Just like the title says. I currently own a 08 ss/tc, and i love my bitch. Once I saw it released at SEMA in 07, I wanted it. I owned a stg 2 NSRT until the turbo blew, and even though the CSRT looks boxxy, I kind of like it.

The question is, since right now is an awesome to buy a vehicle, I am seriously considering trading the TC for a SRT. I have come across a completely stock 05 NSRT with less than 15000 miles, nearly mint, for 12000 dollars. My tc has 15000 miles on it right now, and I still owe 17000 on it. I could actually trade my balt in for the NSRT and lower my payments by nearly 100 bucks or a year. Or I could get a non title 08 CSRT for 17000 right now, and my payments would be about the same, slightly higher.

Even though I fell in love with the TC back at the 07 SEMA, and I think it is completely better designed than the NSRT or CSRT, you cant really deny the easily achievable power that is possible with the SRT's.

The only thing that is holding me back on this is that I honestly like my car, I like the fact that the SS/TC is harder to come by then a SRT, and I dont just care about straight line performance. The biggest reason I want to pull the trigger is the cobalt does look kind of "chicky", the realalistic achievable power of the srt is more, and I do have some buyers remorse.

Anyways, you guys/gals think its a good idea, or should I just drop 4-5k into the balt and make it my own and unique? Appreciate the non flaming feedback.

 

i would say keep the SS/TC but then again we are on a cobalt sight so most ppl will say that lol..... i dont like the caliber i mean they just dont look like a vehicle to have..... neon srt4 are the **** but they are kind of fading away since they quit makin them in 05.... i say cobalt forsure make it look more like a mans car

 

I would just keep the cobalt if i were you. I sold my ss/sc and come to find out i missed it so i bought a ss/tc!

 

Yeh the fading part is exactly what I was thinking. The thing that I also think is I am 25, and yeh the cobalt is definatly for the younger crowd, but the SRT would be impossible to pull off in 5 years, the cobalt could still be driven without looking like one of those douchebags that still cruise high school parking lots for chicks even though they are already developing male pattern balding.

 

X2!

Just like he said, a NSRT would be cool but are aging.

If you like the handling as well as straight line... I'd just keep the SS/TC man. Sounds like you really like it. You might have even worse buyers remorse if you trade it.
Plus, if it looks "chicky" to you. Just drop some money on the looks and change it. If it makes you happy to drive it, I say keep it.

I have the high rise on mine which, sometimes I get funny looks or even scoffing. I don't care, I love to drive it.

 

well on a cobalt site most will say keep the cobalt.

I have a CSRT and it is amazing once u mod it. Stock its a bit of a slouch, but modded its amazing. Stock turbo on it has a 52mm inlet and a 58mm turbine. On stock turbo housing with boltons u can make a 430whp/530wtq monster that runs 11's and has a trap of around 128 mph. On top of this it would only cost ya about 2.5-3k for everything.

I had an LSJ. I will say the CSRT doesnt have the greatest handling, but it doesnt have bad handling either. Plenty of guys have beaten WRX's, SS/SC's, NSRT4's etc around the track on stock suspension.

Honestly though, the CSRT shines in the following areas:

awsome power with forged internals: Made 570whp on a big turbo upgrade on stock internals
awsome power from the stock turbo: 360whp/375wtq stock compressor wheel, 433whp/533wtq on upgraded compressor wheel
creature comforts
good in snow
awsome all year round driver
can haul tons of stuff
comfortable as hell

If u have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

^^^

Once the turbo guys get their fuel issue figured out, I'd be willing to bet that they will be seeing high 400's or more on big turbo swaps.

I myself am not a fan of the CSRT-4. It looks like a shed driving down the road. Not to mention I do not like hatches either. For you, this is going to be a matter of preference. I vote SS/TC because, well:

1-it's new so you wont have something ragged out like the old Skittles
2-it's not a hatch back
3-awesome power can be had from just a tune, and even better once modding

But like I said, right now there is a fuel issue with them so people can't really break 400's at the moment because of it. However I believe they'll get it figured out and you will start seeing mid to high 400hp TC's out and about.

 

yea them csrt4 make some badass power.... i just dont know how you like the look of them? i would love to have the easily added power but i just cant see myself driving that car

 

Let me clarify...it does look minivanish, but front end wise, I think it looks aggressive. I can find the uniqueness and style in nearly any vehicle. Probably the biggest issue with me right now I'm completely stock looking and performing right now, I probably just need to invest in some modification then I'll be fine with it. After all, I did research and buy this car when I could have easily bought a caliber, another skittle, a ralliart, a GTI, or a speed3. Not saying these cars are worse, because I think all these 4 bangers are pretty ******* sweet. anyways, I appreciate the opinions, but I think I may stick with the balt, mod the fck out of it, and enjoy the hell out of it; once I get tired of it, I'll trade it in for something else.

