Now what the Mazda guys think...
Senior Member
Joined: 03-26-08
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Why I bought my cobalt instead of an MS3:
When I went to the chevy dealership, the salesperson said "I haven't gotten to ride in one of these yet, so show me what it can do" and proceeded to take me on a route of backroads where we could open it up.
When I went to the Mazda dealership, the salesperson said "I'm sorry, we don't allow test drives. People that buy these come in asking for them and don't need a test drive"
After arguing with the stuck up sales staff and managers at the Mazda dealership, I went back to the chevy dealership and bought my TC. I couldn't be happier now. After a year and 25,000 miles of ownership, I can honestly say THE INTERIOR DOES NOT BOTHER ME. The car is a solid performer, and I am still scared to push it to the max around corners.
When I went to the chevy dealership, the salesperson said "I haven't gotten to ride in one of these yet, so show me what it can do" and proceeded to take me on a route of backroads where we could open it up.
When I went to the Mazda dealership, the salesperson said "I'm sorry, we don't allow test drives. People that buy these come in asking for them and don't need a test drive"
After arguing with the stuck up sales staff and managers at the Mazda dealership, I went back to the chevy dealership and bought my TC. I couldn't be happier now. After a year and 25,000 miles of ownership, I can honestly say THE INTERIOR DOES NOT BOTHER ME. The car is a solid performer, and I am still scared to push it to the max around corners.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-07-05
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 02-11-09
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
When I test drove the SS/TC, the guy threw me the keys and said "knock yourself out" he didn't even want to sit along for the test drive. At another dealership, the salesperson came along but he said he hated the car because it was so small. At yet another dealership, the person never offered to let me test it out and the car was totally covered in road salt, grime, and the wheel locks started to rust.
At the Mazda dealership, the lady photocopied my driver's license and warmed up the car beforehand. I suspected there might be a problem with the turbo hence why she wanted to warm it up.
At the Mazda dealership, the lady photocopied my driver's license and warmed up the car beforehand. I suspected there might be a problem with the turbo hence why she wanted to warm it up.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-21-08
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach
When I test drove the SS/TC, the guy threw me the keys and said "knock yourself out" he didn't even want to sit along for the test drive. At another dealership, the salesperson came along but he said he hated the car because it was so small. At yet another dealership, the person never offered to let me test it out and the car was totally covered in road salt, grime, and the wheel locks started to rust.
At the Mazda dealership, the lady photocopied my driver's license and warmed up the car beforehand. I suspected there might be a problem with the turbo hence why she wanted to warm it up.
At the Mazda dealership, the lady photocopied my driver's license and warmed up the car beforehand. I suspected there might be a problem with the turbo hence why she wanted to warm it up.
when i went to look at HHR SS's no one even came to talk to me so i went elsewhere.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-02-09
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton
I like my Cobalt SS (I'm surprised to hear myself say that sometimes). I also like the Mazdaspeed 3. To be 100% honest, if I had the Mazda interior in my Cobalt, and a better sunroof, I'd LOVE this car. The Mazda didn't appeal to me enough to buy it because: It has no sunroof (a big option for me), it's not two door (I like my coupes), the clutch felt almost "digital," and in Canada the price point was very different. I got my SS/TC for 23,500 out the door, while the Mazda would have been over 30k, they didn't want to flex at all. So as far as performance per dollar, that was a large contributing factor for my purchase.
I also appreciate my Cobalt much more lately. It's in for getting the paint problem at the bottom of the doors fixed, and they gave me a LS Cobalt as a rental. Let me tell you, night and day! Holy crap the LS makes my Cobalt feel like a Corvette in comparison!
I also appreciate my Cobalt much more lately. It's in for getting the paint problem at the bottom of the doors fixed, and they gave me a LS Cobalt as a rental. Let me tell you, night and day! Holy crap the LS makes my Cobalt feel like a Corvette in comparison!
Senior Member
Joined: 09-07-05
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 0
From: Canada
yeah, like the cobalt tc is the worst car in the world when it comes to mods...cmon everyone knows cobalt = fail. No one will ever figure out fuel yo.
haha, I have read like 12 posts today and they have all fizzled out with ass jockeys pilling on the balt...
