By Frank Williams
August 5, 2008 -
Ten Best Nominations Are Now Closed
The truth hurts. But not always. Sometimes the truth about cars is the key to genuine insight and automotive ecstasy. This is one of those times, when TTAC's Best and Brightest select their annual Ten Best automobiles. In other words, this is your chance to help the wider world discover genuine automotive excellence, and reward those who produce it with a much-deserved hat tip. The name of this collective endeavor changes, but the rules remain the same: you nominate the cars, our writers narrow your selection to 20, then you get the final say on the Ten Best [more details below]. But before we get stuck in, here's a recap of last year's winners…
To refresh your memory, here are last year's winners and what we had to say about them.
10. Audi RS-4 - How about a 4.2-liter engine cranking out 420hp, all-wheel drive, precise steering, ohmigod brakes and a [nearasdammit] racing suspension? All we can say is: who's your Daddy?
9. Infiniti G35 - The smart-handling Infiniti G35 makes Lexus owners wonder what IS is, and forces 3-Series owners to check both their rear view mirrors and diminishing bank balances.
8. Acura TSX - Purposeful design, aggressive good looks, inspired handling and excellent build quality make the Acura TSX a heady yet elegant brew.
7. Porsche Cayman - If and when the Sultans of Stuttgart give their whipper-snapper more power, it will add "unassailably" to "best."
6. Mazda MX-5 - Whether you're a hard core enthusiast attacking an apex or a retiree enjoying a bit of drop top nostalgia, the still-svelte third gen Miata is the simplest, best handling, most fundamentally honest and joyful automobile made.
5. Subaru WRX / STI - The WRX is working class hero, while the STI is destined to end the decade as the benchmark for compact sports sedans.
4. Mazda Mazda3 / Mazdaspeed3 - The Mazda3 offers family-friendly fun to the financially fastidious F1 fantasist. The Mazdaspeed3 retains these virtues, kicks it up a notch, and eats the competition for lunch.
3. Porsche 911 - Whether it's maximum lateral G's or vanishing point-and-shoot, Porsche's "everyday" supercar offers terminal drivers terminal velocity.
2. Chevy Corvette / Z06 - The endlessly rejuvenated Corvette shows what American automakers can do when the beancounters take a back seat to engineering excellence.
1. BMW 3-Series - The completeness of the 3-Series' dynamic package- ride, handling and brakes- puts the Zen into zenith. In a world of reliable mediocrity, driving the 3-Series remains a peak experience.
Are these still the best things on four wheels? Or did 2008 bring new players into the arena? There's only one way to find out.
2008 TTAC Ten Best Rules of Engagement
1. To qualify, a vehicle must be offered for sale as a new vehicle in the U.S. between Jan 1, 2008 and now. Where it's built, where the company is headquartered, sales volume, price or neat swag from the manufacturer play no part in the selection process.
2. We'll only accept nominations that give at least one legitimate reason why a vehicle qualifies for the award. It helps if you've had some time behind the wheel and can pass along first-hand experience.
3. Nominations that don't include justification, just say "me too" or similarly indicate lack of mental prowess and it will simply disappear. Boom! Gone.
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 gather in a secret e-conclave to select 20 finalists from the nominees. The more eloquent the nomination, the better chance it has of surviving our (let's face it) subjective process.
6. We will submit these 20 finalists for your consideration. You may vote (via an electronic poll) for up to ten vehicles on the list which you deem worthy of a place TTAC's Ten Best. Don't get carried away, though. We're going to do everything we can to prevent voting improprieties. After all, this isn't Chicago!
7. Nominations begin now and run through midnight Saturday, August 9 (all times EDT). We will publish the 20 finalists for voting first thing on Wednesday, August 13. Voting will close midnight Saturday, August 16. The winners will be announced on Monday the 18th. These dates may slip a bit if our Managing Editor gets distracted by something shiny. Since they ignore our press releases, winning manufacturers will find out the same way everyone else does.
Post your nominations with the required justification(s) below. We couldn't/wouldn't do this without you. To quote that great philosopher Frank Bartles, we thank you for your support.
Ten Best Nominations Are Now Closed
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More Reviews
August 5th, 2008 at 9:01 am
The MX-5 deserves to stay on the list.
It is still a honest roadster that will always be a fun ride regardless of gas prices and market trends. As happy owner of a ‘06, I can tell you that it is a hoot to drive and is essentially guilt free. I just don’t get its rep as a “chick car”.
I’d drop the Acura TSX. The current model is a giant step back from the original. Everything got fatter and uglier, except the engine, the one thing needed improvement.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Mazda5. Its the right car for the right time. Compact outside, and roomy inside. All of the conviences of a minivan without the bulk and thrist. Great price and a great feel. The 2008 model gives us an extra speed in the automatic and replaces the ugly rear tails with..less ugly rear tails. Still available in base trim with a manual, too. Not a dashstroker’s dream, but durable inside. All this for under 24K MSRP. I’m biased, coz I bought one, but I can’t imagine any other car I looked at being any better than this, its just right for a new family.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I nominate the Honda Fit - what fortuitous timing. Plus (as opposed to the Aveo) it’s more than just a small engine, it’s a complete handling and versatility package that even this late in its product cycle continues to outshine the competition.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I would re-up last year’s panel, but subtracting the Acura TSX and adding the Nissan GT-R.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am
The Jaguar XF.
Looks like a sports car, convenience of a sedan, innovative gear box, beautiful interior, brilliant fit and finish, icy cool looks and quick as hell!
Not to mention, reliable, loaded with toys and proof positive that the UK car industry isn’t dead! ^_^
August 5th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Honda Civic- Millions of people agree, it’s frugal, feels more upscale than it’s peers, and I drove it at Willow Springs Raceway…get this, it’s fun too!
VW GTI- Hatchback versatility, decent mpg’s, upscale interior, and an absolute fantastic drive. I’ve driven back to back with 3-series and the brand spankin’ new ‘09 A4 (at an Audi event) and I’d still take my GTI, seriously. It delivers all you need to have a blast on back roads and interstate cruises for a mid 20k price.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I second the nomination for the Honda Fit.
I spent a morning test driving pretty much every small car in that price range, and the Fit quickly became the standard by which every other car was measured. It was so much better than everything else (I’m looking at you Yaris and Focus) that we started to wonder if the other manufacturers ever drove their competitor’s vehicles.
Clever interior packaging, nice looks, peppy engine, and a reasonably low price. Sign me up.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Mazda3: With 2 possible great (refined, not buzzy, torquey) engines mated to a slick manual transmission (can’t comment on the AT), great steering and ride characteristics, proper brakes, THE leading interior in its class and tons of small touches (ACC, Xenons, leather, etc) that cannot be found in the competition (I’m looking at you Civic/Rolla/Golf), the Mazda3 has created a new class of vehicles in the NA automotive landscape: the “premium but on a budget car”. And to top it all off, it still is the one to beat even after 4 years on the market.
Disclosure: I own a 2004 GS (2.0L, 5MT, w/sport package) delivered in July ‘04 that just passed the 80.000 kms (50.000 miles) mark last night. Besides regular oil changes and a rear brake job (rotors and pads) at 65.000kms - the longest I’ve ever been able to go on any car so far; the front ones have tons of kms left on them - I’ve had one CEL that required a 20 minute appointment to change a sensor. I get an average of 7.9 - 8.4 L/100kms depending on how I drive the car, although I must admit that the amount of smiles/miles is much higher :)
MazdaSpeed3: Clearly, I love the Mazda3, but an unpolished brute that suffers from torque steer is not fun to drive. Take it off the list! This is no better than the Caliber SRT4.
GTI: Class leader in the hot hatch segment. Great power train, superb interior where lots of clever touches abound. Those seats/that steering wheel! That engine! Oh that engine!
Mazda5: A minivan with a manual transmission that actually looks good. Four proper captain chairs, great price. Now if only the fuel econ could be a little improved. Does everyone really need an Odyssey for 1.5 kids?
August 5th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Ford Flex - it’s great and it ain’t gonna sell and that’s a shame.
Ford Focus - SHOCK! It’s quiet, it’s got Sync and it will return 31+ mpg on the cycle in the real world and costs thousands less than the competition. A better car than it’s given credit for.
Jeep Compass - OK this one is actually a joke.
Nissan GT-R - say what you will about gadgetry, this sub-$80,000 supercar is a game changer.
