2k8 MZS3 or 2k8 Cobalt SS

[EngulfinFlames]

Ms3

The Cobalt is bland IMO, the ms3 has alot more going for it in the looks department. Cobalt interior seems like it would be made of cheap plastic. the seats look good. but the body is as bland as yesturdays coffee.
My Opinion. The Speed 3, because you would have to post your comments on a COBALT FORUM...not this wonderful mazda forum(rockon)...i dont know if they even have chevys247.com haha

 

[CHICO2003]

I never really liked the Cobalt (ss) either... living near a Chevy dealer, I drive by it at least a couple times a day. They currently have a red (de-winged) 06 SS on the lot and... what can I say? it's sort of grown on me. No way in hell I'd get one... not even the 08 version (which will be a beast!) but I think Chevy did a pretty decent job on the styling inside and out. The bar wasn't exactly set very high... which helps

 

[B1GHAM]

ok I drove the 2007 SS cobalt (worked for an autogroup @ a mazdaspeed dealer that also had chevy)...

COMPARING THEM BOTH.. Power: I wont comment on, different engine. However, the transmission I drove was sloppier in the cobalt SS and there wasnt very good clutch feedback.

now if the above post is true, and theyve fixed the wheelhop issue, great! However, if its anywhere near the original, OMG Im suprised the car didnt break in first and second under acceleration.

The overall look of the car I liked, its not bad looking. Wheels are appropriate, it has just enough of a sporty stance and if you add a nice lip spoiler and some tint (maybe a drop too ) youre set.

Interior was a different ballpark. Doors are WAY too big and heavy though I wouldnt have thought it bothered me, it does. The seats (both recaro optionals and standard) are NOT comfortable and made me feel as though it was pushing me OUT of the seat instead of hold me in. This made finding a good driving position difficult. Then, even though its better than I hoped, theres cheap plastic everywhere and the horrible timex blue center console lighting that just kills it.

the Mazdaspeed 3 (and Im not biased, I dont own one). Looks good (for most), is more practical (4 doors and a hatch anyone) and is more userfriendly (better layout, easy to drive but takes skill to drive well). The seats were AMAZING (I swear Im looking into putting them in the MSP). If youre average build, they hug you better than the SRT4 seats (neon, not caliber). The dash is sporty, materials arent hard and cold, and the red lighting adds a sportiness. Everything just feels like its assembled "tighter".

Clutch and shifter are crisp and provide feedback, power is there when you want it, and tucked away when you dont. Plus all of the safety features are standard (DSC, ABS, SAB, SAC, EBD, BA, etc. etc.) and its packaged all for roughly the same amount as the SS cobalt.

Now, I dont know how the new cobalt SS is going to drive (power delivery and feedback) but if the ergonomics are still the same, Id pass without even driving.

 

[chacon101]

Yeah, the seats in the MS3. The best seats ever. I drove from Philly to Tampa in one day after I bought the car and I swear, I wasn't fatigued at all. In my last car (GTi), the seat would feel hard after a while..but not in this car.

How does the SS handle? That's another thing I really like about the MS3.

 

[mrlilguy157]

i just read some details on the new SS vehicles from chevy.

no LSD.

 

[MS3TR]

However, imho, it looks like s*** and handles just as much like a lump of turd. The MS3 is an all around car with lots of mod potential coming down the pipe. Not to mention, it feels better contructed, looks fantastic and can out handle a lot of cars out there. Next to my Focus RS, one of the most fun cars ive ever driven.

Have you seen the track times for this car? I agree its not that pretty to look at but your way off on how it handles. I am looking forward to the inevitable showdown between the two though. So far I think we have won just about every comparison or contest in our class.

 

[sfalexi]

Just remember something:

You have to sit in the car you own to drive it. Which means, you'll be looking at the interior of either car you choose, every single time you get in to drive. This alone would steer me clear of the Cobalt. YMMV.

Amen to that. A good colleague told me that same advice, and frankly, if I had more $$$, I'd have bought an 08 VW GTI. However I hated the plaid cloth interior and would have NEEDED leather on that one. And for 5k less, I was able to get a car that's faster, and although not QUITE as comfortable and not QUITE as many accessories, I can be plenty happy with and have no problem volunteering to be DD in almost every time.....

....

ALMOST every time...

