09 Mazdaspeed3 & 09 Cobalt SS

[Young Roids]

Three words: Ticking Time Bomb

What the tuner was saying was it's safe since we are so rich from factory. I don't know how much faith to put in that but. I think there are better ways to mod than the typical downpipe, midpipe, intake, fmic route.

 

[ZyrehT]

It's a little quicker, two years later.

 

[UHATEIT]

damnit they just revamped all the computer for my work, now I can't use youtube, ****!!!!!!!!! I'll have to watch this at home.

I had a cavalier years ago adn when the cobalt SS came out that was supposedly THE s***! But I guess its nothing compared to the ms3

 

[StuckInNY]

p.s. i might have serously considered the cobalt if i didn't need 4 doors due to my toddler son. but then again it wouldn't have been the turbo version so i really woulda gotten a crappier car

They do have a Cobalt SS/TC with 4 doors now (new for 2009 model year, so it might have been too late for you).

 

[UHATEIT]

whats the meter thing in the cobalt, looks like its a dashhawk, and he said its an available option.... imagine if they sold dashhawks installed on our speed3 stock from the factory

 

[08.5MS3]

whats the meter thing in the cobalt, looks like its a dashhawk, and he said its an available option.... imagine if they sold dashhawks installed on our speed3 stock from the factory

I think they come with a boost gauge. Don't take my word for it though. And I'm most certain, it's nothing to change the ECU around.

 

[UHATEIT]

I think they come with a boost gauge. Don't take my word for it though. And I'm most certain, it's nothing to change the ECU around.

i wasnt thinking it was just a boost guage since he mentioned all the things it did and it looked rectangle shaped like the dashhawk. I figure its just for monitoring, but thats a pretty cool option to add to the car straight from the factory!

 

[jaydubz]

I cant believe they gave this guy access to the these cars for free! 280 HP? WHat a meat head, this review was horrible.

 

[15min5k]

I cant believe they gave this guy access to the these cars for free! 280 HP? WHat a meat head, this review was horrible.

He was confusing it with the Torque, no big deal really IMO. He was off 17hp

 

[User Name]

I cant believe they gave this guy access to the these cars for free! 280 HP? WHat a meat head, this review was horrible.

I was about to say the same. "2nd gear grind I think, hahaha", "Oh, a little over-rev, hahaha". I just wonder who these cars belong to; a dealer where some unsuspecting customer is going to get this guys sloppy seconds, or some media outlet who won't give two s**** what happens to the car?

 

[logicalfaith]

I test drove the Cobalt SS over the weekend. It has its strength and weaknesses.
Strengths:
- Awesome suspension. Really tight and precise. I tackled bends like I never have before.
- Nice supportive seats.
- I hate the regular cobalt. But I have to admit, with the body kit and wing spoiler, it's a very appealing look.
- Price. The dealer is willing to let the car go for $22k OTD. I can probably push another $500 or so. That's with 6.25% tax rate
- Insurance rate is also not that high compared to an MS3

Weaknesses
- Typical GM built. During the test drive, I couldn't shift to reverse twice, 5th gear about 6 times, and 1st gear about 4 times.
- Weird GM design. To open the trunk, you need to open the coin compartment at the lower left side of the dashboard, then push the button for the trunk.
- The engine has a vibrating noise, like the sound you hear when the timing belt of a really old car is starting to give out. I think this one is a lemon.

That said, I was tempted to pull the trigger for its fun factor.