Prius - until there’s a reasonable competitor, the Prius should be on every top 10 not just because of what it represents, but because it is so well executed.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:40 am
First, the BMW 3-series has to stay: beyond the pure RWD performance and balance (no matter which engine or bodystyle option), it’s got great looks and is practical enough for every-day use. The 3 also stands apart because it has such a wide range of bodystyles and engine options to suit just about everyone, whether enthusiast or not.
I would also like to nominate the Mini Cooper S. Here is a great performance car for the era of $4+ fuel: Fun to drive, fast, thrifty, handles great, outstanding resale value, and the look is still unique after all these years.
One last nomination from me: The Mustang GT: it still feels like the best performance value on the market after all these years. Sure, it could use more refinement, but a tire-burning 300hp V8 powering the rear wheels in such a beautiful body for only about $27,000 before incentives is one hell of a deal!
August 5th, 2008 at 9:42 am
A RWD chassis lifted off the 350Z? A beefy 6 cylinder engine turning out 86 hp per liter? The availability of manual 6-speed transmission and a limited slip differential? Standard equipment the Germans make you pay dearly for? For 32,000 USD?
Yes please.
I vote to keep the G35 on the list. Having spent the last 2.5 years driving a 06 Sedan, I would say it’s a great deal. The interior isn’t the greatest, the badge doesn’t have the snob appeal, and the styling is very restrained-Japanese but it can be driven in complete anger (well) or be as smooth and quiet as a baby’s bottom(?). And the list of affordable RWD (or well tuned AWD) cars under 3500 lbs (that are reliable) with a decent chassis, dynamic engine, and the availability of a manual transmission is getting shorter every year…
August 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am
#1 - Honda FIT, for excellence in practicality, efficiency, handling and reliability. The perfect small runabout. This is the benchmark for what a small hatchback should be. (test driven the 08, and plan to buy either the 08 or 09)
#2 - Honda Civic, for excellence efficiency and reliability in a small / mid-size sedan. Another benchmark for small sedans. (I’m on Civic number 2, #1 went 12 years and 200Kmi without a single repair other than brake pads and a muffler. )
#3 - Ford Mustang GT. Fun to drive, great retro styling of us late boomers, and still livable road manners. (Spent a lot of time, and burnt a heck of a lot rubber, in my cousin’s Rouch)
August 5th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I’ll nominate the (base) Corvette. There is no other car close to its price that can even come close to matching its all around performance. What else needs to be said?
August 5th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I would like to nominate the following:
2008 MINI Cooper Clubman S: Fantastic all around package, superb fuel economy, acceleration and handling, a more practical and comfortable MINI.
2008 BMW 135i coupe/convertible: Most significant car of the year for BMW since the BMW 2002 and E30 models. Better handling, acceleration than the 3 series. More affordable too. Great looking machine.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:55 am
My revised list; I’ve added comments to changes from last year:
10. Mercedes CLK 63 “Black” - For hairy-chested German cars, this one has trumped the Audi RS-4
9. Infiniti G35
8. Honda S2000 – Honda deserves two slots on the top 10, and the TSX seems to have lost its edge; the S2000, despite its age, remains a quintessential performance car.
7. Porsche Cayman
6. Mazda MX-5
5. Honda Fit – Even F1 is starting to make some concessions to fuel economy; this is a superb little grocery-gatherer.
4. Mazda Mazda3 / Mazdaspeed3
3. Audi R-8 – The 911 may be a perennial favorite, but this new Audi is just far more audacious; the world needs another mid-engined car.
2. Chevy Corvette / ZR1 – If the YouTube videos are anything close to what the ZR1 actually sounds like, this one deserves a mention solely for sound track; it is also incredibly fast.
1. BMW 3-Series
August 5th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Honda Fit, for best subcompact, game-changer, and being here at the right place, at the right time
Audi A3, for being the true pioneer of what will likely become the next big american thing: The luxury compact
Mazda3, for being the best compact - still. Cooler and less popular than the Civis and Corolla: what’s not to love
Toyota Prius, because hate it or love it, it’s THE car of the 2000s
August 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I fourth or fifth the Fit as well. Supremely practical, solidly designed, and it only costs $33 bucks to fill from E.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Honda Fit.
The best car to buy this year with rising gas prices and the interior is superb for a low cost car.
The mid size sedans are all the same.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Jaguar XF
For proving that there are other ways to select a gear. Its new JaguarDrive Select show that you can select a gear in a new and refined way. Plus the entire dash lights up blue like a VW
August 5th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Z06 and Mazda 3 are keepers. Add the Honda Fit for not making small car owners live in performance or comfort penury. The Bentley Brooklands (maybe) in the ‘People who drive F430s, Gallardos, and S classes are also part of the great unwashed’ class. And add the Mazda 5 for being a people mover that is okay to look at, okay to drive.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:26 am
(1) Mazda3: Still better than the Civic, with the latter only beating it only in gas mileage.
(2) Corvette ZR1 (Z06)
(3) Saturn Astra: Did not move much metal because of lack of incentives and lack of marketing and lack of the right engine. It is still a top-seller in Europe, good looking, and more standard options than the competition
(4) Pontiac G8 GT
(5) BMW 3 series
(6) New Cadillac CTS
August 5th, 2008 at 10:27 am
In no particular order:
Infiniti G35/37- More competent RWD sports sedan than the 3-series, restyle looks great even in coupe form. Available AWD for the snowbelt.
Nissan Altima- the modern day 4DSC and one of the better looking and driving FWD sedans on the market. Something that the last Mazda6 was, but I’m not sure if the next one will be.
Mazda MX-5- A pure joy to drive and truly without competitors.
Mazda 3- I own one, I’ve greatly enjoyed it. Especially as a wagon. It’s driving dynamics are tops in its class and offers many features for the price. Be even better with the MX-5’s 2.0l I4.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage- the most beautiful car on the market right now, with a wonderful sounding V8 and performance to back it up. May not be the 911, but at least you get exclusivity.
Lotus Elise- the go-kart of the group. A blast to drive and look at it. Not much else though.
Chevy Corvette- best value out there for a sports car, and amazing performance.
Cadillac CTS- finally a well-executed GM product that offers excellent performance, attention to detail and materials used with a comfortable interior, feels as rock-solid as any of the Germans as well as the Infiniti G.
Toyota Prius- it’s a car for the times and it’s beat many expectations.
Volvo C30- a classic style and a bit quirky like a New England professor. But a high-quality long-distance companion with a smooth ride, good performance from the old T5 (when will they dump I5s?), and rather flexible cargo area. Plus, it’s a platform companion of the Mazda3.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I nominate the Chevy Silverado; the quintessential pick up truck. Can be had in all manner of lengths, number of doors, 2 or 4 wheel drive (6 if you want the dualie), 1/2 ton or heavy duty. And every combination can be work-truck plain or dressed up to full cowboy-Cadillac. Even with $4.00/gallon gas, the General will still them to contractors, weekend-boaters, country-poseurs, farmers, and anyone else who has to tow, haul, carry, or move… or thinks that they might one day have to.
It’s not a roadster, or a sports sedan, or super car. But it’s a vehicle that does what it’s supposed to do, day in and day out. And long after the TTAC crowd forgets about this year’s crop of performance wunderkind, the Silverado will still be filling the driveways of people all across the country.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Unfortunately I haven’t actually driven too many new cars, but I’ll mention some of my most desired new cars…
Fit since they are huge on the inside for how small they are on the outside and everyone says they drive great, I know honda makes a good car, etc.
G37 is out now, saw one last week looking good. Would love to drive a G37S coupe (or the convertible when it comes out).
BMW 3 is always a solid choice.
I’ll go on a limb and say Solstice Targa. Maybe it needs better handling, more room and more power. Nothing the aftermarket can’t handle except maybe the room part, but just look at it. http://www.zcars.com.au/pontiac/ That is a classic beauty if I ever saw one. Even better looking than the roadster. And it’s got more room, more power and better handling than the roadster, so there’s that.
MX-5 a little dainty for my tastes, but it’s still a better value than anything else (including above).
ZR1 - just badass.
BMW X6 - I hated this car when I heard about it. I was thinking “another oversized SUV to clog up mall parking lots”, then I read about how good it goes and started thinking “Dakar Rally Dominator”. Yeah I can dig that.
