ew.. I got ceramics, is that a bad thing? I hate brake dust.

 

The HPS have reduced brake dust...... but the HPS are better than ceramic!

 

but on the website it says the HPS are low dusting.. and the ceramic are ultra low dusting. Also they cost a tad more.

I didnt get the HPS because i havent had anything other than ceramic on ANY of my cars.. EVER! And they didnt specify what the HPS was made of.

This is my first foray out of Raybestos pro ceramics so i was like omgeee wtf?

 

The HPS are a Ferro-Carbon pad kinda a halfway point between race and street pad.... plus the new rotors help out alot!

 

yeh i ordered new rotors almost 2 months ago. The ones i have are rusty and I wanted pretty ones.. but i should have just ordered the drilled/slotted ones from our parts supplier. I got them a lil cheaper on ebay, only to have them lost in shipment weeks ago. My replacements just now shipped out!!! grr angry angry!!!!!

 

HPS > ceramic

HPS's pads are a bit more aggressive, and still have reduced brake dust over the stock pads.

 

Just ordered a Megan Drift Spec Exhaust !!!!! Who Gonna Help Me Put That Bad Boy On!!

 

Anyone doing anything tonight.... I'm BORED outta my mind!

 

saw a Blue Cobalt ss/sc high wing, and a Black Balt along south college RD. I Threw a Rev coming out of a light.........

 

No problem, just unbolt the shock mounts and lift it higher, just dont forget to realign the springs when replacing the rear axle.
I'll do it, I work weekends though so we are gonna have to work something out if it gets here after the 18th because that is the first day of school.

 

Just got my 3" exhaust done today.... yeah deff. woke her up now!

Ryan got the 02 bung in.... so whenever you get a chance it's just some wiring....

 

Friday Nights at UNCC 10pm-whenever I guess at the UNION parking deck. Great showing of cars at this place.

Soo sooo directions, I485 to exit 33(take right on 49 if coming up from North bound, south bound take left) and go till you see the college, there is like 3 chances to turn into it that I know of

Under strict conditions of idle in, idle out, no reving, burnouts or anything. Do not ruin it for everyone by being a douche.

 

Lol, I saw you there a few weeks back.

We even parked close:

There was a red cobalt there too with a body kit about as busted as mine.

 

Test Drove a new Cobalt SS Turbo today. I must say it's not that bad. It handles pretty well, launches really well. but for what it's worth, the price is overboard for it.

 

If thats your opinion, please show me another car for under $25k that does 0-60 in 5.5, pulls nearly a G on the skidpad, set a new record on the nurburgring by 13 seconds, and has a top speed near 160mph, and still gets 30mpg on the highway?

....crickets....

I looked at all of the competition, and this car was the best value for MY money. Maybe you prefer higher HP or higher performance and have another 15-20k to spend, in which case you are not going to be looking in the economy car market. .


BTW - I beat a 350z convertible today merging on to the highway, its a long long onramp and we hit ??? before we both hit the brakes in a friendly roll-race - I pulled on him the entire way.

 

well I know my car is better than a TC, drove one myself, not impressed.

 

Cobalt SS Turbo - 2.0l Turbo Direct Injection VVT 260hp, 5.7 Accel, 5 Spd GM Performance Trans w/ Short Throw. Top Speed 160 $25000

Caliber SRT-4 - 2.4l Turbo DOHC 285hp, 6.2 Accel, 6 Spd Getrag Trans Standard, Top Speed Electrically limited 155 $23000

MazdaSpeed3 - 2.3l Turbo Direct Injection VVT 263hp, 5.5 Accel, 6 Spd Trans Standard, Top Speed Electronically Limited 155 $24000

Trans:

Cobalt SS -
1st 3.38
2nd 1.76
3rd 1.18
4th 0.89
5th 0.70
6th ----
Final Drive 3.82:1

SRT-4
1st 3.23
2nd 1.952
3rd 1.321
4th 0.971
5th 1.061
6th 0.886
Final Drive 1-4 4.063:1 5-6 2.955:1

MS3 -
1st 3.538
2nd2.238
3rd 1.535
4th 1.171
5th 1.085
6th 0.853
Final Drive 1-4 3.941:1 5-6 3.350:1

Fuel Economy

Cobalt SS
23 City
29 Hwy
23.5 Observed
91-93 Octane Only

SRT-4
21 City
26 Hwy
22 Observed
87-93 /93 Preferred

MS3
18 City
28 Hwy
20 Observed
91-93 Octane Only

Now, don't get me wrong, i am a chevy man myself. but if you are going for performance, fuel, passenger space, etc. Then the Cobalt is not really the way to go. It combines good power with excellent handling but lacking creature comforts and very limited cargo/passenger space.

Both the SRT-4 and MazdaSpeed3 have ample 5 passenger seating and cargo room coupled with performance ability. The downfall though on those is the fuel economy which can be expected because they are slightly heavier than the cobalt. But with that being said, the price is better than the Cobalt and you get more for your money.

Both the SRT-4 and Cobalt have about a 40ft turning radius with the MazdaSpeed3 Turning Radius at 36Ft. All Vehicles have performance tuned suspensions, though only the cobalt has tested on the Nurburgring course and setting a record for it's Class. Although the SRT-4 is well known for it's terrible torque steer. Whereas both the Cobalt and Mazda have Traction control ques that avoid torque steer.

