NOMINATIONS FOR TTAC's TEN BEST ARE NOW CLOSED
I recently wrote a “where are they now” update for the winners of TTAC’s first annual Ten Worst Automobiles awards. Commentators Cellman and Drew shook their metaphorical heads at our negativity and challenged us to look at the other end of the spectrum. And so TTAC’s Ten Best Automobiles awards were born. Yes, yes; all the buff books and big sites do it. But TTAC readers are more discerning, our selection process more democratic and our timing… enigmatic. So read the rules below and then tell us which vehicles you consider worthy of a TTAC Ten Best.
Guidelines
A Ten Best-worthy vehicle is a special beast. The vehicle’s overall design and build quality (design, materials or ergonomics) may inspire your nomination. Or technological innovation (fuel efficiency, aerodynamics or electronics) could float your boat. Safety (e-nannies, structural integrity or technological innovations) may play a role. And raw performance (gut-punching acceleration, neck straining cornering or eye-popping braking) is always a fave.
Of course, any of these factors can produce a good car. But truly great cars– the automotive equivalent of a tea bag [loosely] packed with Darjeeling White– are an irresistible combination of all these characteristics, along with a huge noseful of that addictive aroma we call the X-factor. Those are the vehicles we’re looking for.
In short, nominate the cars, pickups, SUVs, CUVs and/or minivans that you consider the best of the best; vehicles that are so good you can’t help but wonder why their cohorts aren’t built with the same passion, care and precision. Oh, and we'd really appreciate it if you stick to the rules.
2007 Ten Best Automobiles Award
Rules of Engagement
1. To qualify for a Ten Best, a vehicle must have been offered for sale as a new vehicle in the U.S. between May 7, 2006 and May 7, 2007. Otherwise, nominations may be made regardless of the automobile’s price, market segment, country of origin, production/sales numbers, domestic content or average buyer’s average IQ.
2. TTAC will only accept Ten Best nominations that list at least one reason why a given vehicle qualifies for an award. (Nominations bereft of justification will be deleted with extreme prejudice.) The more poetic your justification, the greater the chances your candidate will make it to the final selection process. (That’s our story and we’re sticking with it.)
3. “Me too” and “yeah, like he said” nominations will also disappear. Even if you share a previous nominator’s rationale for a given nomination, practice your anti-plagiarism skills with paraphrasing, thesaurus-based word substitutions and drug-induced creativity.
4. If you disagree with a particular nomination, feel free to offer an opposing view. However, TTAC’s posting policy is in full force. Anyone who flames (personally attacks) the website, its authors or fellow commentators will have their comment deleted and face a permanent posting ban.
5. Once nominations are closed, TTAC’s writing staff will hold a secret ballot to select 20 vehicles from the nominees. They will base their vote on the number of nominations received, the eloquence of their champions and their personal opinions of the vehicles in question.
6. We will then submit these 20 finalists to you, our esteemed readers. You may vote (via an electronic poll) for the ten vehicles on the list which you deem worthy of a Ten Best. Anyone who votes more than once will be permanently banned from commenting on TTAC, and don’t try any of that new account, different IP stuff with us, Mister.
7. Nominations begin today. We will publish the 20 finalists for voting on or around May 21. The winners will be announced on or around the first week in June. Winning manufacturers will find out when they read the results on TTAC.
And there you have it. Post your nominations with the required justification(s) below. Meanwhile, thank you for your support and enthusiasm. It wouldn’t be half as much fun without you.
NOMINATIONS FOR TTAC's TEN BEST ARE NOW CLOSED
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On behalf of the Mazda community, I would like to nominate the Mazda MX-5 for it’s amazing poise, thrilling agility, and for proving that adding safety and technology ought not come at the cost of additional heft.
A true driver’s car.
I nominate the Mazda MX5-Miata for its ability to produce driver gratification through balance, rear wheel drive handling dynamics and exceptional reliability. Icing on the cake is its value: even with a folding hardtop the MX-5 is an option for a majority of new car buyers.
Honda Fit: for bringing a degree of refinement to a class of vehicles hitherto known for being ‘cheap’.
Corvette Z06: staggering performance at a ‘relatively bargain price.
Hyundai Tiburon: for being to Korea what the 240 was to Japan. The second iteration is stylish and offers decent performance at a reasonably price.
Honda Accord: Dull, but a perfect car for those pragmatic soles who want a family car with a great balance of features, that doesn’t look as objectionable as the Camry.
Bentley Continental GT: Brings Bentley into the from the “billionaire’ to the ‘millionaire’ segment with great looks and remarkable performance.
