i'd say that this should answer your question

 

Don't buy one then. Why are you even here? I don't think you ever had the intentions of seriously considering a SS/SC. When is your generation going to learn to shake that 1980s stereotype BS? You clearly don't want an American car because of your own ignorant biases so just don't get one. Go get your VW and be happy.

 

Stage 2 + 2.8" pulley is what... 260hp to the wheels? 18 PSI or so...

I think that would handle a chipped GTI nicely.

 

a chip runs your boost to about 25 psi? in the gti...say your prayers...and wait for the pistons to pop out. cobalt can put down what, 270whp for what....1300 bucks? running on 19 psi? and the looks are much better, girls gobble my car up, the new GTI, doesnt stand out like the cobalt. I watch people constantly turn around in their seats literally to keep looking at my car.

 

i hear ya...people sure do love looking at ss/sc's....

 

wow...way to totally flame the kid.....obviously most of you have no idea what your talking about..I wish more people would just state their opinion and try not to incorporate facts that they dont know with it. Most of you obviously hate the gti or vw in general and thats cool...its your opinion. The new gti will run times of 14.8-14.9 the ss runs around 14.6-14.8...these are "average times" also. Close race in my opinion. Chipped the gti will run 20lbs of boost consistantly and spike about 22. The motor is not going to blow up, I've never seen or heard of a chipped gti blowing its motor. Those numbers are correct. My brother used a giac chip on his 03 and dyno'd numbers alittle less than that. At the track he also ran consistant 14.3-14.4's. Problem is, if it's warm out they tend to get heat soak on the intercooler after mulitiply hard runs. But once again...performance wise...close to the same as a stage 2 ss/sc, drivers race. Also the ss doesnt put down 270whp on stage 2....I dont know where everyone is getting there #'s from. When it comes down to warrenty obviously a chip will void if something goes wrong. Although gm says its stage kits are warrantied... I'm sure alot dealers are gonna be giving a hard time for warranty work since they already do with people coming in with stock ss's. Remember dodge promised similar things with their kits....look how that went. Hopefully chevy is better than that. To answer the question...test drive both and see what you like...both are gonna give similar performance.....best of luck to you on whatever you purchase.

 

I was talking mroe about stage 5 homefresh...but its cool. Thats why I didn't specify

 

if you get a GTi get prepped for people to say "hey ! is that the new rabbit!? "

 

my bad... like you said you didnt specify...so I thought we were comparing stage 2 vs a chip.

 

Wow biased ftw. I do not know what you are talking about, but volkswagons are really nice cars, WAYY better quality.

 

yeah..kinda what I was thinking....I guess he knows what parts are coming out for the cobalt too. It's not like the gti has any market support anyways..... it wont ever be fast right?

 

GTI's are also assembled en mehicoo

 

By the way you are writing, you want a GTI. So why don't you get a GTI. Nothing I or anybody else can convince you otherwise. I love my ss/sc but that dosent mean crap if you do not like it or want it. Trust me, by the sounds of it, you will be much happier with the GTI.

 

i tell you what...get the GTI..then you can race a cobalt and the point will be proven...stock vs stock of course. The GTI is a nice car tho it is a little expensive for the #'s its putting down...but German engineering is always good

 

All power and tq numbers aside, a cobalts curb weight is advertised at 2991 but its less than that, I'd say 2850. The GTi weighs in at chubby 3170. Thats pretty heavy for a little car like, and it shows in the test speeds. 1/4 mile 14.8 @ 94

 

I haven't read this entire thread so forgive me if I seem to be repeating others but here's my opinion.

I just got out of a 01 gti and was looking at a new gti before I stumbled across the SS/SC that I just purchased. There are many differences between these cars and by no means am I hating on either car, I love VW's and I just bought a Chevy.

The GTI has a horrible power range, once you hit about 5k rpms it falls on its face, go test drive one, you'll soon see. The hp and tq figures are somewhat accurate on the 2.0t, you will achieve those power levels however you will need to do lots of other things to get there such as turbo back, lots of valve work and better piping. You'll also void your warranty with the chip and will have to pay out the ass for new parts such as mass air-flow sensors, o2 sensors and everything else that love to go wrong with VW's. Remember, I used to own one and have experienced it. My wallet was unpimped many times.

