Thanks Darklord.
I forgot about the cooling system.

 

I read the OP's text and saw that he was looking for RX-8 attributes and not a Cobalt SS comparison (even tho' his thread title is obviously contrary). I think we can highlight the 8's capabilities, vs. this and all other "just throw horsepower in a low end vehicle", by doing a comparison whether ultimately requested or not.

Since when do we diligently adhere to the original post's intent around here?

 

to be honest, I don't know why anyone would want to drive a cobalt at all, even an SS that WITH a turbo only makes that much power and in an improper FWD setup that provides loads of torque steer.

ah well, even so, and I've driven an SS: the RX-8 is better in almost every single aspect or so I feel. the feel of it is just second to none in all ways. i feel like no matter what you'd do to the chevy, it would never come close to the way the 8 feels stock.

my two cents

 

Lol the whole not comparing lasted what.... 2 posts

 

chevy did a good job creating an srt4 fighter but its in a different category than the 8 being wrong wheel drive. In the 8 its not you vs. other cars and drivers, the only real competition is the road. Also Ive never felt it was me vs. my car in a tight corner fighting torque steer or understeer, which I have felt in every other sporty car Ive owned.

Not trying to be an *** but if you have to ask Cobalt vs RX8, you'll never know. Drive an 8 and the answer should become obvious.

 

Meh.

 

Low cost?

SS is going for an average of 22k

base RX8 with 5k rebate 20k

 

I bought an '09 over an older, used RX-8 for two reasons: 1) I like shiny, new things, and 2) I think it looks way, way nicer. The improved oil stuff, etc. were part of it too, since anything that'll help keep the engine running well is a major plus.

I got my GT for $26.5k and I couldn't be happier. It's got all the creature comforts I could care for. It's got useable back seats (my friends don't just sit back there and take it, they usually have something to say about how comfortable it is). Compared to my last car, an '08 Miata Sport, it still handles spectacularly, all while taking bumps better and remaining more composed at high speeds (I had to white-knuckle my Miata for most of my 80mph trips up and down the west coast)--and it's way quieter, which is awesome. The trunk's great, there are enough little pockets and compartments in the interior for all my ****, etc.

But it does get pretty terrible gas mileage. (I'm averaging 16mpg for the 800-miles I've driven it so far.) And I've already gotten the opportunity to top off the oil. I've started getting ready earlier in the morning so that I can start it and let it warm up a bit before I take to the highways. None of that makes it any lesser a sports car, though, and it's all stuff I knew I'd have to deal with going into this. It has its drawbacks--most of which have already been touched on in this thread--but they don't mean much next to the enormous list of pros I see.

Besides, any car whose trim-levels or better for the manual (granted, this applies much more to the earlier model-years; but there are still things like the carbon fiber driveshaft, etc.) deserves major props, and seems to me like a confirmation of how much work Mazda put into the car itself.

 

Make sure to read a couple random pages of this thread... This should make things clear:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=things

Now, my two cents. I owned an 07 Cobalt SS S/C and I recently bought an 04 RX8... As a twisted analogy, to compare these two cars would be like comparing the cute, athletic, low maintenance high school girl who walks around in sneakers to the sexy, more athletic, high maintenance supermodel who would get you looks from all over the place if you walk around town with her and put a smile on your face like no other girl can.

Here are the highlights:

Cobalt SS S/C or Turbo if you have it:
Pros: Fast, cheap, low maintenance, can get up and go and shut off engine with no worries, good fuel economy, decent looks, torque, decent sized trunk with rear seats that fold down, good "sports car" (if you are in high school)
Cons: Bad quality, poor cornering, poor turning radius (much different and worse than my previous 99 Z24), seat doesn't hold you in well, not an RX8, gets BORING after a year

RX8:
Pros: Fast, Fun to drive, you get SO MUCH attention from people, it's unique, corners like a **** (apparently better than a 350Z), well balanced, high revs is like music to your ears, PERFECT riding position/cockpit (even for where you arms rest), seats fit like a glove, "4 doors" give you an insurance drop, you can turn off the DSC to have a "little" fun, looks of the car will make you turn around to look at it as you walk away, handling is amazing, much classier interior/exterior, the four doors make it easy for people to get in the back (you don't have to get out and move your seat, not a Cobalt, I wanted one since Mazda first came out with one
CONS: Little torque, consumes oil by design, you have to make sure engine is warm before you turn it off (no very short trips), small trunk (with rear seats that don't fold down and no spare tire (unless you carry one in your trunk... otherwise there's an instant mobility kit you can use), poor fuel economy, no block heater (I think the 2010 8's have them, but I installed an oil pan heater), crappy Mazda battery (low CCA, I'll be replacing mine)

