Also from what i read the stock turbo is already maxxed out and there still using the same transmission from the ss/sc. So theres still some things they could have improved upon. Only time will tell if the motor will hold up to an aftermarket turbo kit. What I look for in a car is the all round package not just how fast it is off the showroom floor.
The transaxle itself is the same F35 as in the older cars but has a different final drive ratio (3.85:1 vice the old 4.05:1) but the driveline has larger axles, the suspension geometry and component changes greatly reduce the damaging wheel hop, and the clutch is supposedly much bigger this year. The turbo holds boost right up to redline so the exhaust side isn't choking it off like in the SRT-4 and I need to do more data logging, but it appears that charge temps on the intake side are being kept well in check. The engine itself and the Bosch engine controller are identical to the turbo engine in the Solstice GXP/Sky Red Line so if you want to do some research on what it's capable of as it sits that would be a good place to start. As to liking an all-around car, that's exactly what this is. After the track yesterday I drove up in the mountains and was very pleased with the braking, ride, handling, and power. GM's benchmark for the interior was the previous generation Jetta and while the base model cars aren't quite there, the slight upgrades in the SS cars push it up a class from most sub-compact econoboxes.
Quote: Originally Posted by Simon.Starkie
The only minor gripe I have is that the design of the current Cobalt coupe seems a little dated when compared to it's competitors. And from certain angles, it does look an awful lot like a Cavalier. But that's not necessarily the end of the world as I still prefer my old cab-forward Neon design over it's successor. But this does leave me wondering if the new Cobalt sedan, which is apparently planned for next year, will do for the Cobalt what the "new" Malibu did for that model. Not that I necessarily require 4-doors instead of 2-doors. But there again, if the Cobalt sedan replaces the Cobalt coupe completely, this may be the last year to get a 2-door version, dated though it may be.
*EDIT* Thanks for the link, Eric. The Build Books are very interesting.
The different build books are a nice thing that they put together. You can also buy almost all the custom parts they developed for the racing Cobalts either directly through GM or they provide the contact and part number info for the companies they used to make the parts.
If you're talking about the redesign for the Cobalt it looks like GM will be dropping that name and replacing it globally with the Cruze nameplate. That car and the one you're probably seeing making the rounds on internet sites which looks like the new Malibu was developed by GMDAT (GM Daewoo Auto & Technology) and isn't scheduled to be in production in the US until 2010. That will make the car a model year '11 vehicle so the current Cobalt will continue on for a while longer. With the upswing in sales and improvements they're making to the car and the fact they can't build enough of them to meet demand in the shifted markets of late that might not be so bad.
We're going to get the new car about a year after it's released in other markets and if I were to bet, they're going to try to give priority to the new Astra at the Lordstown Ohio plant where both new cars will be built. With the dropping value of the dollar they can't move production stateside soon enough, and the updated Delta II platform isn't that much different so they can still build the Cobalt on the same flexible lines until the Cruze is ready. I have a feeling you'll be seeing a Cruze coupe or hatch as well but the leaked photos from the meeting where GM's CEO Rick Wagoner announced the future plans only showed the sedan (and the camouflaged prototypes have only been the sedan so far).
On the current Cobalt I can somewhat see a few areas that have similar design elements to the older and completely different Cavalier, most notably the rear window shape in the coupe, but that also reminds me of my older Citation X-11's windows and even further back to the Monza and Vega. I can also see similarities to other cars in areas, but park a Cobalt next to a late model Cavalier and it's night and day difference with only a few somewhat common general shapes here and there. Below are a few pics I took this weekend.
Quote: Originally Posted by SRT SVT
...I think I've gotten my fix as far as high powered FWD cars are concerned. Like all other NSRT alumni I will be looking for a nice evo 9, an 04 cobra, or possibly a G35.
If you want to get away from front wheel drive just to say you got away that's cool, but the new SS handles very well and I'd bet on many tracks would equal or best those cars you mentioned while also retaining a nicer ride. Sure, there's courses that can favor each car (long straights for the Cobra, poor traction or dirt for the Evo, etc.) but the SS should have a nice blend of performance at whatever you'll throw at it. I'm very interested to see what people do with it in SCCA and NASA competition next year.
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Eric H. - '04 Neon SRT-4 (eBlue/S2)
'92 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T - '91 Dodge Spirit R/T
'89 Caravan SE Turbo - '08 Cobalt SS Turbo
'04 SVT Focus (EAP ZX3) - '02 SVT Focus (Vortech)
'81 & '85 Chevy Citation X-11 - '93 Olds Achieva SCX W41
plus a couple other turbo Dodges, a turbo GM, and a bunch of other stuff...
That's a nice lookin' car you've got there, and a wealth of information.
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Quote: Originally Posted by edgeandink
The reason they can put down decent 1/4mile times is mostly in part to the solid rear axel and its ability to hook and go. But we all know that doesnt mean crap from a dig.
Just stop. Stop talking. You're spreading misinformation. Enough already. We have fricking engineers grace us with their presence and knowledge, so blabbing on about the golden nuggets of information your local stealership knows is only making you look dumb.
Quote: Originally Posted by A-Town SRT
What I look for in a car is the all round package not just how fast it is off the showroom floor.
It's the fastest FWD around the Nurburgring. That a nice all 'round package for you? Like blackbird_R/T said, take a look at an SS/TC interior and you'd be surprised. Yes, it's not a Lexus. But it's not a Cavalier either.
Quote: Originally Posted by blackbird_R/T
Very nice. I see you opted for the non-cop target wing. Looks good in silver.