Now the Cobalt is a cheaper car and you will notice where they cut corners such as the sunvisors, e-brake handle and sunroof controls, but you will also notice a bundle of other things that the GTI doesn't have. The prevelant items are the LSD and the Recaros. The GTi, even with all its power will just sit there and one leg it all day long while the SS will grab and go. THe seats are very supportive in my car, way more than the mk5 GTI I drove. The SS does not have the independant rear suspenion that hte GTI has, but its front lower control arms are aluminum which helps handling and the car has a good suspension set up from the factory.

I also want to add that the aftermarket for the Cobalt seems to be there and active, much like the VW market. I have not seen though the limits on the SS/SC motor just yet but I have seen them on the 2.0t. The 2.0t because of its direct injecton at some 15,000 psi is straight into the head, I dont think they can easily make new injectors to fit there with a turbo upgrade. Which leads me to my next point, modding is addictive so dont think you're just going to stop at a chip and intake.

Again, I was in your shoes about a week ago and quite frankly, the cobalt was more fun to drive. I personally think the Cobalt was quicker in all aspects stock for stock and I do think that with a stage 2 SS vs. a chipped 2.0t, the SS will walk it easily.

I don't know if you've driven either car yet but take them out, toss them around some corners, you'll find that the GTI feels a bit "heavy" and the Cobalt a bit more tossable and free spirited.

I'm not trying to sway you in either way but atleast give the Cobalt a fair chance before you decide against it. It is an amazing car, GM really closed the gap on this one.

 

TOok the words right out of my mouth. SUre the cobalt will put out less HP but it has fewer pounds to push. Look at it like this. Which do you fear more at a stoplight. A Integra Type R with a stripped interior or a 18C powered CRX? I'd be more afriad of the CRX. Why? Because it weighs less. IF your wanting to go fast a light car is key. The GTI is tubby. It rolls aroudn and feels liek your steering a drunken horse. Meanwhile a Cobalt feels rather taught and well almsot miata like. (not that I've driven the new GTI, I havent)

Though one thing going for the GTI is the turbo. It has a turbo. It's easy to make it faster, just put in a larger turbo. Also a turbo car sees huge gains form exhaust work. A supra goes from 270WHP to nearly 350 with just a good turbo back exhaust. And its' a better curve too, the turbos spool up faster and you get more peak power and TQ. But, a turbo is laggy, a bigger turbo will be very laggy.

NOw as far as a Dodge Calabre or whatever the hell that turd is called. Well it looks like a caravan. Do you honestly want to drive a minivan around?

 

dude in 1980 I was -3, I didnt start driveing till i was 16(1999) I have owneda 91 Taurus, 2000 escort zx2, 2001 escort zx2, 95 z28, and the rest of my house hold has Honda's. the build quality in my brothers base model 95 Accord puts all the cars I've owned to shame. Its not a stereotype when the poor qualiy is experienced 1st hand.

 

Caliber, No i was going to look into the Neon version.

 

The points about the LSD, seats and suspention do sound really nice.

 

I just don't like the Hatchback look. I think the Cobalt is WAY better looking. I have nothing against VW's, in fact, they build Audi.

 

lol buddy my 89 integra interior looks almost identical to my buddies 98 civic. all acura/honda integras were very bland from the 80's right through to the 90's there was nothing overly fancy about them. You're also comparing a smaller compact car to a camaro, couple of fords worst econo cars, and a taurus(nuff said about the taurus). zx2's are boats for what they wanted as a "compact car"

You've basically owned ford most of your life and yea, fords quality is the ***** cause you were basically buying their "base model" econo cars. If you didnt know the accord is also honda's "luxury" car (if you could call it that...) so its quality WILL be better

dude dont buy a cobalt. id be angry if you were actually part of this community. you didnt come here to research anything at all.

Do i appreciate VW? Oh god yes. I was VERY close to getting a new jetta 5 cyl. Why didnt i? I couldnt justify the high price for such a slow car. Do i think its a hot car? God yes. But i enjoy the coupe and feel of the cobalt more. I went to buy an affordable sports car, not a grocery getter.

 

The picture following is why i didnt get a GTI. (prices are CAD, dont **** a brick americans )

For that amount of $$$ difference I could invest 6 grand in my car and make it buttloads faster than that GTI with a "chip and intake"

 

^^^ thats canadian dollars rite?

but 30k vs 24k is huge

 

lol