Cobalt SS vs. WRX?? Which one to buy - Page 13

Greggk300c · 11-15-08, 01:12

i dont have any personal experiences with the cobalt ss, but i love my buddies wrx...

Autofan · 11-17-08, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalfinish

Not at all, because that is only true of stock vs. stock. I am only speaking from quality of the build, reliability, motor strength, and overall awesomeness of the engineering of the WRX vs the chevrolet. In my experience, my 2002 WRX cost me $6000, I initially drove it nearly stock for a few months before investing nearly another 3800$ into the engine resulting in 380 all wheel hp. A set of coilovers and some sticky tires later, and my little WReX was not necessarily the fastest car on the road, but I would like to bet that it pulled my detailing trailer faster than any other rig on this board. My trailer withstood a speed test of around 140. Sold it for 12,500 a couple months ago, and that has easily been the worst decision I have ever made. I have personally never had a car that was even close to as good of a car as that. So, no, I did not factor in any of that because my cheap suby would roast any cobalt and still be way better of a car any day, and look better in my opinion. Either way I think you'll be happy with a turbo car. Nothing beats the lag while you're hearing it spool up, and then it shoving you into the back of your seat and having all four tires screaming. Cobalts were the least of my worries, my suby never lost to any Corvette including 2 C6 Z06's. So, I hope this helps you out. I don't want to seem biased because I had quite a bit done to mine, but I want you to know that the quality of a Subaru WRX is on a whole other level compared to a Cobalt. If you buy one of these two cars, you will realize one is junk, and that the other is simply incredible and that you will likely fall in love with it. I have yet to find a WRX owner that wasn't completely blown away by the incredible quality of these cars. I'm gonna shut up now

380 AWHP Ran quicker than a C6 ZO6?

Autofan · 11-17-08, 10:11

I wouldnt expect much from the Mazda if you did not care for either of these.

finalfinish · 11-17-08, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autofan

380 AWHP Ran quicker than a C6 ZO6?

Yes, at my local autocross. A nearly 400 pound advantage and all wheel drive on a tuned Subaru or EVO for that matter makes the Corvette seem like a joke. C6 Z06's produce around 410 WHP from the factory, not the 505 advertised. After a decent exhaust, 420 can be pulled from one on the dyno. Both are awesome cars.

SuperBuick · 11-17-08, 12:16

My 30 hp kart will destroy anything at almost any autocross (yes, even the A-Mod cars, except at longer courses). That doesn't make it a better quality vehicle than something else, just makes it faster on an autocross course

finalfinish · 11-17-08, 04:10

Power to weight ratio is key

Autofan · 11-18-08, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalfinish

Yes, at my local autocross. A nearly 400 pound advantage and all wheel drive on a tuned Subaru or EVO for that matter makes the Corvette seem like a joke. C6 Z06's produce around 410 WHP from the factory, not the 505 advertised. After a decent exhaust, 420 can be pulled from one on the dyno. Both are awesome cars.

G.M. Never claimed 505 at the wheels.

I like the WRX but comparing it to a vette is......

My dad had a 600HP Stang that would knock out Ferraris and other Exotics. But at the end of the day he still understood that his car was modified.

You are also most likely a pretty skilled driver and these Z06 cars have not been out for all that long. Experience must have played a role here..no?

NCZ13 · 11-18-08, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autofan

G.M. Never claimed 505 at the wheels.

I like the WRX but comparing it to a vette is......

My dad had a 600HP Stang that would knock out Ferraris and other Exotics. But at the end of the day he still understood that his car was modified.

You are also most likely a pretty skilled driver and these Z06 cars have not been out for all that long. Experience must have played a role here..no?

I though 505 hp was on the z06 badge?

Picus · 11-18-08, 09:27

Horse power ratings from manufacturers are almost always to the crank. Most of them use the new SAE standard so they're *reasonably* reliable. The real variable is drive train loss. I think the generally agreed on number is 15%. 15% of 505 ~75hp, so the Z06 should have ~425 to the wheels. I believe most dyno's of stock Z06's are in that range. Of course that's not true for all cars, but some manufacturers are very conservative with their hp ratings.

Autofan · 11-18-08, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCZ13

I though 505 hp was on the z06 badge?

It is on the badge but again this is crank HP as stated above.

The WRX has something in the area of 227hp take away 15-20% of that and that is about what it will put down.

askjeffro · 11-18-08, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autofan

It is on the badge but again this is crank HP as stated above.

The WRX has something in the area of 227hp take away 15-20% of that and that is about what it will put down.

The '09 WRX is rated for 265hp.

The '08's were rated for less, but the consensus is they put out more then Subaru claim as people were dynoing at 95% of rated.

Autofan · 11-18-08, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by askjeffro

The '09 WRX is rated for 265hp.

The '08's were rated for less, but the consensus is they put out more then Subaru claim as people were dynoing at 95% of rated.

I was referring to his 2002 WRX vs the current C6 Z06.