If my car didnt do so well on track days, and be such a stable daily driver, I wouldnt know...
haha, I have read like 12 posts today and they have all fizzled out with ass jockeys pilling on the balt...
If my car didnt do so well on track days, and be such a stable daily driver, I wouldnt know...
Member
Joined: 10-26-06
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Senior Member
Joined: 09-16-05
Posts: 13,306
Likes: 0
From: UNDER YOUR BED
New Member
Joined: 03-31-09
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo NY
my girl just picked up an 09 MS3 like 3 weeks ago and i love driving the car, however, i love driving my car...they're 2 totally different machines when you think about the gearing and the torque etc etc etc....i will say that the mazda FEELS faster but its all in your head because for whatever reason the mazdaspeeds (speed 6 and MS3) all have insane short bursts of torque when you get on them in 1st and 2nd....the cobalt to me has more of a gradual torque curve rather than OH **** 120% TORQUE RIGHT NOW!!! and then dies off around 5k...the MS3 DEF has a nicer interior but as far as modding both....SS/TC>>>>MS3
(this coming from a guy who had every bolt on and a GT35r with meth on his speed 6 lol)
(this coming from a guy who had every bolt on and a GT35r with meth on his speed 6 lol)
New Member
Joined: 03-27-09
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
I personally will not buy another Mazda.
In 3Q 2003, I bought a brand new Protege 5, with ALL the options, I mean leather, all the airbags, 6-disc CD, sunroof, even the dang rear bumper protector when loading cargo, minus auto - gotta be stick, for me. Mazda had nearly $4K in rebates, so the car came out to like $15K financed, and was pulled from a dealer over 80mi away, and flatbedded down.
At about 21K miles, stupid thing spun a rod bearing. Now, mind you, I normally lease because I change cars every 3-4 years, and it's dumb to buy in that case. But, the car was so cheap, it made no $$ sense to lease.
Took it to the dealer, as it was making noises, and CEL light was on.
Put me in a rental, and called me 2 days later, drove off, less than 5mi away, same shiznit.
Took it back, back in a rental, and they called me 2 days later asking for oil change/maint. receipts.
Now, since I BOUGHT it, I took extra steps to maintain it, including using synth oil, and always changed at 3000-3500mi intervals.
Brought in the receipts (a friend has a Midas who did all my oil changes for me near cost) and 2 days later they tell me Mazda probably wouldn't approve the work, saying that it was abuse, but if I gave the svc advisor $300 in cash, he'd get it done, and it would require getting a shortblock from Japan.
Gave the chump the $300, making sure to have a friend videotape the transaction, as well as the ATM withdrawal (which are RARELY done on my account) and had the work done.
When they finished, and I got the car back, I sent copies of the videotape to MazdaUSA, Consumer Reports, as well as Edmunds. Never saw the dude there again after about 2 weeks, and I proceeded to get rid of that car within just a month or two.
Nastiest situation with a new car I've ever been in.
I had a 2001 Highlander V6 4WD that my wife drove, leased this one, and at about 30K, the oil started to sludge up really badly. I investigated a bit, and found that a couple of Toyo engines (the highlander V6, and it's I-4, also used in other cards) had the problem, though Toyota admitted no fault.
Toyota, however, fully repaired the engine, even needing to replace the dang oil pan!
Repair work ended up showing up like $7K between parts+labor, and I paid not a dime, and I did NOT have to bribe anyone.
This was a known-in-the-industry issue, Toyota denied any problems, but took care of them. While investigating, I found on Edmunds.com a series on it, and requesting info from people who experience it, and was contacted by someone there, who asked for the repair paperwork to be faxed to them, which I did, although i made DANG sure that they knew that I had NO trouble from the dealer, NOR from Toyota in that case.
My 2009 SS/TC has been an absolute dream so far, after 3 months and 2600mi - only seen the dealer for the free oil change the owner wanted me to do at 1000mi, and also at the same time to note a slight (I mean maybe 5-6mm) misalignment in the front (hood-to-bumper/lights alignment), and a missing valve stem cover, and also had them install wheel locks (Kendall Chevy in Miami).
