I am about to start a new job that will require me to drive some significant highway miles. My current daily driver ('96 z28 with 42k miles) is a great car that's fun and reliable, but it's got a loud aftermarket exhaust that makes highway driving annoying and I just don't want to put many miles on it. So I have narrowed my options to a new Solstice GXP or a new Cobalt SS Turbo. I'm leaning towards the Solstice because of its looks and the fact that you can get deep discounts on them these days, but I'm also a former owner of a 2005 Cobalt SS Supercharged which I loved.
My question is this... which car would win on a high speed road course? My new car will definitely see some track time, and I'm just curious about the Solstice's road course performance and if you have to put a hard top on it to run time trials. I used to autocross my Cobalt SS S/C in local parking lot time trials, but there is a new high speed road course opening in my area next year. I know full well about the advantages of having a rwd car, but the new Cobalt SS Turbo holds the world record on the Nurburgring for stock production fwd cars... that's faster than a VW R32, Mazdaspeed 3, or any other fwd car. Has anyone been able to find a Nurburgring time for a GXP?? The Solstice and Cobalt have the same engine and weigh about the same, so this is all about handing characteristics and racing regulations for verts that I may not be aware of.
I got a SS/SC right now. I'm leasing it and it goes back next summer, I've autocrossed it for a couple years and it was fun, but yeah you are going to probably get better times in a Solstice GXP, RWD > FWD, especially on a course...
I was looking into getting the Cobalt SS/TC too, until the Solstice Coupe debuted, now I'm definitely getting that...
I don't know the track racing ramifications regarding the Coupe, but from the comment above me it still sounds like you need a roll bar for a road course on the Coupe???
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Current Car: 06 Cobalt SS/SC
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I didn't realize he only wanted your opinion .... or are you suggesting the targa won't be allowed on a road course without a rollbar?
The literature is littered with quotes as to the lack of structural integrity of the coupe roof. It is highly unlikely this will be lost on the sanctioning bodies such as SCCA, etc.
The literature is littered with quotes as to the lack of structural integrity of the coupe roof. It is highly unlikely this will be lost on the sanctioning bodies such as SCCA, etc.
kw........
Ahh. OK. I wasn't aware that it would be any different than an regular 'vette or a Lotus Elise.
Nothing official yet. There is a new thread highlighting this conversation, so maybe we'll get better information. And the news may change what I've said. Until then I'm very wary
Since I happen to own both cars you mention, and compete in local / regional autocross events... I'll say I never raced my Cobalt after picking up the Solstice.
If you MUST get on the road course, the Cobalt is your answer... we don't know what will happen with the rulings on the Coupe.
Well this makes my decision that much harder. If I knew for sure that the coupe was going to be track legal then I'd definitely wait for it. I like the coupe better anyway. I bet you won't see any 0% financing on it or anything like that for a while though. Of course I could always just get a GXP now and use my z28 as my track toy... it's got the power but the handling doesn't quite match up.
1. An Armani suit
2. American Vangaurd Corp. stock when it gets close to $10 - $10.10
3. A good watch
4. Pottery Barn Manhattan Chair with ottoman in Cherry Red
5. Johnny Walker Blue Label
6. A Sharp Aquos LCD
7. Sephora cosmetics
8. A Louis Vuitton rolling carry-on luggage
9. A German-made handgun
10. The unrated version of "The Sweetest Thing"
__________________ Team Solstice 2008 Mysterious 2007 GXP, code name Samuel L. Jackson,Darkside, debadged, chrome rims, Goodyear Supercar performance tires, Dejon innercooler, IC pipes and CAI in black, Flowmaster 40 American Thunder exhaust, spoiler, 'Lil Chromies, Kappasphere Upshield, leather package, GXP floormats, A/C, 6 CD Monsoon stereo, iPod hook-up, premium acoustic headliner, stubby antenna, metallic pedals, automatic, Lo-Jack, XM, OnStar, phone, ejector seat, and Heckler & Koch P2000 = 2DMSEXI
Last edited by Im2damnsexy : 07-21-2008 at 02:40 PM.
1. An Armani suit
2. American Vangaurd Corp. stock when it gets close to $10 - $10.10
3. A good watch
4. Pottery Barn Manhattan Chair with ottoman in Cherry Red
5. Johnny Walker Blue Label
6. A Sharp Aquos LCD
7. Sephora cosmetics
8. A Louis Vuitton rolling carry-on luggage
9. A German-made handgun
10. The unrated version of "The Sweetest Thing"
I didn't realize he only wanted your opinion .... or are you suggesting the targa won't be allowed on a road course without a rollbar?
Until then I'm very wary