We've taken a look at the and had a rollicking good time doing it, but who should buy such a car-shaped rocket ship?

You like the idea of hitting the drag strip and taking down cars costing twice as much. You want to be Paul Walker but you've got a pair of kids and a job and a wife and need a car that doesn't get whispered about at PTA meetings. Despite being a grown up, you hear the siren song of cheap drag racing and can't afford a money pit racer. You're a sixteen-year-old speed freak and able to fool your parents into thinking its just a boring old Cobalt.

Yesterday, we told you the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS was a walloping good time. But how does it stack up

You think cars with 82-way power seats, pop-up navigation systems and hand-stitched leathery bits are the last word in high-performance. Greasy bits like a high-tech turbocharged 2.0-liter direct injection four-cylinder, Brembo brakes and limited-slip differential hold no interest for you if the outside looks like a vanilla ice cream sundae. You need people to notice the car you pull up to the tanning salon in. Resale value is important to you. You're Congressman Richard Shelby and think every car built under a domestic nameplate isn't worth the shadow it casts.

Speed Merchants: Yes

Fashion Victims: No

Treehuggers: No

Mack Daddies: No

Tuner Crowd: Yes

Hairdressers: No

Penny Pinchers: Yes

Euro Snobs: No

Working Stiffs: Yes

Technogeeks: No

Poseurs: No

Soccer Moms: No

Nascar Dads: No

Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Very Serious Businessmen: No

Sheiklets: No

• Subaru WRX

• Volkswagen GLI

• Nissan Sentra SE-R

• Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

• Mazdaspeed3

• Ritalin

• Manufacturer: Chevrolet

• Model year: 2008

• Base Price: $22,995.

• Price as Tested: $24,840

• Engine type: 2.0-liter Turbo I4

• Horsepower: 260 HP @ 5300 rpm

• Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

• Transmission: 5 Speed Manual Transmission

• Curb Weight: 3,001 lbs

• LxWxH: 180.3" x 67.9" x 57.1"

• Wheelbase: 103.3"

• Tires: 225/40 R18

• 0 - 60 mph: 5.7 Seconds

• Top Speed: 160 MPH

• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 22/30 MPG

• NHTSA crash test rating: 4*/5*

•

•