The e-voting booths are closed and the votes are in. You've selected TTAC's Ten Best Automobiles for 2008. Five of the ten are repeat winners from last year– but only one of them stayed in the same slot. Three of our winners slipped in the ratings, and one moved up. GM, Mazda, Nissan and BMW all have two winners on the list. Honda and Audi each have one. There are sedans, sports cars and econoboxes. In fact, the only thing that seems to bind this group of cars together is the "fun to drive" factor (anyone who doesn't think that's important can click here). The rest of you can make the jump and help celebrate/kvetch about TTAC's Ten Best for 2008
10. Infiniti G35/37
The newly redesigned Infiniti G35/37 has graduated from James Bond analogies to Arnold Schwarzenegger comparisons (in his prime, of course) wearing a meticulously fitted suit.The G unit's athletic enough to shred meandering ribbons of asphalt, yet dignified enough for valet parking at a four star restaurant. The G35/37 is the ultimate driving machine for up and coming executives who have to keep an eye on the bottom line. - wcm
9. Mazda MX-5
For nearly two decades Mazda has never wavered from the MX-5's original formula: an inexpensive, light weight, front engine, rear wheel-drive British style convertible that not only starts every time you turn the key, but tugs at your heart strings every time you slide out around a corner. If you shut your eyes and meditate on the word "driving," odds are you'll visualize a Miata. – jl
8. MINI Cooper S
If cars were ice cream, the MINI Cooper S would be fat-free Häagen-Dazs: all the deliciousness you want with none of the guilt. The MINI manages to pack performance, handling and style into a pint-sized container for just a bit more than plain vanilla costs. In fact, to have this much fun driving without slurping down oodles of gas, for almost exactly the average price of a new car in America, is almost sinful. Rum Raisin with hot fudge and sprinkles. Yum. – mm
7. Nissan GT-R
Like most everybody else in America, I haven't driven the Nissan GT-R. But like any good pistonhead, I saw the Nürburgring video, heard the Corvette ZR1 debates, and scanned the spec sheet: 473 horsepower, sub four-second 0 – 60 time and the [mythical] $70k price tag. The GT-R has roots in video games, movies, gray market imports and a huge federalization scandal a few years back. The uber-Nissan cashes-in on the forbidden fruit value, without being forbidden. The Nissan GT-R is a legend in its own time. - jb
6. Cadillac CTS
For the first time in, well, forever, Cadillac has crafted a car that not only competes toe-to-toe with its German rivals dynamically, but flat-out destroys them with American styling and sex appeal. The CTS exudes zeitgeist, that intangible quality that lets you know you are driving something special, something that will continue to beckon you to the open road, long after the engine has cooled in the garage. - ms
5. Audi R8
As our own Jay Shoemaker said, "If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the wrong place." When you're the German cousin to the Lamborghini Gallardo, there's very little you can do wrong. With 420 horses running through all-wheel-drive, the R8 is the finesse player that turns the impossible into elementary, and a mundane trip around town into a star-studded gala, where the driver is the Guest of Honor. - sm
4. Honda Fit
From the Fit's tasteful dash to its trick rear seat, there's nothing to make you think Honda wishes you'd bought a more expensive model. The Fit's steering rivals a Boxster, the manny tranny is Honda perfection and the Fit gets 33 mpg around town without any hybrid complexity.There's only one reason we're not recommending that everyone "Buy a Fit:" an all-new model is coming that will probably be even better still. - jl
3. BMW 3-Series
Last year's first place favorite shows up in third place this year. I think people have a tendency to tire of teams, celebrities or nations that stay on top for too long. But even though it slipped a bit, the BMW 3-series remains the alpha sports sedan amongst our readers. From the bargain-basement six to the monster-motored M, there's no mistaking who's king of the hill. Your personal preferences may run to the C, G, IS or the 4, but you probably made that decision comparing it to a 3. – mm
2. Chevy Corvette/Z06/ZR1
Chevy's plastic fantastic hangs on to second place. Here's the mind-bending power, brutal grip, politically-correct fuel economy and brand-faithful style that's stood the test of time. And that's just the base model. Factor in the price point where the corner-hungry Z06 and supercar-killing ZR1 prove their superiority and this win is an absolute no-brainer. The only thing is, after the ZR1, what can they do for an encore? - sm
1. Mazda Mazda3/MazdaSpeed3
Last year's fourth place finisher moves to the number one slot this year, showing the hot-hatch never died, it merely grew up. With an upscale interior, understated sheet metal and high dollar dynamics, the Mazda3 is on every budget-minded pistonhead's wish list. The exhilarating performance afforded by forced induction and other sporting improvements in the Mazdaspeed3 adds more accolades to the approval, because too much of a good thing is never enough. - sm
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Pretty good list overall, with a good mixture of exotics/sports cars, sports sedans, and “cheap and cheerful” cars.
