Chevy Cobalt: Import Equivalent?

[YodaGeek]

Hi,

My friend is purchasing a new car and is looking at the Chevy Cobalt, it's got a lot of power and potential and gets great gas mileage. I think I remember Bulldog saying he gets around 30 or something. Anyways, my friend doesn't really like domestic cars (Tried to talk him out of it, but I guess it's in his blood. Born and raised on imports.). Anyways, what do you think is the import equivalent of the Chevy Cobalt?

I was thinking something like an Integra GSR/ITR or a Celica GTS but was just curious on what you guys think.

Thanks.

[Kurtdg19]

Well I believe that I am speaking for everyone when I say that if your friend does decide on a Cobalt, it better be the SS! As an enthusisast, I believe that the SS is a solid car that can be as good or even better than its competition.

A standard Cobalt is nothing more than a daily runner just as the rest of its competition. So if that is the case, it would be close, but maybe an import would suit his needs better.

[Zachp911]

Even the Cobalt SS Supercharged only has 205hp, thats pretty weak.

Convince him to get an Integra, Prelude, 240sx, 300zx or something along those lines. The Cobalt will probably lack what he wants.

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by ludespeed501

Even the Cobalt SS Supercharged only has 205hp, thats pretty weak.

Convince him to get a Integra, Prelude, 240sx or something along those lines. The Cobalt will probably lack what he wants.

but you forget, the cobalt (along wit every other chevy under the sun) is supposedly underrated from the factory.

from what i've read on the cobalt SS it's pretty quick straightline, i've heard it handles like shit, and with a lightwieght, supercharged, FWD car the fact that it doesn't have a LSD as a standard feature is pretty dumb IMO.

and if you're not talking about the SS then you're really looking at the wrong car, my buddies girlfriend has an LS cobalt and it's doo-doo slow.

[Andee_G]

acura RSX type-s / honda civic si
from what i've heard, the civic is a better choice unless you really need leather seats or like the acura brand for whatever reason. It has an LSD while the RSX does not.

scion tc? i've heard it's a pretty nice car but overweight.

those are the only new imports i can think of for right now

[shnailpower]

older supra, or a toyota mr2. both fast w/ toyota reliability. Much better than anything detroits cooking up right now, unless your friend wants practicality. in that case go 4 the 300zx, a bit more room than the supras. (not saying the 300zx is practical...)

[YodaGeek]

Yeah, I meant the Cobalt SS. Sorry about that.

Anyways, thanks for the replies guys. I'll be sure to talk to him about the Integra, Civic Si, and the MR2. Doesn't the MR2 have a high chance of spin-outs though?

http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=231

[VAD0R]

From what I heard the Cobalt SS handles pretty good handling. It does pull .88gs on the skidpad which is pretty good for a budget performance vehicle.

It is also powered by the ECOTEC engine which started out in Opels in Vauxhalls. In fact, the Cobalt is probably more like an Opel Omega in a Chevy shell. Realiable might go under question for the normal Cobalt but for the SS I haven't heard that many problems.

But sure, any Integra, used RSX, Prelude, Eclipse, 200SX, 240SX, but if he truely has his sites on the Cobalt SS, the least you can do is permit him to test drive it. Perhaps you can go with him whenever he does.

[kman10587]

I've heard that the Cobalt SS has pretty good handling, but I'm sure the flashy 18-inch rims don't do anything to help it, nor does Chevy's poor steering and pedal feedback. The closest thing you're going to get to a Cobalt SS in an import is a Scion tC with the optional supercharger from the factory. It makes almost exactly the same horsepower and torque, and it's a little more luxurious and better built, but it costs more and doesn't perform quite as well.

[blakscorpion21]

the cobalt ss is a good little car. its definitley up to par with its import competition. if your friend doesnt like it cause it was made in america then he is ignorant. the acura rsx-s is similar to the cobalt but has much less torque as well as the celica gt-s. another car to consider is the dodge srt-4 230hp a shitload of torque, and will demolish any car in its class in straight line speed.

[mason_RsX]

I really really like the Cobalt (SS only) as a realtively inexpensive quick little car...not the least bit refined, but who cares if your looking for speed

C/D did a comparo of the new cars in the Cobalt / RSX range and it went like this

5. Saturn...something its a friggin Cpobalt
4. Chevy Cobalt
3. Dodge Neon Srt-4
2. Subaru Imprezza WRX
1. Acrua RSX Type S

The Subaru and Neon may bein the wrong order I forget

Either way the Cobalt was a lil behind the other vehicles, but C/D always seems to pick Chevy, Ford, and Audi pretty far behind Honda, Nissan, and especially BMW

[OverAllComa]

Originally Posted by mason_RsX

I really really like the Cobalt (SS only) as a realtively inexpensive quick little car...not the least bit refined, but who cares if your looking for speed

C/D did a comparo of the new cars in the Cobalt / RSX range and it went like this

5. Saturn...something its a friggin Cpobalt
4. Chevy Cobalt
3. Dodge Neon Srt-4
2. Subaru Imprezza WRX
1. Acrua RSX Type S

The Subaru and Neon may bein the wrong order I forget

Either way the Cobalt was a lil behind the other vehicles, but C/D always seems to pick Chevy, Ford, and Audi pretty far behind Honda, Nissan, and especially BMW

The #5 was the Saturn Ion Redline. I remember reading the article as well. To those that pointed out crappy handling, I'd like to point out that, although the SS wasn't turning the best straight-line times, it did, however, pull off the fastest lap times on a course.

Just a few options, such as the LSD and Recaro seats w/ color-keyed inserts, and you'll be sitting nicely with that car. I'd personally love to have one of them. Solid, reliable (a keynote of the ecotec platform), and none of that turbo lag.

(oh yeah, and the 18" wheels are specifically designed for light weight)

[pik_d]

yea... i read that same article... the rsx-s... didnt come in 1st place in anything except the subjective ratings... they were obviously so incrediably biased towards honda/acura...

the subaru is i THINK a few $1000 more expensive then the others... and its AWD... so it really should get 1st place (in terms of preformance... maybe not price/preformance ratio...)

[OverAllComa]

Originally Posted by pik_d

yea... i read that same article... the rsx-s... didnt come in 1st place in anything except the subjective ratings... they were obviously so incrediably biased towards honda/acura...

the subaru is i THINK a few $1000 more expensive then the others... and its AWD... so it really should get 1st place (in terms of preformance... maybe not price/preformance ratio...)

But it didn't b/c the article cited absurd turbo lag from the motor. Needless to say...that wasn't an issue in the Redline/Cobalt cars. Also, don't forget that while the redline and the ss are both delta platform, the SS is more rigid both as a result of strengthening the chassis as well as only having 2 doors.

[kman10587]

The WRX's turbo lag is horrendous. It's also got 16-inch rims (up against 17's and 18's), all-season tires (crappy ones, too), and a fairly soft suspension. Despite the AWD and fairly big power, it's outclassed performance-wise.