I can badmouth the SS/SC until I'm blue in the face. But, GM learned and the SS/TC is a very attractive alternative to the minibus (Caliber SRT4), and I think is a suitable replacement for the Neon-based SRT-4.
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"This car is 100% sh*ts and giggles."A car can be a tool but it can also be so much more. It can be a heart-starter, it can be a drug, it can be a piece of art and it can stir your soul.
"Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary... that's what gets you." Jeremy Clarkson
Just stop. Stop talking. You're spreading misinformation. Enough already. We have fricking engineers grace us with their presence and knowledge, so blabbing on about the golden nuggets of information your local stealership knows is only making you look dumb.
Facts are facts. Engineers gracing us with there presence? For all I know these are just some 16 year old kids copying and pasting info off the ss forums.
It's the fastest FWD around the Nurburgring. That a nice all 'round package for you? Like blackbird_R/T said, take a look at an SS/TC interior and you'd be surprised. Yes, it's not a Lexus. But it's not a Cavalier either.
I never mentioned the car was lacking in handling nor in interior. The exterior leaves something to be desired but thats just opinion. I was referring to the unknown potential of the engine.
If you like this car so much why don't you just buy one seeing as you no longer have an nsrt-4.
Facts are facts. Engineers gracing us with there presence? For all I know these are just some 16 year old kids copying and pasting info off the ss forums.
Hilarious. If that's what you think, then enjoy yourself Alice, because you're neck deep in Wonderland.
Facts? From your bullshit salesman? ah-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Quote: Originally Posted by A-Town SRT
I was referring to the unknown potential of the engine.
Yeah, those Ecotecs sure are shit. Can't handle 300hp, let alone... say... 1000. Surely all those Ecotec engines pumping out in excess of 400hp are all ficticious 16-year olds copying and pasting from their imaginations.
Quote: Originally Posted by A-Town SRT
I never mentioned the car was lacking in handling nor in interior. The exterior leaves something to be desired but thats just opinion.
Allow me to refresh your memory, because you obviously can't find your Page Up key;
Quote: Originally Posted by A-Town SRT
What I look for in a car is the all round package not just how fast it is off the showroom floor.
So, what were you referring to then? Interior? Nope, it's not lacking. Handling? Nope, that's not lacking either. Exterior? Well, I guess if you want a pussy magnet, a Yellow Supra is a better choice than a Cobalt SS/TC. then again, I guess all of us on here make our choices based solely on exterior looks... wait... never mind.
How can you yell at me for being obtuse when you never clarified what you were saying, except to say "how fast it is off the showroom floor"? I used the Nurburgring time to demostrate that not only is it "fast off the showroom floor", but that it has a decent suspension setup and choice of rubber, which culminate in the Nurburgring time. When discussing performance vehicles, the two categories everything falls into is power and handling. Looks are secondary, as one person's Igor is another persons' Scarlett. Cup holders? Don't care. Interior? Don't care. Color? Don't care.
You think I'd pass up the opportunity to drive a TVR simply because it has 50 nostrils? Hell no.
Thanks for the laugh though. I need some hilarity every now and then.
Quote: Originally Posted by A-Town SRT
If you like this car so much why don't you just buy one seeing as you no longer have an nsrt-4.
Seeing as SRT-4s are holding their value extremly well and are often only 4-5K below a Cobalt SS/TC...
Last edited by toasteroven : 07-22-2008 at 09:02 PM.
Hilarious. If that's what you think, then enjoy yourself Alice, because you're neck deep in Wonderland.
Facts? From your bullshit salesman? ah-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Yeah, those Ecotecs sure are shit. Can't handle 300hp, let alone... say... 1000. Surely all those Ecotec engines pumping out in excess of 400hp are all ficticious 16-year olds copying and pasting from their imaginations.
Allow me to refresh your memory, because you obviously can't find your Page Up key;
So, what were you referring to then? Interior? Nope, it's not lacking. Handling? Nope, that's not lacking either. Exterior? Well, I guess if you want a pussy magnet, a Yellow Supra is a better choice than a Cobalt SS/TC. then again, I guess all of us on here make our choices based solely on exterior looks... wait... never mind.
How can you yell at me for being obtuse when you never clarified what you were saying, except to say "how fast it is off the showroom floor"? I used the Nurburgring time to demostrate that not only is it "fast off the showroom floor", but that it has a decent suspension setup and choice of rubber, which culminate in the Nurburgring time. When discussing performance vehicles, the two categories everything falls into is power and handling. Looks are secondary, as one person's Igor is another persons' Scarlett. Cup holders? Don't care. Interior? Don't care. Color? Don't care.
You think I'd pass up the opportunity to drive a TVR simply because it has 50 nostrils? Hell no.
Thanks for the laugh though. I need some hilarity every now and then.
Seeing as SRT-4s are holding their value extremly well and are often only 4-5K below a Cobalt SS/TC...
Yeah, those Ecotecs sure are shit. Can't handle 300hp, let alone... say... 1000. Surely all those Ecotec engines pumping out in excess of 400hp are all ficticious 16-year olds copying and pasting from their imaginations.
I think his point with that with was the Cobalt inhaling a piston ring
Ah, okay, deleted my post then. I was going to say, there are like a thousand videos on youtube showing the SRT4 eating the Cobalt up.
Oh well heheh.
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Quote: Originally Posted by al2683
One of the most realistic parts of this video is that it shows two guys riding together in the Subaru, they are in love, I think it is a touching and realistic portrayal of Subaru owners and I applaud them for it.
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