Car and Driver TV July 30-31

[91 s-10baja]

July 30-31
It’s a comparison test of sporty compacts with the Acura RSX Type-S, Chevy Cobalt SS, Dodge SRT-4 ACR, Saturn Ion Redline, and Subaru WRX; we’ll find out which of these pocket rockets is the best around. Plus, it’s a look back at the AmphiCar in Classic Car and Driver.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=9732

[griswold44]

I bet we know who will win.

[AdmiralViscen]

Isn't the WRX way out of the price range of the other vehicles?

[plane]

Originally Posted by griswold44

I bet we know who will win.

What's your prediction?

I've seen the WRX and the Ion QC on at the track. The Ecotec is as smooth as glass. The WRX seemed to have the power but didn't sound nearly as smooth.

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by plane

What's your prediction?

I've seen the WRX and the Ion QC on at the track. The Ecotec is as smooth as glass. The WRX seemed to have the power but didn't sound nearly as smooth.

Isn't it obvious the RSX will win? I mean this is Honda & Driver.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by griswold44

Isn't it obvious the RSX will win? I mean this is Honda & Driver.

Holy crap, that is funny!! My prediction, mimics yours! However, we could all be suprised, so cross those fingers!

[RWD60]

WRX will win in sheer performence, but either the SS or SRT could take the overall title on value. the RSX is slower, older, and smaller than the others... even C&D's bias will be hard pressed to give them the win.

[atomicshark]

Maybe C&D will through GM a bone and give the SS a first place finish, or at least a close second. C&D hates Saturn so perhaps the ION won't fair as well.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

Isn't the WRX way out of the price range of the other vehicles?

WRX: $25,620--227hp & 217lb/ft
RSX Type-S: $24,240--210hp & 143lb/ft
Cobalt SS Supercharged: $21,995--205hp & 200lb/ft
ION Redline: $21,450--205ph & 200lb/ft
SRT-4 (stock): $21,295--230hp & 250lb/ft

So, the Dodge is the cheapest and most powerful. The Acura out powers the Cobalt, but falls way short on torque. The WRX is a little more expensive, but it's got AWD standard. The ION is redundant.

[suburbanfoo]

speakin of car & driver television what ever happend to the host for that show,it use to be an older man with a mustache and he wore these huge dark glasses, looked like a person you would see on lifestyles of the rich & famous. now its just a talking voice.

[genjy]

I think it's a safe bet to say the WRX will win overall best. It's just hard to hate a car that capable and performance-oriented.

The SRT-4, Cobalt SS, and Ion Redline might be more powerful than the RSX Type-S, but then the RSX Type-S has the best interior and set of comfort features out of all 5 cars (on top of excellent FWD handling).

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by suburbanfoo

speakin of car & driver television what ever happend to the host for that show,it use to be an older man with a mustache and he wore these huge dark glasses, looked like a person you would see on lifestyles of the rich & famous. now its just a talking voice.

NICE!! Jim Scouten! I remember him, if I am not mistaken, did he not host the original Motor Trend TV also?
http://recessesofmymind.com/shooting/xdphotos.html (stage 3)

[OzoneGTX]

I loved the sound of his voice on the show. MAde everything sound important. I was dissapointed when they switched from having a host to a "disembodied voice", as X-Play would call it. I haven't seen C/D TV in a while. Are they using him again?

[Taycron]

I would bet my left testicle that the RSX wins and the WRX comes in second.. Without any conspiracy theories..

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by Buick61

WRX: $25,620--227hp & 217lb/ft
RSX Type-S: $24,240--210hp & 143lb/ft
Cobalt SS Supercharged: $21,995--205hp & 200lb/ft
ION Redline: $21,450--205ph & 200lb/ft
SRT-4 (stock): $21,295--230hp & 250lb/ft

So, the Dodge is the cheapest and most powerful. The Acura out powers the Cobalt, but falls way short on torque. The WRX is a little more expensive, but it's got AWD standard. The ION is redundant.

...on paper.
I see it going down like this. Based on performance alone, the SRT4, Cobalt SS and WRX are gunan be tight in handlign and performance, especialy if the SS has the LSD.
Cobalt SS has the SRT4 beat as far as fit and finish, as well as the Ion and WRX. Acura is gunna win bouns points for it just being a Honda.
There might be a good chance the Cobalt SS gets a first or at least a solid 2nd, only losing out to "gotta have it" or someother equilizer. When C&D or was it MT...did that test of the SS with teh performance package upgrade, it outhandled the R32 and WRX. I think that the SS has big promise to pull out top rank.
My prediction...
1- WRX
2- Cobalt SS
3- Neon SRT4
4- NSX-S
5- Ion RL.