Okay, I did NOT race a WRX, but I did get to drive my SS and a WRX back to back on the same stretch of road. You never see a comparo between these 2 cars, so I thought I'd write up what I observed.

Similarities:
The Cobalt and the WRX have a similar ride height and feel. I took both cars through a twisty country road and noticed no advantage for either car in the curves. Both handle extremely well and inspire confidence. Both cars also deliver a comparable level of performance, but in very different ways.

Differences:
The power delivery of the SS and WRX are polar opposites. In my non-LSD SS, you are always looking for traction, but have good power on tap whenever you want it. The tires break loose at almost every gear shift. The WRX, in contrast, is peaky but never lacks traction due to its 4wd. Real power doesn't kick in until you get above 4500 RPM, but then the car takes off. Shift the gears and you won't hear any tire squeal. Instead, you lunge forward with every shift like you've just been kicked in the ass! The force actually knocked the glasses off of my passenger every time I shifted at redline! In a race, I would expect the WRX to launch better and make better transitions between gears than the SS, but the SS would pull much better the rest of the time. I know the two cars are supposed to have a similar power to weight ratio, but whenever the SS has traction it feels like the faster car. I think that a good driver could get slightly more out of the SS.

The WRX has more supportive seats than my non-recaro SS, but otherwise I think the SS has a much superior interior. Combine that with the fact that the WRX I drove cost $4000 more than my SS, and I'm now happier with my decision than ever!

 

kool beanz

 

Great comparison!
This is the first comparison I've seen done between these two vehicles. The Cobalt SS is a great vehicle and packs a powerful punch.

 

the WRX that i test drove the other day was a $33,000 car. thats like $10,000 more than an SS.im not sure if your talking about the STI or not tho..this is what i drove

 

That's an STi, the STi has a better trans and is a much better vehicle all the way around. For 33k, it had better be.

 

The WRX that I drove was not an STi. An STi would be faster, but is in the price range of a GTO.

 

$33,000 and no stereo thats all I got to say.

 

Heh, STi has 300hp, no way they can compare. I think for $25,000 I'd buy the WRX over the SS.... But hey, I havent driven the SS yet...

 

O come now you know it doesn't come with a stereo b/c they know most people will just take it out and put in an aftermarket one so they make it easy and let you pick the one you want.

My friend matt actually just got his 05 STI a few weeks ago, really make me jealous ( he's not even 18 yet, but it's coo b/c he's payin for it) car is fast and rides really smooth but anyway the dealer he got his from installed the cd player he wanted before he ever picked up the car so it's not that bad.

 

Owning a Camaro SS and Cobalt SS i have ran into my share of WRX's STI and plain janes.

Those cars can launch like crazy but loose much of that advantage after 60mph. From a roll those cars are very lacking in speed. The STI is cool but the whole 4 door thing is still not anything I'd want.

 

I don't plan on installing an aftermarket stereo on my SS/SC, they stereo thats in it stock is awesome. Instead of no stereo because "everyone is going to replace it" how about you put in a stereo thats really nice so you don't have to bother replacing it.

I am not sure how a 17 year old kid is paying for the payment and insurance on an STi?

 

First off, i also own a non-lsd cobalt ss, and you have a very special cobalt on hand if you are breaking traction on every shift, or you are not a very smooth clutch operator and are gonna tear your car up. This next thing is just something that gets on my nerves, WRX as are all subarus are all wheel drive not four wheel drive big difference.

 

My guess is that his dad put it in his name so the payments wouldn't be too high,, but he does have to deal with high monthly car payments b/c of the 36 month loan he decided on. He is working a construction job, I'm not quite sure what he does, I know the company lays concrete for new houses and other things. Really isn't that hard to believe, Imagine making the salary you do now. but you still live with your parents and don't have any other bills to pay.

 

Well I don't know about you, but my car is capable of breaking traction big time on the shift to 2nd, and it can also do it a little bit on the shift to 3rd. I've never really been on it when shifting to 4th, but I assume it wouldn't break traction there. That's not power shifting WOT either.

 

i beat a wrx twice a blue one and a silver one

 

hehe , yep . I have been skeered a couple times in my TA though . WRX's are quite popular around here and people dont seem to shy to mod the hell out of them .

 

I have been in a STi and I would say without a doubt in my mind that an STi is just a better handling and accelerating car than the SS/SC. It's quite a machine.