This and everyone on the Z forums are toolbags (for the most part).

 

depends what YOU want.... spend more and look good? or spend less and go a bit faster... keep in mind the cobalt has a better warranty although it is less reliable for the most part. and you gf might end up hating you forever... let her take a tc for a drive lol

 

Get the Z. You won't regret it. My Z is a non HR and I was running 13.7s with just intake, ypipe, test pipe and exhaust. You can build the VQ35DE for cheap. My motor build consist of rods, pistons, and headgasket. Then I got the turbokit for 3000. I somewhere around 430hp, but I'm about to switch out my turbo and start pushing my setup more.

 

Why get a ok looking slow 350z when you could get a sexy, fast turbocharged Cobalt?

 

Lmao^

 

I'm a random guy with a Z. I have a great respect for the Cobalt SS, and considered buying one myself at one point. If you don't know already why you want a Z, you don't want one. It is for people who are willing to throw things like back seats, cupholders, and fuel economy out the window. But you get some false information about the Z, I'd like to set a few details straight.

First, the Z is NOT slow.
Car and Driver : Nissan 350Z 0-60 - 5.2, 5-60 - 5.6,1/4 Mile 13.7 @ 104 mph / Chevrolet Cobalt SS 0-60 - 7.1 sec, 5-60 - 7.3 sec, ź mile 15.7 sec @ 91 mph
Motor Trend: Nissan 350Z Roadster 0-60 - 5.8, 1/4 mile 14.2 sec @ 98.2 mph / Cobalt SS 0-60 - 6.1, 1/4 mile 14.4sec@99.3mph
I hate to be the bearer of these numbers, but they are real. I have beaten SS cobalts in my almost-stock Z (quaife lsd). The surprising thing is that the race is always so close.

Second, the Z can be very good in the snow. I live in Idaho, and the Z is my daily. I just put snow tires on the back, and toss two 50 lb bags of sand (bout $15) in the trunk and bam! - more grip than I need. Plus, if i do abuse the throttle it only slides the back a little but i can still steer.

Third, there is no car in the world with more modding potential than the Z. The tuner market circles the Z, and you can choose from 5-10 brands of every aftermarket part to think of. I dont know what it would take to get a cobalt to similar power levels, but a standard sc kit when I get one would make 400 hp easy.

Last, you can DRIFT! The Z is an excellent drift car, and that was the deciding factor for me. Few things in a car are as fun as a long powerslide. Try it some day.

 

idk where you got your specs from but car and driver ran a 5.7 0-60 in the ss idk where the 7 sec came from........but everyone is going to have bias to the car they own or have owned.......like me i prefer the rx8 over the z anyday

 

ya you werent racing an lnf hahaha especially if it was from a roll
sorry but your times are way way off, that must be the ss na

 

@ OP: The merits of either car aside, an old rule of thumb for used car buying is to reserve 20% of your used car money for fixing the car. That could take both cars out of the running, but better that than rupture your personal budget.

 

lmao at those two one post wonders comming on a COBALT forum to talk up the Z...GTFO or at least get your facts straight. A stock ss/tc will rape a stock 03-06 Z any day of the week. A decently modded ss/sc can also fair pretty well against a Z. Stop being a fanboi and do some research before coming on here an popping off some useless facts.

 

Thats the 0-60 and 1/4 mile for a base Cobalt LS XFE, not anywhere near an SS

The Motortrend time is also for an SS/SC, not the car the OP wants.

The 08-10 SS run like 4.9-5 sec 0-60 and have easily run 13.7 stock with a good driver. You also get a 300 tune and your can get 13 flat, lets see a 350 make that much of a change with that little of money.

 

Ok kids. Relax. My point is that the numbers for cars badged SS are similar to the Z's, and that the Z would not be considered slow. If you want to argue about engine versions and my sources, here is the supercharged one - Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.2 sec ,Standing 1/4-mile: 14.4 sec @ 100 mph
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged - Specs - Car and Driver

still not beat-a-Z-every-time numbers. these are from multiple independent sources, (i can find more), with professional drivers each time of every version that I know the car comes in. If we are going to be using the new lnf numbers, should i pull the 370z numbers out?

I am not here to bash anyone's car, and the Cobalt SS is a much better deal speed to cost. The numbers are so close here that the skilled driver would win. My favorite numbers to use are those 5-60 ones i have been posting, because it eliminates the horrible FWD launches.

I knew I'd get flamed just by walking in the door, but I think I have been more than fair. Facts are not useless, they are facts. I am not the one who hasn't done their research. Check my sources.

 

Hes not talking about getting a 370z though. Hes talking about getting the older 350z, or a cobalt SS/SC or perhaps an SS/TC. The good 350z with the High Rev motor are way out of his price range along with 370z so Im not sure why your bringing those cars up since those are the ones that get respectable times. Fact of the matter is the cobalts he is looking to purchase are just as fast or faster than a non HR 350z and are cheaper to get decent hp numbers from.

I dont hate 350z or 370z but as you stated before "If you don't know already why you want a Z, you don't want one." which I couldnt agree more. All in all the OP will have to make the decision on what type of car he wants, either FWD-good performance and gas milage-not so good looking car, or RWD-2 seater- expensive to mod- sexy looking car.

