I will be graduating college this year and have been trying to decide which car I would buy afterwards. On the list is the Mitsubishi Ralliart, Chevy Cobalt SS turbo, Honda Civic or Accord, and others. I was leaning towards the Ralliart as I really liked the look of the car, I liked the new SST transmission they had, and I like their color blue. However, recently I found out that it is rated at 17 overall mpg. Then the price with the Recaro package brings the car up to 28 - 29k. After spending some time on evo forums, I started to hear more about the cobalt ss and how it was revamped for 08 with a turbo instaed of the SC. In recent tests it has done very well, however IMO the car lacks a sporty look. I would rather the Ralliart over the SS when it comes to exterior. But the cobalt only comes in a manual tranny, which I am not sure I want for a DD. So I am also considering a civic or an accord as they are both very reliable and cheap.

So, after that long description, why should I buy an SS? What are it's advantages? How's the aftermarket for it? How are they for reliability? What tends to break? (i know that this model hasn't been out too long)

 

Here is a good reason: Look at just what a tune and exhaust can net you.

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/2-0l-lnf-performance-tech-153/o8-ss-tc-new-dyno-numbers-137353/

 

If I was deciding between all those cars you listed, hands down the balt SS, will run circles around that ralliart. Heck I outperformed the EVO in the lighting lap recently for about 15k less, not to mention it destroyed the lancer in the Road and Track 4 door comparo recently also, along with the ms3 and wrx.

Granted the civic/accord are great vehicles for what they are intended to do, run for 200k plus, confortable, get good mpg, but the SS was not designed for that purpose, so you have to look into what you want a car to do for you and what you intend to use it for day to day.

I commute everyday in my SS and my dash readout says 30.2mpg average. Just incredible for a 300 hp car( figuring with the bsr tune I am over 300 hp based on their claim and dyno numbers).

Aftermarket is a bit limited now, but stuff is trickling down day to day for tuners here and there. GM stage kit should also be out soon.

 

That is quite impressive. I want to make sure my car still retains it's daily drivability however. I know that I will want to mod my car though so it is good to know that there is sufficient aftermarket parts.

 

You don't need to buy a SS.

The SS is not the car you are looking for.

Move along...

 

Buy American Damnit!

 

Buy my SS, its about 5 grand cheaper then a brand new SS/TC.

No, really though. If your looking to keep something fairly stock for a DD but still want some performance and good looks. I personally feel out of all the cars you like in the list. A cobalt SS/TC would be a good choice. It gets decent mpg and is sporty. The truth is, a cobalt is dependable if you take care of it and don't go to crazy. Also it sounds like you don't like 5-speed. Which is a problem. I feel 5-speed allows for better mpg and the car is more in your control. Like I said before, cobalts are very dependable inless you beat on the tranny and clutch with some mods for high horse power. If you plan on just getting exhaust, and looking sharp and beating 99% of the tuners out their for the price. You can't find a better bang for the buck with a Cobalt.

About my SS for sale...

Stage II, Exedy clutch flywheel (to handle the extra power), GMP exhaust, GMP manifold, B&M short throw shifter, ZZP downpipe with high flow cat. The best part, it only has 9,200 miles on the car and is garage kept, never seen snow or winter. I'll give it up for 15,250

 

The three things with the cobalt that are keeping me from buying it say today is exterior styling, Manual tranny vs SST (Ralliart), and FWD vs AWD (Ralliart)

The three things with the ralliart that are keeping me from buying it is the price 26k base vs. 24k fully loaded SS, and 17MPG overall vs. 22c 30h

The car will be daily driven to replace my nissan. I do want a performance vehicle that won't lose drivability but be fun to drive.

 

I will qoute myself.

 

I do have a 76 Corvette Stingray, I wonder if I could get a loyalty discount

I have warmed up to the exterior, and it isn't as ugly as say the new WRX (yuck). I could get into the 5 speed, but I don't want it to be a hassle driving around. I also have been driving FWD cars since my first car so I know it won't be a problem in the snow, but I just loved driving friends and families AWD cars.

 

because the SS will get you laid lol

 

I think a guy with a Stingray should pair up two Bowties.