I gotta tell ya - the Chevy dealer I got the balt from has been OUTSTANDING from day one, and I really couldn't be more satisfied. Of course, the dealer I got my (previous to the Cobalt) Tundra is Lehman Toyota in Miami, and they are also a superb outfit. Had a 2005 Rav4 AWD Sport for my wife that we just returned, and I got her an '09 Subaru Forester 2.5X from Lehman Subaru, and it was also a good experience.
I don't know what was up with that Mazda dealer, but I will never set foot there again, and doubt I will get another Mazda after that experience.
T
In 3Q 2003, I bought a brand new Protege 5, with ALL the options, I mean leather, all the airbags, 6-disc CD, sunroof, even the dang rear bumper protector when loading cargo, minus auto - gotta be stick, for me. Mazda had nearly $4K in rebates, so the car came out to like $15K financed, and was pulled from a dealer over 80mi away, and flatbedded down.
At about 21K miles, stupid thing spun a rod bearing. Now, mind you, I normally lease because I change cars every 3-4 years, and it's dumb to buy in that case. But, the car was so cheap, it made no $$ sense to lease.
Took it to the dealer, as it was making noises, and CEL light was on.
Put me in a rental, and called me 2 days later, drove off, less than 5mi away, same shiznit.
Took it back, back in a rental, and they called me 2 days later asking for oil change/maint. receipts.
Now, since I BOUGHT it, I took extra steps to maintain it, including using synth oil, and always changed at 3000-3500mi intervals.
Brought in the receipts (a friend has a Midas who did all my oil changes for me near cost) and 2 days later they tell me Mazda probably wouldn't approve the work, saying that it was abuse, but if I gave the svc advisor $300 in cash, he'd get it done, and it would require getting a shortblock from Japan.
Gave the chump the $300, making sure to have a friend videotape the transaction, as well as the ATM withdrawal (which are RARELY done on my account) and had the work done.
When they finished, and I got the car back, I sent copies of the videotape to MazdaUSA, Consumer Reports, as well as Edmunds. Never saw the dude there again after about 2 weeks, and I proceeded to get rid of that car within just a month or two.
Nastiest situation with a new car I've ever been in.
I had a 2001 Highlander V6 4WD that my wife drove, leased this one, and at about 30K, the oil started to sludge up really badly. I investigated a bit, and found that a couple of Toyo engines (the highlander V6, and it's I-4, also used in other cards) had the problem, though Toyota admitted no fault.
Toyota, however, fully repaired the engine, even needing to replace the dang oil pan!
Repair work ended up showing up like $7K between parts+labor, and I paid not a dime, and I did NOT have to bribe anyone.
This was a known-in-the-industry issue, Toyota denied any problems, but took care of them. While investigating, I found on Edmunds.com a series on it, and requesting info from people who experience it, and was contacted by someone there, who asked for the repair paperwork to be faxed to them, which I did, although i made DANG sure that they knew that I had NO trouble from the dealer, NOR from Toyota in that case.
My 2009 SS/TC has been an absolute dream so far, after 3 months and 2600mi - only seen the dealer for the free oil change the owner wanted me to do at 1000mi, and also at the same time to note a slight (I mean maybe 5-6mm) misalignment in the front (hood-to-bumper/lights alignment), and a missing valve stem cover, and also had them install wheel locks (Kendall Chevy in Miami).
I gotta tell ya - the Chevy dealer I got the balt from has been OUTSTANDING from day one, and I really couldn't be more satisfied. Of course, the dealer I got my (previous to the Cobalt) Tundra is Lehman Toyota in Miami, and they are also a superb outfit. Had a 2005 Rav4 AWD Sport for my wife that we just returned, and I got her an '09 Subaru Forester 2.5X from Lehman Subaru, and it was also a good experience.
I don't know what was up with that Mazda dealer, but I will never set foot there again, and doubt I will get another Mazda after that experience.
