Test Drove Cobalt SS, My Take Options

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

I test drove a Cobalt SS today. I was debating with some people about the traction issues with higher powered fwd cars which lead to this. I wanted to drive an srt-4, but I couldn't find a Dodge dealership close enough. I figured the supercharged Cobalt would be okay. The guy told me it was underated at 213hp to the wheels. I don't know about underated, but I'd believe 213. I wasn't really impressed though. I've driven faster. But with the traction, I didn't have a problem. It was the model without the LSD too. I've still got to find a srt-4, which I think will have more issues because of higher hp. But really, I didn't have a problem at all keeping traction. But, it was a nice dry day, and it has Z rated Prelli's on it.

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

IMO... the difference in road course times between a 250whp and 350whp FWD celica would be very minor depending on the complexity of the course (the more complex, the closer the times). I've said this before (and was flamed) in refrence to the Beams SS3 Celica versus a ST205 GT4. I said, actual power to the ground is meaningless if you cannot utilize it fully. 350whp... It'll be pretty hard to go full throttle anywhere besides straights. The more powerful the motor... the better throttle control you better have otherwise traction hurts. Not saying it's not possible... but the degree of difficulty increases exponentially. On the street... 250 or so whp is more than enough to smoke the sh!t out of most cars. Very rarely would you come across something that can compete... from a roll. Evo's and Sti's wouldn't be too much competition from a roll, IMO... against a FWD Celica with around 200-250whp. This is a reason why I've always prefered high powered high revving n/a cars when it comes to track racing. They are much much more predictable and can utilize nearly all of their available power anytime.

I just want to build an absolute monster. I've had my moments when I wanted a quick NA car, but I want that too. I just want everything. A car that can outrun most any street car on any type of course. I know, it's impossible. It's more important for it to have snappy handeling and good throttle response. And as for hp numbers. I really don't care what it puts down, and long as it's fast. If it ended up dynoeing at 200hp, but I could still outrun everybody, I'd be happy.

"Anyway... IMO... a fun car to drive is not neccesarily a highly powerful one. It should be light and nimble... AND most importantly... driveable."

in my opinion, keep the celi as a dd, and if you want to go fast, just get a bike!

A car does have to be light and nimble. That's one of my complanets about the Cobalt. It had good handling, there's no doubt in that. It just felt like a boat. But it was a nice handling boat. I have a bike setting at home wating to be fixed if I want to mess with it. It's a good bit of work to get it running. It's my dad's old bike. 79 Kawisaki 750, with 4 cylinder motor and the 4 carbs. I've rn through the forums on those, and they are fast. Still, it's a bigger bike than I want. I want something with more power and less weight.