Lotus Elise: For reprising what Lotus used to be about….Lithe vehicles that succeeded by being lightweight and relatively simple. And reminding everyone that performance does not necessarily require an immense engine.
I nominate the Lincoln Town Car for its level of comfort, reasonable price, reliability, longevity of its drive train (limo companies have recorded 200-300,000 miles without major maintenance)and its design as a modern interpretation of the classic touring sedan.
I nominate the VW GTI.
Not only does it’s 2.0 liter turbocharged engine puts out 200 hp and 207 ft lbs of torque(no mean feat itself), it manages to almost completely eliminate the dreaded ‘turbo-lag’.
Not to mention it’s optional DSG transmission which actually gets faster acceleration times AND better fuel economy than a manual.
Or it’s really-dang-gum-nice interior, or the versatility of a hatchback…
…or the great handling that it’s suspension allows.
Just about the only potential downside is VW’s reliability. But then, the GTI isn’t made in Brazel anymore, it’s made in Germany. So we might actually a noticeable difference, now.
I nominate the Porsche 911. It handels great, it’s comfortable, it has excellent build quality, it sounds awesome, classic looks, street appeal, etc…
I nominate the following cars, mostly because I really want them, but also:
Mazdaspeed 3 – Because it is hoontastic, practical, has good style inside and out, is cheap, and has better reliability than VW.
BMW 335i – Even though the 3 series keeps getting heavier and laden with unecessary electronic gizmos it still handles great, has style and luxury, and keeps the ideal smooth torquey inline 6. Twin turbos are just gravy.
Porsche Boxter S – Because it usurped the best handling car at any price crown from my current ride, is plenty fast, is styled less like a chick car now, and is reasonable to drive on and off the track.
WRX Sport Wagon–
The cheap power potential of ECU flashing, the versatility of a hatchback, the totally capable out-of-the-box handling, the perfectly adequate off-the-lot power, the (false sense of) security of all wheel drive, and relatively low price make it a contender.
I nominate the Audi A3. While being a badge-engineered clone of the GTi, it justifies its higher price by offering a nicer interior, exterior (hatchbacks have never looked to glacially hot, a bit like a German supermodel). It has the great 2.0t, DSG, as well as hatchback practicality. Most of all, it begs the question: why would anyone buy an A4 instead of “me”?
Mazdaspeed3 is of course a worthy contender as well, looking a bit like the cute geek who started taking steroids and can now take on the School’s Star athlete (and possibly win).
Porsche Cayman: great looks, and within microseconds of true exotic
BMW 335i: turbos have come a long way baby, and if they are finally good enough for the Bavarians, they are good enough for the rest of us.
Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia: the first crossover with a third row that is actually useful. Makes the entire class of large SUVs superfluous for anyone who doesn’t tow more than 2 tons often.
Ford Fusion: the first mainstream vehicle in a long time from the Blue Oval that is actually competitive. Important only because it might just get Ford to start believing in itself (or, at least believing in Mazda).
Jeep Wrangler: sales success shows that Americans still value a true original.
Lotus Elise: because its mere presence in the marketplace reminds us of what a car can be.
Prius: I hate the drivers and their fuel-sipping ways, but you have to respect Toyota’s marketing prowess. And also their courage in bringing the Prius to market.
Mercedes D300: I forgot what Mercedes calls the new E-class Bluetec, but if enough Americans sit in traffic behind one, this country may get converted to smokers.
Honda Fit: small cars are back, and Honda makes the best.
On behalf of the Mazda community, I would also like to nominate the Mazda3 for it’s handling, reliability and good value. An excellent driver’s car.
BMW 335i coupe: The new 3 coupe deserves a nomination for being the first new BMW to feature coherent styling this side of the new millennium. The twin-turbo power-all-the-time motor is just the icing on the cake.
Volvo XC90 V8 Sport: Volvo’s ‘ute was already best-of-breed, with versatility typical of the marque and untypical of the class, combined with luxury that makes the RX look like a Toyota. From all accounts, the Sport version perfects this car. Besides, who can argue with the awesome R gauges?
Maserati Quattroporte Automatica: I’ve got yer X-factor right here.
Acura TSX: On this one I’m no doubt biased due to the fact that I own one, but then again, if I chose well, shouldn’t it be one of the best? Of course it is. Acura engine, Honda handling, and Audi-rivaling interior quality make for a very well-conceived car.
Honda Fit Sport: Best Hundred Horsepower Ever.
I nominate the Mazda RX-8, based on value for performance and style.
In addition to its amazing handling prowess it has a suprising amount of practicality for a sports coupe, thanks to the nifty hidden suicide doors.
I was actually able to keep mine after becoming a parent – which would not have been the case with most other cars in that segment (350Z etc)
The Impala just the plain jane version.
