FocusCanada Forums

Hi Folks, I haven't been here in a while, hope all are well.

With the change in our family situation, my wife Karen recently purchased a Ford Escape Limited, leaving my Chrysler Pacifica Limited with no real use to us. This gave me the opportunity to remove the Pacifica from our fleet so that I could get something else to drive (manual, no Auto). You guys that know me, know that I'll hardly every drive it. :woot:

Agenda was to find a small performance car for under $25G's (CANADIAN DOLLARS). It boiled down to either a used 2008 Caliber SRT4 or a brand new 2009 Cobalt SS (4 door). Chrysler had no available rebates on the 09 SRT4, but did have low interest rate financing. GM on the other hand, had 0% financing (with stipulations, front the cost for tax and any deficit on your trade), or bank financing with GM $4000.00 (CANADIAN DOLLARS) cash rebate. In the end, I got this SS for just over $23G's (CANADIAN DOLLARS) and paid tax only on the difference between my trade and this car. For an extra $15.00 per payment (CANADIAN DOLLARS), I got a 7 year 60k km warranty. I figured, might as well, because it's cheap insurance, and it is a bumper to bumper warranty for 7 years.

Here's a couple of pics from this evening, as it stood outside the dealer showroom. As it stands, it's one of the only white Cobalt SS 4 doors in our province. (Was the only one listed in GM's Inventory)









And here are a couple pics of the other cars, Dodge SRT4 and Ford Contour SVT.

svt contour is amazing

I drove 2 door ss turbo , nice car but didn't give me that wow factor. Congrats though!

EDIT: i wanna know how much whp(and wheel spin ;) ) you're putting down with 30psi on srt-4?



ps: your contour and neon seem to have the same "style"

yeah I've seen you around in the contour, it's a nice car.

All nice.

Love the contour.

I ahe to agree with the majority, the Contour is sex on wheels. Very nice!!!

lol, no s*** its been a awhile! you were the 1st shop I did business with for focus parts! haha

NikiterZTS,Jan 26 2009, 04:17 AM Wrote:I drove 2 door ss turbo , nice car but didn't give me that wow factor.  Congrats though!

EDIT: i wanna know how much whp(and wheel spin ;) ) you're putting down with 30psi on srt-4?



ps: your contour and neon seem to have the same "style"
[right][snapback]280159[/snapback][/right]

The SRT4 is only running 23psig, but with a bigger turbo, around 400whp. It's got lots of wheel spin, so I'm looking to install a traction control system developed by a place in the USA.

Yes, the theme is similar on the SRT4 and SVT. It all started with the SVT, the SRT4 followed there after. :)

Just think, 3 domestic brands, all with some form of forced induction. :rolleyes:

The Contour SVT is a blast to ride in but either I'm getting too old or the ride is way too stiff 'cause I rode in one and man after three laps at Mosport I was ready to... :puke:

NefCanuck

If I'm a passenger going around the track, doesnt matter how cushy the suspension is, I will still feel sick after...

cawong11,Jan 26 2009, 11:57 AM Wrote:

NikiterZTS,Jan 26 2009, 04:17 AM Wrote:I drove 2 door ss turbo , nice car but didn't give me that wow factor.  Congrats though!

EDIT: i wanna know how much whp(and wheel spin ;) ) you're putting down with 30psi on srt-4?



ps: your contour and neon seem to have the same "style"
[right][snapback]280159[/snapback][/right]

Just think, 3 domestic brands, all with some form of forced induction. :rolleyes:
[right][snapback]280191[/snapback][/right]

yes, its nuts!

I think I've seen the Contour a couple of years ago. If it wasn't you it was another silver SVT with a carbon hood like yours. He was trying to race me on dufferin Street. I stretched one gear and didn't see him anymore.

NefCanuck,Jan 26 2009, 02:25 PM Wrote:The Contour SVT is a blast to ride in but either I'm getting too old or the ride is way too stiff 'cause I rode in one and man after three laps at Mosport I was ready to... :puke:

NefCanuck
[right][snapback]280201[/snapback][/right]

I wonder if that was anyone that I know? Contour SVT owner?

cawong11,Jan 27 2009, 11:01 AM Wrote:

NefCanuck,Jan 26 2009, 02:25 PM Wrote:The Contour SVT is a blast to ride in but either I'm getting too old or the ride is way too stiff 'cause I rode in one and man after three laps at Mosport I was ready to... :puke:

NefCanuck
[right][snapback]280201[/snapback][/right]

I wonder if that was anyone that I know? Contour SVT owner?
[right][snapback]280246[/snapback][/right]

It was one of the instructors cars, a grey Contour that went like stink, full roll cage, the works (The five point belt was a hilarious bit of trial & error getting that thing to cinch in :ph34r: )

NefCanuck

Great cars buddy, on the Coblat if your alarm keeps going off and on like crazy replace the hood latch, and the brakes will eat up fast. Also because of the suspension in ithe SS the turning circle is doubled compared to the normal coblats. Have fun I'd like to see the finished version of it.

Scorcher000,Jan 27 2009, 11:43 AM Wrote:Great cars buddy, on the Coblat if your alarm keeps going off and on like crazy replace the hood latch, and the brakes will eat up fast. Also because of the suspension in ithe SS the turning circle is doubled compared to the normal coblats. Have fun I'd like to see the finished version of it.
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Thanks for the tips. The front brakes are Brembos. I heard the previous brake set up ate the brake pads. I also read up on the turning circle, but heck, my SRT4 is worse, so the SS will be a treat in comparison.

Looks like I'll be modding this car ass backwards to my typical routine. Normally, I'd do the performance stuff first, but since it's still winter, I decided to add a couple of aesthetic mods to start. No biggies yet, but more are coming, such as the addition of the SS coupe rear extension (lip).

Some pics.

An armrest, can you believe it, it's not even an option but can be bought as a kit from your local GM dealer.


GM Accessories all weather floor mats (Yeh, I know, tacky. :P )


An interior dome light, Cobalts with sunroofs only come with lights in the bottom of the rear view mirror, absolutely useless for rear passengers. A dome light from a non sunroof Cobalt, can be modified (housing), wired, and installed with Cobalts with sunroofs.

Had some nice weather on the weekend, so while I was power washing the driveway, I had a chance to take some full vehicle pics.







Also installed some Cobalt Sill plates too.





And this will be going in soon. :crazy:

Indash GPS, nice :) I'm leaning towards installing a carpc w/ gps instead. But thats just because i'm a cheap bastard.

btw: does CTA still do focus parts?

hey you didn't say anything about the new spoiler! ;)