C&D Comparo: RSX Type-S vs. Cobalt SS vs. SRT4 ACR vs. Ion Red Line vs. WRX
08-15-2005, 06:23 PM
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C&D Comparo: RSX Type-S vs. Cobalt SS vs. SRT4 ACR vs. Ion Red Line vs. WRX
Cheap Speed, Round 23 - - We compare five $25,000 tarmac torpedoes and discover five new ways to induce arrhythmia. - - BY JOHN PHILLIPS - - PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON KILEY - - Source: CarandDriver.com
Fifth Place
Saturn Ion Red Line
Highs: Confident chassis, strong brakes, manageable price.
Lows: Thrashy above 4000 rpm, plasticky interior, say-nothing steering.
The Verdict: We want so much to love thee, Saturn, but you're still not ready to commit.
-------------------------------
Fourth Place
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
Highs: Solid and rattle-free, three-passenger rear seat, accomplished long-distance cruiser.
Lows: See Saturn Ion Red Line.
The Verdict: Competent and fun but not likely to launch a cult.
----------------------------------
Thrid Place
Dodge SRT4 ACR
Highs: Big dirty speed, astounding brakes, an autocrosser ready for tire immolation.
Lows: Noisy at all speeds, vibration at all speeds, overly aggressive front seats.
The Verdict: A one-trick pony you'll want to save for SCCA weekends.
----------------------------------
Second Place
Subaru Impreza WRX
Highs: Long-travel suspension, four-wheel grip, superior sightlines.
Lows: Wait-till-tomorrow turbo lag.
The Verdict: An endearing, confidence-inspiring hunting dog that never lets you down.
----------------------------------
First Place
Acura RSX Type-S
Highs: Luxurious cockpit, world's slickest front-wheel-drive shifter, balance and agility of a ballerina.
Lows: Always revving, always shifting, always busy.
The Verdict: A showcase of engineering, style, speed, and grace.
Saturn Ion Red Line
Highs: Confident chassis, strong brakes, manageable price.
Lows: Thrashy above 4000 rpm, plasticky interior, say-nothing steering.
The Verdict: We want so much to love thee, Saturn, but you're still not ready to commit.
-------------------------------
Fourth Place
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
Highs: Solid and rattle-free, three-passenger rear seat, accomplished long-distance cruiser.
Lows: See Saturn Ion Red Line.
The Verdict: Competent and fun but not likely to launch a cult.
----------------------------------
Thrid Place
Dodge SRT4 ACR
Highs: Big dirty speed, astounding brakes, an autocrosser ready for tire immolation.
Lows: Noisy at all speeds, vibration at all speeds, overly aggressive front seats.
The Verdict: A one-trick pony you'll want to save for SCCA weekends.
----------------------------------
Second Place
Subaru Impreza WRX
Highs: Long-travel suspension, four-wheel grip, superior sightlines.
Lows: Wait-till-tomorrow turbo lag.
The Verdict: An endearing, confidence-inspiring hunting dog that never lets you down.
----------------------------------
First Place
Acura RSX Type-S
Highs: Luxurious cockpit, world's slickest front-wheel-drive shifter, balance and agility of a ballerina.
Lows: Always revving, always shifting, always busy.
The Verdict: A showcase of engineering, style, speed, and grace.
08-15-2005, 09:04 PM
#4
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Acura 
08-15-2005, 10:54 PM
#5
Senior Moderator
for Acura...but, personally, I'd still go for the WRX. 
08-15-2005, 11:29 PM
#6
Drifting
the rsx is definitly an awesome car. even with the slowest times and whatnot, that little car can take those curves! i love how the car just shoots up the rpm band, the quickness of the throws on the manual, the interior!, and the lightness!!!
wow i miss my rsx... haha yes! im biased. but then again, most of the other cars cant be thrown around as much nor does it have the elegant but sporty interior to match..
although i wouldnt mind more power in the acura.
wow i miss my rsx... haha yes! im biased. but then again, most of the other cars cant be thrown around as much nor does it have the elegant but sporty interior to match..
although i wouldnt mind more power in the acura.
08-15-2005, 11:43 PM
#7
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by Yumchah
for Acura...but, personally, I'd still go for the WRX. 
WRX and RSX are in 2 different classes 
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08-16-2005, 09:55 AM
#8
Registered Abuser of VTEC
The article made me laugh!
But the female members of our production team, one voting in this comparo, reminded us that rampant immaturity in grown men is a trait they do not often seek, so we let it slide, opting instead to spend one hour per night devoted exclusively to poop jokes.
08-16-2005, 01:06 PM
#11
I can't believe they called the RSX's interior luxurious. Nice for the price is about as good a description as I would give it; certainly heads above all the other interiors in this comparison, but not luxurious.
08-16-2005, 01:39 PM
#12
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by phile
I can't believe they called the RSX's interior luxurious. Nice for the price is about as good a description as I would give it; certainly heads above all the other interiors in this comparison, but not luxurious.
'Luxurious' is NOT a word I would use to describe the RSX's interior. Maybe 'more refined' is a better (and more fitting) adjective. 
08-16-2005, 01:54 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by GIBSON6594
Its cheap speed, hence the article
08-16-2005, 02:06 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by dom
The Cobalt SS beat the RSX-S in Sept's Road & Track.
Raw performance-wise, yes. Too bad they don't have categories like "unplanned trips to the dealer" as part of their subjective criteria.
08-16-2005, 02:42 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by Bill Hook
Raw performance-wise, yes. Too bad they don't have categories like "unplanned trips to the dealer" as part of their subjective criteria.
08-16-2005, 04:08 PM
#16
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Bill Hook
Raw performance-wise, yes. Too bad they don't have categories like "unplanned trips to the dealer" as part of their subjective criteria.
08-16-2005, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Hook
Raw performance-wise, yes. Too bad they don't have categories like "unplanned trips to the dealer" as part of their subjective criteria.
08-16-2005, 10:55 PM
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The funny thing is you get this month's motor trend and they say the cobalt wins... On top of that, they say the car is sweet reving or something (if I remember correctly)... kinda different from the C&D review.
08-17-2005, 09:43 AM
#19
Registered Abuser of VTEC
Originally Posted by YBA
The funny thing is you get this month's motor trend and they say the cobalt wins... On top of that, they say the car is sweet reving or something (if I remember correctly)... kinda different from the C&D review.
08-18-2005, 12:04 PM
#21
Not Asian
Originally Posted by YBA
The funny thing is you get this month's motor trend and they say the cobalt wins... On top of that, they say the car is sweet reving or something (if I remember correctly)... kinda different from the C&D review.
08-18-2005, 12:23 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by phile
I can't believe they called the RSX's interior luxurious. Nice for the price is about as good a description as I would give it; certainly heads above all the other interiors in this comparison, but not luxurious.
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