And yes, I wouldn’t mind owning any of these when it comes to fun-to-drive factor.
As an owner of a Mazdaspeed3, I still have to ask how the hell it even got on this list. Its rat shit compared to the rest of these cars…
Interesting, no Porsches.
No Toyotas, Fords, or Chryslers, either, but that’s less of a surprise.
Can’t argue with anything on the list. Maybe ten is too short?
Very good list. Can’t argue with any of ‘em. I want an R8 very, very much.
Next step? How about Best in Class for econo cars, sport sedans, luxury sedans, family sedans, vans, trucks, SUV’s, and sports cars?
Just sayin’…
Great list.
I can’t argue about any of these choices either.
I am rather disappointed though, in the inclusion of 3 cars from the same market segment. The CTS, 3-Series, and G35/37. In the words of Steve Colbert: “We’re at war! Pick a side!”
It seems odd that there is no mid-size, bread-and-butter sedan. I guess neither the current Camry, Accord, or Malibu are really that special.
Also, no Hybrids. (No real surprise there!)
Ack, no Boxster. My heart is broken.
With an upscale interior, understated sheet metal and high dollar dynamics…
As the proud owner of a Mazda3, I think that the sheet metal and the interior are the least likable aspects of the car. A worthy winner though, without a doubt.
With all due respect to EVERYONE, this list is borderline nonsense.
The Cadillac CTS is a good car. But that’s it, GOOD, not great. There are much better cars in its class (i.e Lexus IS, Audi A4 with S line package etc) which kill this. I do like the CTS, but not this much!
I’m not quite sure why the 3 series places, either. Yes, it handles OK and yes it’s RWD, but my goodness the interior is cheap and the whole car is uglier than Christina Aguilera without her make-up on. Not to mention you pay through the nose of anything extra on it. I don’t like being ripped off…..especially by Germans.
The rest of the choices reek of boredom. There are no quirky choices (Possible exception of the MX-5), the cars which make you think differently about driving rather than make you feel safe.
That’s why I didn’t vote on this year’s “Ten Best”…..
I can’t think of a car more deserving for this list this time around than the Cadillac CTS. Did someone really say a Lexus IS is a better car? OMG, my friends. OMG
sean362880 : As the proud owner of a Mazda3, I think that the sheet metal and the interior are the least likable aspects of the car.
I donno, have you seen what Chevy, Dodge, Ford and Toyota bring at that price point? Definitely not their “A” game.
I was a little surprised at the first place slot, but small is all the rage, and the Mazda 3 is something special.
Buick61,
I said it! So what….?
I’m still in disbelief that the Boxster, with its convertible, great manual trans, and fantastic sound track just behind your years, missed the list but a Mazda3 did not.
Any way we can see how many votes each car/series
got?
