Lancer Ralliart vs MS3 vs WRX vs Cobalt SS (finishing order 4th-1st) R/T

[S204STi]

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

Cliffnotes: Ralliart is not as much of an Evo Lite as it is an Extra Strength Lancer, and it acts like it. MS3 is just as awesome as always but is finally outshined by the competition.  The WRX has its game back with a blistering 5.1 0-60 and 13.8 quarter @ 101.0mph, and best time on the autoX course. Cobalt SS Turbo just does everything a bit better than the rest.

[r0tor]

i'm really thinking of dropping C&D and buying a R&T subscription... so much more interesting data and comparisons

This would also validate Autoweek's review of the Ralliart as being unneeded as its not sporty like the Evo and not cheap like the Lancer...

[the Teuton]

The Cobalt SS is almost a spiritual successor to the Neon SRT-4.  It just seems like a fantastic sport compact.

[S204STi]

I've preferred R/T for a while.

[S204STi]

The Cobalt SS is almost a spiritual successor to the Neon SRT-4.  It just seems like a fantastic sport compact.

It's also massively better in almost every quantifiable sense.

[the Teuton]

It'd be nice to see Chevy upgrade the interior for the Cobalt as well as make the rest of the Cobalt line fun.

[SVT666]

The Cobalt SS is almost a spiritual successor to the Neon SRT-4.  It just seems like a fantastic sport compact.

Go find a used Cobalt SS Supercharged and take it for a spin.  It's a helluva car that I would buy in a heartbeat.  The Turbo is even better.

[the Teuton]

Go find a used Cobalt SS Supercharged and take it for a spin.  It's a helluva car that I would buy in a heartbeat.  The Turbo is even better.

Will I like it more than the Cooper S JCW?

The JCW actually has a fair amount of torque steer, btw.

[r0tor]

Will I like it more than the Cooper S JCW?

The JCW actually has a fair amount of torque steer, btw.

i really didn't detect much in the 08 i drove

[the Teuton]

i really didn't detect much in the 08 i drove

How hard did you gun it and from what gear?  I probably pulled a 15-60 run from second gear and there was some definite tugging.  It wasn't "OMGWTFBBQ!" tugging, but it was a fair amount.

[r0tor]

nailed it from second... I could tell it was FWD but remember my Proge GT being much worse which was a ton better then the 1st gen turbo Probe GT's

...its all about perspective i guess

[Payman]

I like torque steer. It adds to the driving entertainment.

[SVT666]

Will I like it more than the Cooper S JCW?

The JCW actually has a fair amount of torque steer, btw.

I've driven an '08 Cooper S JCW and I did like the Mini more...but not by much.  If it was my money, I would buy the Cobalt SS S/C over the Mini just because of the price difference.

[SVT666]

I like torque steer. It adds to the driving entertainment.

[Payman]

I'm serious!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The cobalt SS is a hell or a performer. The only problem i have with it stems from the fact that i'm not blind.

It looks fresh out of 1992 and the whole thing is just a gigantic generic lump that contains no style. I've seen more design effort when i walk down the writing utensil isle at officemax.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I didn't know the Cobalt SS was available in such a plain looking 4-door configuration...  f'in sweet. All that for $23k, only $2k more than the original SRT-4... what a steal!
I am skeptical about this "ability to perform no-lift shifts via an algorithm in the engine controller". Does this only happen at wide-open throttle, or all throttle positions; and can I turn it off?

[S204STi]

I didn't know the Cobalt SS was available in such a plain looking 4-door configuration...  f'in sweet. All that for $23k, only $2k more than the original SRT-4... what a steal!
I am skeptical about this "ability to perform no-lift shifts via an algorithm in the engine controller". Does this only happen at wide-open throttle, or all throttle positions; and can I turn it off?

