Oh dear... I think some of you stick up for the 8 too much, and all RWD cars. A spoiler is for the same purpose on a FWD or RWD car... they DO benefit FWD cars just as much as RWD. If you have 2 cars going 150mph on a straight road one FWD and one RWD they both still need downforce on the back to keep the ends down firmly, otherwise either could be likely to fishtail.
the new Acura integra, civic type R etc need spoilers in Track events to also aid in handling at high speed.

 

I still don't know why having more force on the tires that drive the car wouldn't be more beneficial...can anyone please explain this? I understand the "fishtailing" comment but that still doesn't negate the fact that more force on the driving tires = better grip = better handling = better acceleration = more efficient driving.

Break out some physics, I can handle it.

 

On here, no way.

 

The short version of what I'm getting at is that there are very few instances where wingless RWD street cars would lose so much grip at the rear that it would compromise the ability of the car to accelerate. The rear downforce would be there for overall stability, not to keep the car from overpowering the available grip when accelerating.

 

With all this intellectual talk taking place here, it's time for simplicity. The wings/spoilers are for appearance and image only in the real everyday world. We all like to discuss this traction/ downforce stuff, but lets face it, this is something 99% of car buyers don't use or need from any spoiler or wing. For those of you who drive their cars at 90-150mph on a regular basis, this doesn't concern you. You can't be dissing the cobolt for it's wing. I actually think it looks pretty good. I got a ride in one last year. That car would be neck and neck with the RX8, and I think after 100mph it would start pulling away a bit too. Hard to know, but on top end it appeared noticably more powerful. Don't argue that. It's just my own objective opinion, and does not mean I'm right. It's definitely right there with the RX8 power, and one mod away from burying it.

 

VikingDJ yes i agree with what your saying.
Also one more thing i need to say is every spoiler is different. You might have a spoiler on your car, but depending on the design and aerodynamics of it they all start to take affect at different speeds. Some spoilers can even take effect around 60mph and some might just act as a parachute!! again... depending on its intent of design.
Oh and kinda off topic.... a interesting fact, the Saleen S7 is one of the most aerodynamic cars produced and could drive upside down at 160 mph because of the downforce!!

 

You don't have to resort to objective opinion, or wait until after 100mph. Road & Track and Car & Driver both report that the Cobalt SS will handily beat the RX8 in the 0-100 drag race.

 

I already knew that, but I go off of my own experience, combined with road tests,. Just reading off numbers is much more easy for the people in denial to argue, and does not always accurately tell the whole story. You need to experience both to really be able to know for sure. I don;t like reading off road tests and arguing whether one car is faster or not, unless the numbers are night and day. I have learned that everytime I talk about another car being faster then the rx8, I have to throw in the line "my objective opinion", because some of these people on here are too insecure,and will find a way to argue.

 

No objective opinion needed, THIS is a spoiler done RIGHT damn it. I'm talking when you think spoiler, this should be the first picture to come to mind.

 

I hear ya. I am quite serene with my knowledge that the RX8 isn't the fastest car out there, so I have no problem in pointing out which of the many cars will beat me in a drag race.

I know that most of them can't touch the '8 in the "fun to drive" category, and that there's a reason that the '8 is on the C&D Top Ten list and the Cobalt (as a f'rinstance) ain't.

 

Man, that is HOTT!!

 

I drove both of these cars just before I bought the rx-8. Cobalt blows. Trust me I'm a stunt driver, I know everything too.

 

Seriously dude. Reword that. That's one of the cockiest statements I've ever read. I may have just read it wrong, but damn. I just know this isn't a site to go around bragging you know everything, that's all.

 

Don't believe him.. because _I_ know everything, and I know that he doesn't.

 

Edit: In a 0-100 drag race, Road and Track says the Cobalt SS runs 0-100mph in 15.9 while the RX-8 does it in 16.1, which does not qualify as what they call a "significant difference" They also report that the RX-8 beats the Cobalt SS (Supercharged) in the quarter-mile by about .2 seconds. Not enough to be significant, but the Cobalt definitely doesn't "handily" top the 8, especially when you consider the 8 wins in every other category (except fuel economy!)

Actually, in Road & Track's big table, about 90% of the stock quarter mile times are within 2 seconds of each other. In fact, the biggest spread (Ferrari Enzo to Scion xB) is only about 7 seconds. This is why quarter mile times are just not that important to me; it depends so much on conditions and driver experience. I'd rather compare slalom speeds and g-force ratings. Or better yet, the individual feel and character of each car, a category in which I consider the 8 a winner, and the Cobalt a bit of a failure.

 

You're preaching to the choir here, Rootski. If quarter-mile times meant that much to me, I could've chosen one of the 9 GTO's that sit on my local Pontiac dealer's lot and sat around smugly knowing I would waste any RX8 I came across.

My point was that the Cobalt SS is no shrinking violet and should be taken seriously if you find yourself duking it out with one. I am not a "car hayta" and will defend most cars against unreasonable or silly accusations... The accusations being, if I recall correctly, that the SS didn't deserve a wing because it is a FWD car and that the RX8 would beat it "every time" in a race.

 

I know everybody has their thoughts and feelings about what they like,and are proud of their cars,but why make fun of a car that 8-10 will spank an RX8 anyday? Call it a cavalier,or slowbalt, but they keep up with srt-4's,spank mustangs,and the turbocharged version is slightly slower then the all mighty evo, so do some homework on the car, race some people that can actually drive, cause i guarantee you wont see anything but dust in your face!!!LOL (I bet all you guys will be tearing me a new ******* now)LMAO It may be a redone cavalier,but it will still spank,and is way cheaper then your RX8's. How does that make you feel now?LOL Cheers....... PS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwjfw...eature=related

 

Way to dig a thread out of it's well deserved grave troll

 

 

We make fun of other cars too. Can you make fun of those cars with us? Maybe we'll find a common ground.

 

This thread should just be ignored.. its old as **** and no point in feeding the troll.

 

it's only polite to feed the trolls

 

^ Suit yourself, it gets old quick IMO.

 

....

 

why cant i see any pics