Interestingly enough I am probably one of the few who didn’t vote for BMW because the entire 3 series is not that good except maybe the 330 or 335. I also consider the 3 series the “me too!” car of the 2000’s
While being a “drivers car” the mazda still has nothing with “GOOD” gas mileage and their “drivers cars” I thought were fwd. Are they actually RWD?
I voted for them but wouldn’t place them first by any means.
I don’t quite agree with the Corvette, the CTS, the MX-5 and the Infiniti on a personal preference level, although most of them are good at what they should do.
One thing in particular I have mixed feelings about though is the Mazda3 as top pick.
The good thing is that car enthousiasts of America apparently finally realize that hatchbacks are way better than lame sedans, which is great.
However, it seems like the fact that the Mazda3 is more or less the only hatchback choice in the US (except the rabbit and maybe some Toyotas) in this segment has clouded the judgement of some.
Living in Europe, with a wide array of competitors available for the Mazda3 and the Mazda3 in fact being a marginal player in this market, I can tell you that it’s not the best car in its segment here (it is definitely not something special) and that’s why it’s kind of funny to me to see it being picked as the TTAC best car of 2008.
Alternatively, it confirms once more to me just how bad some of the cars offered in the US are.
JJ>
Isn’t the new STi a hatch?
The list is a group of worthy contenders for sure and I feel that it represents the views of TTAC’s readers and staff. The voting process had adequate checks and balances to make it a truly representative list. These are 10 examples of what is right in the American car market.
No RS4??? Besides that and the fact that the Mazda3 is number one… i agree with the list.
Great list. I can’t argue against any of the selections. Interesting that 2 Nissans and 2 Mazdas made the cut, but only 1 Honda.
I would have liked being a fly on the wall when the Prius was discussed.
Funny thing – I saw not one but two Nissan GT-Rs this past weekend at the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise (off all places). The first (white pearl coat) was driven by Graham Rahal (Bobby’s son) who was signing autographs for the Belle Isle Grand Prix….racing for Honda yet driving a Nissan.
The second (red) was driven by the PR guy for Nissan attending a seperate event
When it rains it pours!
Good list – great cars!
Robstar –
While being a “drivers car” the mazda still has nothing with “GOOD” gas mileage and their “drivers cars” I thought were fwd. Are they actually RWD?
The Miata and RX-8 are RWD. The speed6 is AWD. Everything else is FWD.
Sajeev –
Yeah, but I was thinking more at the $20k hatchback level. The Golf GIT, new Impreza, and the Civic have better interiors, and for the speed3, I think you run close to an Audi A3 at that point.
Isn’t the new STi a hatch?Isn’t the new STi a hatch?
It is in Europe anyways, the new Impreza sedan isn’t even available over here.
Point I was making…In Europe you have a lot of hatchback cars in the Mazda 3 segment
VW Golf
Opel Astra
Honda Civic hatch
Ford Focus (Euro-focus)
Peugeot 308
Citroen C4
Alfa 147 (soon to be 149)
Lancia Delta
Fiat Bravo
Toyota Corrola
Seat Leon
Audi A3 (3-door as well)
Renault Mégane
BMW 1 series hatch
Volvo C30
A lot of which I’d personally prefer over the Mazda3, for instance because I personally don’t like the interior (plastics) of the Mazda3, which I think is important, and also because it’s out-dated compared to some others.
And also, being a car enthousiast, to be honest some of those are just more tasty than the boringly bland Mazda3 at the same pricepoint.
@ Katie,
Ya’ll in Europe haven’t had the pleasure of the new CTS. It really is that great of a car. While we haven’t gotten the new A4, its 95% of a BMW 3-series dynamically, which is all 99% of the driving populace needs, but kills it in style and appeal. Can’t wait for the CTS-V. GM estimates a 0-60 sprint in 3.9 seconds, and a 1/4 mile in 12 @118mph. Too bad I know it won’t handle as well as the 911 Turbo (ha!).
And it does breake my heart there is no Boxster on this list… maybe its time for a new version to recapture our hearts and minds.
