C/D Comparo: "Cheap Speed"

[ifcar]

5th Place: Ion RedLine (182 points, $22,115, 6.0 seconds to 60)
Highs: Confident chassis, strong brakes, manageable price.
Lows: Thrashy above 4k RPM, plasticky interior, say-nothing steering.
What they said (their Verdict requires too much explanation): A mix of niggling complaints to more-serious ones about the steering and shifter brought it out of the running.

4th Place: Cobalt SS (189 points, $24,580, 6.1 seconds to 60)
Highs: Solid and rattle-free, 3-passenger rear seat, accomplished long-distance cruiser.
Lows: See Ion.
The Verdict: Competent and fun but not likely to launch a cult.
What they said: "Nothing to hate here, nothing to love." That's usually reserved for Toyotas in their reviews.

3rd Place: SRT4 ACR (193 points, $24,085, 5.6 seconds to 60)
Highs: Big dirty speed, astounding brakes, an autocrosser ready for tire immolation.
Lows: Noisy at all speeds, overly aggressive front seats.
The Verdict: A one-trick pony you'll want to save for SCCA weekends.
What they said: It's a great sporty car that's hard to live with.

2nd Place: WRX (202 points, $26,364 , 6.0 seconds to 60)
Highs: Long-travel suspension, four-wheel grip, superior sightlines.
Lows: Wait-till-tomorrow turbo lag.
The Verdict: An endearing confidence-inspiring hunting dog that never lets you down.
What they said: A great car hindered by its turbo lag.

1st Place: RSX (215 points, $24,240, 6.4 seconds to 60)
Highs: Luxurious cockpit, world's slickest FWD shifter, balance and agility of a ballerina.
Lows: Always revving, always shifting, always busy.
The Verdict: A showcase of engineering, style, speed, and grace.
What they said: The lightest and the most precise, the S2000 of its class.

[TBR]

The WRX should've won imho, their only complaint was the torque lag while they complained about the ride and wind noise of the RSX (which was in last place in all of the performance tests).  

[Tom]

Their comparo is called "cheap speed," and the slowest, most expensive car wins :o  

[giant_mtb]

I also think the WRX should have won.  It's faster than the RSX, regardless of turbo lag.  I think "wait-till-tomorrow turbo lag" is less of a quibble than "Always revving, always shifting, always busy."

[TBR]

The WRX was considerably more expensive and the SS was a tad bit more expensive (only because their tester had the performance package).

[ifcar]

The WRX was considerably more expensive and the SS was a tad bit more expensive (only because their tester had the performance package).

It's a very common option though, most of them have it. I hadn't seen an SS coupe without the Recaro seats.

[Raza]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins.  

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's.  

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

[giant_mtb]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins.  

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's.  

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.  

[R33 GT-R]

I think the SRT 4 should have won and they lable it hard to live with.  The WRX should have been second with the RSX and SS following with Sat at rear.  The title represents apples to apples the conclusion eludes to apples to oranges.  

[giant_mtb]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.  

[Raza]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.

Not in your opinion, it is.  It's got a decent size trunk and it's got four doors.  It might even be a little more practical than the SRT-4 because of the AWD and rally like suspension.

[giant_mtb]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.

Not in your opinion, it is.  It's got a decent size trunk and it's got four doors.  It might even be a little more practical than the SRT-4 because of the AWD and rally like suspension.

:blink:   That's what I said...that the WRX is the most practical of the bunch, in my opinion... :blink:  :blink:  

[Raza]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.

Not in your opinion, it is.  It's got a decent size trunk and it's got four doors.  It might even be a little more practical than the SRT-4 because of the AWD and rally like suspension.

:blink:   That's what I said...that the WRX is the most practical of the bunch, in my opinion... :blink:  :blink:

There's fact, and there's opinion.

[R33 GT-R]

but somewhere in that gray area is where we find ourselves at an impass

[Raza]

but somewhere in that gray area is where we find ourselves at an impass

Impasse.  

We agree, but I'm stating my opinion as fact, and he is stating his opinion as opinion.  My way is better.

[giant_mtb]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.

Not in your opinion, it is.  It's got a decent size trunk and it's got four doors.  It might even be a little more practical than the SRT-4 because of the AWD and rally like suspension.

:blink:   That's what I said...that the WRX is the most practical of the bunch, in my opinion... :blink:  :blink:

There's fact, and there's opinion.