You have a well made inexpensive everyday car that does a lot.It will move 4 adults,and thier stuff golfbags,lap tops,suit cases etc.
Perfect for the guy/family/single/whatever that can’t stomach a mini van,and that takes in a big crowd.
I’m not in love with fwd,but give me a foot of snow and fwd and its hard to beat.
This baby is cheap to buy/lease,run{27+mpg}insure and repair,and comes with a sweet warranty to.
Its not hard to see why its GMs top selling car.And its my nomination.
I stand tall, with unabashed pride for the Big Rig: Toyota Sequoia. In this time of “heshouldbeashamedfordrivingthat” I make no apologies, because there are none needed. The Sequoia is, quite simply: rugged, dependable, comfortable. And spacious.
For those of you who secretly covet the “pack mules with lipstick” that pass for Clydesdales, allow me to let you in on a little secret: Get behind the wheel of a Sequoia; take it somewhere, anywhere. At some point, you’ll glance in the rear-view, and realize the face looking back at you has an ear-to-ear grin.
Regarding Honda Fit from wikipedia:
“Honda originally intended to name the car Fitta, but did not take a liking to the word’s meaning in some languages – in Swedish and Norwegian, “fitta” or “fitte” is a rather crude slang term for female genitalia – resulting in a last-minute change.”
I nominate the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan. It’s a great new car, with a wonderful (finally) interior. It looks great, handles like its German counterparts, costs $8000 less than its German counterparts, and can haul four adults comfortably. The Bose studio on wheels ain’t too bad either.
My favorite part of the car – 3.5L VQ series engine.
I second the Prius, for its many technological innovations, fuel economy, and scant emissions. The highlight is its 2nd generation hybrid powertrain with Atkinson cycle engine & epicyclic gear CVT, efficiency with a clever combination and transmission which can send energy to the wheels or back to the battery.
Although I have never driven this car, as my income is about a factor of 3 too low just to earn a test drive, Loverman’s beautiful essay on the Audi RS4 made me believe that this is really the only new car I want. I’m actually going to add the Avant version to the list, even thought it’s not available in the US, because I think that would be the most. awesome. family. car. evar. Imagine picking the kids up at soccer practice and then carving turns in the canyon at 100MPH.
I’d like to nominate the Ford Crown Victoria (but not the Grand Marquis – it’s suspension is too soft, and how many GM’s have you seen with lightbars on the roof.) The Crown Vic is, I would say, the quintessential American highway cruiser (even though it’s made in Canada [and ensures a family member stays employed.]) It is also the most easily and quickly recognized car on the road today – the first thing everyone thinks when they see one of these land yachts is “COP!” How many other cars can claim that instant recognization? In fact, Ford has over 80% of the police car market with the Crown Vic.
Sure, it’s an old platform, but there’s a reason it’s still around – it sells. Rear wheel drive, V8, rock solid reliability, and reasonably cheap – a base model can be had for under $30,000, which, again, can’t be said for many leser cars. Also, it’s wickedly comfortable (the front bench seats are like a big comfy couch) and it gets pretty decent gas mileage (I got about 27 mpg on a long highway trip, with cruise AND the A/C on), not to mention that the A/C in the Vic is freaking awesome. It’s also got more trunk space than pretty much any other vehicle available.
Fire concerns? What fire concerns? The misconception that Crown Vics burn easily is just that, a misconception. Every Crown Vic fire has happened when the car was stationary, and was rear ended by another vehicle going over 75mph, often times over 90mph – try even surviving a crash like that in any other car. The Vic is also tested in rear end collisions up to 75mph – again, a safety test that no other vehicle undergoes. Plus, with it’s body on frame construction, it is quite safe.
So in summary:quintessential cruiser, popular police car, RWD, V8, reliable, affordable, comfy, relatively economic, great A/C, trunk space, safe. What better choice for the TBAG than the Crown Vic?
Hyundai Sonata: Middle-of-the-road, but it’s the “foot in the door” that Hyundai needed. In 10 years, we’ll wonder how Toyota slipped, why Honda is still so bland, and how the Koreans snuck up on us to offer the best values in the business.
Mazda Miata, absolutely.
VW GTI/GLI, absolutely.
Ford Fusion (I-4): Bringing reasonably priced, fun driving back to a pseudo-US-made car.
BMW 5-series (530xi?): My perennial favorite, Bangle notwithstanding. Touring wagon is the best of the bunch, IMO.
I have 2 nominees. First, the Bugatti Veyron. Whats not to love? 1000 horsepower and a 253mph top speed should give every car guy a woody. Too bad we have artifically low speed limits here. Second, the Porsche 911. A timeless classic that seems to keep getting better with age. The bonus is acting like a Doctor on the way to an emergency to try and get out of a ticket.
