Car and Driver's Ten Best issue will be coming out on the news stands pretty soon (I think it is always the January issue that comes early December). What cars do you think will stay, go, or be new?
Here are last years:
Acura TSX
Audi S4 Quattro
BMW 3 series/M3
Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Focus
Honda Accord
Honda S2000
Infinity G35
Mazda RX-8
Toyota Prius

 

TSX - stays
S4 - gone
3 Series - stays
Vette - stays
Focus - stays
Accord - stays
S2000 - gone
G35 - stays
RX-8 - gone
Prius - stays

 

I think the RL has a shot.

I agree that the S2000 is gone, and probably the RX8 as well. Don't know about the TSX.

What about the Legacy GT? That vehicle certainly deserves serious consideration.

 

I think since the TSX just beat the Subaru Legacy GT in a recent test the Subaru will not be on the list. I would think that the TSX will stay. I bet the Focus will have some trouble staying on with out the SVT version. I think the Accord will be there for sure with the new Hybrid.

 

I think the Scion tC definitely has a shot.

I think the Focus will go.

 

The S2000 and Focus have been on there for the past 4 years i think.

 

They've given it two very positive reviews so far and I'll be very surprised if the 05 Mustang GT doesn't make the list this year. S4, Focus, Prius are all candidates for removal.

 

Legacy GT would've needed to beat TSX in order for it to be considered for top 10.

 

for some reason, I feel like this list just came out 2004, where did ye go?

 

I bet this will be on the list this year.

 

Nope. Breaks the price ceiling on the 10 Best. Base price of all cars that qualify cannot exceed $50k USD.

 

That's weak. $50k cap

 

I thought it was 2.5 * average car price..

 

It might be, but I think that for the last time around, it came to about $50k or $55k. Either way, a 911 would never make the cut.

 

 

Porsche 911 is my "reasonable" dream car...

 

I think the tC's got a good chance of making it...

 

yes, so does the neon srt, and the riding mower i turbod last year.

 

The price ceiling last year was $69,000. It will probably go up a little.

 

People have whined about the srt4 since its introduction, yet it has remained reliable and powerful since its introduction. Think it deserves some respect.

 

I do respect it. But I respect it for what it is.

 

Yeah, a Dodge. In 18 months, the thing will fall apart. Don't get me started on that powertrain. While they rate the cars on their initial quality, they do take into consideration that a car has to make it past a 2-day test for an article. These don't exactly have staying power.

The SRT-4 has it's purpose and its place. It will get some market share where it was intended to, but when people go comparing the "best car for 20 grand" they have to consider just what people want. Some want an all-around car. Some look at just the 1/4 mile times. The Neon is a car that is for people that can't really afford to get a nice performance car (Don't take this the wrong way...not everyone can afford 30 grand), but want a little fun from their car.

 

In my opinion...

Acura TSX (I was suprised last year, honestly, but how can they remove it now that it has beaten its competition?)
BMW 3 Series (always there, always will be there)
Ford Mustang (revolutionary way of American thinking)
Infiniti G (nice blend of options; sportiness, luxury, sedan, coupe)
Mazda 3 or Scion tC(revolutionary compact car)
Honda Accord (always there, and the hybrid makes it even more worthwhile)
Toyota Prius (the hybrid fad/trend is just starting and these cars are hot, even though I don't like them)
MB SLK (great technology, great looks, great performance all-around)

The other 2 I can't think of. They definately need an SUV/ Minivan there. I was thinking the Ody, but then again, the minivan age is slowly dying. The Corvette might be there, but how about the RL? The Toureg would be a contender, but it didn't win last year which would lead one to ask why it'd win this year. In the end, we'll see what happens. If they take away the 3-Series, Accord, Mustang (even though I hate American), Mazda 3 or tC, or TSX, someone needs to reconsider their selections. All those cars have true blue reasons of being on there. I think I'll also include the SLK in that "must-be" list.

The S2000 and Focus, as many said, should not be on the list. The S2000 was updated a little and it worked well (although the 9,000 rpm is gone), and the Focus is just too old for the public. There's my breakdown, if I have any more thoughts I'll post .

 

They have a 5Best Trucks list that includes SUVs and minivans

 

whoa, easy there buddy , I've grown up with C&D, it's been my only source of reading for my entire life (all 17 years of it ). Anyway, yeah my parents still have books of the C&D yearly overviews they kept because I loved the magazine so much. I remember looking over the 1991 book, I can't believe they made a Civic 6MT!! I also remember the supercar showdown, Ferrari 355 (?), Lotus Esprit, Acura NSX. The NSX killed them all in overall package. What happend to the NSX?

 

Child neglect by Honda...

 

 

How about:
- Corvette: they love the car, I really wouldn't be surprised if it was in.
- Audi A6? The latest review was pretty positive, I wouldn't be surprised if it makes it in over the 5-series.
- RL? Possible, but since it hasn't been in any comparo yet it's hard to tell. Maybe they'll have an RL comparo in the same issue?
- Audi A4? New redesign, new 2.0L engine. Seems like they liked the car in the last issue.
- SUV: Nissan Pathfinder or Nissan Armada?
- Long shot: Ford Escape Hybrid? Throwing a bone to the first American hybrid...

 

Audi S4 will be on it.

 

i think TL will take the spot .. ~~ dono abt TSX ..
but anyway .. where is the test abt TSX vs Legacy GT ???
any1 ?

 

TL ranked 3rd in their comparo, behind 3-series and G35.. it ain't bumping the TSX.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=8550

 

agreed. I love the TL, but the TSX beats its competition. The problem is, the G35's RWD and 3.5L are good enough to make Car and Driver, the most performance-orientated magazine of them all (the best IMO), chose the G35 over a TL. Of course the 3-series beats all in an enthusiat's point of view.

I think the TSX will stay on; there's no reason why it should go. It was a suprise when they put it on last year and it'l be a suprise to me if it goes.