Maybach, okay I sat in one. That’s it, I’m sold. Puts Bentleys to shame.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I don’t understand the continuing fascination with the BMW 3-series (and I own one!). The manual gearbox is just OK, it’s super heavy (and drives like it) and the run-flat tires are so bad (noisy, lousy handling, etc) that if I knew how bad they were, I would never have purchased a 325i. It’s a very good car, but there have to be better sports-sedans out there.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Nissan GT-R: Unparallel Performance for the price. Not to mention it’s been the US has waited a long time for this.
Toyota Prius: At no other time since it’s implementation has this car made more sense.
Honda Fit: A car that is fun to drive AND gets great milage.
Obligatory Nods to the: 3 Series and Corvette
Black Horse Candidate: Lotus Elise SC:
0-100 in 10 seconds, exceptional fuel economy for the performance, and even though Lotus improved the performance of the elise drastically with the addition of the super charger - weight is still under 2000 LBS, weighing in at 1918 LBS. Not to mention when practically any auto-enthusiast talks about sport car handling, the benchmark for excellence is the elise. I think its time to give the Brits some credit on this. While the rest of the world keeps adding bigger engines and more weight, lotus stays true to form. Even if it is hard to get in and out of the damn thing.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I also nominate the Miata. Nothing else on the market says “Fun!” like the Miata. And it’s reasonably priced, accessible to anyone wanting a roadster experience but on a budget and (the last I checked) very reliable. And it scores points over the Sky and Solstice for low weight and having a useable trunk.
And I also nominate the Prius. Nothing else on the market says ” Transportation” like the Prius. But this is what most people actually need and more and more people are coming to this realization every day. This is a no-nonsense vehicle with one amazing dimension (I would have saved over $200 in fuel on a recent driving vacation, if I’d owned one) and it’s still a nice vehicle to drive (yes, I have), not just something to be endured to get good fuel economy. Love it or hate it, more cars like this are coming, and by looking at sales and the competition, the Prius is w-a-a-a-y ahead of the rest of the pack.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Nissan GT-R.
Hate it or Love it, the R35 GT-R is Japan’s best incarnation of the Über sports car to date. I’m not surprised this thing broke Clarkson’s neck, the car looks like it will break something of yours if you cross it.
The handling and quickness are unfathomable, the power is brutal and its pretty much undeniable in whether or not it accomplishes its purpose. Best of all is its consistency. You have to try to make a mistake in this car.
All this for a price that will have 911, Z06 and M3 owners checking their diminishing bank balances. (Provided you can get one, or any of its competitors, for MSRP.)
Point and Shoot.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3: I love the looks of the hatchback, the interior is practical and comfortable, and the handling superb for its class. Why anybody would buy a Corolla or Civic after test driving a Mazda3 is beyond me.
Lotus Elise or Exige: I’ve got to nominate a car that has managed to stay small, light, and quick in the ever expanding car market.
Mazda Miata: See above. They were actually able to reduce the weight in the latest generation of Miata.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:59 am
BMW 3 series: I own one. It’s peerless.
Mazda5: A true original among minivans, with the right size for the times and fun to drive to boot. We’re thinking of trading our Cadillac SRX for one.
Mazda MX-5: The only modern reinterpretation of the classic British and Italian roadsters.
Ferrari F430: Do I really need to explain?
Hummer H2: Just kidding.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Favorites right now:
1/Toyota Prius, for all the right reasons. It’s not unpleasant to drive, and it’s technologically intriguing. I did not get bored driving it.
2/Chevrolet Malibu. Stop making fun of it, people; I’d take it over a Camry seven days out of seven. It’s good-looking, comfortable, powerful and efficient (with the 3.6, at least.)
3/Cadillac CTS. What an American luxury car circa 2008 should be.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Small is in 2008:
BMW 135i
For 35k you get a sub 5 sec 0-60, great looking enthusiast machine, with great build quality and best in class brakes. This really is the year 1 of the 1.
MINI Clubman
Beautiful car with extra space just in time for high gas prices. Continued evolution of the brand just in time. What Toyota should be doing with Scion BMW is doing with Mini.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:12 am
My vote for the 10 best, alphabetically by manufacturer:
1) Audi R8: Visually stunning, an engineering masterpiece that takes on the best from around the world, and gives up very little in daily driving.
2) BMW 3-Series: The classic sports sedan stays at the top of the heap with sedan, wagon, and convertible styles.
3) Cadillac CTS: The sedan that finally proves that GM can make a world class, no compromises sedan that can go head to head with the germans.
4) Chevrolet Malibu: It’s not the best family sedan, but it’s close, and I want to see it succeed. If it doesn’t I’m scared what GM’s next move will be.
5) Ford Mustang: It’s fairly primitive, but a hoot to drive, and affordable There’s also something iconic and All-American about it.
6) Honda Fit: Even though it will have to be the old model, because the new one was not on sale in January. The old one still proves you can have fun and save gas at the same time.
7) Honda Civic: The Mazda 3 is great, but it’s getting a little long in the tooth. The Civic also boasts better gas milage and a hybrid version.
8) Infiniti G35/G37: A great Japanese sports sedan that lets you have all the fun of the 3 Series with a lower price and supposedly better reliability.
9) Mazda 5: Follows the same less is more principal as the Honda Fit, but in an even more family friendly package.
10) Pontiac G8: Rear wheel drive V8 performance without body cladding dripping off. Probably the last of the breed with gas prices and fuel economy standards.
Also, as a 2006 TSX owner, the new one should be but on the list of ten worst for that botched redesign.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Third for the Honda Fit, for the reasons listed above.
I’d also like to second the Mazda5 (and possibly the Kia Rondo), again, same reasons as above. If there was a “If you can only have one car” award, it should qualify automatically.
I’d drop the 911 (not worth the money, no matter how good it is and certainly not with the Corvette and GT-R in the mix) and twin the G35/37 and 3-Series on the grounds that they’re nearly the same car depending on whether you value reliability and value or all-out competency.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:15 am
MazdaSpeed3 - The Speed3 has been on sale for a good while now and it still tops the list of hot hatches you can buy for less than $25k. I mean, come one? 263hp, the moves of the vaunted regular Mazda3, only amplified and an interior that’s ahead in quality of the more powerful Caliber SRT-4 and a more practical body?
Honda Fit - Just in time for $4/gallon gas, this econobox shows that being cheap doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality of the fun-to-drive factor, which the Fit has in spades. Whether you choose the manual gearbox or the 5 speed auto (which comes with shift paddles) you can make the most of the modest 109hp engine and go-kart like handling and get over 35mpg while at it. Plus when it’s time to carry stuff, the rear seats can be moved around to accommodate whatever size cargo you have.
Mitsubish Evolution X - Okay, I’ll be the first one to say, I’m not the biggest fan of flappy-paddle gearboxes (lol) but the MR version of the Evo X does prove that the concept works, especially when connected to Mitsubishi’s army of electronic AWD hardware. The Evo may be down some 10 or so hp compared to Subaru’s WRX STi, but Evo proves to be the more skilled handler when you want to carve som canyons, and in an attempt to reach a wider audience, the Evo is more livable as a daily driver. If you want a manual so bad (and you’re willing to live with a high-rpm-buzzing engine at highway speeds) go for the GSR.
Chevy Corvette ZO6 - What the Nissan GT-R does with 480hp and a slew of AWD hardware, the ZO6 does with light, well developed chassis and a big cubic inch hammer under the hood. The interior might not be as posh as a Ferrari or Porsche, but the big 7.0 Corvette spanks those high dollar exotics (and many other high priced cars) when it comes to the track. Plus, it gets very decent gas mileage when it comes cruising. 7.0 liters and 505 hp?….and good fuel economy?…sign me up!
BMW 3 Series - The looks may not be to everyone’s taste, but the 3 Series is the only car in its class that can speak directly to the driver. There’s a reason why it’s called “The Ultimate Driving Machine” - the handling on this car is second to none in its class and equipped with a smoothness of an inline 6, plus the power of twin turbos, the 335i makes for a speedy ride. The M3 ups the ante with its high revving 4.0 V8, plus makes the M3 even more practical by having it optional as a 4 door sedan. It may be expensive, but when it comes to handling and quality, you get what you pay for.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Incredible how people prefer the 3 series over the 1-series.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Nomination:
Audi S5.