 

I had alot of options when it came to buying my next car, and I ended up buying the cobalt ss. I still feel like man, I could have had anything... But, if I had bought the other car, I'd still be like,.. man, I could have bought anything.. lol. you know what I mean? I could have had the mazdaspeed3, the wrx sti, the genesis coupe, a used rx-7, Evo X MR. I went with the cobalt cause I like to make money and not feel poor everyday. And the cobalt won me over from it's brilliance on the track at VIR. It's a good buy. I don't think you'd want to buy a car 5 years old anyways. just remember, it maybe a stock NSRT, but that doesnt mean it wasnt abused. Also it has 5 years on it. Thats 5 years for nuts and bolt to come undone and go missing, or make that rattle in the back of the trunk. You would want the newer car.

keep the cobalt ss or get the CSRT. Thats my suggestion.

 

gti are too over priced... mind as well buy and sti or evo

 

There are a bunch of us who moved on / up / over from the SRT world. My skittle is paid for, and is as fully modded as I want to take it (S3, bolts ons, coilovers, etc) so I kept it, and got the Turbalt as a more comfy DD.

Now, should someone only need or want one car -- downgrading loans is always a good idea in this economy. Plus, at least in my area, nSRT-4 are rare. I see more Ferrari's rolling the streets than Skittles. Especially given the fact that they are depreciating into the affordability of teenagers, who are wrapping them around trees everyday. Call me crazy, but you never know. Maybe 20 years from now, the nSRT-4 could be considered a "collectable car."


.....but anyway. Other than being turbocharged FWD sport compacts, the two really are like apples & oranges.

 

As someone who has owned a NSRT,and a Caliterd R/T,and currently own aT/C,I say go for the NSRT. It has low miles, unmodded and is easy to mod I understand wanting to lower your payments too.After 15k miles on our Caliber it started to rattle and squeek a lot,to the point of annoying.I think the overall build quality of the Caliber was subpar.So,my vote is,NSRT I still love the styling.

 

go for the neon

 

I had this same choice and I bought the Cobalt. It felt the best by far and once the aftermarket grows should have just as much potential as the Dodges.

 

There's also the "Trade In" factor.... I'm a self-proclaimed habitual test driver. Despite having no intention of trading my Cobalt, I still use it as a ploy when going for a demo.

Best trade offer I've gotten was 13k (worst was 10k), and that was when it was only six months old and had 7k on the clock. I'm sure dealership trade flexibility varies by region, but in my area -- no matter how new, how showroom perfect your car might be -- they still offer below wholesale auction price. Even if they'd sell it themselves at retail.

 

Yeh exactly...with the NSRT I would come out a better deal as far as payments go. I also agree with the ones that say its a 5 yr old car, and even though its only 15000, I think to myself, the car could have been beaten to death all of those 15000 miles, while I know that I properly broke my car in, and on the agressive driving scale I have probably never taken it past an 8, and rarely go past a 5, so I know I have babied my TC. My old NSRT had 33000 miles on it when I bought it, and in less than 500 miles the turbo blew, so i know how the NSRT's have been beaten to death, for the most part. I do like 4 doors, and the aggressive styling, but all in all, when I shine my car up, and get behind the wheel of it, I love it. I love the fact that it has ample performance, but retains its DD drivability.

 

I will be 27 in Oct and i just bought my ss/tc but then again it will be paid by jan 2011

 

well, the T/C did set the record at the nurburing track so, its a straight line and circuit car.

 

I have always been a fan of the underdog. I guess its because there is NOTHING on the market that looks like them. Theyre more aggressive than sleek and I like that.

 

C&D Lightning Lap (4.2 mile course)

Cobalt SS/T - 3:13.0
MS3 - 3:16.0
WRX STi - 3:19.0
Cobalt SS/SC - 3:20.6
CSRT - 3:20.8
Mustang GT - 3:20.9

Stock SS/SC vs. Stock CSRT is close (favoring the Cobalt)

Stock SS/T vs. Stock CSRT = CSRT loses badly

 

And?

Im going on guys who actually race at the track with their CSRT's. Most recently a guy came in 4th out of 21st with his CSRT against cars like the ones I listed.

The point is the CSRT really isnt as bad as people think in the corners. Driver skill as with anything else is hte primary determining factor. Not magazine times.

 

Go with the NSRT...can't beat having an extra $100 in your pocket every month and still have a fun car. I went a little overkill and sold my SS/TC for a '86 Lancer ES...but yeah...that's $230 less I pay a month on bills! lol