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Some very interesting cars, trucks and SUVs cycled in and out of my driveway in 2008. I have gone through the list of Day-by-Day Reviews from November 2007 to November 2008 and compiled my list of Top 10 vehicles from the past year (in no particular order).
First on the block is the 2009 Nissan GT-R. “The GT-R is a supercar for the playstation generation. It has been dubbed that for quite some time now with the success of the Grand Turismo racing game. To those that do not know the car, it could be mistaken for a 350z and passed by without a second glance, but to those that do know the car, there is no mistaking their enthusiasm — and at $81,900 this car sets a new bang-for-the-buck metric in Canada.”
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This next car I tested almost one year ago. At the time, I said it would be on my top 10 list, and even with the many excellent cars I enjoyed this year, it is still here. This one is the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe V6
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“Powered by Honda’s 3.5 litre V6, the Coupe V6 puts 268 hp and 248lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. My tester is equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission (A 5-speed automatic is also available for no extra cost on the V6 model).
If you are familiar with Honda’s option packages, throwing out the letters EX-L NAVI will tell you pretty much all you need to know. For those who aren’t familiar, this is the top of the line Accord Coupe with power leather seats, automatic climate control, navigation system, XM satellite radio, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, traction control with VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), 270-watt AM/FM/CD Premium audio system with seven speakers (including subwoofer) and much more.”
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With the bevy of sports cars and luxury cars I drove throughout the year, you may think me nuts to add this next car to my list, but with the 2008 Nissan Versa’s versatility (as the name suggests), space and comfort, I’d be crazy not to add it.
“It turns out the only changes for 2008 are a Sport Package, now available on the 2008 Versa Sedan 1.8 SL model (previously offered on Versa Hatchback 1.8 SL). The Sport Package adds a higher level of performance styling with a rear spoiler (roof-mounted for hatchback, decklid-mounted for sedan), lower body side sill extensions, power glass moonroof, unique front and rear fascia (hatchback) and chin spoiler (sedan) and fog lights.”
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How about throwing another sensible family sedan in the mix? The 2009 Mazda6 GS-I4 had to be one of the quietest cars I have ever driven. Even with the windows down, tire and wind noise were nil.
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“Unlike many testers I receive, this model isn’t decked out to the nines with every option in the book, which gives me an even better perspective.
I was actually impressed when I first sat behind the wheel of this car. It’s well-designed interior comfortable — what’s not too like? Then I started investigating what exactly I was driving — a base model with comfort package I determined — and with a starting price of only $22,495, this car really appealed to me quickly.”
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Looking back over the year, I certainly did drive my fair share of fast and luxurious cars! My next addition to the list is the 2008 Audi RS4. It also wins the “most expensive tester of the year” award.
“The RS4 pretty much comes with everything you would need or want as standard, with the only options being: a $500 rear side airbag package; a $6,300 premium package which includes, DVD Navigation and a few other goodies; a bluetooth link for your mobile phone for $650; and an Audi Exclusive Package from quattro GmbH for another $4,700.”
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“The 2009 Flex comes in four trims: SEL FWD/AWD and Limited FWD/AWD, with pricing starting at $34,999 for the SEL FWD model. My tester is a Limited AWD model with a base price of $42,999, but my tester is also loaded with $6,680 in options to really impress.
The more expensive additions to my tester are items most people could live without, such as: the panoramic roof for $1,700, the navigation system with rear backup camera for $2,500, and the family DVD entertainment system for $1,200.”
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“Word on the street is this car is so hot that buying one means waiting lists of 12 months. Worldwide demand is well beyond Audi’s initial expectations. With a base price of $51,850 for a car that certainly does not need many upgrades, and of course the sleek lines that invoke sensual emotions, this writer can relate to the buying public’s lust for this machine.”
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Okay, I’m cheating perhaps, as the last car on my list is actually two cars. The 2008 Porsche Boxster & Boxster S rounded out a great year of motoring!
“The standard Boxster I am testing this week comes in a very alluring red, otherwise known as “Guards Red”, starting at a base price of $58,100 this Boxster is not optioned up too much but still totals out at $65,525 including the $1,450 market adjustment. Options on the Boxster include: Automatic Climate Control, the Bose High End Sound System, Heated Front Seats (there are only front seats…), Bi-Xenon Headlamps and a few other odds and ends.”
I hope you enjoyed the list — what’s on your top 10 for the year? You can view all the Day-by-Day reviews here: All the Blogs
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December 22, 2008, 01:43:17 pm
Exactly. The automatic with spare pushed the Fit over the 6.5L/100km threshold, so they chucked it. Honda will still sell you a proper spare if you want it, though.