Honda Civic
1)Significant market footprint
2)Economical as usual
3)Striking new design that is 5 years ahead
Jeep Wrangler and Lotus Elise – Because they demonstrate that when a car company stays true to its roots success will follow.
Volvo V70R – One of the best grocery-getters in the US with any hoon potential at all. Yeah, there is the WRX wagon (nominated above), but for those not in love with the Subie’s looks there are no options other than the V70R. Plus, this is how all Volvo interiors should look and feel.
Re: the Cayman nomination above – I agree that the car is great and worthy, but I decry its nomination because Porsche de-engineered it to slot below the 911 so as to not cannibalize any sales. It always hurts to see a car with such great potential be withheld merely because it might actually be better than it’s older (and more profitable) brother.
Clarkson digs aside, it has to be the only great car made by GM USA- the Chevy Corvette. Yeah, the interior is still horrid but who cares. It is a wonderful automobile and really does take on the Porsche 911 (well except for the aforementioned horrid interior).
And it’ll never even get on the list but I vote for the new Holden V8 Statesman. Spent a long weekend with one a week ago. Brute force ‘Vette engine in a fantastic looking shell. Amazing driving dynamics and so much better than any of the American cars in the same league (big Caddies, Lincoln, etc). The interior suffers from GM’s underwhelming decorating skills. I loved driving it though. 5 big people and a ton of boot space. The backseaters literally snoozed through 190K. Upfront I loved the comfy seats, and tossing this big-ass car into the bends was FUN. Even the flappy paddle (err well flappy stick) auto is great. Why can’t GM US build this car?
I am really really thinking hard about a HSV Grange. Yeah it’s not a BMW M5 but hey, I could buy a couple of HSV Grange’s for the price.
Maserati Quattroporte – If I’ll making triple figures anytime soon, I’ll get one. The only color it looks good in is black, but there’s no car sexier, meaner, and more refined than a black Quattroporte. Unless you have a driver, this is the best luxury sedan out there.
Honda Accord – I hate Honda with all my guts, so this says a lot. In a value market, it just doesn’t get any better than this. Accord is the new Camry.
Subaru Legacy GT – Sure, it’s down on horsepower a bit, and you can’t get a base model anymore, BUT! This is still a grown-up Impreza. Not to forget that this is the first Subaru to look… Decent.
I nominate the Infiniti G35 sedan.
The update improves upon that which was lacking before with a more refined exterior and sigificantly improved interior. BMW level performance is there at a BMW beating price with reliabiliy and true cost of ownership BMW drivers can only dream of.
I also second the nomination of the Honda Civic, which condinues to prove that small need not be dull. The Civic continues to set the standard in small cars and when compared to the Cobalt, Focus and Caliber truly shows what’s wrong with Detroit. Honda has a special attitude towards developing unique, technologically advanced products and it all starts with the Civic before expanding to incldue the Accord, Fit, Odyessey, Pilot and Ridgeline.
Speaking of the Odyessey, after looking at the quality and packaging efficency of one of these things, its easy to see why rental lots are full of DCX vans. The Odyessey is a high quality refined package that should be at the top of anyone’s shopping list looking to maximize passenger and cargo ability. I always said that I’d avoid a minivan because of poor gas mileage (not to mention the social stigma), but the Odyessey’s with cylinder shut off get gas mileage equal to or better than most mid-size V-6 sedans.
Porsche Boxster – Buy it in S trim with adjustable suspension and 19″ wheels, or cheap your way into a base model with 17″ rolling stock and an ol’ fashioned 5-spd transmission. No other car has mastered the roadster like the Porsche Boxster has.
Single-handedly bringing Porsche back to the masses, and inspiring a new wave of neophytes into realizing that you can have trunk space in the front.
The Boxster has a base price that is not out of reach for most middle-aged men and women who are 1/4th a kid away from a mid-life crisis.
Now, alot of cars offer world-class handling at the 30-60k mark nowadays. So I won’t espouse on the nimbleness of one of the few mid-engined cars around. The way it can perfectly pivot around any corner, sweeper, s-turn, or just your average u-turn…all while making the driver look like a freaking pro. And making it look easy.
No, what makes the Porsche Boxster so fantastic is that it’s a 2-seat roadster for the masses. This car can now fit 2 pieces of hard luggage and 3 soft duffel bags into it’s cavernous front and rear trunks. Or, if you prefer the mafia measurement, you can fit one and a half bodies in the front, and one more skinny pisano in the rear. What other roadster even comes close to that?