 

[UHATEIT]

I test drove the Cobalt SS over the weekend. It has its strength and weaknesses.
Strengths:
- Awesome suspension. Really tight and precise. I tackled bends like I never have before.
- Nice supportive seats.
- I hate the regular cobalt. But I have to admit, with the body kit and wing spoiler, it's a very appealing look.
- Price. The dealer is willing to let the car go for $22k OTD. I can probably push another $500 or so. That's with 6.25% tax rate
- Insurance rate is also not that high compared to an MS3

Weaknesses
- Typical GM built. During the test drive, I couldn't shift to reverse twice, 5th gear about 6 times, and 1st gear about 4 times.
- Weird GM design. To open the trunk, you need to open the coin compartment at the lower left side of the dashboard, then push the button for the trunk.
- The engine has a vibrating noise, like the sound you hear when the timing belt of a really old car is starting to give out. I think this one is a lemon.

That said, I was tempted to pull the trigger for its fun factor.

thats some good info! Back when the first cobalt ss came out i was thinking about buying one, but those were the much slower 205hp ones compared to the newer ones.

in regards to speed, was it faster than the speed3 or did it feel like it was?

 

[turbo23]

I just watched the road and track comparison test I think it was done in september sometime, and it was between the cobalt, wrx, evo, and ms3. All 3 cars besides the 3 were all new for 2009, each had been reworked. The 3 has been the same since it has come out. It was only a matter of time before it would have a tough challenge. I think mazda should introduce some new items for the 3 such as suspension tweaks, and getting rid of the 5500rpm drop off. That would put it back in the fight!....and maybe some drop some weight!

 

[turbo23]

i also noticed the cobalt has 4 piston front brakes a wider tires stock. I think mazda could improve on those as well since we only have 1 piston brakes however we still have better braking performance

 

[NiteRunner]

It would seem that we may have been bumped off our perch.
While I won't get over the fact that it's still a cobalt, (fancy cavalier), I didn't like the 3 at first either.
But it seems that Chevy took some of the guys that work on the Vette, as this thing hauls ass, at least according to houstoncars dot org "....endless brute power and an excellent chassis. If youre still not sold, just look at the cars Nrburgring class record of 8:22.85. That time smashed the Opel Astra OPCs record by 13 seconds and is 17 seconds faster than Mazdas own claim for the MS3. Not only that, it tops German magazine Sport Autos lap times for the E36 BMW M3, the Audi S5, the Porsche Cayman S, the Lotus Exige, and the Honda S2000."
Time for Mazda to finish what they started.
Let's see some youtube wars.(2thumbs)

 

[ZyrehT]

I can also fit four adults in my 3, isn't gonna happen in a cobalt.

 

[NiteRunner]

I can also fit four adults in my 3, isn't gonna happen in a cobalt.

Funny, that's the first reason I looked at the 3. Very short list of cars with tall back seat. Even shorter list of these cars with any performance. Almost noting else that adds the cargo we have.
Very happy with my purchase.(friday)

 

[eg6motion]

That's the reason why I am posting on this forum now yes. But when we are reduced to dash stroking instead of performance aren't we a little gay?

you may be, but most people buy a brand new car for other features besides all-out performance. If you wanted pure performance, you would have bought some used 240, civic, or muscle car, spent 4K in parts and Ran 12 second quarter miles...all from the comfort of your rattling, loud, unpainted, rice rocket or mullet mobile. Certainly people won't buy a FWD car period if they are concerned with all-out performance.

 

[johnnyB5646]

Smartest thing he said was that he hopes this engine gets put in a MX-5. I still would love to see that.

 

[Young Roids]

you may be, but most people buy a brand new car for other features besides all-out performance. If you wanted pure performance, you would have bought some used 240, civic, or muscle car, spent 4K in parts and Ran 12 second quarter miles...all from the comfort of your rattling, loud, unpainted, rice rocket or mullet mobile. Certainly people won't buy a FWD car period if they are concerned with all-out performance.

I had $20,000 to spend on the best performing brandnew vehicle I could find. I know my whole family would look at me like I was stupid if I dropped 20g on a used car. Reliabilty is crucial.

In my mind american cars do have a stigma about them so truthfully I don't know if I could pull the trigger on one. Even though I think the MS3 is pretty american with all the ford parts in it at least mazda is a japanese company.