2008 Chevy Cobalt SS: Quicker than MS3, Lotus Exige, S2000, Audi S5, Cayman S, E36 M3
03-07-08, 06:34 AM
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2008 Chevy Cobalt SS: Quicker than MS3, Lotus Exige, S2000, Audi S5, Cayman S, E36 M3
The Cobalt SS is a very capable, very enjoyable track car. It lacks some of the refinement of the Volkswagen GTI, the space of a Mazdaspeed3, or the all-weather usability of a Subaru WRX, but makes up for it with endless brute power and an excellent chassis.
If you're still not sold, just look at the car's Nürburgring class record of 8:22.85. That time smashed the Opel Astra OPC's record by 13 seconds and is 17 seconds faster than Mazda's own claim for the MS3. Not only that, it tops German magazine Sport Auto's lap times for the E36 BMW M3, the Audi S5, the Porsche Cayman S, the Lotus Exige, and the Honda S2000.
The Cobalt's performance belies the fact that this little car is actually very economical; it managed to return 30 mpg on the EPA's highway cycle.
If you're still not sold, just look at the car's Nürburgring class record of 8:22.85. That time smashed the Opel Astra OPC's record by 13 seconds and is 17 seconds faster than Mazda's own claim for the MS3. Not only that, it tops German magazine Sport Auto's lap times for the E36 BMW M3, the Audi S5, the Porsche Cayman S, the Lotus Exige, and the Honda S2000.
The Cobalt's performance belies the fact that this little car is actually very economical; it managed to return 30 mpg on the EPA's highway cycle.
http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature...obalt_SS.shtml
03-07-08, 09:51 AM
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03-07-08, 09:53 AM
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03-07-08, 11:22 AM
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Vehicles listed in scoring order, starting with the worst score.
SMALL CARS: Chevrolet Cobalt, Nissan Sentra (2006), Volkswagen Jetta (5-cyl.), Chevrolet Aveo.
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.as...tentid=4023544
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03-07-08, 12:15 PM
#12
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I drove a Lotus Elise for a CL review last August (don't ask me how I showhorned myself into one 
). The Exige (which I did not sample) is supposedly even a more track-capable car. I have some respect for the new Cobalt (is is a substantially nicer car than the cheap, poorly-built, unrefined Cavalier it replaces) but, even in SS garb, there's no way it is going to outdo a Lotus product on the track. The Elise alone (never mind the Exige) will handle circles around it. The Cobalt SS may have more HP/torque, but it's got almost twice the weight to pull, too.....and the FWD understeer.
). The Exige (which I did not sample) is supposedly even a more track-capable car. I have some respect for the new Cobalt (is is a substantially nicer car than the cheap, poorly-built, unrefined Cavalier it replaces) but, even in SS garb, there's no way it is going to outdo a Lotus product on the track. The Elise alone (never mind the Exige) will handle circles around it. The Cobalt SS may have more HP/torque, but it's got almost twice the weight to pull, too.....and the FWD understeer.
03-07-08, 02:46 PM
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Going round the 'Ring in 8'22" for a $23k car is no joke, FWD or what not. If the Civic Type-R can prove to be a respectable track car, why not this? It's a high performer period. That said, I can't ever see myself buying something that looks like I rent it from Dollar rental. Why can't GM give it a skin that looks remotely half-good? This is just sad.
03-07-08, 02:55 PM
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It's the new Neon SRT4, they are all over the streets of Michigan. I wouldn't own one because i dislike the cheap interior and the exterior is not for me. It's beef'd up Cavalier, which doesn't say much.
It's all about your standards. I would take a S2K with a geo metro motor in it over the Chevy Cobalt.
It's all about your standards. I would take a S2K with a geo metro motor in it over the Chevy Cobalt.