T
Well I just owned a 2008 MS3 GT and just got a 2009 SS. Here are my thoughts
I'm only at 900 miles on the SS and I hear its "limited for the first 1k miles" but the Ms3 has much more torq down low. Also when Wot and shifting (non no lift shift) the SS drops power like crazy in the next gear. Now with just a intake the MS3 woke up real good. not sure how the SS will act, specially with its back to stock learning ecu, so Im very excited to get the stage kit.
Interior - ms3 hands down better look and feel of parts. The shift knob is heavy and nicer leather in the ms3. The HU has leds that light up when changing volume etc, its just more high class feeling like when you spend the 25k msrp its worth it. While the SS interior has no difference than the base cobalt except wrapped in leather. But the SS has the sunroof, bluetooth and the USB port. All of which I love. BUT this is my biggest issue, the cup holders in the SS suck so much @#$@#$ ass. In the MS3 and hell even my rental ford focus had better cup holders and bottle holders in the doors. Until you have those you have no idea how crap tastic the SS ones are. They dont even hold a can up, I need a fix for that. The SS has a boost gauge, yes I like this.
The MS3 has LED tail lights, HID with manual electric adjusting inside the cabin (up and down). I mean the SS has now the same msrp almost at 25,500 and no HID's? thats all I wanted ****.
performance wise (stock) they both feel similar.
Braking the SS feels smoother, but the ms3's brakes felt harder. In brake tests by edmunds the ms3 stopped faster so just because it says brembo doesnt mean its the best on the market.
Handlingwise they both are great but the stock SS suspension feels stiffer. BUT the 2010 ms3 gets updated suspension.
engine perfomance like I said the ms3 has much more torq, but runs out of power at like 5800 rpm whlie the SS holds power till redline at 6500.
The gear box - the SS gearbox feels much tighter, more easy to shift and gearing is just way better. The ms3 is slightly sloppy, but the gates are so far apart quick shifting if not used to it will result in a miss-shift. Also I like the SS gear ratios better, who doesnt want to go 65mph in 2nd? the ms3 needs to be in 3rd to hit that.
Now I absolutely love both cars. but I dont feel the SS is worth 25k at all. The ms3 is 25k msrp and has WAY more amenities that actually make it worth that much. I think if the SS sold at 22k then I would say that would be a better price.
As for people bitching about omg the dealer did this blah blah. That is a stupid ass reason for not liking a car, grow up and go to a different dealer or tell them off. The chevy dealer I went to had no idea about the SS and made me wait over 4 hours to get the car purchase. The ms3 purchase was fantastic, salesman was nice, transaction was done in a hour.
I love both cars but had a ms3 so I wanted something different since the ms3 was totaled. The SS was the only other car (since the RS didnt come over) that was similarly priced and had the same performance. But the SS costs more for insurance
I'm only at 900 miles on the SS and I hear its "limited for the first 1k miles" but the Ms3 has much more torq down low. Also when Wot and shifting (non no lift shift) the SS drops power like crazy in the next gear. Now with just a intake the MS3 woke up real good. not sure how the SS will act, specially with its back to stock learning ecu, so Im very excited to get the stage kit.
Interior - ms3 hands down better look and feel of parts. The shift knob is heavy and nicer leather in the ms3. The HU has leds that light up when changing volume etc, its just more high class feeling like when you spend the 25k msrp its worth it. While the SS interior has no difference than the base cobalt except wrapped in leather. But the SS has the sunroof, bluetooth and the USB port. All of which I love. BUT this is my biggest issue, the cup holders in the SS suck so much @#$@#$ ass. In the MS3 and hell even my rental ford focus had better cup holders and bottle holders in the doors. Until you have those you have no idea how crap tastic the SS ones are. They dont even hold a can up, I need a fix for that. The SS has a boost gauge, yes I like this.
The MS3 has LED tail lights, HID with manual electric adjusting inside the cabin (up and down). I mean the SS has now the same msrp almost at 25,500 and no HID's? thats all I wanted ****.
performance wise (stock) they both feel similar.
Braking the SS feels smoother, but the ms3's brakes felt harder. In brake tests by edmunds the ms3 stopped faster so just because it says brembo doesnt mean its the best on the market.