Frank,
I’d be curious to know; what were the runners up? It would be fun to know who almost made the list.
-ted
@ Mike Solowiow
I drove the first generation CTS and it was OK. Just OK. Pretty standard by European levels. I drove the second generation in LA, again, it was OK.
It breaks my heart that the Jaguar XF isn’t on this list, but class isn’t something you can buy……
Who cares about boxters and STI’s…
Why wasn’t Elise even on the list? Too boring? :)
Bummer no Subie’s made the list.
i think for next years we should do it by class. Sub $20k car, 20-30k car etc. Best sedan. Best Convertible. Best Hot hatch. etc.
@ Katie,
Agreed with the XF. Had both the regular V8, and the Supercharged. I will take mine in blue with the beige interior please… non-supercharged (is the heresy?)
Rather predictable gearhead fare. What is the relevance of a sports car-heavy list to most car buyers, who must struggle with a more complex set of trade offs?
“If you shut your eyes and meditate on the word “driving,” odds are you’ll visualize a Miata.”
Hopefully, the shutting of the eyes is not being done whilst in the pilot’s seat…
But yes, I would agree with everything said about the Miata. If I remember correctly, The word means “High Reward,” and so I cannot bear to call it the “MX-5″. If I ever bought another one in my life, I’d see about changing the badging, even if I had to do it at great cost.
And I’d go one further and say… “Zoom Zooom”…
:)
Yes, it’s true. This month, I violated my own personal guidelines against top ten lists and sports/reality shows . I voted in the Ten Best this year, and yes…I’ve been watching the Olympics. It’s a good thing the Olympics will be over this week, because I can feel my brain turning into spackling paste….
4 of those cars can be had for around $20k. Not bad at all.
Sure is alot of complaining, maybe because people’s first choice wasn’t firt.
Good to see the 3 is on the top, even though I’m not sure how. But hey, it’s like a democracy right? That’s really impressive for an essentially 5-year old car that is about to be replaced. It’s had it’s fair share of early issues, but no less than any American or European car or an Asian NOT from Toyonda. It brings smiles to it’s drivers, and the wagon is rather utilitarian while still looking good. 30mpg isn’t bad for a compact that is more “sport-tuned” than a Civic or Corolla. It’s not a “magic” car, it’s the love-child of Mazda, Ford, and Volvo.
Yes, Europe does have some better alternatives but a majority of the people here (staff and B&B) are from North America and most of the cars tested here are for the US market.
Mr. Lemming:
Only the RS8, GT-R, and upper trim level Corvettes are out of reach; the rest of the cars on the list are well within the typical car buyers budget. Heck, the Mazda3 and Honda Fit made the list; you can’t get much more practical than that.
I think it’s pretty obvious why the Mazda3 is #1, whether you thought it was the 10th best or the best car, it’s still just one vote. The Mazda appeared on most voters lists of ten best (or in my case 6 best because I couldn’t even vote for more than that in good conscience). If we were to rank the cars from 1 to 10 with #1 getting 10 points on down to #10 getting 1 point, I thnk that you would have seen a much different list. What it comes down to is more people thought that the Mazda3 belonged in their Top 10, not that people thought it was the best. By the way, I don’t see why there’s all the hate for the Mazda3. I test drove both a Mazda3 and a Mazdaspeed3 and thought they were very nice cars, fun to drive and still practical, which is probably why they appeared on so many voters Top ten lists, thereby, nabbing the top spot. I didn’t buy a Mazda3, but it is certainly a very fun, sporty, yet practical car. For somebody who likes to drive, it’s head and shoulders above the other cars in its class, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cobalt, etc.
And, KatiePuckrik, you need to calm down before you blow a gasket.
I have to admit, the new Audi RS6 Avant they showed off on the new season of Top Gear looked stunning. Shame it won’t make it Stateside.