It offers real comfort inside. With supportive seats, secondary ride characteristics similar to a Honda Civic, and a top that can retract in less than 20 seconds.
But, the topper to all this goodness, the current 2.7 liter engine. 6 glorious opposing cylinders boxing each other to 240 screaming HP. Don’t know what a Porsche sounds like? Go listen to the Boxster pull away from you. The BASE boxster. If he could hear, Beethoven could learn a thing from this car’s noises.
But wait, there’s more. Albeit less. The 2.7 liter (240 hp mind you) gets 32 mpg on the highway and 23 in the city.
This car does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed around 160mph…and can get over 30mpg on the highway. And can stop in less than 120 feet. Repeatedly. And can offer you over .9 g’s of skidpad goodness, on 17″ wheels…and can slalom, and can outhandle almost every car on the road.
In it’s BASE model.
But let’s face it. As a TTAC reviewer who shall go nameless said, “…Boxster still appears as if someone is bent over and spreading ‘em. If you think this is a coincidence, you haven’t watched enough German porn. ”
The Boxster is one of the most gorgeous cars on the road. Tight and taut in rear. Curvaceous and flowing in the front. And, let’s not forget, it’s more than happy to take it’s top off.
I nominate the Porsche Boxster as a 2007 TBAG.
After test driving both, the Mazdaspeed 3 is the better car on the track, but the GTI is the better car for all-around daily (real world) driving.
I therefore nominate both cars – but remember – the GTI is "THE ORIGINAL" pocket rocket since its inception in 1976. The Mazdaspeed 3 was built as a response to the GTI along with the Civic Si(s) of the world.
If you've read the comparison tests from Road and Track, Car and Driver, etc. – they came to the same conclusion – If you want a blazingly fast, sharp handling car, choose the Mazdaspeed 3.
If you want a fast, good handling, well-balanced car that's also suitable for daily driving, choose the GTI.
Here’s one of my faves – Solstice GXP. Yeah, I know, there’s the top issue, the lack of luggage space, the lack of handling delicacy at the limit, etc. But this thing is an out of the park styling home run, and with it’s big torque, it provides American style scoot, with a world class hi-tech engine. It can outrun some pricier rivals around the race track. There are few finer rides for just cruisin’.
Also, I will second the nominations for the Wrangler (topnotch offroading at an affordable price, Outlook/Acadia (I have an Acadia, it’s an extremely well-done piece), the MX-5 (staying true to the light and tossable roadster ethic), and the Corvette (a perrenial personal fave).
I would like to nominate the MINI Cooper as an example of a car that is more fun than sex – well at least driving it is fun that lasts a lot longer
Mazda MX-5 hardtop convertible:
Mazda did the British roadster better than the BRits in 1989 and are still the leader of the pack. Poised, balanced, lithe, etc. But special consideration must be given to Mazda for creating the smartest hardtop convertible package available. Same cargo space and only 70 or so pounds heavier than the rag top? I just can’t wait for the Mazdaspeed version…
Hyundai Sonata:
The Sonata is easily the equivalent of the Camry or Accord, if just slightly less refined. But how can we deny the thousands of dollars difference in price for a car that matches those perrenial favorites regardless of the criterion being judged?
Corvette Z06:
What can be said has been said. YAH-freakin’-HOO!!
Porsche Cayman:
Easily the most beautiful sports car since the Ferrari Dino. And it has the chops to take on the 911, if only Porsche would give it a little more power…
Ford Edge:
The most surprisingly (and consistently) good American vehicle I’ve seen in years. Stylish, practical, well-built, and affordable.
i’d nominate the Mini for fun and charcter, and the Aston Martin DB9 (close between that and the Vanquish, hard to make my mind up) for pure beauty and aspirational reasons.
“I would like to nominate the MINI Cooper as an example of a car that is more fun than sex – well at least driving it is fun that lasts a lot longer”
Huge Billboard Ad for Mini seen in Montreal the other day:
“Like an orgasm, only faster”
God, I miss Canada….
Mazdaspeed 3 : After taking one of these for a test drive at a local dealer, I must say this car is the most fun to drive in this price range. It has everything you would not expect from a Mazda hatchback, great performance power wise, and amazing handling. Overall a very fun ride, and blew me away with how unexpected it all was.
Audi RS-4 : After reading Jonny Lieberman’s review, I fell in love with this car. Any time a reviewer uses a sentence like, “…you will swear you are piloting violence” and “Forget violence, you are now driving war.” you have to give a heads up. For sheer brutality in driving experience I think the RS-4 needs to be recognised.
Many of my favourites are already here. Let me add some more unconventional ones.
Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona twins: For a long time, the cheap minivan world has been dominated by the iconic Dodge Caravan. These Koreans are worthy competitors, coming chock-full of things that minivan lovers really care about: A comfortable cabin, copious amounts of airbags, practical 2nd and 3rd rows and pretty decent fit and finish. It’s hard to be passionate about minivans, but this one almost deserves it.
Lexus ES350: If the Toyota Camry is the new Ford Taurus, the ES350 is the new Lincoln. Featuring an interior quiet enough to hear a mime’s thoughts and comfortable enough to lull you to sleep, an incredibly absorbant ride, rock solid reliability accompanied by great Lexus service, this car can’t be beat in its segment. For all the 40+ dads out there who aren’t interested in sportiness, the ES350 is a great car.
The Ford Mustang: Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re going to say. It’s got a big, thirsty engine. It’s got a live rear axle. It’s got a crummy interior.
It’s still the only pony car you can buy today.
The Mustang is the sole survivor of the muscle era, and thanks to it, many kids have discovered and are discovering all the joy of a RWD car: Burnouts, donuts, drag racing and power slides. In this age of FWD hot hatches, the Mustang is a shining beacon of nostalgia that provides a refuge for a lot of car guys. Where else can you get a cheaper RWD car?
People think this car is a track car, like an Elise. It isn’t. It’s a highway cruiser, built to go down Route 66 while burbling in approval whenever the throttle is depressed.
The fact is, the budget adjustments have made the car accessible and cheap, which was in line with its original mission.
The live rear axle makes it cheap, easy to customize and is more suited for drag strip applications, without harming the highway ride. It also handles the torque from the engine better. The V6 engine brings the sticker and the cost of ownership way down. And so on..
The Mustang remains the best accessible version of old-school, RWD americana, that can be serviced at a dealer and for which you don’t need to order parts from a junkyard or a magazine.
For me, this car is right up there with a Wrangler or an Elise for being focused on its purpose.
I’ll throw in for the Infiniti G35.
The first one is still one of the best looking things on wheels, but the new one deserves it’s own set of accolades, for proving that you don’t have to chase the 3-series in order to beat it. Sure, the BMW may still be the better driver, but the G35 provides one hell of an experience, for several grand less, and with none of the downsides traditionally associated with the old class leader.
A great vehicle is neither more nor less than exactly what it needs to be. By that measure, the new Jeep Wrangler is a damn good vehicle. The new Wrangler distills 60 years of tradition into unheard-of off-road skills, and better on-road manners than anyone could reasonably expect. In fact, I think I’ve just talked myself into taking my ten-year-old Wrangler TJ down to the dealer for a little trade-in action.
Oh, and the Nissan 350Z is the best pure sports car you can get for under $30k. Certainly it deserves at least a TBAG mention.
I’ll second some of the nominations:
Corvette/Corvette Z06: the regular vette offers so much performance for $45k, you’d need to spend more to modify a Z-car, Boxster, etc to make it come even close. And the Z06 is supercar performance for the price of a “regular” 911. Not perfect, but wow.
Accord: quite possibly the Renaissance Man of family sedans. It does it all with such attention to detail, and it has yet to be surpassed. Add the reliability, resale value, etc…
Town Car/Crown Vic/Marquis: even with its faults, the Panther is the last real American car on the road. The only way to kill them is to have a 70,000lb big rig whack them on the interstate (cop car fire reference). I’ve seen people walk out of a Lincoln Town Car that got broadsided by a freight train. And these things still get 20+mpg in mixed driving! Handling package makes them disturbingly fun too.
The simple fact that I always gravitate to these cars at the rental car lot says how much value and satisfaction they provide.
Porsche Cayman: haven’t driven it, but it sure puts down the numbers and impresses a lot of important people. Definitely a winner.
Mazdaspeed 3: The bang for the buck cannot be understated. Combined with a nice interior with SUV-like space, its a good choice.
Audi RS4: it seems to take the E39 M5 and raise it a notch. The interior is fantastic, there’s a real manual transmission, RWD-biased handling, thrilling engine…
Others I’d like to nominate:
Saturn Aura XR: I must applaud GM for almost hitting the nail on the head with this one. Its performance is fantastic, probably best in class. It’s just an Accord interior away from being a force in the family sedan market.
Ford F-150 (Lariat): I still think its the most well-rounded pickup out there, and plenty of people want a truck that does its job without punishing its owner. And its got a seriously nice interior and an overall design that blends well in urban or rural settings.
Mercedes E63: the attraction to this car is undeniable…crazy naturally aspirated horsepower, E-class refinement, insane handling, muscular stance…its got it all.
Ford GT: the American supercar with a thrilling engine, inspired design, fantastic handling and limited production.