From GM's Service Info (also found in the owner's manual):

"If the vehicle has the 2.0L turbo engine and manual transmission, it has the capability of No-Lift Upshifts. This feature maximizes vehicle acceleration by allowing you to shift the transmission to a higher gear without taking your foot off the accelerator. No-Lift Upshifting is enabled in all Electronic Stability Control modes. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information. Use this feature only when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. Correct shifting allows the engine to maintain boost pressure during shifts, while also keeping the engine from over-revving.

To utilize this feature:

1.Accelerate the vehicle by fully depressing the accelerator pedal.
2.Just prior to reaching the maximum engine speed, quickly complete the upshift utilizing the clutch while keeping the accelerator pedal fully applied. A quicker shift maneuver gives the best performance. If the engine is operated at the maximum engine speed for greater than one second, the engine exits the No-Lift Upshift mode and resumes normal engine overspeed protection.

[S204STi]

So basically it is always on but activates only when at WOT, and if you screw the pooch and can't find the next gate in time it will fall out of No-Lift mode and will activate whatever overspeed protection it normally would use.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Cool. I guess that's the best way to keep the turbo sp00led up.

[565]

Wow 104mph traps out of the Cobalt SS!  I predicted the turbo wouldn't be much faster than the old supercharged version because the old version was so underrated, but this new Turbo has got to be pretty underrated as well.

104mph traps will give a 335i and G37 coupe a good run on the highway, and walk away from the new STI and EVO.

[Raza]

I'd rank them about the same.  The 09 WRX seems to be a marked improvement over the massive shitpile that was the 08, but the Cobalt SS is a fantastic achievement.

[Vinsanity]

The cobalt SS is a hell or a performer. The only problem i have with it stems from the fact that i'm not blind.

It looks fresh out of 1992 and the whole thing is just a gigantic generic lump that contains no style. I've seen more design effort when i walk down the writing utensil isle at officemax.

lol I kind of like the fact that you can play it off as a crappy little rental car sleeper. Get it in a more unassuming color than that taxi-cab yellow, and cops won't even notice you weaving past traffic

[Raza]

I don't like the sedan, but the coupe looks rather good.

[r0tor]

From GM's Service Info (also found in the owner's manual):

"If the vehicle has the 2.0L turbo engine and manual transmission, it has the capability of No-Lift Upshifts. This feature maximizes vehicle acceleration by allowing you to shift the transmission to a higher gear without taking your foot off the accelerator. No-Lift Upshifting is enabled in all Electronic Stability Control modes. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information. Use this feature only when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. Correct shifting allows the engine to maintain boost pressure during shifts, while also keeping the engine from over-revving.

To utilize this feature:

1.Accelerate the vehicle by fully depressing the accelerator pedal.
2.Just prior to reaching the maximum engine speed, quickly complete the upshift utilizing the clutch while keeping the accelerator pedal fully applied. A quicker shift maneuver gives the best performance. If the engine is operated at the maximum engine speed for greater than one second, the engine exits the No-Lift Upshift mode and resumes normal engine overspeed protection.

In reality it just cuts the gas when the clutch switch is activated... -shrug-

Its not like a true anit-lag system that will actually maintain boost while your off the throttle, or a sequential or DSG tranny that will allow near seemless power transmission

[S204STi]

Sedan looks like ass, but I agree with the Coupe being fairly passable.

[S204STi]

In reality it just cuts the gas when the clutch switch is activated... -shrug-

Its not like a true anit-lag system that will actually maintain boost while your off the throttle, or a sequential or DSG tranny that will allow near seemless power transmission

True, but still nifty for a street car.

[Eye of the Tiger]

If you guise don't like how the Cobalt sedan looks, at least it's cheap enough that you can still afford a body kit, a wing, and some stick-on hood skoopz.

[Cookie Monster]

Wow, the Terbow is nice, except for the sedan. I'd like a coupe, but then again I'd rather get the WRX because IMO it looks better and it's a hatchback.

[S204STi]

Wow, the Terbow is nice, except for the sedan. I'd like a coupe, but then again I'd rather get the WRX because IMO it looks better and it's a hatchback.

Attaboy.