Rather predictable gearhead fare. What is the relevance of a sports car-heavy list to most car buyers, who must struggle with a more complex set of trade offs?
Those are my thoughts as well.
I don’t know that catagories would help – maybe, maybe not. Does anyone here really want to discuss Silverado vs F-Series vs Ram? I know I don’t. I would be interested in discussing small trucks though. I think small truck sales are going to go up, because some big truck owners really do need the utility of a truck, but with better mpg.
As Tex mentioned, 4 of the cars could be had for about $20K, which is good -that the price point most of us are at, whether we want to admit it or not. That means the other 6 are pricey for most of us, and we’ll never actually own them. So again, the relevance?
I didn’t vote either.
Besides the Fit, the Mazda3 is the only other sub-$20K car on the list…so it only makes sense that a hell of a lot more people own those than the other superior machines that rank “behind” it on this list. In addition to that, it seems to have more of a boy-racer following…sort of like Golfies, but w/a larger following (because it’s cheap); thus, lots and lots of votes.
However, IMHO, it’s a sad day when an econobox beats out a Corvette, an M3, an R8 and even a GTR. But then again, the voters live in a nation w/65mph curveless “highways,” insurance industry monitoring of traffic infractions and the ultra-rediculous high school motoring education. So maybe picking the Mazda 3 sort of makes sense…
I assume the Mazda3 award excludes the 2.0L base engine? Because that thing was t-e-d-i-o-u-s, even with a manual.
Me: Ok, acceleration from a stop was lackluster, but let’s see how it passes on the freeway.
Wife: Sure, go for it.
[I slow down from 70 to 55 MPH, then downshift into fourth]
Wife: Um, I’m not really feeling a whole lot. Floor it.
Me: I AM flooring it.
Wife: This isn’t going to get around a semi in any reasonable time.
Me: Maybe I need to throw it into third.
[I shift into third, causing the engine to whine like a scolded three-year-old, and the car to shake and thrash about]
Wife: MAKE IT STOP!!!!
So that was that… never mind that the pavement noise was too loud to hear classical music over.
Regarding the CTS stying (since I’ve never driven one, nor would it occur to me to)…
If not for the silly fender vent, I have a hard time telling it from the OLD CTS. Stupid angular lines, ungainly fat C-pillar which is jarring in contrast to the too-thin A-pillar. It’s disjointed and horrifically uneasy on my eyes. A design that may be hip today but will NOT age well. Looking at an ‘08 CTS in 30 years will be like looking at a mid-70s T-bird today. A certain edgy appeal, but more than anything a tribute to the gaudy excess of its age.
Nice list, I can’t really disagree with any of the picks; too many near-lux sedans though. Have to admit I am surprised I don’t see a Cayman on the list. And I’m also surprised the Mazda3 took the top spot.
If I had to pick the “best” car that’s relevant to the times we’re in and all, it would have to be the Honda Fit. Its an nifty car to drive that has a really ingenious interior set-up. As fun and small as a Mini, but with better efficiency and build quality, for less money. If that Fit-platformed hybrid is as good as everyone thinks it will be (and it will be), plus a diesel option (for REAL misers) the Fit will be the first “world-car” I think with a worldwide appeal to match.
The overall reaction to this survey is that you can satisfy some of the people some of the time and all of the people rarely.
I’d be interested in why the Mazdaspeed3 was classified as “ratshit” by one contributor. Our 3 has been bullet proof for nigh on 60,000 miles.
Is there some sort of special problem with the turbo version?
As the bumper sticker says, however, our other car is a Porsche.
Pretty good list.
Have to agree that three sport sedans is wasting space that could have included others.
Haven’t seen the G35 or 3-series lose to the CTS in a head to head so I have to say “good car, but not a BEST”.
I think every other one is at least plausible.
Bunter
zerofoo
I’d be curious to know; what were the runners up? It would be fun to know who almost made the list.
