OK HIGH SOCIETY. We get it. Every car that is a little faster than the Si must be better.
Reading comprehension is important. The OP obviously wants a faster car, so I suggested faster cars out-of-the-box, with more modding potential than a SI, that cost about the same as a SI. So if straight line speed is important, an SI is a poor choice. In fact, FWD is a poor choice, in that case.
lol the fact that you said your friend gets 25 mpg with his cobalt beating on it just made u seem like a ruh tard ahhaa.
yea we all read magazines, the problem is u believe everything u read. ur hopeless, go back to cobalt forum
Another Honda fanboi.
I didn't say he averages 25 MPG, I said he averages 28 MPG.
Cobalt SS/TC's and MS3's not only gain HP/TQ with bolt ons, they gain
MPG! A MS3 gains about 10% MPG and ~24 wHP//~27 lb-ft. of tq. from just a CAI. Bolted SS/TC can get over 30 MPG easily on highway trips.
Here's a couple links to guys getting 30+ MPG in a MS3 and Cobalt SS/TC:
MS3 CAI 34 MPG !!!!! Unreal..... - Mazda Forums
Ecomodding a Cobalt SS/TC - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com
Six6,
you're the retard. You're pathetically misinformed and perpetuating bad information. You're truly an asset to the forums. :facepalm:
I think the take home message isn't that there are currently better performing cars for the sub $20k compact market. Rather, that our FG2/FA5s are already at the end of its lifecycle and what was a great performer in 2006 really no longer applies now after 4 years later with no significant changes. I just mean to point that fact out and anyone who still thinks an 8th SI is a good base car for performance should really consider other options out there.
I agree entirely.
In '06, when the SI was first released, 197 bHP, and 139 lb-ft. was decent for the price.
Then in '07 the MS3 hit the scene, offering 263 bHP, and 280 lb-ft. for virtually the same price.
In '08 the WRX saw a small improvement.
In '08 the Cobalt SS got the ecotec engine, producing 260 bHp, and 260 lb-ft. It still dominates the FWD sport-compact market (USDM) in performance, and comes standard with performance tech absent on its competitors, like a boost gauge, launch control, and a no-lift-shift feature.
In '09 the WRX was improved once again, gaining 42 bHP, and 18 lb-ft. over the '08 model.
In '09 the Genesis coupe hit US shores, offering a decent RWD alternative.
Now for '11 the V6 Mustang is getting a 305 bHP, 280 lb-ft. and achieves 31 MPG on the highway.
Now you can find a lot of these cars (minus the Mustang) used, and at great prices. You can pick up used EVO's for relatively cheap. Hell, a friend of mine bought a brand new EVO X GSR for $27k OTD last year when Mitsu was having that $10k off all '08 deals.
My point is, there are some excellent cars to be had for $20-25k, new or used, and people should drive and compare other options before they make a purchase.
A lot of people find the SI to be underpowered for the price, and since the OP is concerned with power, he should consider more powerful cars.
You think if this drove by an average pedestrian they wouldn't turn their head? I think you're wrong...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/4511276445_83ce2485d2_o.jpg
The Si is slick looking. Very aerodynamic.
To me, that looks.. meh. Even if that is a real CF hood (I've seen too many Si's with their stock hoods painted black or gray), I still see a glorified Civic worth about $15k. It's a boy-racer looking car, with the yellow fogs, springs, chrome wheels, JDM wind visors, and aftermarket emblems.
No exterior mod on the car is unique. Every ricer and his brother have those exact mods, regardless of the car's brand. You'd think Si's came stock with red
"H" emblems they're so played out.
Only thing I like, is that the owner removed the cheap ricer
"Vtec" stickers. I also like the '09's grill better than the previous years' grill.
I just see 1,000 8th gen civics every day living in California, so seeing one with a different hood and wheels does nothing for me.
And it's not just Si's or Civics. It's all sport-compacts. SI's, MS3's, SS/TC's, WRX's, GTI's, all look like Civics, 3's, Cobalts, Imprezas, and Golfs with boy-racer touches - usually includes a wing. WRX's have a hood scoop, GTI's have red painted brake calipers, SS's have a ridiculous rear wing, and SI's have
"Si" badges, and
"Vtec" stickers.
Basically, I don't see how you could call any of these cars
"good looking" unless you also think their base model version is also
"good looking."
And I sure as hell don't think a Golf, Cobalt, Impreza, Civic, or Mazda 3 is attractive compared to actual sports cars I see daily. But perhaps it's because I live/work in an area where I see R8's, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Lotus' (not expensive but aesthetic sex), and all kinds of Porsches every day.
I'd hate to live in some backwards suburb where sport-compacts are considered the
"nice cars in town."