Okay, so I haven’t driven it. But the qualifications:
Incredible styling
Great interior
V8 power and soundtrack
Rare
Give me 60 grand to spend on 1 car and this would be it. Okay, maybe a Boxster, but it would be a tough choice.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Allow me to nominate the venerable Accord….yes I know it has ballooned up in size and weight faster than Kirstey Alley run amok in a bakery, but it still delivers best in class Honda reliability in a comfortable, reasonably efficient and not un-fun-to-drive manner. Long after the 08 Malibus and most of the 08 Camry’s of the world are so much detritus in the scrap yards or recycled into Yarises (Yari?) or 2nd gen Cruzes (Cruzi?), most of the several hundred thousand 08 Accords sold this year will still be on the road….
August 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Audi A3 - This little car blew me away. Great looks, but even better handling, steering, braking and acceleration. The least “front drive like” front driver I’ve driven… ever. I took it around the exit ramp from the 101 North to Topanga Canyon and the thing just held on. It had the sport package, and while the DSG is nice, the manual still can’t be beat for driver involvement.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Top Ten:
Porsche 911 - still the epitome of the driver’s car. Now coming with DSG, Direct Injection and trick dry sump 4 point oil system (on more expensive models).
Corvette Z06 - this is the one car that Chevy continually and consistently updates for the better and doesn’t let it rot on the vine. It will embarrass many cars even those twice it’s price.
Honda Fit - excellent little $15k grocery getter and the Sport model can handle like no other car in it’s class even better than many that cost twice (even 4x) it’s price (managed to go through C&D’s slalom faster than a C6 Z06!).
Honda Civic - the car for the masses that looks good, drives well, gets excellent mileage and just does everything from commuting to having simple and safe fun at the race track (prefer Si model).
Toyota Prius - no one makes a better and more dominant hybid than Toyota. It holds the mileage crown and with constant evolution Toyota (and to some degree Honda) has brought down the price of entry yet marked improvements.
Mazda5 - a small people carrier true to its roots and can get 30mpg and have decent handling as well. It reminds me of the 1g Odyssey and how fun that was to drive before it became a true minivan.
Audi S4 / RS4 - Audi has constantly evolved their S4 series to make it a true driver’s car and outshine its Bavarian rivals ultimate driving machine.
Subaru WRX - The base model is more pleasant to look at (no more bug eyes) retains its handling and gets a power boost to boot to 265 ponies of grocery getter power.
Mercedes Benz C300 - Ever since the detachment of scatter brained and money loser Chrysler from Daimler their focus has substantially improved. The C300 has improved in vehicle performance and quality - with typical Benz luxury.
Mini Cooper - Although pricey to get into one (notwithstanding the mile long options list) it is definitely worth the money in packaging and performance. Good performance, fun to drive, and endearing looks.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:37 am
The Citroën C6 HDi V6 208 hp FAP
It represents everything that the US of A doesn’t get* with cars:
* Advanced (air) suspension
* Great diesel-engine
* Low fuel consumption
* Interesting design that’s a result of a skilled team of designers, not a result from a committee or focus group
* Did I mention stylish and full of flair? :-)
http://www.citroen.co.uk/new-cars/citroen-c6/
It’s the antithesis of an ugly American, leaf spring, gasoline (guzzling) V8, two-seater pick-up.
* “get” as in both “can’t or won’t buy” and “does not understand to appreciate”.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Ok, ok, I forgot what fun this is.
1. BMW M3. Even though it wasn’t what most of the hardcore enthusiasts wanted and it got fat, its still awesome. It has all of the performance it should, the coupe looks great, and that engine note!
2. BMW 135. Even though BMW offered the false promise of 2002 and then shat all over that promise with a 3400lb car with a beer gut and Bangled styling, its an amazing enthusiast car, fast as hell and extremely agile. Seeing one demolish Porsche’s (and everyone else) on the autocross track won me over.
3. Mini Cooper. Yeah I’m a fanboy, so? This car is great as well. 42 mpg, cute styling, but a track warrior at heart and residuals so high its cheaper to lease than any of the competition (when they weren’t sold out). Talk about the right car at the right time.
4. Mazdaspeed 3. Practical hothatch with outstanding power and nice styling. I want one.
5. Tesla Roadster. I know I dog Tesla alot here but they’ve actually delivered a few and even though they likely don’t live up to the hype, I can’t argue that the car has stirred things up.
6. Honda Civic. It was the best selling car in America for one month.
7. The Volt! Ha, ha, j/k.
8. Wow, this is harder than it should be, are cars getting crappier? I would have nominated the Cayman, but I only recently found out it doesn’t come with LSD? Whats up with that??? Also Porsche is nearly dead to me with their Panamera and likely (rebadged Chrysler) minivan due to come out.
9. I’ll give an obligatory nod to the GT-R. Its a game changer, although I fear in the direction of even more overnannification and bloat.
10. Corvette ZR1. Cuz when it set the record on the ring it was near disaster the entire time. Anybody could drive the GT-R fast, whats the fun in that?
August 5th, 2008 at 11:41 am
It scares me that the Honda Fit could end up on the list. Sure the price is right and the gas mileage is decent but do people seriously want to ride around in a car that looks like a tennis shoe? That thing is a Ked with wheels.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Casey
I think it will end up on the list.
It is far an away the best subcompact on the market and its possibly the first subcompact that felt like a full fledged car, not just the cheapest possible ride.
I love mine. Its no sports car, but it certainly has a place in the automotive history of 08, more so than some generically named luxury car.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I should have also given a vote to the Miata, which is another track rat disguised as something your wife would ask for, yes hunnie the coil over suspension and rollcage I’m installing are for your safety, as are the shaved R comps.
Also the Audi S5 is the most beautiful car I’ve seen come out recently. I’d love to get an RS5 version of this with the V8 retuned to 420hp.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:50 am
You can’t argue with the 911, I’ve tried to dislike it, tried to rationalize it’s capabilities with respect to its price, but the car is the perfect sportscar and the only sportscar you can drive every day. If petrol still exists in some decades (and it will) you can buy one now and drive it happily every day for at least the next 20 years.
Now they’ve upgraded the interior with the facelift, I see no more flaws with it. The PDK box has an awkward manual mode (pushing the lever up for upshifts and down for downshifts and stupid steering wheel buttons) but you should order a manual anyway.
Yes, it is expensive, but it takes a lot of cash to get to the highest level. If you look at Formula1, it takes a budget of 150MM to create a quick car, but those last tenths cost 150MM more.
A Corvette will be tacky in 10 years or sooner (in Europe it’s tacky new), a GTR will have lost its appeal because of more modern machinery, but the 911 will still be a 911.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Mazda3: My wife has one (I drive it very frequently) that is now four and a half years old with 115,000 km., absolutely reliable. In addition to great handling, fuel mileage is very respectable as is driving comfort. Hers is the auto transmission (wouldn’t be my choice) which works quite nicely. I can’t think of a current comparable car that I would choose over the Mazda3.
MX-5: I don’t own one - yet, but I promise I will sometime (I have driven an older one). This is one of the few cars that put a smile on my face. Affordable (but overpriced in Canada relative to the U.S. - come on Mazda) with decent performance (as Blunozer said, I don’t get the “chick car” thing either) and great handling. Top Gear loves it too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ79KXjk7Ls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcMRR0gz3QA&feature=related
Nissan GT-R: Over the top performance at a fraction of the price of other exotic supercars.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I agree with most of the picks listed, but these HAVE to go:
WRX/STI - I’m a huge Subie fan, but they SO dropped the ball with the styling of the new models and the handling of the WRX
TSX - take that fat turd off the list! You yourselves blasted the shit out of it!
Otherwise:
1) Another nomination for the Fit!
2) Agreed with Rix above, the Prius is the most innovative machine (and truly practical) machine on the road.
3) How’s about the S2000? Surely it’s getting old but DAMN what a car.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Being both poor and having fat kids…
The Mazda3 and speed3 are the very best there is.
It makes me feel as if I am somebody!
And please don’t tell us the civic is a fun car.
Taurus for families.
Next, no other car for 20K will hold my fat family other than the 2009 Taurus.
Now, if I can get a job…its the Avalon.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
2008-2009 Bullitt Mustang
A mix of raw power, tight handling, retro styling (in the best sense of the word) and 20-24 MPG if you treat it right. Performance without the in your face stripes, spoilers or police attention.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I forgot to add the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and Evolution X. The regular Lancer is roomier than a Mazda3 and BMW 3 Series Xi.
I was inside a BMW 3 Series Xi yesteraday and man that car is small. Head console was shaking and to much road noise inside the cabin with window close.