The runners up were the other 10 of the 20 finalists. They were, in order from 11th to 20th:
Honda Civic
Porsche 911
VW GTI
Toyota Prius
Audi A5/S5
Pontiac G8
Audi S4/RS4
Porsche Boxster S
VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen
Hyundai Genesis
The Civic and the G35/37 seesawed back and forth for a while, but when the voting closed the Infiniti was in 10th and the Honda in 11th.
I think the point a lot of people are missing is that the results reflect what we ALL voted on. The fact that the Mazda3 took top spot is not necessarily that it is the best car of the group, but that the most people rallied behind it. That says something about the significance of the car in its virtues and appeal.
Another example is the CTS. It’s significance in competitiveness and reflections of GM resonate with the voters. Same for the Corvette. They may be fundamentally flawed in certain attributes when compared to others in their markets, but they carry a lot of weight as a whole.
All of us have our personal opinions and favorites, therefore we will agree to disagree. But the masses have spoken, and the results are above. I think the outcome is impressive, and a good snapshot of the B&B of TTAC.
Great list, especially since we readers of TTAC are the ones who helped create it with our votes.
I also appreciate it because the nominees were not constrained to any cost ceilings as some other lists are.
Axel- shifting to 3rd is the right thing to do. What kind of cars were you comparing this too?
ZoomZoom- don’t equate sports with reality TV.
The Mazdapeed 3 is ratshit comment definitely needs to be explained.
Regarding the lack of a midsize sedan; I think most “enthusiasts” would traditionally like the Accord but the 2008 is over the top ginormous
You must have a lot of Canadian voters if the Mazda3 edged out the GTR and R8 as #1 car.
Again, you’re killing me here with this Boxster thing. 18th out of 20?
Before I drove a Boxster, but after I’d owned a 911 and Miata, if anyone asked me what the most fun-to-drive car was for me, the answer was always a Miata. They are that good.
That was my answer, at least, until I drove the Boxster. Maybe I just had too much fun driving one…
Austinseven:
That was me. It has around 25k miles on it. It rattles horibly, and interior fit and finish is subpar compared to my first car (which was an early 90s Mitsu). The car feels like it is about to fall apart at any second, and I’m rather meticulous about maitenance, so you can’t hit me there. Dealer service has been bad enough to make me wish I had a VW and had to deal with their service department, at least I might get to test drive a Touareg while I wait. Its not fun to drive. The gearing is quite possibly the worst I will ever expierience. Its not comfortable at all. On long trips it hurts my back (I’m only 23, but twelve years of playing football start to stack up on you).
This isn’t just buyers remorse. I had that with my BMW for picking a 325i instead of a 330i, but I came to love it, and I miss it much. I honestly do not like this car one bit, and while it was great fun for the test drive, the long haul has, to put it simply, sucked. Hence why I am trying to sell it. There is a reason why half of my Mazda specific car club is ditching their Speed3s and going back to Mitsu and Scoobies, at least they don’t try to pretend to be upmarket with “nice” interiors and a good compromise between value and performance. It is neither.
I cannot speak for the regular Mazda3s, but I have heard similar statements from those I am friends with that drive the regular 3s.
To everyone with a Speed3 on your short list, I highly recomend looking at a GTI or, if cash allows it, an R32 or STI for a hot hatch. If you are serious in picking up a Speed3, let me know, you can buy mine.
The Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 offer absolutely nothing over any other car on this list. The MX-5 deserves to be on this list. The Mazda3 and Speed3, not one bit.
No Boxter? No Cayman? But the whole Series 3 made it? What is it? Hollywood lifetime achievement awards?
Oh, and the Mazda3 is very gay. Not gay fabulous, but downmarket, thrift-store shopping gay. Still not as gay as a Mini, but up there. I think they come from the factory with a rainbow flag sticker on the bumper as standard equipment.
So it’s nice to know I’m not the only gay voter on this site.
Rainbow nation rules!