Handlingwise they both are great but the stock SS suspension feels stiffer. BUT the 2010 ms3 gets updated suspension.
engine perfomance like I said the ms3 has much more torq, but runs out of power at like 5800 rpm whlie the SS holds power till redline at 6500.
The gear box - the SS gearbox feels much tighter, more easy to shift and gearing is just way better. The ms3 is slightly sloppy, but the gates are so far apart quick shifting if not used to it will result in a miss-shift. Also I like the SS gear ratios better, who doesnt want to go 65mph in 2nd? the ms3 needs to be in 3rd to hit that.
Now I absolutely love both cars. but I dont feel the SS is worth 25k at all. The ms3 is 25k msrp and has WAY more amenities that actually make it worth that much. I think if the SS sold at 22k then I would say that would be a better price.
As for people bitching about omg the dealer did this blah blah. That is a stupid ass reason for not liking a car, grow up and go to a different dealer or tell them off. The chevy dealer I went to had no idea about the SS and made me wait over 4 hours to get the car purchase. The ms3 purchase was fantastic, salesman was nice, transaction was done in a hour.
I love both cars but had a ms3 so I wanted something different since the ms3 was totaled. The SS was the only other car (since the RS didnt come over) that was similarly priced and had the same performance. But the SS costs more for insurance
Senior Member
Joined: 02-11-09
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
The MS3 has single piston front calipers. While they provide comparable 60-0 as the Brembos on the SS/TC, repeated hard braking will show the fixed 4-piston caliper to provide some benefit.
As for cupholders, I don't drink or eat inside the cars so the cupholders are a non-issue for me.
The MS3 has better exterior lighting, but that is something the Europeans and Japanese have always had. The Americans have traditionally shied away from putting modern electronics on vehicles.
HIDs are now obsolete and yesterday's news. Toyota and Audi are the first to market with LED headlights and they simply outlast HIDs by a factor of at least 10. Cadillac finally picked up with their Cadillac Escalade Platinum and Escalade Hybrid, but the Toyota/Lexus hybrid and the Audi R8 debuted with LED headlights around 2007.
As for cupholders, I don't drink or eat inside the cars so the cupholders are a non-issue for me.
The MS3 has better exterior lighting, but that is something the Europeans and Japanese have always had. The Americans have traditionally shied away from putting modern electronics on vehicles.
HIDs are now obsolete and yesterday's news. Toyota and Audi are the first to market with LED headlights and they simply outlast HIDs by a factor of at least 10. Cadillac finally picked up with their Cadillac Escalade Platinum and Escalade Hybrid, but the Toyota/Lexus hybrid and the Audi R8 debuted with LED headlights around 2007.
On a road tour, which Rallyracer (2007 SS SC) and I have done multiple times we've never had noticeable brake fad, but yes I would agree after repeated braking the SS ones would be much better. Like a smaller track instead of long road driving.
cupholders - well I drive like 30k miles for work so I need to have a caffeine drink to stay away on those long trips and I had a energy drink spill over in the ss...ugh not good.
Well lot of newer american cars have projectors with HID's... its just very odd to see a 25k msrp car without them I guess. I'm looking at the after market ss headlights but man they are ricey. I want a plain one so its either retrofit or I dont know how a stock headlight take a HID, like does it blind the **** out of oncoming drivers? I know projectors help a lot to keep the light concentrated..
cupholders - well I drive like 30k miles for work so I need to have a caffeine drink to stay away on those long trips and I had a energy drink spill over in the ss...ugh not good.
Well lot of newer american cars have projectors with HID's... its just very odd to see a 25k msrp car without them I guess. I'm looking at the after market ss headlights but man they are ricey. I want a plain one so its either retrofit or I dont know how a stock headlight take a HID, like does it blind the **** out of oncoming drivers? I know projectors help a lot to keep the light concentrated..
Member
Joined: 11-02-08
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Quebec city, Canada
I agree with most comments on the MS3. I've driven my colleague's and it's a totally different car.
It feels faster when you initially hit the throttle but it runs out of steam early while the SS just keeps going.