...So comparing apples to mangos, in terms of price, both cars are a bang for the buck... The difference lies in what's important to you, what kind of driver/car owner are you, and what are you willing to live with. Obviously any happy RX8 owner will list and value many of the things I put down, but are you willing to live with the drawbacks of the 8? I know I am.

...RX8 owners are a different kind of car owner and are as unique as their cars...

 

Good first post Bfajayan

 

My advice would be to buy a used one that has a couple thousand miles on it. I had a Saturn Ion Redline, (same as Cobalt SS S/C) that I traded in for the 8. I love the 8 but I really wish I would looked a little more at my options. I went and paid $34k for my car, and when I search Craigslist, I see them all day for $20k with 3k miles on them. So as of right now, I owe $11k more than my car is worth on KBB.

 

+12345

 

This man speaks the truth.

 

There is. Also, Cobalts came out in '05, not '04.

If your speaking in terms of the SS models, the '05-'07's had the supercharged LSJ motor, whereas the '08+ has the turbocharged LNF motor, which makes ALOT more hp/tq than the old setup. Also, the new 18"s are forged, and alot lighter and the old "sand dollar" wheels. New front brakes on SS models feature Brembo calipers and upsized rotors vs. the old setup. Launch control and no lift shift are both features on the newer SS's.........old SS never had either. Suspension has also been greatly revised, featuring new shocks, springs and sway bars. Interior features new seats with much better side bolster support (they finally did away with the tacky two tone leathers) and feature's RPD as an option (Realtime Performance Display) which is basically like a G-Tech, only its included by Chevy and mounts the the a-pillar in a tidy fashion. Exterior wise, they are damn near identical with the differences of the headlights (orange indicators have been replaced with clear indicators) and the new cross hatch grill that replaced the older flat slat style grill........

I could continue, but yeah, you get the point. The new SS is actually a hell of a car. Its the fastest FWD car from the factory to ever make its paces on the Nurenburg, and it gives you great bang for the buck. But......

RX-8's look better. Handle better. Sound better. Aren't a Chevy. Actually have re-sale value. Better fit and finish........

Hence why i'm trading my '07 in on an RX-8.

Oh, and just for fun, some pics of my SS











And my "Wheres Waldo shot"

 

I think you missed what I was saying.

I was talking about the RX-8 NOT the Cobalt.

My post was my 2 cents on the differences between the '04 to '08 and the '09 RX-8's were small from a preformance standpoint.
The changes to the new '09 8's were more for the overall betterment of the car and not speed or anything.

I was telling the OP that if he wanted input only from '09 owners that what they said would be about the same as the '04 to '08 owners.

Cool?

 

Hahaha. Reading > me.

My bad man. Yeah.........forgive me, I just woke up like 20 min ago.

 

No problem bro.

 

Another plus for the Cobalt
has a damn radio that can SHUFFLE/Random correctly! Like as in pushing the next track button randomly picks a new track and doesn't just turn off the shuffle and increment track by +1

you have no idea how much this bugs to **** out of me in the 8....

 

^ I see metra kit in your future

 

^LOL+1!!!!! (Every owner should figure it out unless they buy the ipod adapter)

 

I have the ipod adapter and it still doesnt work.....

 

not sure how i should respond to this but to cut to the point
Mazda RX-8
Pros
-look better
-handles better (awesome)
-Great online community (literally)
Cons
-lack of storage (not the amount but the size)
-bad gas milage

Chevy Cobalt SS
Pros
-quick?
-good gas milage (SS?)
-cheaper tires?
Cons
-not very attractive

P.S. my RX-8 is my daily driver and I have a faimily of 3.

 

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

 

when you want to skip the track when its on random, just hit the random button twice....it will go to a different track and random is still on. yay. it's not rocket science.

 

Rx 8 ftw!