A major pitfall in the specs race falls to the Cobalt with a 5spd Transmission where it's competitors offer a standard 6 speed transmission for both. Given the right time, a speed limiter removal tune on both vehicles will net a higher top speed.

The physical appearance of the cobalt is more sporty and retains a more "sport car" look with the SRT-4 and MS3 being both 5 door vehicles making them more "family car" looking. However, the SRT-4 does have a "sporty yet refined" appearance over both models with the MS3 keeping to it's typical Mazda styling.

So....you did your research....

If I was a right minded consumer looking for performance and the all around package, i'd go personally for the MazdaSpeed3. If i'm going for just plain sporty then i would go for the Cobalt. If i were going for speed and power then i'd choose the SRT-4. For what it's worth, overall the MS3 would be better for the money. Hence why i say that the Cobalt SS is not really worth 25k. It's limiting over it's competitors in everything except handling and Hwy Fuel Economy. I would be willing to pay only 20k for the Cobalt. Nothing more.

 

And they are all about the same price.... They all have their ups and downs!

Me personally I would pick the Caliber SRT-4 just for it's usablilty, but I may end up with the SS/TC Sedan!

 

Thank you! Product Research is the key to buying a good car. He wanted me to show him a car that has an accel of 5.5 (though the SS has an accel of 5.7 WITH NO LIFT SHIFTING, whereas the other two cars have near the same rate without no lift), 29/30 Hwy, Top Speed of near 160, and under 25K and i showed him to cars. Now when the SS/TC comes out, then the ballpark will change, but right now, it's lacking some serious punch to be a big time competitor. Period. I'm not even going to consider buying an SS Turbo until the Sedan comes out and I test drive that car. My next car will be 4 Doors with performance numbers to match because my next car will be geared toward the prospects of a family. Granted the SS coupe right now good, it's geared to 20 something single college aged people, not families. Now, with that being said the WRX and WRX STi along with the Evo had it right, power, performance, with family room.

 

I mean it comes down to what you want.... the SS/TC is quicker than the CSRT4 (stock for stock) a slight edge to the MS3....

Aftermarket obviously has the CSRT4 and MS3 light years ahead so far! But once tuning gets opened up and a little more perfected then the SS/TC will start to real them in!

The STi and Evo are FAR superior to the SS/TC but also much more expensive as well!

 

Well the MS3 has a quicker accel with 5.5 compared to 5.7. The 5.7 Came because of the No Lift Shift. the MS3 didn't even have to have that feature to get that 5.5. With aftermarket and tuning, the SS/TC may win the hp race, but i doubt it, and nothing is going to compare with the 6spd trannys on both the SRT-4 and MS3. That is where Chevy lost the race at. Both the 6spd trannys can knock on 200mph's door with proper tuning, tires, etc. where as the SS/TC may hit 180 before then engine starts doing unwanted things. And, if you pull your cards right the SRT-4 can have a conversion using stock parts to an AWD setup which hands down will put in front. but then again this can go back and forth all day but my opinion was only that i'm not going to pay 25k for something i can get elsewhere and that is better. Though with the SS/TC Sedan coming out, my opinion is just that an opinion and subject to change with or without notice. All i was doing was proving a point that there are cars for under 25 that compare greatly with the new SS. thats it.

So, whats everybody doing tonight?

 

I am not doing anything, I just got back from the doctor... I have a sinus infuction and my face is all swollen up! And on some serious drugs!

But the SS/TC won't win the HP wars.... have you looked into the SIRT4's..... Once someone swaps that turbo out HOLY CRAP hold on!

There isn't much room for big power turbos behind our motor.... GT35 is about the biggest you can get back there...

 

i haven't driven the Caliber yet, but i will same with the MS3 though there is a Red Neon SRT by my house for sale for 12k though....but then again i don't like they way they drive...bleh...and my wife already has a Neon that i'm trying to get traded lol...

i don't know...the SS/TC has a pretty large area behind the motor for a bigger turbo....

 

Being 6'5" headroom, legroom, and hip room were also very important to me personally. When I sat and drove the MS3 I felt very cramped, and my head hit the roof, unless I didnt sit correctly. Same thing with the SRT4 (used, of course).

I looked at all the performance stats, test drove the cars I could, and I enjoyed the Cobalt over all the others. My number 2 item on the list was also economy. I observe 25 in the city, and almost 35 on the highway (dont have the numbers yet now that I have the Hahn exhaust).

I liked the way the interior looked over all the competitors. I liked the fact it set a new record at the Nurburg, handling was VERY important to me.

I love the way it looks. I think the competitors are bland at best.

I hate ford. (just had to through that one in lol) This also discounts the MS3 (although I did seriously consider that one too).

Good posts on the numbers there, though. I am curious where you got them from? The EPA's official numbers for the cobalt SS turbo list 22city 30hwy. A quick check shows MS3 as 18/26 so that number matches up. Since I drive almost 300 miles per week, 4mpg is a big difference. That should get even better with a few mods (assuming I can keep out of it).

It all depends on what you personally were/are looking for in a car, since they are all in the same price range. I am single, cargo space doesnt matter to me, I have a pickup truck if I need cargo space.

 

Jonathan
Salisbury/concord
2.2 LT
white
17 gunmetals 15% tint



we need to set up a meet near/around concord mills some where just some one get it together!!