Don’t believe me? test drive one and you will know what I’m talking about
too bad NO ONE except me voted for 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS a great price for a car that is fully loaded with Nav system and 650 watts rockford fosgate car stereo with sub-woofer. I can fit a mountian bike in the trunk without any problems try doing that with a Mazda3 and BMW.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Honda Civic. Having driven a Civic and a Mazda3 (2.0L) back-to-back, those who say the 3 is a better overall experience are on crack. Interior quality, road noise, engine noise, seating comfort (for driver or passenger) are all better in the Civic. The 2.0L 3 has slightly better torque and power and a better stereo, but it doesn’t make up for all of its shortcomings compared to the Civic.
The Civic provides laser-precise handling, a quiet comfortable interior, and decent power. It’s a blast to drive, yet somehow manages to get class-leading fuel efficiency. Among non-hybrid compacts it’s the king - one can easily get 40+ MPG on the highway without driving like Grandma. Its higher-than-class-average sticker price is fully mitigated by its high resale value, making this car about the smartest buy on the market right now.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Here’s my short list:
Lexus ES: The Lexus ES is badge engineering done right. While the big three just give a car a new front fascia, tail lights, wheels, and maybe throw some woodgrain or aluminum in the interior, Toyota goes a step further and give the ES a distinct look and personality from its Camry counterpart. In other words, it deserves a spot on the list because it is how badge engineering should be done. The big three should be taking notes.
Cadillac CTS: It transformed Cadillac from a joke to a legitimate competitor in the luxury segment overnight. Nuff said.
Toyota Camry: The Camry deserves a spot on a list because it is the car that all of the mainstream manufacturers wish they can build. It not only has a great interior, top notch build quality, and great value for the money; the latest generation manages to have great widespread popularity without being a totally lifeless appliance. On top of that, it also has people lines up nine-deep waiting to buy one. The Camry has since become the standard of which all mainstream sedans are built. If you watch an advertisement for any sedan (especially one from an American or Korean manufacturer) you will always seem them trying to make their product look superior to the Camry.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
M-B C Class - what an awesome car. Beautiful to look at, decent interior, and does everything well. Shame the wagon never made it here (again).
Honda Civic - perfect daily driver and dead reliable
Honda Fit - fun, stylish (sort of), reliable, and cheap!
Audi A3 - this one is a joke. Nothing that unreliable should ever be considered class leading
Volvo C30 - what a cool car. Lift gate will get copied once it’s off the market. Too bad it never got any press or took off
Mazda5 - yuck. I vote against it being on the list
Honda S2000 - great package, awesome seats
Honda Accord - love the new styling & size, can’t wait for the diesel wagon to arrive so I can buy it!
Ford Focus - risking my credibility, I think it’s only fair to submit the Focus because of it’s well-done Sync, quiet interior, and good fuel economy. If you must buy domestic, buy this car.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Mazda MX-5 - I’ve owned three including the excellent MSM. Great fun, great handeling, great car, great price. I had a smile on my face EVERY time I started the engine.
Mazdaspeed 3 - Now I have a son, an extra seat was required. With the MS3, I still get weekend track days, a fun car to flick around on the streets, and trips to IKEA and the nursery are easy as pie with the great cargo room.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
The TSX should definitely be dropped from the list. The new version drives like it has peanut brittle in place of a suspension and the new styling is way beyond gay. It looks like it had cheek implants in all the wrong places.
I’d also take off the MX-5. It’s had its day. They’ve really stopped developing it, and have been resting on their laurels for too long. The new styling manages to be both bland and annoying. If I were a single woman beginning her first job in Human Resources, it would be the perfect car. But come on, it’s a relic that’s exhausted whatever originality it first offered. Time to move on.
The Jaguar XF is clearly a winner for 2008. It’s beautiful, different, and drives like a dream. It’s a genuine alternative to more panzerhaftig offerings from Deutschlandia.
This may seem somewhat left field, but I really like the Ford Flex. They’ve taken the station wagon and turned it into something from a ZZ Top video. It’s very stylish, well made, and drives surprisingly well. No, it’s not a sports car. But it would be a fantastic car to drive across country in, and it’s not a minivan and it’s not an SUV.
I also don’t see how you can avoid listing the Smart for Two, if only because it’s a revolutionary car for the US. And it’s priced to sell.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
#1 - Audi R8: No other car in the last decade has created such a stir as this one. Incredible styling, performance and presence. The R8 stops traffic, then peels out leaving bystanders to wipe off their drool.
#2 - Mazda MX-5: Still the best, BEST ‘toy’ car money can buy. A peppy 4 cylinder engine, a brilliant handling package, and a covertible top that puts all others to shame. (Ahem ‘Solstice’.)
#3 - Honda Fit Sport: What a perfect car for the sensible car-guy in all of us. Uber-practical, revvy engine that barely sips fuel, and nimble handling that makes some sports cars blush, all for a low admittance fee.
There’s my top 3.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Is there any requirement on number of wheels? I know this is The Truth About Cars, and I’ve seen articles about how much you cagers hate motorcycles, but how bout meeting us halfway at the 3-wheeled 2008 Can-Am Spyder? More or less a street-legal snowmobile, complete with storage space, antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, a real mechanical reverse, and an optional electronic gearbox. For under 16k it’s a steal, has the gas mileage of similar-costing subcompacts but is infinitely faster and cooler. By far the fastest vehicle for the price that doesn’t make you put your foot down at stoplights. And in California and a few other states, you don’t need a motorcycle license to ride one. You guys should do a review, I love mine to death and I’m sure you’d get a kick out of riding one.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
1. VW GTI - I can say from personal experience this car is amazingly fun and practical. Anyone who wouldnt nominate the GTI hasnt driven it or lived in it.
2. Lancer/EVO - if you can nominate the 3 and the ‘Speed on the same ticket this should work, right? I dunno if the Rallart is onsale yet but the rest of the line goes from fuel-efficient to fun-efficient.
3. Jetta Diesel - Does this make the on-sale cutoff? Maybe not… but 30 city/40 highway and super-high tech make this car very relevant today and will hopefully change some people’s ‘pinions.
4. Audi A5/S5 - ** Homer Drool Noise **
5. Audi A8 - THE Supercar for the everyone in the world.
6. GTR - barely makes the cut… supercar for more of the world with looks only a mother could tolerate.
7. BMW 1-series - right-sizing for our eco-world.
8. Honda FCX Clarity - Not sure if these awards are about ‘doing everything right for the most amount of people’ or ‘high quality engineering for the few’. I think if the GTR can make it as an engineering achievement , we should consider the Clarity as well.
9. Porsche 911 with PDK - does that make the cut? if not lets wait til next year and go with the GT2/GT3.
10. Mini Cooper/Clubman/JCW- Its a sign of the times that their sales keep going up and up. They are more relevant now than ever with an expanded lineup and i think they should be commended for their customization which kicks scion to the curb.
No im not nominating an American car… just because they are ‘good for an american company!’ or in the case of the koreans ‘pretty good for a Hyundai’ doesnt make it the best in the world, It just means they are on the right track which i commend them for but the Malibu/Genesis/Corvette/CTS/whatever wouldn’t make my list…
August 5th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Mazda5 - i’ve owned one since 2006, and even though i’ve had a few issues with mine, i think that nothing else comes close to it in its price range for its combination of utility and fun to drive factor. the rondo is ugly and boring.
Honda Fit - Packaging genius.
Mini Cooper S - Ridiculously fun to drive, and surprisingly efficient.
Mercedes Benz C350 4Matic - This car reminds me of the old benzes that felt like tanks and would last forever. After driving one, i was trying to figure out how i could own one.
Honda cr-v - the only small utility vehicle that remains focused on economy and utility. i had one as a rental a few months ago, and i think that it is perfect for what it is and does.
Toyota Prius - toyota is the only one that has been able to sell hybrids at a profit, and the prius is why. this car was executed very well, and having driven one, it is very refined and as a city car, very, very efficient while offering the interior room for a family.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I can’t see any reason why the BMW 3 would budge. There have been some new models this year and some improvements of old models. The BMW 3 is mostly the same sexy beast it was last year. There really is no need to fix what ain’t broke.
The 3 is a dream machine with a perfect balance of luxury and performance. And for the money, there’s nothing that comes close. Sure, the G37 is catching up in the rear view mirror but she’s still no 3. Drive them both and you’ll see for yourself.
So, back in number one, needless to say, I nominate the venerable BMW 3-series.
