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

[MX793]

So is the '09 WRX out yet?  I thought I read that it would hit dealers Sept 1st, but none of my local dealers (by local I mean basically anyone within 70 miles or so) have gotten any and Subie's website is still advertising the '08, even in the "build your own" section (all other models are now advertised as '09s).  Are they not trying too hard to push the '09 right off the bat in an effort to clear out leftover '08s or something?

[r0tor]

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

Doesn't Cobb have no lift shift programs for the WRX?

[S204STi]

Doesn't Cobb have no lift shift programs for the WRX?

No, just launch control.

[Rich]

The Cobalt's programming doesn't cut throttle, just affects the valve/spark timing.  Somehow it keeps the boost up between shifts

[omicron]

Goodness me - that Cobalt is very sharp indeed. I don't think I could buy a car that looked so dreadfully boring, though - put an Astra 3-door body on it and things would be very different.

[S204STi]

The Cobalt's programming doesn't cut throttle, just affects the valve/spark timing.  Somehow it keeps the boost up between shifts

It has to stall engine speed somehow.  I'm just not sure how it does that.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

New "Bang for the Buck" champion?

[FordSVT]

I'm hoping the next MPS3 debuts when the rest of the lineup hits the floor next year, I just might get one.

I like the Cobalt well enough, and it's a good bargain and a great performer.....

...but to be honest I still get Z24 vibes from it. It's mostly the looks but the interior doesn't do it any favours either. I know that's not a big deal if performance and at-the-limit handling are your #1 and 2 considerations, but it would prevent me from purchasing one.

[Vinsanity]

I'm hoping the next MPS3 debuts when the rest of the lineup hits the floor next year, I just might get one.

I like the Cobalt well enough, and it's a good bargain and a great performer.....

...but to be honest I still get Z24 vibes from it. It's mostly the looks but the interior doesn't do it any favours either. I know that's not a big deal if performance and at-the-limit handling are your #1 and 2 considerations, but it would prevent me from purchasing one.

if you look further back, maybe you could get Nova SS396 vibes from it?

[FordSVT]

^You're talking to a guy who hates Chevy Novas so no, that wouldn't work either. :)

[Vinsanity]

LOL I love Chevy Novas They're like the perfect blank canvas for hot rodding and all other sorts of customizing

[Raza]

Have you guys been in a Cobalt?  I drove the old SS/SC and while I don't really care much about the quality of a car's interior, but it wasn't that bad. 

[FordSVT]

^Yes. My Mazda's interior was essentially designed five years ago with a few tiny changes and it's much nicer.

I think I've reached the point in my life when I must consider the entire package when purchasing a car, whether it's an economy car or a sports car or a truck. I drive a lot, and I like a nice interior and exterior design. The car spends 90% of it's life sitting in the driveway or driving at 3/10ths, these things are important to me. I also like the practicality of the 5-door.

[SVT666]

Have you guys been in a Cobalt?  I drove the old SS/SC and while I don't really care much about the quality of a car's interior, but it wasn't that bad. 

I agree with you.  I don't understand all the complaints about the Cobalt's interior.  It's nott he best interior in the class, but it certainly isn't bad.

[FordSVT]

^I didn't say bad, just not the best, or even second best.

These days, few cars are total shite. Most cars are worth what you pay for them. It's a swathe of different shades of good to excellent, and therefore, even a "good" car can seem substandard in some areas compared to it's peers. A mediocre car today is better than the best cars 10 years ago, but that doesn't mean I'll settle for third or forth best even if that is "better than it used to be".

[Raza]

I'd say the Cobalt's interior is better than the Impreza's and the Lancer's. 

And it probably has the best seats of them all.

[S204STi]

I'd say the Cobalt's interior is better than the Impreza's and the Lancer's. 

And it probably has the best seats of them all.

Mmm...no.

[the Teuton]

Mmm...no.

Maybe the Lancer's, but the new Imp's is pretty nice.

[Raza]

Mmm...no.

Maybe the Lancer's, but the new Imp's is pretty nice.

Sayeth the trolls.

Yeah, it is.  The Impreza's a piece of shit all around (08s, anyway).

[the Teuton]

Sayeth the trolls.

Yeah, it is.  The Impreza's a piece of shit all around (08s, anyway).

You can snap the plastic cupholders right out of the Cobalt.  All you have to do is squeeze the flimsy plastic.

The Impreza is much nicer.  I can't speak too much about the Lancer, though.

[S204STi]

Sayeth the trolls.

Yeah, it is.  The Impreza's a piece of shit all around (08s, anyway).

Mmmm...no number 3 for the night. I'm beginning to wonder if you've even driven these cars.

[Soup DeVille]

You can snap the plastic cupholders right out of the Cobalt.  All you have to do is squeeze the flimsy plastic.

The Impreza is much nicer.  I can't speak too much about the Lancer, though.

I did the same thing with the Civic. I refuse to make any judgement on any car based on the durability of the cupholders.

[Raza]

Mmmm...no number 3 for the night. I'm beginning to wonder if you've even driven these cars.

Fuck you, motherfucker. 

As I've said, my standards for interior quality aren't very high.  But I think the Cobalt gets ripped on more than it deserves.  Perhaps the Impreza's interior is nicer (and perhaps I can't get over how shit the car was to drive), but it's definitely better than the Lancer's. 

Sure, there are cheap plastics, but they fit together well enough.  If the quality of the plastics is the number one concern, then the Mazda3 isn't really head of the class either. 

[the Teuton]

Fuck you, motherfucker. 

As I've said, my standards for interior quality aren't very high.  But I think the Cobalt gets ripped on more than it deserves.  Perhaps the Impreza's interior is nicer (and perhaps I can't get over how shit the car was to drive), but it's definitely better than the Lancer's. 

Sure, there are cheap plastics, but they fit together well enough.  If the quality of the plastics is the number one concern, then the Mazda3 isn't really head of the class either. 

I can't imagine what is then.   

[Raza]

I can't imagine what is then.   

Based solely on plastics quality?  Only on these four cars?  Because if you expand it to fit the whole class, the GTI blows them all away in every aspect.

[the Teuton]

Based solely on plastics quality?  Only on these four cars?  Because if you expand it to fit the whole class, the GTI blows them all away in every aspect.

The GTI is a poor man's Audi.

I understand the materials in the Euro version are even better (of course, we have to go through cost cutting).

[Raza]

The GTI is a poor man's Audi.

I understand the materials in the Euro version are even better (of course, we have to go through cost cutting).

If you consider the whole package, VWs do have the best interiors out there, short of Audi, I'd say.  Well, maybe Bentley has better interiors, but they're just VWs anyway.

[the Teuton]

If you consider the whole package, VWs do have the best interiors out there, short of Audi, I'd say.  Well, maybe Bentley has better interiors, but they're just VWs anyway.

So why buy a Bentley when a Phaeton is just as good?

[Raza]

So why buy a Bentley when a Phaeton is just as good?

You tell me.

[Minpin]

So why buy a Bentley when a Phaeton is just as good?

Bentleys get you poontang, VWs, well don't. Look at Raza.