Topic: A Time For Turbos

[Vmango]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=7103

Great article. While I give thumbs up (atta boy, Chevy!) to my beloved Cobalt dominating the competition and winning this performance comparison - I'm most interested in the results of the 09 WRX 265. They tested 0-60 at 5.1 seconds - only .1 slower than the STI! It also won the autocross.

I imagine had they included other subjective points other than this just being a performance comparison, the WRX265 would have won overall. This was the pat on the back I needed before buying!

Good article, overall, though.

Just noticed that 1/4mile trap time for the Cobalt  was 104MPH ---- that's fairly impressive. WRX had the quickest quarter at 13.8.

Can you believe that sport compacts are 13second cars now, right out of the box?

[rrocket]

Good article.  I like turbos.  Cobalt is a stellar handler....too bad is sooooo hard on the eyes.  The WRX isn't much better......I like it ALOT better in the hatch...

[Snowman]

Nice, and looks good on GM for spending some time to work the Cobalt into a top contender in the sport compact segment.

[The Mighty Duck]

Sounds like Subaru did a really good job of turning the WRX back into the machine it was meant to be.  I drove an 02 with the 2.0L engine a couple years ago, and it was phenomenal - I can only imagine what it's like with 265 hp. 

I really dig the Cobalt, too.  I would likely choose the WRX over it because it has AWD, though.  I wish GM would give us a Pontiac G5 GXP with that engine and LSD...  I find the G5 much nicer looking than the Cobalt, and the GT I looked at a couple years ago had a very acceptable interior. 

[Triple Bob]

That WRX is looking to be such a good package I think they will sell by the bucket load, there isn't any logical reason NOT to buy one!

 

[rrocket]

That WRX is looking to be such a good package I think they will sell by the bucket load, there isn't any logical reason NOT to buy one!

 

You can't get it with sunroof.  Is that reason enough?

Why don't you buy a LHD Skyline for fun??

[Triple Bob]

That WRX is looking to be such a good package I think they will sell by the bucket load, there isn't any logical reason NOT to buy one!

 

You can't get it with sunroof.  Is that reason enough?

Why don't you buy a LHD Skyline for fun??

As in a proper skyline, where from the US?  I'd love an R33...

[rrocket]

You can import JDM Skyline GT-Rs here....There's a bunch running around already...

[Triple Bob]

You can import JDM Skyline GT-Rs here....There's a bunch running around already...

Yeah but aren't Japanese cars RHD, I've only just got used to LHD, don't want to change back...

[rrocket]

Yea..Japanese are RHD.....

[Mitlov]

Good article.  I like turbos.  Cobalt is a stellar handler....too bad is sooooo hard on the eyes.  The WRX isn't much better......I like it ALOT better in the hatch...

you are so nice.  just say it.  that car is butt ugly.   sorry gm.  your baby is ugly.   very ugly.   the wrx hatch looks good except those 90's tail lights.  get rid of the tail lights and it is a good looking car! subaru.   good job.

I don't think it's ugly at all.  Slightly dull, yes.  Q-ship, certainly.  Ugly, no.  I personally think that the Subaru is downright ugly.







http://www.motivemag.com/pub/news/First_Pictures_Turbocharged_Chevrolet_Cobalt_SS_Sedan.shtml

[initial_D]

I don't think the Cobalt is ugly, just too plain. Might have to go test drive one.

[rrocket]

No..it's definitely ugly.  The HHR SS is cool though..!!

[Snowman]

That WRX is looking to be such a good package I think they will sell by the bucket load, there isn't any logical reason NOT to buy one!

 

No there is not… using logic and common sense  . When you bring in emotional factors such as styling then one persons dream becomes another’s nightmare. 

[DriverJeff]

That WRX is looking to be such a good package I think they will sell by the bucket load, there isn't any logical reason NOT to buy one!

 

You can't get it with sunroof.  Is that reason enough?

According to the brochure, the sunroof is standard on the WRX 265. 
http://www.subaru.ca/Content/7907/media/en-ca/download/Impreza2009_Brochure.pdf

Vman... by starting to see the 'beauty' in the Subaru, I find it kind of like the sorta hanging around a kind of homely girl who has a really great personality and becomes a LOT of fun when she's drunk.   

[quadzilla]

You can't get it with sunroof.  Is that reason enough?

You can get the WRX265 with one.

[DriverJeff]

Nah, nah... beat ya, Quad.   


By the way, good on GM for the Cobalt's efforts.  Seems the R&T guys were as surprised as most of us were.  Still, the AWD, reputation for reliability and durability and hatchback format all make the added cost of the WRX 265 well worth it to me. 

[quadzilla]

Nah, nah... beat ya, Quad.   

  

I wish I could get a second car as I really think I would be driving a WRX265 right now.

[DriverJeff]

Haven't we all been in a relationship at one time where you aren't necessarily attracted to the girl but the sex is so wild you keep putting off breaking up with her? That's the Cobalt

Now, that same relationship, but that girl does the cooking and your laundry..... that's the WRX265

Send her for a boob job and you've got the STI.   

[Mitlov]

I do think the Cobalt SS 4-door featured in this article is VERY plain looking. Although critics call the SS coupe outdated, I find it much more appealing. My car, acknowledgeing everything crappy about it [RIP], would turn heads....

You could probably make the argument that none of the cars in this comparison are especially "good looking." They're sport compacts - not exotics. It's hard to make these cars look aggressive without being called "ricey."

I'd rather have a plain-looking sleeper of a sport compact than:



Not to mention, two separate spoilers like on the 2006 STI.  But then again, I like my ride unpimped