2. Infiniti G37 (the only 3 threat). It has all the performance and luxury highpoints of the BMW but it’s a new engine and it still has a lot to prove. Maybe next year G! (but don’t rely on BMW to sleep)
3. BMW 1-series. A more affordable 3 lite. Less space, a little less refinement but shares the same monstrous inline 6 twin turbo engine. If an engine could be nominated, this is the one.
4. Toyota Prius. It’s ugly. It’s slow. But it can’t be beat for it’s fuel economy. It’s the right car at the right time for those who care about miles per gallon. And after several years on the market, there have been no scandals regarding malfunctions or other quality issues that have affected it’s increasing sales.
5. Honda Accord. A poor man’s Bimmer. Most importantly, it’s an Accord. Decades of reliability back this choice up. Great resale value. New more potent engine and new styling (but controversial). The coupe gets eagle eyes and a more Acura-like styling. Both coupe and sedan get bigger but mpg doesn’t get badder. A great choice for the middle-class.
6. Honda Civic. A poor man’s Accord. Much less power than its big brother but has the same reputation for reliability and Honda quality. Another interesting style-design with some fun modern interior features (the LED dash). A great price, great mpg, and and overall everyman’s and everywoman’s car.
7. Honda Fit. A poor man’s Civic. Honda has every income level covered this year. The Fit has, so far, proven to have what every other Honda has- reliability and great gas mileage. This one will make the nature folks and kids a great conscientious choice. It’s also cute as heck.
8. Toyota Camry. Another dirigible that has a long history of reliability and consistent quality. It’s mostly a blander version of the Accord with similar specs, if not just a little less of everything.
9. Nissan Altima. The G35 with subpar parts. Cheap plastics don’t eliminate this car from being a good choice though. Nissan has, year after year, improved the quality and thus reliability of their autos. The Altima offers many convenience features found in luxury cars and is packed with plenty of horsepower to get you across town. The coupe is sexy and not a bad alternative to the G37 for those with fewer bucks to burn.
10. Mazda Miata. There is no car more fun to drive. Top down and taking turns in this little tiger is like a grown up rollercoaster ride. It is sprightly, decent on gas, and an amazing deal overall. You can’t get that sports-like fun in any other car for this price. Why number 10? It’s not good for anything but having fun. There’s barely room for the driver’s kneecaps! Your dog will love going to the vet in this little spitfire.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
i still put the lotus elise as the number one car. unfortunately, it gained a bit of weight to cross the pond, what with all them luxury fittings (carpet? who needs a carpet?) & its safety gear, yet it’s still difficult to get into, even if you’re below the average displacement for this continent.
but what a driving experience! can’t be beat. take it over highway 9 from santa cruz to saratoga. boot it in those “15MPH!” hairpins (don’t need no 15mph, jeeeem!).
ecstasy!
August 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
1. Honda Fit: Basic, Economical, Utilitarian, transportation has that is actually fun to drive, comfortable, and nice to look at. One of teh really nice things about this car is actually its shiftable 5spd autobox.
2. Honda Civic/ Si: The jewel of the under $20,000 automotive world. The Civic is a close call over a Mazda3 but in this case the subtance(quality) of the Civic does trump the extra features offered on the 3. In Si form the Civic feels like it will last forever were the Mazdaspeed3 feels like it will pretty worn-out after a good 3 to 4 years of hard driving.
3. Honda Accord EX-L 4 Cyl: The best family sedan you can have for under $30,000 and one of the best PERIOD at any price. This is a full-sized 4cyl car that actually works very well due to its powerful and ultra smooth engine. It can seat 3 adults in real comfort in the back. It is also a rather luxuious car in EX-L trim. In addition to being decently powerful it also handles very well. This is a car both husband and wife can easily agree to purchase.
4. Mazda MX5 PRHT: The one PRHT convertible that does NOT force you to compromise trunck space for open air motoring. WTF is the point of a convertible that you cant store any luggage in? personally if I buy a drop top I do want to drive further than my own neighborhood. Oh, the MX5 is about the most fun anyone can have on 4 wheels in the real world without fear of killing self or innocent party.
5. Infiniti 35/37: Lets see, a good $50,000 for a loaded 328xi or $40,000 for a loaded, larger, more powerful G35x (just one example). This IS the new 3 series! Ok, OK, I know the 3 series might pull .90g to the G35 .89 and the 3 series will go throught the cones 2mph faster, WOW! At the end of the day for all but the BMW fateful the g35 is just much more car than a 3 series.
6. BMW 5 series: Have to admit that in the mid-level luxury/sport sedan class the 5 series rules/ rocks! It has the E-class, GS, A6, M35, STS, all beat hands down. In sedan or wagon I dig this car. Equiped with either the TT inline6 or v8 you cant go wrong! Give me a 535xi Touring.
7. Nissan GT-R: Such a force to be reckoned that folks can’t but help to hate on it. This is the car that has Porsche and Ferrari fans making claims “that it is NOT all about performance” FUNNY! This thing a track car for the road that can spank just about any other dual purpose car about any track (it called winning) yet folks just cant get over the fact that their $150,000 Porsche just does not seem to be worth that much anymore.
8. Porsche 911: In a world full of silly looking VW Lambos/ Bentleys, Wannabe Ford Aston Martins the 911 still says “CLASS” in a big way! This is the one sportscar that does not make the driver look like he is screaming for attention (hey look at me in my yellow origami Lambo, I think I look cool) yet still allow them to look special. It is fast, handles very well, and is also rich and comfortable. Nevermind the chicks this is the car that makes men give the driver the thumbs up!
9. Lexus LSh 600L: Like Nissan with its GT-R I must give Toyota/ Lexus props for pushing the envelope with this car. If high-tech and luxury are your thing this is the “luxury” ride for you. V8 power, Electric Motor, AWD, CVT, AND a whole host of RELIABLE, WORKING eletronic gizmos to play with. Lets also not forget that this is a 5000lbs +, 400hp+ automobile that does manage to get better than 20mpg! One demerit: lack of trunk space.
10. Ferrari F430: What can I say, “sex on wheels” here! I am sure like most men the more you age the less desire you have for a “over the top” “notice me” machine. The cars you would hang on you wall as a kid just do not do it for you anymore. For me the F430 is the one Italian exotic that I still lust for in the same way I used to lust over a lowly 308/328. Oh the sound of this thing! Give me one just for the flat-crank engine!
August 5th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I can’t understand how anyone would even consider putting the Ford Focus on the list. Sure, it gets 31mpg in real world driving - I get, on average, 32 (US) mpg in my 01 Impala. Plus, the whole duct-tape covered wiring things covered in the TTAC review a while back. It’s a decent car, to be sure, but one of the best? Hell no.
And the BMW 1 Series shouldn’t be nominated either. It’s a small 3 Series, that costs just a bit less than a 3 Series. The 3 is better than the 1 because of the relatively high cost, so hang the 1.
And there should not be the Smart car. It’s hideous, sucks gas, no room, hideous, underpowered, and incredibly expensive for what it is. Did I mention it was hideous? Hell, you can buy almost 2 Hyundai Accents for the price of a Smart car.
Which brings me to my nominations:
1)Hyundai Sonata - it’s a cheap, but viable, alternative to Toyota and Honda mid-size sedans. It’s powerful, comfortable, lots of accessories, and is proving to be very reliable.
2)Toyota Camry - it’s the best selling car in North America. Boring? Maybe. But it still sells quicker than booze at a Paris Hilton/Lindsay Lohan party. (I can’t believe I just used the hookerette twins and Toyota Camry in the same paragraph. Oh well.)
3)Honda Accord - it’s another quick seller. It’s practical, comfortable, and offers people what they want, apparently. Plus it’s a bit less vanilla than the Camry… maybe more like french vanilla… or vanilla chip.
Anyway, I know my three nominations are boring, vanilla cars, but vanilla is the best-selling ice cream flavour (I work at a grocery store.) There must be some reason for that.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Thinking mainly of technology…
Tesla Roadster - you guys love to hate it but if we’re seriously going to move beyond oil, new storage technologies need development and they’ve put a lot of work into a viable Li-Ion battery. The management is a soap opera and they have a lot of work to do but they did come up with a battery that’ll go 200+ miles on a charge.
Nissan GTR - Sucessfully uses all sorts of gadgets to go brutally fast. Consistent 3.5s 0-60 times don’t come from any old drivetrain.
Z06 - lots of racing technology starting to trickle down into everyday cars. (I see one on my street everyday so this counts). Carbon fiber body panels, dry sump oil, rear mounted transmission, the list goes on
Toyota Prius - everyone’s favorite revolutionary car…until they have to get rid of all those batteries anyway.