Rolls Royce Phantom: its the gold standard for top-drawer luxury cars. The interior is old-world amazing, the styling is a great mix of old and new, and it simply impresses me more than the Maybach and Bentley when you’re in the back seat.
That’s all for now.
1) Economy Car: Honda Fit.
Proof that a fuel efficient car can be fun to drive, have a quality interior, and haul your stuff.
2) Low-Budget Sports Car: Mazda MX-5 Retractable Hardtop.
The best sports car value just got unbeatable with a retractable hardtop. Why Ford isn’t marketing the tar out of this car, I’ll never know.
3) Family Car: Honda Accord
Quite simply the finest all around automobile for the last 20+ years. Grace, Pace, and Space.
4) Minivan: Honda Odyssey
The benchmark that all other must aspire to. Great ergonomics, good handling, insanely high levels of fit and finish, and priced right.
5) Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Is it as refined as a 335i? No, but you can buy a G35 and put $10K in the bank for what a 335i costs you. A great bargain and an excellent vehicle.
6) Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class
Mercedes is finally back on its game. Funky styling, but it has become the standard by which all others are judged. It’s telling that Car and Driver tested an S600 vs. a Rolls Phantom and the Benz won.
7) High Dollar Sports Car: Aston Martin V-8 Vantage
The sexiest vehicle on the road today. Stunning looks, great performance, and Aston exclusivity.
8) Exotic Car: Ferrari 599 GTB
Enzo performance with real day to day comfort. A car whose performance envelope is so great that most mortals will never even come close. Will someday be mentioned with the 250 GTO and the 365 GTB4 Daytona as the greatest Ferrari coupes ever built.
Economy SUV: Honda CR-V. The best SUV for the money. Great packaging efficiency, great fuel economy, and Honda reliability and ergonomics.
Large SUV: Honda Pilot.
See above comment for CR-V. The same values, only larger.
Luxury SUV: Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
Look, if you’re going to drop big bucks on an SUV, go for insane levels of performance. Simply defies the laws of physics every time you drive it. Silly, wasteful, and thirsty. Also the greatest throw-down statement you can make in a truck. Sends the Sierra Club into seizures when you drive by. What more could you ask?
I’d like to throw my hat in the ring for the Wrangler Rubicon. Though I prefer the TJ’s to the new JK’s, the Jeep still lives up to (and in some cases surpasses) its legendary reputation. It and perhaps the Corvette are the most no-compromises performance vehicles in America and it stands out as being the only 4×4 SUV offered in America that offers two live axles (Mercedes G-class excluded). It’s built for off-road travel and unlike its limited competition; it frequently is used for off-road travel.
Lexus ES350: If the Toyota Camry is the new Ford Taurus, the ES350 is the new Lincoln. Featuring an interior quiet enough to hear a mime’s thoughts and comfortable enough to lull you to sleep, an incredibly absorbant ride, rock solid reliability accompanied by great Lexus service, this car can’t be beat in its segment. For all the 40+ dads out there who aren’t interested in sportiness, the ES350 is a great car.
Gotta disagree with that. After my negative review (there’s nothing quiet about it on the highway) and reading the same complaints from ES owners via email, clublexus.com and our own comments section, I couldn’t recommend this car to anyone.
For now, Lexus better work the bugs out of the ES.
Sajeev
Is it a pervasive thing for all ES350’s, or did Lexus uncharacteristically churn out a few turkeys?
All the one’s I’ve been in are a dream.
Admittedly, my entire list was based on personal experience.
Honda Accord – Great power, excellent handling, classic styling (even the old ones look good), top-notch interior design and ergonomics, and a top safety rating. This is the perfect “family car” but also a lot of fun.
Second nomination for me: The ubitquitous BMW 3-series, but this time…the 328, and not the 335.
First off: the 335 loses my vote because it came out without an oil cooler. This little deviation from turbocharged norm allowed the first 7 months of 335’s to reach oil temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Such an easy problem to avoid by a Motorwerkes company nullifies the 335 for me…
The 328: Not the fastest, nor the best handling, nor the most comfortable for the money. Nevertheless, the BMW combines an unbelievable compromise of every aspect a motorhead asks for into an amazing base price of around 32k. Cough up a few more greenbacks, and you’ve got the sport package to boot.
Liquid sewing machine action? Check. Sport seats with adjustable bolsters and thigh extensions? Check. 50-50 weight balance? Just ask yourself the first time you take a corner and neither end is tugging at the lease of over/under-steer. Pure neutral bliss.
RWD burnouts. Only a slip of the clutch away. Refined cruising pleasure. Just roll up the windows, shift early, and you become the perfect gentle(wo)man. Plus, you’ve got dual climate control to please the picky passenger.
