Since you brought up the MS3 trying to make the Camaro look not impressive, now I can make the MS3 look unimpressive:
2008 Cobalt SS, base price $23k (same base price as the MS3 apparently):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.4 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 24.6 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 102 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 146 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 162 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.92 g
MS3:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 sec (see why 0-60 tells you NOTHING?)
Zero to 100 mph: 14.8 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec (this is probably more relevant the way people drive - flat foot it at 5 mph and see what happens)
Standing ¼-mile: 14.4 sec @ 99 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g
The performance is better in every measurable way. Including the track (3 seconds faster around VIR than the 2007 MS3):
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/li ... -ss-page-2
3 seconds is a lot. The following cars are faster than the 2007 MS3 and slower than the Cobalt SS's time (based on all Lightning Laps):
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
3:13.0
2012 BMW 335i Sport Line
3:13.2
2010 Ford Mustang GT
3:13.3
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
3:13.3
2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport
3:13.4
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
3:13.5
2008 BMW 135i
3:13.7
2012 BMW 335is
3:13.8
2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan
3:13.8
2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-spec
3:13.8
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-spec
3:13.9
2012 Volkswagen Golf R
3:14.0
2008 Lexus IS F
3:14.0
2015 Volkswagen GTI
3:14.6
2008 Audi S5
3:14.6
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8
3:14.8
2008 Honda S2000 CR
3:15.0
2015 Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop
3:15.4
2015 Subaru WRX
3:15.5
2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
3:15.6
2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP (same engine as the Cobalt SS turbo, 100 lbs lighter and RWD)
3:15.7
2007 Mazdaspeed 3
3:16.0
2010 Mazdaspeed 3
3:16.2
Also it is almost 200 lbs heavier than the Cobalt and gets worse MPG according to C/D.
The point is, you could get better performance than the MS3 for the same money. Notice we are not talking about styling or interior here.
Side note: cars like the 2001 Corvette Z06, 2004 CTS-V, 2005 GTO, the 2008 Cobalt SS, the 2009 CTS-V, the 2006 C6 Z06, and the 2009 ZR1 are why I kind of shudder when you hold up the 2010 Camaro SS (which wasn't even that good) as the first signs of life in GM performance in decades. They were working on it the whole time - you just didn't notice.