Car & Driver Names 10 Best - 2009
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From: Sint Maarten
Car & Driver Names 10 Best - 2009
Car and Driver - 10 Best Cars 2009
http://www.caranddriver.com/re..._cars
BMW 3-series / M3
Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Infiniti G37
Jaguar XF
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster and Cayman
Volkswagen GTI
http://www.caranddriver.com/re..._cars
BMW 3-series / M3
Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Infiniti G37
Jaguar XF
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster and Cayman
Volkswagen GTI
Once again, we catalog the best antidotes for the automotive blahs.
Autumn in the Midwest means cold cider and warm doughnuts to a lot of folks, but for the C/D staff, it also means the weeklong rousing of a few quiet burgs as we descend on a rural route about 30 miles from our Ann Arbor office in search of the coming year’s 10Best cars.
This year, our home base changed—we upgraded to a location with a paved parking lot in the interest of floor-mat preservation and real bathrooms in the interest of staff sanity—but the roads traveled did not. Our traffic violations numbered zero, a nice change of pace from last year’s record total. Our judging criteria and the rules, however, remain constant.
Cars are judged on three points. The first is how well they perform their intended functions—sedans and hatchbacks should be spacious and versatile, economy cars should be frugal (but not punishing), and sports cars should be responsive and satisfying. Secondly, we consider how engaging a car is on an emotional level—do we emerge from a drive with a smile, and does it hold our gaze as we walk away? Finally, we look at how competitive a car’s pricing is for the levels of versatility, practicality, and fun it offers. We recognize value when we see it and we highlight those cars that possess it.
Eligibility for 10Best is determined based on newness and past 10Best success. All cars either new or significantly redesigned are allowed. Additionally, cars that made the list in 2008 are automatically invited back for 2009, providing they still clear our price cap—2.5 times the average new-car transaction price for all light-duty vehicles sold through August of the previous year, or $71,000 this time around.
If a car fails to make the list its first year on the market, it’s out of contention until a significant redesign renews its eligibility. Conversely, if a car consistently impresses us enough to be voted to the list year after year, it can remain on the list indefinitely, even if it receives no updates. But all eligible cars must be available for sale no later than January 2009.
Read on for 2009’s 10Best. While Car and Driver is staffed by enthusiasts, the 10Best cars are not just the ones we recommend to our hotfoot readers. These are cars we recommend to everyone.
Autumn in the Midwest means cold cider and warm doughnuts to a lot of folks, but for the C/D staff, it also means the weeklong rousing of a few quiet burgs as we descend on a rural route about 30 miles from our Ann Arbor office in search of the coming year’s 10Best cars.
This year, our home base changed—we upgraded to a location with a paved parking lot in the interest of floor-mat preservation and real bathrooms in the interest of staff sanity—but the roads traveled did not. Our traffic violations numbered zero, a nice change of pace from last year’s record total. Our judging criteria and the rules, however, remain constant.
Cars are judged on three points. The first is how well they perform their intended functions—sedans and hatchbacks should be spacious and versatile, economy cars should be frugal (but not punishing), and sports cars should be responsive and satisfying. Secondly, we consider how engaging a car is on an emotional level—do we emerge from a drive with a smile, and does it hold our gaze as we walk away? Finally, we look at how competitive a car’s pricing is for the levels of versatility, practicality, and fun it offers. We recognize value when we see it and we highlight those cars that possess it.
Eligibility for 10Best is determined based on newness and past 10Best success. All cars either new or significantly redesigned are allowed. Additionally, cars that made the list in 2008 are automatically invited back for 2009, providing they still clear our price cap—2.5 times the average new-car transaction price for all light-duty vehicles sold through August of the previous year, or $71,000 this time around.
If a car fails to make the list its first year on the market, it’s out of contention until a significant redesign renews its eligibility. Conversely, if a car consistently impresses us enough to be voted to the list year after year, it can remain on the list indefinitely, even if it receives no updates. But all eligible cars must be available for sale no later than January 2009.
Read on for 2009’s 10Best. While Car and Driver is staffed by enthusiasts, the 10Best cars are not just the ones we recommend to our hotfoot readers. These are cars we recommend to everyone.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 76
From: In a NSX down by the river...
On another note it's interesting to see 3 big competitors in the same vehicle class the g37, 3/M3, and CTS/-V all on the 10best list. Isn't competition great? You can't go wrong with any of them...it comes down to personal choice at that point!
Go Caddilac!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Illinois
The 3 series is always on there as well as the Accord.
Infiniti G37 is the Japanese BMW, but two things are still missing for the G to really compete with the 3 series:
1. They need to have 2 engine choices to choose from.
2. Something to compete with the M3 coupe and sedan.
Even if I don't like the looks of it, the G37 convertible is a good first step to go head to head with the 3 series convertibles.
The Honda Fit is nice, but if they had an AWD option and maybe 140 hp from the Civic, I would definately buy it.
Infiniti G37 is the Japanese BMW, but two things are still missing for the G to really compete with the 3 series:
1. They need to have 2 engine choices to choose from.
2. Something to compete with the M3 coupe and sedan.
Even if I don't like the looks of it, the G37 convertible is a good first step to go head to head with the 3 series convertibles.
The Honda Fit is nice, but if they had an AWD option and maybe 140 hp from the Civic, I would definately buy it.
I really like to see the CTS make the list again. What a nice looking car. That is truly a car that I like that I would not buy. I think it's the 
stigma behind the brand.
stigma behind the brand.
no CL-S?
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From: Kirkland
The 3 series is always on there as well as the Accord.
Infiniti G37 is the Japanese BMW, but two things are still missing for the G to really compete with the 3 series:
1. They need to have 2 engine choices to choose from.
2. Something to compete with the M3 coupe and sedan.
Even if I don't like the looks of it, the G37 convertible is a good first step to go head to head with the 3 series convertibles.
The Honda Fit is nice, but if they had an AWD option and maybe 140 hp from the Civic, I would definately buy it.
Infiniti G37 is the Japanese BMW, but two things are still missing for the G to really compete with the 3 series:
1. They need to have 2 engine choices to choose from.
2. Something to compete with the M3 coupe and sedan.
Even if I don't like the looks of it, the G37 convertible is a good first step to go head to head with the 3 series convertibles.
The Honda Fit is nice, but if they had an AWD option and maybe 140 hp from the Civic, I would definately buy it.
who cares. that has nothing to do with the 10 best list