Lets forget about how BMW will reach into your pockets and bleed you dry just to get you any options beyond the necessities for hardcore motoring. This is about the car.
If you’ve never driven a BMW 3-series, from the 1987 325is to todays’ 328i….do yourself an immediate favor and do it. Don’t sit in it; drive it. Sitting in this car is the bane of such nominations as these. All you notice is the spartan interior, small buttons, and hieroglyphics for which there is no rosetta stone.
Once you get past the too-complex start-up procedure, you are greeted by one of the greatest sounds in the wide world of cars. The inline six. It is man’s best friend. It’s never unhappy, always eager to please. Whether at idle, lugging in 4th gear at 1000 rpms, or making trips to redline. It just hums with a glorious sound.
The 6-spd in this car is pure bliss. Not because it has the shortest throw or the crispest motion. But because it’s perfectly harmonized with the engine and transmission. Simon says go from 5th gear to 2nd gear at 30mph without a rev match? No problem. The engine easily spins up to match it’s new ratio. The shifting action is fantastic, and the first time you step into the car the clutch feels like an old friend. Like you’ve put 100k miles on it but it’s only broken in, not worn at all. Like a well-oiled baseball glove, it gives you perfect feedback about what your extremity is doing to it, and how it is reacting.
And that sums up the 328. Like a 10 year old, well oiled baseball glove. Not too fancy, but every time you step into it it just fits. And delivers.
And that’s what you want in a TBAG, isn’t it?
Joe O.
Joe O:
As a question to other commenters and TTAC: Is it fair to nominate a car you’ve never driven?
I just did, although I really ought to take my brother’s 2nd gen Prius for a, ahem, spin one of these days.
Is it a pervasive thing for all ES350’s, or did Lexus uncharacteristically churn out a few turkeys?
Its one thing when I say it, but it seems to be a chronic problem with many people on the clublexus forums. One guy got the dealer to buy it back, got a newer one, it had the same problems.
Here’s one of the scary threads from that forum: clicky
Ironically enough, one local guy here traded in his ES to the Lincoln dealer for a new Town Car. That made me laugh.
I nominate the Ferrari F430 Spider. Does the nomination need any further justification?
The Wrangler 4 door; the only mass produced 4 door convertable available today. DCX sold over 10,000 wranglers last month, hopefully someone else will see the light.
The Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo. These cars/vans, are the future of family transport. They put the mini, back in minivan.
The Honda CRV. Just the right amount of comfort, power and utility to sell over 17,000 copies in April. It’s the small CUV to beat.
The 2006/7 Honda Civic EX coupe, 5-speed manual.
Class / price: Compact car, sell new for < $20K.
While some deride Honda for building boring cars (”appliances”), here we have a car with a fairly radical design. This design has also been called “whacko,” which leads me to believe that a car evoking such passion (love and hate) has something going for it.
No boring commuter appliance here: From its steeply-raked windshield (at 21.9 degrees, it’s steeper than the one on the Acura NSX super car), to the innovative speedometer (“poor man’s heads up display”), to the well-crafted–and truly ergonomic–interior, the Civic coupe offers a lot for the money, given its “economy-class” price point.
A few additional reasons why I nominate the 2006/07 Civic EX coupe:
- It offers a stiffer suspension than the sedan.
- It is a popular economy car, which is also fun to drive.
(Honda sells some 85K Civic coupes, per year.)
- Ultra low polluting (ULEV), from one of the “greenest” car companies on the planet.
- It gets truly outstanding MPG (averaging 31+ MPG—while using the iVTEC engine like it’s meant to be—with sweeps well up into the RPM range). So it’s economical.
- The Civic comes with Honda reliability, and fit and finish, which are world class.
- Safety devices include 8 airbags, active front head restraints, and ABS with EBD.
In EX trim, you get a sunroof, 350-Watt, 7-speaker stereo (with subwoofer and speed-sensitive volume), an outside temperature display, and an auxiliary audio input jack.
While low of torque, the 1.8L engine is (otherwise) an engineering triumph. Just as one would expect from a company named Honda Motor Company.
Few cars in this price class (< $20K), offer the build-quality, economy, fun, technology, resale value, reliability, and low enviornmental impact as the Honda Civic EX coupe.
FWIW: The 8th Generation Civic coupe (MT) has not been reviewed here at TTAC (only the 8th Gen Si coupe has, which is an entirely different beast).
My second nomination is the 2006/2007 Honda S2000:
Long, curvy front fenders, low-slung, sports car.
Rear-wheel drive fun, yet reasonably ecomomical.
A drop-top with a VTEC engine that loves to play.