In terms of handling, they perform pretty much the same although the steering felt quicker in the MS3. Suspension felt a tad bit stiffer as well.
Brakes are a little more agressive when you initially hit them but they do not feel more powerful than the SS brembos.
Transmission : SS wins hands down. SS shifter is more precise and clutch is easier to manage. I hated the MS3's shifter and clutch felt awkward.
Interior, MS3 wins without a doubt. Auto climate control is a nice feature we should've had in the SS. Cupholders do suck in the SS but seats are better imo.
Bottom line, up here a MS3 will sell for 2-3000$
more than a fully equipped SS coupe.
Choice was easy for such similar performance however the difference in price is somewhat justified once you sit in the MS3.
It feels faster when you initially hit the throttle but it runs out of steam early while the SS just keeps going.
In terms of handling, they perform pretty much the same although the steering felt quicker in the MS3. Suspension felt a tad bit stiffer as well.
Brakes are a little more agressive when you initially hit them but they do not feel more powerful than the SS brembos.
Transmission : SS wins hands down. SS shifter is more precise and clutch is easier to manage. I hated the MS3's shifter and clutch felt awkward.
Interior, MS3 wins without a doubt. Auto climate control is a nice feature we should've had in the SS. Cupholders do suck in the SS but seats are better imo.
Bottom line, up here a MS3 will sell for 2-3000$
more than a fully equipped SS coupe.Choice was easy for such similar performance however the difference in price is somewhat justified once you sit in the MS3.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-16-05
Posts: 13,306
Likes: 0
From: UNDER YOUR BED
Well I just owned a 2008 MS3 GT and just got a 2009 SS. Here are my thoughts
I'm only at 900 miles on the SS and I hear its "limited for the first 1k miles" but the Ms3 has much more torq down low. Also when Wot and shifting (non no lift shift) the SS drops power like crazy in the next gear. Now with just a intake the MS3 woke up real good. not sure how the SS will act, specially with its back to stock learning ecu, so Im very excited to get the stage kit.
Interior - ms3 hands down better look and feel of parts. The shift knob is heavy and nicer leather in the ms3. The HU has leds that light up when changing volume etc, its just more high class feeling like when you spend the 25k msrp its worth it. While the SS interior has no difference than the base cobalt except wrapped in leather. But the SS has the sunroof, bluetooth and the USB port. All of which I love. BUT this is my biggest issue, the cup holders in the SS suck so much @#$@#$ ass. In the MS3 and hell even my rental ford focus had better cup holders and bottle holders in the doors. Until you have those you have no idea how crap tastic the SS ones are. They dont even hold a can up, I need a fix for that. The SS has a boost gauge, yes I like this.
The MS3 has LED tail lights, HID with manual electric adjusting inside the cabin (up and down). I mean the SS has now the same msrp almost at 25,500 and no HID's? thats all I wanted ****.
performance wise (stock) they both feel similar.
Braking the SS feels smoother, but the ms3's brakes felt harder. In brake tests by edmunds the ms3 stopped faster so just because it says brembo doesnt mean its the best on the market.
Handlingwise they both are great but the stock SS suspension feels stiffer. BUT the 2010 ms3 gets updated suspension.
engine perfomance like I said the ms3 has much more torq, but runs out of power at like 5800 rpm whlie the SS holds power till redline at 6500.
The gear box - the SS gearbox feels much tighter, more easy to shift and gearing is just way better. The ms3 is slightly sloppy, but the gates are so far apart quick shifting if not used to it will result in a miss-shift. Also I like the SS gear ratios better, who doesnt want to go 65mph in 2nd? the ms3 needs to be in 3rd to hit that.
Now I absolutely love both cars. but I dont feel the SS is worth 25k at all. The ms3 is 25k msrp and has WAY more amenities that actually make it worth that much. I think if the SS sold at 22k then I would say that would be a better price.
As for people bitching about omg the dealer did this blah blah. That is a stupid ass reason for not liking a car, grow up and go to a different dealer or tell them off. The chevy dealer I went to had no idea about the SS and made me wait over 4 hours to get the car purchase. The ms3 purchase was fantastic, salesman was nice, transaction was done in a hour.