 

its my DD and i love it so much that im parking it for the winter i cried today when someone said that there was snowflakes this afternoon so i got a beater for the winter but i put 13000 kms on since june used as DD and i was getting on average drivng with lots of fun but not driving hard about 425 kms to the tank which is ******* wicked awesome DD and gaining a ton of respect from everyone

 

i have had my 06 Cobalt SS/SC for over a year now and i got it brand new (0 miles) and i love it...i have EIBACH springs and a CAI and there is nothing on the road that makes the same sound as a SUPERCHARGER with a cold air intake...that thing SCREAMS..if you want to screw with people like i do then get the SS throw an intake on it and tear up all the civics that think they r fast...LOL..J/K..but really i have no problems at all the car is great and if u want to go aftermarket with it then in my opinion you can build HP fairly quick and cheap and man is it a fun car to drive..it really all comes down to personal preferance...

 

Well if the Ralliart and the Cobalt SS are the two cars on your short list, go to some dealerships and test drive both of them. Hell, go to a couple of dealerships and test drive each of them a couple of times.

The FWD of the Cobalt SS won't hurt you except in launching it hard. And it weighs less with less power loss then the AWD.

The SSD verse Manual is mostly a personal choice, but you should actually drive both of them to get an idea of how they feel. Make sure you let the Chevy dealership know that you want to see how it does in stop and go.

Styling, well that is a personal thing. You can always mod the car. Personally I don't think any 4 door looks sporty.

The gas mileage difference will be really important on a dialy driver, specially with the price of gas these days.

You also missed the fact that the Cobalt SS will have much cheaper insurance.

 

i say bang for buck go with the ss/tc. the ralliart is a very vehicle, but for the price it's not worth it. IMO civics and accords are great cars for commuting and reliability for the price. the downfall for the honda to me is winding up the v-tec. you shouldn't have to wait for 4k rms to fell your power kick in, and the torque is very disappointing compared to other cars in their classes. the cobalt is an all around great car if you can get over the manual transmission (which is the only way to drive IMO). good mpg, hp/ torque, handling & ride comfort, and best of all the price is affordable.

i must admit the new wrx is ugly but its power numbers are impressive. mpg is about average for an awd car but theres nothing like awd in nasty weather. pricing on wrx's is kinda steep though

 

Will do once dealers in my area get the ralliart. The Ralliart is just getting so high priced that it just seems that the SS is the way to go.


This is a huge thing for me, not only is the SS cheaper, leaving more room for mods or just gas and insurance, it's much better on gas. Plus I am supporting the american car market.

Oh i am all over that, which is why I have steered away from the WRX and the EVO, both of which have very high insurance costs due to the typical driver.

 

You got that right. I would never buy a WRX or EVO just because their insurance is so insanely high that it will be higher then your car notes.

 

Rofl. theres a video comparing the 09 cobalt SS, ralliart,09 wrx, and the 09 MS3 by road & track. and they pick the cobalt as the best car.. lol heres the video oh and its the cheaper than the ralliart too? go figure..

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=7103

 

Yah, i've seen that video along with videos from other magazines that have tested this car versus others and overall they aren't that impressed with the car considering the price tag and mpg rating. Thanks for your help though

 

yea. the ralliart is cool.. but i mean the cobalt handles well, its fast, 22/30mpg, and for around 23k lol thats one hell of a car. maybe not the best looking car, but i love the way mine looks.. oh and the cars ride so smooth. if you ever get the chance go test drive a TC,

 

cobalt will save you a lot more money......but those evo owners will be quick to selling you RA guys their stock turbos, intercoolers, etc when they upgrade

 

DUDE are you serious. .. You just need to drive one on a track to really experience these beasts. The seats are real comfortable dude I can sit in em for hours and never feel stiff at all bro. I cant say that for any civic or mitsu I have ever sat in . Seats are good . Its an economy sedan with a lot of potential and it's only real downfall is no all wheel drive. But all wheel drive just means more crap that can break.
If you do get a Chevy make sure it has the LSD and other options. Also check the
Option dude
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives...e_display.html


This car will have Stage kits before long and it will all be under warranty so I wouldn't sweat the reliability factor besides if you have a good driving record and you have good insurance the cobalts are about a tad less then imports on insurrance on most occasions and it shouldn't take em too long to fix it if something does happen.

well I tried

 

The SS is a bang for the buck leader by far. Are you looking at a SS sedan or coupe? The sedan i would agree is ehh.. not the nicest thing to look at , but the coupe still looks great.

 

totally true man! my insurance went down a good deal when i switched from a 07 Tib SE to my Cobalt SS/TC.