Cobalt SS/TC vs Mazdaspeed3

[dizzin9]

we could only dream of these kind of #s...

CLIK MEEH

 

[jnr5005]

^I believe that one just has intake/exhaust/downpipe lol.^

 

[Stotrupp]

^I believe that one just has intake/exhaust/downpipe lol.^

umm no, not if its running 10's. Probably a different motor/turbo all together

 

[Stavesacre21]

I had it narrowed down to the 2009 SS and the 2010 MS3 myself. Everyone here seems to be saying that they're completely different machines...really? a vette and a chevette are completely different machines...SS and MS3, not so much. One's an american sedan and the other's a japanese hatch...that's about it. Interior and general feel are what sold me to the MS3.

Being a few tenths of a second apart in times, it's almost a drivers race...if you're even racing. I bought mine purely because it was quick, fun and had 4 doors so i'd be able to seat the kids coming in the future. That and the fact that every other kid that owns a lil pocket rocket like this slams the @#$% outta it, so buying anything used is almost a lost cause in terms of condition.

In my findings, they are both great cars and you couldn't really go wrong with either one. SS had 2 things that the MS3 didn't....sunroof and a USB drive. The MS3 has something the SS didn't...a step-up interior and feel.

I went with the 2010 MS3.

 

[Ricktalife]

You know i really don't even care about the Cobalt SS/TC. Like it was said above, the MS3 just has a better feel to it, and it looks damn good going down the road whether you're inside or outside of it. The Cobalt has a little more power...big deal. It's not like you guys are driving an MSP...LOL bashing on myself. If you want cheap power and don't care if people make fun of your car because it looks gawd awful, go buy a civic hatch and drop the famous GSR motor in it. OHHH BIG POWER! If you want a car that is all around nice and doesn't break the bank...MAZDA FO LIFE.

 

[boosted1]

If you want a 'rental car' on steroids,buy a Cobalt SS. Just don't complain when the car begins to self-destruct, after 8 months of ownership.

 

[Ricktalife]

If you want a 'rental car' on steroids,buy a Cobalt SS. Just don't complain when the car begins to self-destruct, after 8 months of ownership.

don't forget how awesome the resale value will be.

 

[Stavesacre21]

If you want a 'rental car' on steroids,buy a Cobalt SS. Just don't complain when the car begins to self-destruct, after 8 months of ownership.

Don't be ridiculous. You'd have at least a year.

The fact that all the SS sedans I was looking at had almost 200 miles on them and had been on the lot for almost 11 months kinda spoke louder then the salesman. And trust me, that was hard to do.

The SS woulda certainly been the cheaper choice, that's for sure. I had the $25,700 sticker knocked down to $22,500 without even trying. Probably coulda got $21,500 for one if you had some cash to do the talking for you.

All said and done, even for almost $3,500 more, i'm still happy I chose the MS3. It's engine just feels so much smoother too. Mazda has always made their engines so buttery smooth that it's just untouchable.

 

[ElGaspo]

The fact that all the SS sedans I was looking at had almost 200 miles on them and had been on the lot for almost 11 months kinda spoke louder then the salesman. And trust me, that was hard to do.

Ha! Good 'un! (lol2)

 

[boosted1]

Don't be ridiculous. You'd have at least a year.

The fact that all the SS sedans I was looking at had almost 200 miles on them and had been on the lot for almost 11 months kinda spoke louder then the salesman. And trust me, that was hard to do.

The SS woulda certainly been the cheaper choice, that's for sure. I had the $25,700 sticker knocked down to $22,500 without even trying. Probably coulda got $21,500 for one if you had some cash to do the talking for you.

All said and done, even for almost $3,500 more, i'm still happy I chose the MS3. It's engine just feels so much smoother too. Mazda has always made their engines so buttery smooth that it's just untouchable.

You made the smart choice by purchasing the '10 MS3. (yippy)

 

[huffentuff09]

OLD fat guy chiming in here::: I hate the looks of the colbalt. First time to the track with my 09 MGM about a month ago, I popped off a 13.96@98.85. wheel hopping like a MOFO with a 2.224 60'. Yes I did speed shift 2-3 and 3-4 and kept it in 4gear about 550 RPM out of the powerzone across the line. I know nothing about racing a 6speed car, I was full weight with 3/4 tank of fuel, Yes I do have a CAI on and RMM and that's it. Second pass I tried slipping the clutch ( OH I forgot these clutches are like a ON/OFF switch ) even screwing up badly on the line with a 2.433 60' falling on it's face after hooking up at a low RPM , missing 5 gear and coasting through the line with the clutch in, I still ran a 14.2 I know there is a 13.7 in my car with a proper launch worrying about some ugly car being a little faster is of no concern!!!

 

[Nismothecat]

Cobalt SS's are just easier to make power in than an MS3. thats the only downfall the MS3 has.

 

[Ricktalife]

Cobalt SS's are just easier to make power in than an MS3. thats the only downfall the MS3 has.

i hate to admit it, but the cobalt ss is kind of good looking. but it's still a cavalier hahah. and we all know how ulgy those were.