I love both cars but had a ms3 so I wanted something different since the ms3 was totaled. The SS was the only other car (since the RS didnt come over) that was similarly priced and had the same performance. But the SS costs more for insurance
I'm only at 900 miles on the SS and I hear its "limited for the first 1k miles" but the Ms3 has much more torq down low. Also when Wot and shifting (non no lift shift) the SS drops power like crazy in the next gear. Now with just a intake the MS3 woke up real good. not sure how the SS will act, specially with its back to stock learning ecu, so Im very excited to get the stage kit.
Interior - ms3 hands down better look and feel of parts. The shift knob is heavy and nicer leather in the ms3. The HU has leds that light up when changing volume etc, its just more high class feeling like when you spend the 25k msrp its worth it. While the SS interior has no difference than the base cobalt except wrapped in leather. But the SS has the sunroof, bluetooth and the USB port. All of which I love. BUT this is my biggest issue, the cup holders in the SS suck so much @#$@#$ ass. In the MS3 and hell even my rental ford focus had better cup holders and bottle holders in the doors. Until you have those you have no idea how crap tastic the SS ones are. They dont even hold a can up, I need a fix for that. The SS has a boost gauge, yes I like this.
The MS3 has LED tail lights, HID with manual electric adjusting inside the cabin (up and down). I mean the SS has now the same msrp almost at 25,500 and no HID's? thats all I wanted ****.
performance wise (stock) they both feel similar.
Braking the SS feels smoother, but the ms3's brakes felt harder. In brake tests by edmunds the ms3 stopped faster so just because it says brembo doesnt mean its the best on the market.
Handlingwise they both are great but the stock SS suspension feels stiffer. BUT the 2010 ms3 gets updated suspension.
engine perfomance like I said the ms3 has much more torq, but runs out of power at like 5800 rpm whlie the SS holds power till redline at 6500.
The gear box - the SS gearbox feels much tighter, more easy to shift and gearing is just way better. The ms3 is slightly sloppy, but the gates are so far apart quick shifting if not used to it will result in a miss-shift. Also I like the SS gear ratios better, who doesnt want to go 65mph in 2nd? the ms3 needs to be in 3rd to hit that.
Now I absolutely love both cars. but I dont feel the SS is worth 25k at all. The ms3 is 25k msrp and has WAY more amenities that actually make it worth that much. I think if the SS sold at 22k then I would say that would be a better price.
As for people bitching about omg the dealer did this blah blah. That is a stupid ass reason for not liking a car, grow up and go to a different dealer or tell them off. The chevy dealer I went to had no idea about the SS and made me wait over 4 hours to get the car purchase. The ms3 purchase was fantastic, salesman was nice, transaction was done in a hour.
I love both cars but had a ms3 so I wanted something different since the ms3 was totaled. The SS was the only other car (since the RS didnt come over) that was similarly priced and had the same performance. But the SS costs more for insurance
evo? naw I drive a lot for work and my gas mileage would be crap. That and a MR is the only one I'd want but they are crazy expensive even used. I wanted the RS sooo bad but ford dropped the ball again on brining a competitor to the market in the US..hopefully they bring a RS on the new global focus drive train in 2010.
Frank - yup I agree with you. I loved having a wagon though...I was able to fit 8 tires (4 wheels/tires and 4 new tires) with room for at least 2 more. When I went to get new summer tires mounted on stock rims. I just like having the competition so theres options when a consumer goes to buy a car they have many choices, sedan, coupe, wagon to pick but still get great performance.
Seriously though is there a insert for the cup holders? I cant stand my energy drink cans tipping over.
Frank - yup I agree with you. I loved having a wagon though...I was able to fit 8 tires (4 wheels/tires and 4 new tires) with room for at least 2 more. When I went to get new summer tires mounted on stock rims. I just like having the competition so theres options when a consumer goes to buy a car they have many choices, sedan, coupe, wagon to pick but still get great performance.
Seriously though is there a insert for the cup holders? I cant stand my energy drink cans tipping over.