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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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.
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.
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.
I would re-up last year’s panel, but subtracting the Acura TSX and adding the Nissan GT-R.
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! ^_^
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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…
#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)
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?
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.
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
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
I fourth or fifth the Fit as well. Supremely practical, solidly designed, and it only costs $33 bucks to fill from E.
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.
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
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.
(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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Incredible how people prefer the 3 series over the 1-series.
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.
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….
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.
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.
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”.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.