Well I'm pretty positive the WRX is the most practical of the bunch, by fact, and not just opinion.

(I got confused because you said "Not in your opinion, it is...")

[giant_mtb]

but somewhere in that gray area is where we find ourselves at an impass

Impasse.  

We agree, but I'm stating my opinion as fact, and he is stating his opinion as opinion.  My way is better.

I would have given those same reasons, but I figured that a bunch of car guys reading it could figure out my reasons for themselves.    B)  

[Raza]

I should have said "not just in your opinion"

[Tom]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins. 

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's. 

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke  

[Raza]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins. 

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's. 

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke

If you mod a WRX out enough, you'll blow the trans...it's the only weak part on the car.

[Tom]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins.?

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's.?

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke

If you mod a WRX out enough, you'll blow the trans...it's the only weak part on the car.

Well thats not a good thing if the trans is responsible for sending power to 4 wheels.  Sounds like an expensive fix.

[TBR]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.

Not in your opinion, it is.  It's got a decent size trunk and it's got four doors.  It might even be a little more practical than the SRT-4 because of the AWD and rally like suspension.

And the fact that it actually has a suspension (I am convinced that the SRT4's axles are welded straight to the frame ) as well as a muffler. The SRT4 would be next to impossible to live with as a daily driver.

And, this is my order:
WRX
Ion
SS
RSX
SRT4

[Tom]

The WRX is the most practical of the bunch, IMO.

Not in your opinion, it is.  It's got a decent size trunk and it's got four doors.  It might even be a little more practical than the SRT-4 because of the AWD and rally like suspension.

And the fact that it actually has a suspension (I am convinced that the SRT4's axles are welded straight to the frame ) as well as a muffler. The SRT4 would be next to impossible to live with as a daily driver.

And, this is my order:
WRX
Ion
SS
RSX
SRT4

Ion :wacko:  :blink:  You just indicated you don't like crappy cars.

[Raza]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins. 

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's. 

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke

If you mod a WRX out enough, you'll blow the trans...it's the only weak part on the car.

Well thats not a good thing if the trans is responsible for sending power to 4 wheels.  Sounds like an expensive fix.

At that point you replace it with an STi trans, which can handle the power.  Not too expensive.

[giant_mtb]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins. 

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's. 

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke

If you mod a WRX out enough, you'll blow the trans...it's the only weak part on the car.

Well thats not a good thing if the trans is responsible for sending power to 4 wheels.  Sounds like an expensive fix.

Well it isn't designed to have to handle a whole lot more HP than stock.    

[R33 GT-R]

but somewhere in that gray area is where we find ourselves at an impass

Impasse.  

We agree, but I'm stating my opinion as fact, and he is stating his opinion as opinion.  My way is better.

I'm typing fast soup nazi, forgive me

[ifcar]

My order:

1. WRX
2. Cobalt
3. RSX
4. SRT-4
5. Ion

[Raza]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins. 

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's. 

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke

If you mod a WRX out enough, you'll blow the trans...it's the only weak part on the car.

Well thats not a good thing if the trans is responsible for sending power to 4 wheels.  Sounds like an expensive fix.

Well it isn't designed to have to handle a whole lot more HP than stock.  

The stock trans can handle roughly 400-425bhp.

[Raza]

but somewhere in that gray area is where we find ourselves at an impass

Impasse.  

We agree, but I'm stating my opinion as fact, and he is stating his opinion as opinion.  My way is better.

I'm typing fast soup nazi, forgive me

Look...I'm sorry I'm such an asshole

[giant_mtb]

This is ifcar's definition of all rounders winning...The RSX isn't the fastest, cheapest, best, or best handling, but it wins. 

And the RSX's interior is really that much better than the WRX's. 

How I'd rate them:

WRX
SRT4
RSX
Cobalt SS
Ion Red Line

I agree with your order.

Me too.  It would be a tough choice between the SRT and WRX.  But you gotta love the AWD.  A relative heavily modded an SRT.  Apparantly the drivetrain couldn't handle it, and the half shaft broke

If you mod a WRX out enough, you'll blow the trans...it's the only weak part on the car.

Well thats not a good thing if the trans is responsible for sending power to 4 wheels.  Sounds like an expensive fix.

Well it isn't designed to have to handle a whole lot more HP than stock.  

The stock trans can handle roughly 400-425bhp.

That's not weak at all...  :o  :blink:  B)