Alexi

 

[flipstylex]

IN the end, it's still a cabalier. Put it this way, if u downclass each turbocharged versions, which would u rather own...

a neon, a cavalier, a caliber, a civic(non si), mazda 3, or a volkswagen(non turbo gti).

if u can choose from these BASE cars , then thats the winner. to me mazda 3 reg has always been a phenomenon car. which makes the MS3 ftw

 

[silverspeed03]

I never really liked the Cobalt (ss) either... living near a Chevy dealer, I drive by it at least a couple times a day. They currently have a red (de-winged) 06 SS on the lot and... what can I say? it's sort of grown on me. No way in hell I'd get one... not even the 08 version (which will be a beast!) but I think Chevy did a pretty decent job on the styling inside and out. The bar wasn't exactly set very high... which helps

Did you get your MS3 yet?

 

[Sierra117]

And for 5k less, I was able to get a car that's faster, and although not QUITE as comfortable and not QUITE as many accessories, I can be plenty happy with and have no problem volunteering to be DD in almost every time.....

And you don't need to worry about it starting every morning and they wont charge a premium on little things because it is a Euro Import.

 

[CHICO2003]

Did you get your MS3 yet?

I'm pretty confident I can get the same deal I negotiated ($250 over invoice) any time so... I'm just going to wait until after winter comes and goes... i'd feel too guilty subjecting a brand new car to the winter elements anyway. I just wish they weren't discontinuing silver... that sucks ass

 

[sfalexi]

And you don't need to worry about it starting every morning and they wont charge a premium on little things because it is a Euro Import.

Tell me about it. I can't believe rear cup holders are an OPTION on volkswagons. I never heard anything really bad about mazdas, and the few friends I know that have/had them have liked them. I'm definitely liking mine, as are those that take a ride or drive mine (a select few get to drive. And ONLY when I'm there with them).

Alexi

 

[Vengure]

I've pretty much ruled out the Cobalt SS until I see one in person. However my only issue is I need to speak with mazda about vehicle repairs I dont want to have to goto a dealer 2.5 hours away to change a coil pack ect...

 

[WildChild]

Forget both of your current choices. Go put an order in for a SRT-4 already...geez

 

[sfalexi]

As per vehicle repairs, check out www.warrantydirect.com It's an aftermarket warranty company (very large company, very good prices from what I saw). And good at ANY dealership or local garage. They just have to call them and authorize the repair, and then when you pick up your car, you sign a form stating that the repair was done to your satisfaction. And they pay the dealer/garage direct. You are just responsible for a deductable. And it's per service, NOT per problem. So if you have three things wrong, it takes ONE deductable. And of course, that's if you chose the plan that requires a deductable.

Alexi

 

[Vengure]

Forget both of your current choices. Go put an order in for a SRT-4 already...geez

Ewww dodge caliber FTL

 

[ccann26]

Move closer to the mazdaspeed dealer or just bite the bullet and get the cobalt . I personally wouldn't drive 2.5 hours every time my car needed warranty work . But I do find myself making up excuses just to go drive my speed3 around the block for no reason at all.

I do like the SS-cobalt way more than the new srt4 and even a little more than the old neon ones too !! And if its really got 260hp sound like its an awesome deal i still wouldn't trade my speed for it though.

 

[Vengure]

Yea I really do like the MZS3 its just I'm leary if anything should happen under warranty however from what I hear hardly no cars ever come back for warranty work so I may take the long distance buy. The new cobalt looks to be a real good contender but I won't buy till I drive it. I'd buy the mazda first if I had to buy without testing.

 

[Donas64]

Personally, I'd take the MS3 just because overall its the better package, but the cobalt SS is no slouch. I love its looks and its new less "boy racer" deck lid spoiler. Its got a great proven motor and handles pretty good actually despite what some on this forum might say. So if you can get a smokin deal on a SS /TC, can live without the back seats and lower build quality and just want more of an out an out racer, the SS/TC is not a bad choice, but if you want a great total package car that you can take for a trackday in the morning and not feel embarrassed taking a lady out to dinner in at night, the MS3 is the way to go.

 

[Sacrilicious]

Yea I really do like the MZS3 its just I'm leary if anything should happen under warranty however from what I hear hardly no cars ever come back for warranty work so I may take the long distance buy. The new cobalt looks to be a real good contender but I won't buy till I drive it. I'd buy the mazda first if I had to buy without testing.

do yourself a favor and just wait. all we say now is mere speculation, and this is a really big buy for you, so before you get yourself in deep, wait until you have the chance to test out both cars! when you do get the chance to test drive the SS, make sure to take your merry old time deciding, because i'm sure there will be many subtle differences you won't catch until a few careful looks...=d