It seems that some SS/TCs are running as low as 13.5 in the quarter mile...STOCK. Mid to high 12s with basic bolt-ons. I have not driven or raced an SS/TC, but these cars look fassstt on youtube. My question is- why are they so much faster than Speed3s? Does 200 lbs make that big of a difference? They have 2.0l with Ko4 turbo. Any insight would be helpful.
Cobalt SS/TC vs Mazdaspeed3
- Thread starter jnr5005
- Start date
- Status
The SSt has no-lift to maintain boost between shifts. Also, the power curve is slightly more linear. On the stock ECU map, the MS3 has to build boost pressure after each shift.
Most magazines require their editors to lift the throttle between shifts, which is why these cars have nearly identical 1/4 mile times on paper.
Most magazines require their editors to lift the throttle between shifts, which is why these cars have nearly identical 1/4 mile times on paper.
oaklandopen
Member
lighter, ever-so-slightly wider stock tire.
225 vs 215 tires, different gearing, and 200 pounds less? Hmmm I don't know about all that. I guess it's possible. Our cars have more torque from the 2.3 DISI, and can be flat-foot shifted as well thow. I just don't really see how the balt can run more boost than us, and respond so crazily to mods. I think these SS/TCs are really fast and I can't wait to come across one in my MS3. There is this one cell phone video on Youtube of a SS/TC almost neck and neck with a F430 in 1st and 2nd gear! LOL WTF
Darth Vader
Member
There's definitely more motor in our cars but, a bit more weight in options and outright class. You could have bought a stripped out Cobalt and maxed the weight difference but, there are no really stripped out MS3s, (even the US Cars that can come a little less loaded are still near as makes no difference the same weight). ...and you'd then have a more stripped out, stripped out car at the end of the day.
It's down to driver. Having raced them at the track, it's really a man more than machine thing, they are pretty close.
It's down to driver. Having raced them at the track, it's really a man more than machine thing, they are pretty close.
oaklandopen
Member
yea those callaway vettes suck, as do the grand nationals (who the hell wants one of those POS's?), hennessey venom ewww, syclone/typhoon wft 80's style?
not to mention the neon srt4 is one of the fastest factory fwds, and was faster than the cobalt ss/tc, which has gotten faster times than the mazdaspeed3. oh and the new SHO is out and that's a ******* beast of an engine in a midsize
why would anyone want a stupid turbo american car? is there such thing as an american car anymore anyway?
Hell yeah, I had a Geo Metro back in the 90's that you could get with an optional turbocharger! So instead of getting 55 HP from the non-turbo, you got about 56 HP with the turbo version! Thing was so light, maybe it could take the SS and the MS3?
But wait, that doesn't count: Geo Metros were actually Suzuki Forsas....so not american made.
Anyways, plenty of new Fords are using turbos, so plenty of people will be buying american cars with turbos by default.
based on posts above you can tell who the fanbois are. cobalt ss very capable car especially when it set a really a good time at nurburging(record for fwd i think and it was stock). stupid and ugly? never buy american with turbos? lol. don't make yourself feel better by putting other cars down that does better than MS3 stock in 1/4 mile and in the twisties.
Super Unique
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 Black Mica
it's really apples and oranges. If you want all out fast in a straight line for low money and that's it, by all means get a cobalt SS/TC.. It's plain faster. and not a bad car. but definitely a different choice from MS3
Saskatchewan17
Member
- :
- 2008 TR Mazdaspeed 3
It's lighter... wider tires... different gearing... flat-foot-shifting. Pretty much everything stated before.
It is quite a capable and quick little car. I wouldn't own one because I like the practicality of the hatch and the MS3 is still a seriously quick FWD car. The interior and exterior materials are also a bit more upscale on the MS3. And to be honest... there is kind of a stigma about Cobalt and SRT-4 drivers that I'd rather not be a part of.
It is quite a capable and quick little car. I wouldn't own one because I like the practicality of the hatch and the MS3 is still a seriously quick FWD car. The interior and exterior materials are also a bit more upscale on the MS3. And to be honest... there is kind of a stigma about Cobalt and SRT-4 drivers that I'd rather not be a part of.
I like the Cobalts. If my girlfriend didn't have a coupe LT Sport, I would have considered purchasing an SS/TC. Didn't want to be a two Cobalt family lol. But really, the new SS/TC is a real sports car that should be taken seriously. If that other You Tube video I reffered to earlier didn't convince the non-believers, watch the one where John Heinrecy drives one around Nuremburg Nordschlief...unbelievable!! Or just search Cobalt SS/TC vs anything.
The MS3 and SS/TC are obviously two very different cars, and everyone on this forum was given the chance, and decided on the MS3. I was just wondering how they can run more boost, and be so much quicker than MS3s.
The MS3 and SS/TC are obviously two very different cars, and everyone on this forum was given the chance, and decided on the MS3. I was just wondering how they can run more boost, and be so much quicker than MS3s.
Last edited:
Super Unique
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 Black Mica
The only stigma that the cobalt and neon drivers have, that we don't also, is only in your mind 
They are all cars from the same "group" of low budget, high performance cars.
They are all cars from the same "group" of low budget, high performance cars.
lynnriderm6
Member
idk...i think these 13.5s is from a tune ive been up to the track like 15 times this year and have seen one out of 20 cobalt ss/tc run a 13second pass..i friend of mine has a stock one and ran a 14.2 at 102 then just the other night when i ran for my first time lol there was a kid infront of me talking about how he just ran a 14.8 at 99 and he had a intake lol idk cant always believe youtube 
lol there was a kid infront of me talking about how he just ran a 14.8 at 99 and he had a intake lol idk cant always believe youtube Depending one what Mag article you want to believe neither is significantly faster than one or the other. Car and Driver has the MS3 running 5.4sec (0-60) and the in 14.0@103. They have the Cobalt running 5.5sec (0-60) and the in 14.2@102. If you’re concerned with handling just buy a set of coil overs and wider tires. Considering the Cobalt is so much lighter and has LC and No lift shift it’s not all that impressive IMO. Of course a car is going to be pretty quick when it weighs ~2900lbs and 260hp w/5-speed manual.
Wasn’t the Cobalt’s “Ring Record” set with a Pro Driver and the MS3’s time set with a rookie Ring Driver? Sounds like Apples and Oranges to me.
Wasn’t the Cobalt’s “Ring Record” set with a Pro Driver and the MS3’s time set with a rookie Ring Driver? Sounds like Apples and Oranges to me.
Last edited:
lynnriderm6
Member
all i know is that my gfs ss/sc 1 is faster then the ones ive seen at the track lol shes ran a 14.1 at 100 WHAAAA WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH lol
You should hear the stigma that us MS3 drivers have. Not just in other communities but even the Mazda community. I assure you it is on the same level as the cobalt and the srt....
Sucks, The reason that I love this car so much is that it is a sleeper and no one really knows much about it. Trying to avoid any part of meathead "my car is faster then anything" groups...
Funny: everytime ss/tc was mentioned, I would think to myself "man, I didn't think that the scion tc was really that fast???" (face)
Last edited:
- Status