BMW 3 series - Perennially the best handling car in its class, twin turbo’d magnesium injected aluminum blocks, idrive (I don’t care about journalists beating that dead horse, makes sense to me), includes the M3, best styling in it’s class and imitated by everyone so they must be right. Right?
Audi R8 - Expanding the target demographic for the mid engined V8 platform from millionaires to…lesser millionaires.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
#1 - Honda Civic. The benchmark of the compact car deserves the list. I would even put it in place of the 3 series. Why? Because the Civic is a class leader that the masses can afford both in purchase price and operating expense. It’s the perfect car for a time of high energy prices, home forclosures, economic uncertanity and national elections.
#2 - Honda Fit. As others have echoed, it’s the new benchmark for the sub-compact. See above for why it belongs on the list.
I’ll throw in a vote to drop the 3 series. Haven’t liked the style for a few years now and the price doesn’t seem justified with the competition from Infinity.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
alpine_white:
How is an Accord a poor man’s BMW? It does not have any sporting pretensions and its wrong-wheel-drive. That’s like saying a CRV is a poor man’s H2. And I seriously doubt that there are very many people cross shopping Accords and Civics. So again, not so much a poor man’s anything. The Civic is near the top of its class, as is the Accord, but classing them as you have doesn’t do them justice.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Toyota Prius: Just made a 3000 mile camping trip that really sold me on this car. We got 50.3 mpg, were able to carry a ton of camping stuff, and the driving was smooth and comfortable. Best car for this time.
BMW 3-series: Unbeatable driving experience.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Honda tends to give their economy cars a more direct environment and feel (just like BMW). The “poor man’s BMW” is thrown at a lot of cars including VW and Honda. Both just are drivers cars but they are FWD and for the masses.
As for those who think the TSX should be a TWAT nominee? That’s just absurd - the car is not completely ruined it’s just no longer as good as it was after the refresh. It’s a big disappointment b/c the car had so much potential to remain great but it’s not a TWAT - that’s just an over reaction. PS my wife’s daily driver is a 2004 TSX and we were going to get the new one until we drove it. Instead, we’ll keep it for another several years and save our money.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Civic - Great handling and fuel economy. Much more passenger and trunk room than the Mazda3–at least thats how I felt after trying them both. I made mine an Si sedan.
Infiniti G35 - speed, handling, and luxury without the ownership costs and “reliability” of German cars.
Ford Flex - American style without body on frame handling and heft.
Miata
GTI - Oh so Euro. Just be sure to sell it before it starts making the “4 year old Volkswagen noise” or it needs an $800 starter.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Toyota Prius - As said above several times, it is the car for the times: Affordable, practical, reliable.
BMW 3-series - No other car offers such variety. Sedan, coupe, wagon, convertible? Check. NA or turbo straight 6? Check. RWD or AWD? Check. The great thing is that all versions are fantastic cars to drive.
VW GTI - The jack of all trades. Sporty handling and acceleration, great driver accomodations, great interior, good cargo space (w/ the seats down), clean styling, and good fuel economy.
Honda Fit - For the sub $20k budget, I can’t recommend anything else as a daily driver. Cargo room, fun to drive, and economical.
Nissan GT-R - This car made me eat crow. It is amazing how it performs based on the given specs. I was certain it was going to be an overweight, overpriced pig.
Audi R8 - One of the most beautiful and elegant cars made this decade. It apparently drives well, too!
August 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
The Honda Fit. Given the disaster that is Acura, the hideous and bloated Accord, and the pointless Pilot, the Fit remains a welcome sign that Honda hasn’t completely lost the plot. Savagely clever engineering in a segment most automakers treat as a loss-leader. So brilliantly packaged that it makes you wonder why you’d need a bigger car. (I’ve talked at least two people into buying them just by persuading them to go sit in it and play with the rear seats.)
BMW 3-series coupe. Chris Bangle had come very close to convincing me that I wouldn’t want a BMW even if I won the lottery, but the coupe is a wickedly good-looking car. The astounding 335i twin-turbo engine makes the M3 seem a little redundant. Attractive, good to drive, more efficient than I would have thought, for my money, this is the best modern BMW.
Toyota Prius. Tomorrow’s car today. Not really a driver’s car, but a practical and painless transportation module that is optimized for the conditions in which most urbanites actually drive. Not a back-roads car, but every time I get stuck in semi-stationary traffic, I wish I had one.
Mazda3. The segment’s only serious alternative to the Civic for people who don’t drive like my grandmother. Good looking, quick, reasonably agile, and well-equipped, it feels like a more expensive car than it is. When I bought mine, I realized I would have to spend at least $10,000 more to find something I liked more than the 3.
Honda Civic. The previous generation was a dud (I didn’t even consider it when I bought the 3), and this one’s science fiction styling took a long time to grow on me, but it’s reclaimed its place as the gold standard of its class. The Si is fun, but my choice (EX sedan with manual shift) is the slickest combination of refinement, poise, and price. The Mazda3’s bigger engines have more torque, but you pay for it at the pump. The only things I don’t like about the Civic are the Bizarro World dashboard and the fact that you can’t see the nose from the driver’s seat, as you could in most earlier Hondas.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
@Voice of Sweden
Thanks for the link to the Citroen 6. Maybe there should be a ranking of the 10 Best we can’t get here, even if we’re very nice.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Audi RS4 - Yes. For the unalduterated way in which it stills makes the M3 look like an inferior product, for it’s raw soundtrack, for it’s gorgeous interior. For it’s extreme blend of everyday functionality and OMGWTFBBQ driving abilities.
I’d like to un-nominate the VW GTI - Although a perennial favorite (including a glowing review by Mr. Farago) has driven me to test drive it 3 times, I can’t get over it’s ridiculously bouncy ride quality (it never settles in) and it’s spit-in-the-face-of-all-that’s-holy vertical wall at the base of the interior windshield.
Joe
August 5th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
In no particular order…
1 - Mazda MX-5 Miata. The most pure, most fun car on the road today - and still with a modicum of practicality, too.
2 - Mazda3. In both sedan and hatchback form, the Mazda3 offers enough zoom-zoom to satisfy your wants and enough practicality to satisfy your needs. It is THE premium small car on the market today.
3 - Mazda5. The future of the family hauler is now. Is it a tall hatch? Is it a small van? I can’t tell, but it’s what the Scion xB should have become. Seating for six was never so much fun.
4 - BMW 3-series. Status symbol of yuppies everywhere? Yes. Ultimate driving machine? Absolutely.
5 - Honda Fit. King of the subcompacts.
6 - Toyota Prius. The game-changer.
7 - Ford Fusion. In a market full of dull midsize sedans, the Fusion offers the best balance between fun and frugality in its class. (Note: this would go to the Mazda6, but it doesn’t seem right to nominate an outgoing model - especially since the new 6 appears to have gotten fat.)
8 - Chevrolet Corvette. Conspicuous consumption that you can drive every day, made in America.
9 - Avanti. Greatness never dies, it just goes into limited production.
10 - Ford Ranger. While all around it pickup trucks grew into bejeweled behemoths, the Ranger never strayed far from its roots as an honest truck earning an honest day’s living. Sure, it’s rude and crude by today’s standards. But while fancier trucks languish on dealer lots, The Little Truck That Could keeps earning one reprieve after another. For simply being what it is - a truck - the Ranger is the best truck out there today.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Nissan Altima - very underrated car, as I recall this site gave the coupe version 5 out of 5
Toyota Prius - for having the right product at the right time. True foresight on Toyota’s part
Lexus IS-F - oh my god fun. the paddle shifters work great with an 8 speed transmission, the sound is intoxicating and it’s just a blast
Honda Fit - clearly the segment leader
BMW 1 series hatch - 1 series was fine but give me the ti hatch and I’ll be a happy camper
Audi A3 S-line - something I can actually buy in canada and love to death.
MazdaSpeed 3 - tourque monkey maybe, but a good seller, nice car mission accomplished.
Yes, I like hatchbacks!
