pulling on him.
I've driven a Cobalt SS and I would give handling to the RX-8. The Cobalt SS doesn't handle bad, it's actually pretty good - but not as good. The RX-8 also just looks a lot better.
I've driven a Cobalt SS and I would give handling to the RX-8. The Cobalt SS doesn't handle bad, it's actually pretty good - but not as good. The RX-8 also just looks a lot better.
04-12-2009 | 01:01 PM
#99
^ agreed. my girl would not care if i drove a crappy dodge neon or my nice rx8.
yax, thats a great article. read it guys. let me point out, this is the cobalt that was developed with testing on the nurburgring. like i said a few pages ago, there are only 2 things you can hate on it for. front wheel drive and bad, to generic at best, looks.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6702
highlights
handy as hell if you ask me. holy crap i wish i had that.
also handy as crap.
beating mazda at the handling game. nice job.
thats only a bit more than i paid for my used rx8. and its new. granted i'd do it over again too. but you have to give this car credit where credit is due.
yax, thats a great article. read it guys. let me point out, this is the cobalt that was developed with testing on the nurburgring. like i said a few pages ago, there are only 2 things you can hate on it for. front wheel drive and bad, to generic at best, looks.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6702
highlights
Launch control will hold engine rpm at 5100 when the throttle is floored at a standstill.
Near the 6300-rpm limiter, simply shift without lifting off the throttle. The system will selectively cut spark and phase the variable camshafts, thereby holding boost pressure and rpm.
I dare say it's the best-driving fwd sports compact out there, matching the power of a Mazdaspeed3, but easily out-handling it.
A starting price of $22,335 will lure away many a Subaru Impreza WRX and Honda Civic Si buyer.
04-12-2009 | 06:44 PM
#100
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If you want to impress women, take that 30k you spent on the 8 and buy a used S-Class.
Last edited by BlueEyes; 04-12-2009 at 07:00 PM.