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Cobalt SS or 2009 RX-8 R3

Old Oct 14, 2009 | 05:41 AM
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Cobalt SS or 2009 RX-8 R3

A while back i considered buying a RX-8 until I test drove my Cobalt SS. Now since the 2009 has brought my attention. I'm just wondering what are the pros and cons of the new RX. Don't compare to the cobalt. I simply want the user's who own the new RX to reply. Why did you buy it? Is it worth it? What don't you like about it... etc... I seen reviews on it on youtube by various companies. but no real people who drive it everyday or take it out on weekends. Thank you
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 07:20 AM
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If you don't want to compare the cobalt why even mention it in the title? The cobalt is good in gas mileage, but I still wouldn't invest a dime in one. Sorry but your title got me thinking cobalt, so my words were ready before I even read the rest of your post....your fault :p

as far as the 2009 rx8 experience, I somehow doubt it's much different than 2004-2008. It's a fun car to drive, horrible on fuel economy. The R3 is sexy. The others are about the same as the rest.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 07:56 AM
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I owned a Cobalt, not an SS one though but it really won't be anything special and it looks like every other 2 door cobalt out there except for the ricer wing and the bigger rims.

under hood is a different story than the normal ones but really, I don't think it would be anything special.

Gas mileage will be good and to get anything fixed on it will be dirt cheap.


You can't compare the two cars anyway....cobalt back seats are a PITA to use but the plus side is the back seat folds down so you have a bigger trunk and could sleep back there (I did that a bunch of times)
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 08:26 AM
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Cobalt SuperSlow! Woohoo! Oh wait...you want input on the car I own...got it...um well its sexy, its fun, and you may be able to find a faster car, but I guarantee the 8 is the most fun car you can drive drive (and I'm not talking about blowing your wad in a McLaren or Ferrari...let's be realistic here).

Yes, the Cobalt is quick, but quick is a relative term. Sure the Cobalt looks good...if you are in high school and watch F&F one too many times. Damn, I'm doing it again. Anyways, do I love my 8? YES...why? Because this is the first car I've owned that I can throw into and pull out of the corners without even trying.

I don't get my panties in a bunch when a mustang lines up next to me at a red light and mistakes my daily dose of redline for a race. I know I can't beat most cars in a straight line but I don't care, because those same cars out at the track are waving me by on the straights.

Sure, the 8 is sensitive to her needs (oil, warm engine, etc.) but to me that's just part of owning a car...if I wanted a car that I could just get in and drive and neglect, I would've bought a Honda. What don't I like about the 8? I wish it had more torque. The HP number are fine for me for a stock car but the torque leaves something to be desired.

Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing (realistically...sure I want a car with 3000 Rwhp and 900lb/ft tq, but come on). I bought my 8 for what it is and am very happy with the purchase.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 08:31 AM
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someones over excited this morning lmao
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 08:35 AM
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Which year SS? The one with the SC or turbo?

The SS is one fast car, beating out a ton of other cars (including the wrx I believe) in quite a few magazine reviews. But those same reviews say the feel of the car isn't very sporty, and I guess that can be attributed to it being FWD.

So it depends on what your driving style is. I like cornering cars, hence the RX-8.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 08:41 AM
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You can put any letters you want after Cobalt (and to be fair coresponding add'l ponies under the hood) but at the end of the day it's still a low end Chevy.

I can however appreciate the high school lust over it, as it's very good bang for the buck.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by chino0314
someones over excited this morning lmao
Too much coffee
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 08:55 AM
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colbalts are good for DD's.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by adamwzl
colbalts are good for DD's.
thats what a cobalt is.... a low cost DD
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:12 AM
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Cobalts R Gay
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:58 AM
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you post something like this here on this forum everyone is going to tell you to get the R3
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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Take it from a guy who has owned a Cobalt SS for 3 years now.

RX-8 > Cobalt SS in nearly every factor.

Yes, the new turbocharged LNF SS's are faster in a straight line than the RX-8, and have badass brakes, launch control, and all of those other bells and whistles..........but the RX-8's fit and finish is just SO much better.

I can't WAIT to hurry up and sell my SS so I can get into an RX-8.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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Lol...I love how he says "Don't compare it to the Cobalt." Why even mention the Cobalt? Why not just read the multitude of "I LOVE MY 8!!!1!!1!1one!one1!!" threads that already exist? Silly OP
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by RX-8 ALL DAY
A while back i considered buying a RX-8 until I test drove my Cobalt SS. Now since the 2009 has brought my attention. I'm just wondering what are the pros and cons of the new RX. Don't compare to the cobalt. I simply want the user's who own the new RX to reply. Why did you buy it? Is it worth it? What don't you like about it... etc... I seen reviews on it on youtube by various companies. but no real people who drive it everyday or take it out on weekends. Thank you
lol

OP, I apologize on behalf of this entire board for the inability to read your question without getting defensive right away. I do not own a 09, I do hope a 09 owner will eventually give you a helpful answer/insight without comparing it to a FWD vehicle.

Best of luck.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:24 AM
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^ +1 This forum fails sometimes..
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:25 AM
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My post prolly made it even worse...
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:09 AM
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A cobalt? A cobalt??? You're kidding, right?
Comparing a nose heavy, poorly built fwd chevy to a rwd rotary powered sports is ludicrous.
Good luck on not being laughed off the forum.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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He hasn't been back...
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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OK, allow me to redeem with some real world '8 experience nary a half hour old. This idiot in a van cut me off on the interstate but thanks to the nimble attributes of my '8 (50/50 weight distribution, low center of gravity, tuned suspension, Toyo T1R tires etc., etc.) I was able to dance around him so quickly that even after all these years I surprised myself. It was really no quick and effortless it was like he didn't even exist, which is the way idiots should be treated.

If you want a straight line grunt machine go with the Cobalt SS. If you want a thinking man's dynamic handling machine, that's really allot quicker than we give it credit, go with the '8. Simple.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:23 AM
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The Cobalt SS has been well reviewed by the journalists. Too bad it is a Cobalt.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:31 AM
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... but then, anyone can be a journalist.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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To be honest with you I don't know if there's a big enough difference between the 09's and the 04's to 08's.
Mazda made some changes but on paper [based on what I've seen] I don't see enough of a change in performance to make me believe that the 09's are much better.

Looks and a better oiling system are going to be the biggest reasons to go with an '09 over any other model year 8.

So overall anyone driving an “older” 8 could probably give you a real good idea about the new cars.

There....
I didn't say one thing about the Cobalt.

Last edited by Hidef1080; Oct 14, 2009 at 11:37 AM.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Seems like people on this forum cant read..
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Hidef1080
To be honest with you I don't know if there's a big enough difference between the 09's and the 04's to 08's.
Mazda made some changes but on paper [based on what I've seen] I don't see enough of a change in performance to make me believe that the 09's are much better.

Looks and a better oiling system are going to be the biggest reasons to go with an '09 over any other model year 8.

So overall anyone driving an “older” 8 could probably give you a real good idea about the new cars.

Not exactly..

The cooling system is improved, the fuel injectors are improved, oil injectors, the suspension is tighter, the interior is different.

As far as performance.. its the same powerplant so obviously you'll get the same kick, but the difference is the gearing.

If you had a choice between 09/10 and previous year models, go for the Series2, it's a bit of a no-brainer, especially considering you can easily get an 09 for 20-24k.

There's a bunch of threads on this btw..

Last edited by DarkLord7854; Oct 14, 2009 at 11:48 AM.
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