 

Kids? really? Not every cobalt owner is 15 you know. The OP was comparing stock for stock an 04 Z with an 08 SS/TC. SS/TC > 04 Z all day every day. Those are the only two cars he wanted comparisons for...not SS/NA, SS/SC, HR Z's or the 370...arguments for and against all those cars are irrelevent.Do more research and come back to us.

 

"I'm debating between an 05/06 POSSIBLY 08 SS vs an 04 350z. I would love to have an 08 since they crank 260hp."

Sounds like he was considering 05 and 06 also to me. He certainly was not ONLY interested in an 08. Maybe you should read someone's entire post before you jump me. Those are the years i got the numbers for.

the numbers for the Z are NOT the HR (rev-up) these are for the 2004 with VQ35DE engine. this article has the exact version and trim of the old 2004 that I have. 0-60 : 5.3, 13.77 @ 100.94 Compact Sport Coupe Comparison - Price & Performance Data - Motor Trend

Here is the new 08 COBALT TURBO also - 0-60 : 5.5, 1/4 13.9 at 102.5 mph
Quick Test: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS - First Drive - Motor Trend

and look! these newest numbers aren't solidly beating the older Z either? odd, you were so sure that if I would just get the numbers of the newest year of the Cobalt SS it would be dramatically faster. I only call people kids who ACT like kids. There are many courteous and helpful people on this forum. Just not you.

by the way, the cost of the that 08 (used) is still out of his mentioned price range, unless he gets a good deal. it may come down soon, but i doubt it. "Kelley Blue Book $14,300 national average for vehicle in Excellent condition, based on 35,500 miles"
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbocharged Coupe - Yahoo! Autos check the link if you dont think i got the right one
so if we are going to only talk about cars he can get in his price range, I think it was reasonable to give him numbers for the 06 and 05, especially since he specifically asked about them.

again, CAPO, why dont you do your own research, read posts before you open your mouth, and realize that I have provided accurate and asked-for information with proper sources. My only intent was to show that the stock Z of any year is about as fast as ANY stock SS Cobalt with any factory engine and NONE of them are going consistently "rape it" even if they can win sometimes.

RAMROD, who drag races or does 1/4 mile from a roll? "hey mister mustang, will you please wait for my car to get a rolling start at this stoplight?" I haven't found the rolling start numbers (5-60) for the new lnf, but I already posted them for the Z and the cobalts in years I could find.

 

just build what uve got and ignore these guys bickering. u can make a ls thats pretty quick for a good price!

 

"08-10 SS run like 4.9-5 sec 0-60 and have easily run 13.7 stock with a good driver"
where do these numbers come from?

yes, ignore the argument. both cars are respected, quick, and easily modded. Just pick the one that is more your style.

 

I'd vote SS/TC > 350Z > SS/SC

 

Dumbest question ever. What will fetch you more when you sell it?

 

only relevant if he plans on selling it ..

lets face is both are fast cars but in most cases the SS/TC beats a 350Z i've read quite a few encounters on multiple forums and the TC usually comes out on top even if it is only by a little.

the 350Z will hold it's value better and does look nicer but will be harder to drive in the winter than the cobalt. I'm sure you can find a used SS/TC for a decent price as well as a 350Z... what it comes down to is what's important to you as the buyer.. spend $500 on an SS/TC and it will give a 350Z the rundown. it is what it is.. the TC can be made pretty fast with just a tune.

it's generally not a good idea to post on a forum for an opinion on which car is better... it's what YOU want not what everyone else says is worth wanting... i bought a TC sedan and i love it. ya it may not be super reliable and may not hold it's value but i'm not concerned about those things... it's pretty fast, has an awesome warranty and gets 35-40mpg. is it a better car than a 350Z? probably not in an overall sense... but for the gas mileage, ability to make power cheaply, and maintain a warranty that will protect you as a buyer it is an awesome car IMO.

 

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/drag...-lists-219659/

Alright it averages around 13.9, but for around 1500 more in mods you can get 13 flat easy, in 12's with slicks.

 

TC will get you better milage, easier to drive in winter, sleeper, great perfomance all around stock. Spend a bit of money to tune it and it will put buses on a lot of cars that think "Its just a cobalt"

I do want a 350Z but for the time being I could only afford 1 car and with the weather here a TC was much more practical. It all depends on your needs.

 

i just have two words for you. Honda Civic. lol jk *** that car.

 

Neither, as Nissans have just as horrible resale as chevy... So that argument is a silly one.


Just get whichever you like more? How difficult is it? honestly?

 

look at the times you had originally posted dipshit, nowhere near the 13.9 you posted just now, im impressed you can get on google and find track times since google is the most acurate source of information, please tell me when i said anything about a 1/4 from a roll, I was simply stating that your numbers were wrong, and that your car was not beating an lnf from a roll, oh and like the 1/4 is the best way to compare how cars perform thats more up to the driver just look at the trap speeds, a gms1 ss would give you a lose for sure. again trap speeds tell me a lot more about the speed of the car but trolls will trolls, just kinda funny how you registered here just for this thread and have probably only posted in this thread so welcome douche bag i hope you enjoy your stay at