August 5th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Porsche Boxster (S) - Unbelieably still the single most easily accessible modern vehicle which embodies all that is right in a genuine sports car. Let me put this in perspective:
~$45k
Mid-engine
RWD
Flat-six engine
Convertible
Semi-luxurious
Supple ride quality with nigh-on unbeatable handling
Steering that is never harsh but always “on”
Ergonomics/control placement perfected over more years than I’ve lived (carried over from the 911)
~3000 pounds with all of today’s safety requirements
This is the everyman’s sports car. While the BMW 3-series bloats to 3500+ pounds (let alone the 4000 pound hardtop convertible automatic 335 behemoth) still carries the tagline of the ultimate driving machine, this car has a perfectly balanced driving character and has perfectly balanced the needs of modern accomodations, safety, and emissions with the purety of the original 356 vision.
If it doesn’t have a place on a list such as this, nor do I.
Joe
August 5th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Having gone car shopping for several members of my family in the last year, I would nominate the following:
1) Honda Fit - it is an impeccably designed small car, with good mpg, an ingenious interior (those seats fold in every direction!), reliability, and playful handling.
2) Honda Civic/Si - much better than a comparable Corolla, and while the interior is not as chic as that in the Mazda 3, it has more space and a much bigger trunk.
3) Honda Accord - yes, it’s bigger, but it still looks and handles better than the Camry, and it has reliability that the domestic offerings lack.
4) Subaru Forrester (base or XT) - the old one was crude and rugged but the new one has a bigger, quieter interior, nicer fit and finish, and standard awd for those of us in the snowbelt. The turbo provides power that the CR-V lacks.
5) Ford Mustang - it is cheap, handles decently, has a tolerable interior, and it has torque, which no other car in its price range can offer. That makes the car more fun to drive than others where you wait and wait and wait for the revs to build.
I would delist the TSX and Impeza (WRX and STI). Both are steps backward and have lost their focus.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I nominate two:
1. Honda Fit (2008) 30+ miles per gallon, outstanding handling, incredible standard safety features/crash test results, highly flexible interior, all at a budget friendly price.
2. Subaru Forester (2009) AWD but still competitive miles per gallon, superb road manners, great crash test results and safety features, mainstream restyling, starting under 20k! (oh yeah, you can still get a 5 speed too)
August 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I nominate Audi’s R8. To me, this is the best car available in the world today. It’s the spiritual successor to the Acura NSX; a proper mid-engined, user-friendly supercar with enough power to excite, but not to terrify. It’s styled with grace, shunning Lamborghini’s ostentation and Ferrari’s incessant functionalism. A spectacular vehicle, and a future classic.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Because of all the depressing news, value is a major factor in all my choices.
1- Honda Fit. Frugal, flexible, fun.
2- Infiniti G37. The executive express starts here.
3- Audi R8. The supercar to have if you are only going to have one supercar. Value is almost incidental here.
4- Chevy Corvette. The car for Americans to be proud of.
5- Toyota Yaris. Renewing faith in the subcompact hatch segment.
6- Lexus LS 600h. No value here, just an amazing flagship.
7- BMW 130i. Smaller, cheaper 3 series. What’s not to like?
8- Toyota Prius. It’s America’s car.
9- Mazda5. Leading a segment that is only going to go up.
10- Nissan GTR. Monstrous, practical, affordable, all relatively speaking of course.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Mazda 5- It’s a great idea, needs to be more noticed.
Saturn Astra- OK, so it took European design and manufacture to make the best “American” compact. So be it
VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen. It’s a diesel AND a station wagon, how cool is that?
August 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Mazda5 - The best people carrier for the times. 4-cylinder engine? Check. 3 rows of seats? Check. 5-speed manual available? Check. Cheap, stylish, fun minivan for a pistonhead with a family? Check, check, check.
Tesla Roadster - Flame all you want, but this is the first production electric sports car since early 20’s. Granted, they’re barely making them, but the same can be said about Veyrons. Regardless, it’s driving, living proof that one doesn’t need 30 billion dollars to develop and produce an electric car.
Toyota Yaris - cheap, cheerful, and actually fun. Interior is full of Toyota-style plastic-craptastic, but there’s plenty of room, the hatch is extremely versatile, and it actually looks nice. The best car in Toyota’s lineup.
Lotus Elise SC - How can you guys possibly forget this one? It’s within a spitting range of a Corvette, weighs nothing, goes fast, and attracts more attention than an alien spaceship. The lone flagship of once-proud British sports car industry. I’m getting one as soon as I get even slightly rich.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Honda Civic
in regular trim you get a well loaded car that’s relatively fun to drive (relatively - compare it to the competition . . . actually its objectively fun to drive compared to anything!) plus its fuel efficient, reliable and retains resale value
with the Hybrid model you get extended gas mileage uber alles
with the SI model you get a sedan or coupe that can clean up at track and autocross days, yet haul the baby around when needed.
——————-
Porsche 911
need I say more?
August 5th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
My contributions to this proccess:
AUDI RS4 An amazing engine /transmission package providing stellar performance - extremely agile (especially for it weight) and AWD for foul weather make this an unbelievable package. 4 Doors making room for friends / kids are icing on the cake. The interior is not bad either. Gas mileage is, well you can’t have everything but at this price point it doesn’t really affect the buying decision.
Chevy Corvette Pick your variant - these are the shining jewel in GM’s very tarnished crown - the value / performance combination they represent can’t be beat.
Honda Odyssey As people movers go it can’t be beat. It can easily haul 5+ people and their gear and do so economically. Its not as fun to drive as the commercials describe but is far superior to other vehicles in this space.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Dodge Challenger SRT-8. It’s about time somebody got the “retro” thing right. Totally impractical, but it just looks awesome! (Also has the power to back up the look)
The Honda Fit appears to be a very popular selection, for all of the stated reasons, and deservedly so. However, I don’t know that I’d want to be *in* one in a wreck. Outside my office, last year…there was a Honda Fit in a wreck with a 2003ish Camry Solara. A drivers-side offset head-on collision (Both tried to make left-hand turns from opposite directions simultaneously into eachother). Estimated combined speed was about 40mph. Both cars were totalled. Camry driver (whom I worked with) was totally fine (airbag scrapes on inside of his arm). Fit driver was carted off in an ambulance on a backboard with a neckbrace. Didn’t look so good.
1 point does not make a trend, but it sure didn’t look so good.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Prius
* nice steering and handling
* nice acceleration
* great mpgs
* extremely reliable
* technological tour de force
Civic
fun, frugal, exceptionally reliable, and practical
Fit
pretty much same as fit
MX-5
best bang for the buck in a roadster, wonderful handling
Trabant
just kidding!
August 5th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X: The tenth entry into the evo family has brought us superb handling and more refinement, and let’s not forget how fun it is to drive! Bring it on Subaru…
August 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Fit Sport/5M-Great handling,shifting, price , mpg and packaging. Sunroof and rear discs would be even better Honda. Does everything it’s rivals does plus.
Prius Touring-Mid-size interior (almost exactly ‘Bu size), mid size price, Motorcycle MPG. Touring option perks up the handling.
MX-5 Miata-The elemental sports car done right, fun, frugal, reliable (hear that Pontiac?). PRHT gives great weather protection and takes away…nothing!
Wrangler 2DR-The best at what it does. If you NEED to get out in the boonies, past the posers, this is your buggy. Demanding but there is no compromise for the unbelievers.
Lotus Elise/Exige-The best at what it does. If you need a tarmac scalpel this is your buggy. Demanding but there is no compromise for the unbelievers.
Aston Martin DBS 6M- Gorgeous, v-12, gorgeous, leather to die in, gorgeous, fast, gorgeous, handles…did I mention the looks? Beauty is its own justification.
S2000- I do not think it lost a head to head with the Boxster when it came out. Reliable, 8 grand RL, sweet handling, good looking. Enough bucks left to get the Fit for every day and insure both vs. the Boxster. Cool.
Some categories that don’t deserve a nomination.
Pickups
Midsize sedans
Large SUVs
There are some prefectly fine vehicles in these categories but none that stand clear of the pack (unless you’re a brand zombie).
The “best” is not a light personal preferance, the machine needs to stand up and be counted. IMHO.
Bunter
August 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Keep the 3er. I know he was talking about the E46 M, but like Clarkson said…the 3 is the yardstick by which all others are judged. I miss the hell out of my 325i.
Take the Speed3 off the list. As someone who drives one everyday, I cannot say in any way does it belong on that list with any of those other cars. I shoulda bought an Evo or STI.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
This is my first post, and I’m only 22, so I haven’t had the chance to own/drive many of these cars. With that said I nominate the Nissan GT-R.
I’ve always been a fan of the Supra,RX-7,Z cars, etc. because they were examples of great engineering. Not too complex, not to simple, b