 

[RevVryce]

Been There

I've not driven the 2010 SS/TC or the 2010 MS3. I have owned the 2005 SS/SC and currently own the 2009 MS3. Comparing those cars, the MS3 is naturally faster, but that wasn't really what sold me on the car. It's how it felt making that extra power. The MS3 is better put together and more solid feeling on the road.

The SS/SC was fun for what it was and the engine is great, it was a fun drive. What was not fun was the cheap interior (even by econobox standards); the fact that it would occasionally decide not to allow shifting into 1st gear from a standstill; the mute button that would randomly faile; the eBrake that came off in my hand (twice), the constant rattling and my favorite... Shifted into 4th and the shift knob shot into the backseat!!! Loved that.

The car is a fun drive, but it was not put together well. I hope they improved in the 2010, but I doubt it.

 

[SRTie4k]

It amazes me how many of you guys are complete and utter Mazda fanboys.

Actually on second though, no it doesn't. The SRT community has just as many nuthuggers as this community does.

Whether you all like it or not, the SS/TC, SRT-4, WRX and MS3 all fall into the same category - cheap speed. They're all about equal when everything is laid out on paper, but they all make up in specific categories where others lack. For instance, an SRT-4 can make huge power with a completely stock engine/tranny, while an MS3/WRX can't (thus far). An MS3 has a MUCH nicer interior compared to the SS/TC or SRT-4. An SS/TC can out-handle any of the above.

And this whole "stigma" BS is just that. The only stigma a car has is how its owner acts. Drive around like an asshole and you're going to get treated like an asshole.

 

[oaklandopen]

^winnar! Fanboys are totally sad, and totally all over this board and many others. But the petty arguments make for good fun

 

[eg6motion]

It amazes me how many of you guys are complete and utter Mazda fanboys.

Actually on second though, no it doesn't. The SRT community has just as many nuthuggers as this community does.

Whether you all like it or not, the SS/TC, SRT-4, WRX and MS3 all fall into the same category - cheap speed. They're all about equal when everything is laid out on paper, but they all make up in specific categories where others lack. For instance, an SRT-4 can make huge power with a completely stock engine/tranny, while an MS3/WRX can't (thus far). An MS3 has a MUCH nicer interior compared to the SS/TC or SRT-4. An SS/TC can out-handle any of the above.

And this whole "stigma" BS is just that. The only stigma a car has is how its owner acts. Drive around like an asshole and you're going to get treated like an asshole.

+1 except for the stigma part. Whether we like it or not, cars like the WRX, Cobalt, and MS3 are built for a certain demographic from a group of engineers and marketing people. The general population normally has the same views and it translates into what people think about the cars, for both owners and observers. Other things like reliability and resale values also create certain views of cars as well as the condition of the used vehicle (aftermarket parts, maintenance, etc). How a person drives certainly plays a part on how a particular "type" of buyer can be, but there are far more factors than just that. For example, if you were searching for used cars, the number of MS3's with aftermarket parts being sold would pale in comparison to something like an SRT-4. The same for a WRX compared to a Cobalt, generally speaking. Both the MS3 and WRX have more subtle styling than the SRT-4 or (original) Cobalt and attract a larger audience than the other two vehicles, generally speaking again.

 

[SRTie4k]

Maybe in certain parts of the country, but around here I never got negative comments from anyone. All people ever said when I had my SRT-4 was "awesome car" or they wanted to look under my hood or asked me how much power I was making. Hell I got props from a Camaro guy that I chased down a curvy road once. (wow)

Now that I have the MS3, I don't get nearly as much attention, but those that know what the car is have told me they love the car. Just the other night a 400WHP Evo owner told me he loves my car.

Like I said, if you drive like a normal person and act like a grown up around other enthusiasts, 9 times out of 10 you're going to get the same respect to you and your car in return, regardless of what it is.

 

[Ricktalife]

It amazes me how many of you guys are complete and utter Mazda fanboys.

Just the other night a 400WHP Evo owner told me he loves my car.

I love my MSP to death and would take it over a lot of other cars in it's price range, but if I could afford an Evo 8/9 and found one that wasn't beat to s***, I would dump the MSP in a heartbeat.

 

[zx2man]

I think all the cars mentioned are awesome..cheap speed. Ive alwas admired the Neon srt4..stout little motor with great potential. And in my area you can shop around and a 2005 with say 25,000 miles can be had for around 12-13 grand easy...wrx..what can you say..awd platform,subaru reliablity..and it goes pretty darn quick..cobalt ss..strong and fast and agile..ms3 is just torque monster with nice interior and sleeper looks... all great cars..Alot of the muscle car guys love the and respect the cobalt ss and srt4's cause its american and hold thier own quite well..so called "mini muscle" lol......It all boils down to what you want and how the car appeals to you..Honestly I wouldnt mind owning any 1 of them, Though Iam partial to the ms3,Maybe thats why I have 1. But to say my car is better is retarded...sure I could run into a cobalt ss and dust it off on the freeway..but then tommorro get my ass handed to me by 400 whp srt4 lol...I know my car isnt the best or fastest..But its fast enough for a daily driver fwd imo, and have quite a good time driving it. Like mentioned before..act mature and drive right and dont be a duesh...think that goes without saying.