December 22, 2008, 02:02:10 pm
You can use the $1000 rebate to buy a spare. Or, like me, most of a set of good aftermarket tires and allow wheels.
December 22, 2008, 04:09:19 pm No spare = totally, completley, inexcusably lame.
You know what's even more lame? There's 6" MORE rear leg room in that teen, tiny, spare-tireless Fit than in the Infiniti EX-35. At least the Honda's deficiency is easily fixable. Still lame, though.
Jaeger
December 22, 2008, 04:23:55 pm You hit the nail on the head with what you said about the Mazda 6 offering at great package even at the lowest trim levels. That's why I've had several Mazdas in a row.
December 22, 2008, 04:59:18 pm
The Corvette doesn't have one, either. Neither does a Porsche 911.
December 22, 2008, 05:02:41 pm Hmm i'm having a FIT!!! the Vette OR the PORSCHE..........
December 22, 2008, 05:06:59 pm
The Corvette doesn't have one, either. Neither does a Porsche 911.
RX-8, Mini, some BMW's -- there are quite a few now that do not. Tires are getting better and that + runflat I guess they don't think we need spares.
I've never used one -- but I'm sure someday I will... but how often?
December 22, 2008, 05:40:05 pm Way back in the day my dad's car came standard with a "handle-of-an-auger" thingie that you could stick through the front bumper, turn and thus start the engine. I'm sure the wise men would tell you it is quite an essential part of your car and it is nuts to not have it. Times change, but come to think of it, that handle is actually more useful than a spare IMHO.
December 22, 2008, 05:52:44 pm Don't be such an OLDE CRANK Danny Boy..................ye'll "wind UP" inna back Brace.....OR rupture yer GiGa Joules.......and how will that piece of metal get ya HOME in a FLAT situation.....!!!!???
December 22, 2008, 05:59:36 pm
You'll just have to "ASK" for a ride when holding the crank. Often they will even hand over the keys, voluntarily
December 22, 2008, 08:12:48 pm
The Corvette doesn't have one, either. Neither does a Porsche 911.
RX-8, Mini, some BMW's -- there are quite a few now that do not. Tires are getting better and that + runflat I guess they don't think we need spares.
I've never used one -- but I'm sure someday I will... but how often?
MX-5 as well. I did get a flat but opted to keep a plugging kit in my trunk instead. It worked great ,better than injecting your tire with that goo. My car came with a mini compressor to inflate the tire. Hard to fit a spare in my trunk and a flat 17 inch wheel would never fit. [this would give an MX-5 as much trunk space as a solstice]
December 22, 2008, 08:13:03 pm
The Corvette doesn't have one, either. Neither does a Porsche 911.
RX-8, Mini, some BMW's -- there are quite a few now that do not. Tires are getting better and that + runflat I guess they don't think we need spares.
I've never used one -- but I'm sure someday I will... but how often?
A lot of people have driven along merrily for years and never had to make a claim on their auto insurance. Still seems like a bad idea to drive around without it - quite apart from the legalities of the issue. When you do need it, you're pretty glad it's there. I've had to rely on a spare tire three times. Once was a nail in the tread (that could be fixed by a spray can). The next was a nail in the sidewall (right where it met the tread) - no spray can fixy there. The third was when some doofus decided to randomly slash a bunch of tires at a train station parking lot. No spare? Sit and wait. Clearly, my personal experience informs my perception of the lameness of an absence of a spare.
Then again, the vehicles you have listed also tend to prove the rule by very small number of exceptions. For the VAST majority of vehicles on the road, the manufacturer has seen the wisdom of including a spare. Even in the case of the Honda Fit, clearly the manufacturer is not of the view that a spare is unnecessary, or else they wouldn't have included one in the manual transmission version.
So to summarize: no spare = lame0rama.
Jaeger
PS - Clearly, vehciles that come standard with runflat tires at least have an articulable reason for not including a spare. That sure isn't the case with the automatic Fit.
December 22, 2008, 09:16:16 pm
December 22, 2008, 09:31:48 pm
December 22, 2008, 10:20:49 pm
I totally take your point, and if someone said to me you can have a spare or $1k in cash, I take the cash. That said, I have a hard time believing that the weight of the spare - we're talking a little donut, not a full size wheel and tire, right? - is the fuel-economy difference maker.
I'm looking back at the thread topic and wondering how the heck we got here from there. Mostly my fault it would seem - apologies for the diversion.
Jaeger
December 24, 2008, 07:08:14 am
True enough. Potential buyers need that $1000 to get the price down to a competitive level given Honda's notorious pricing.
December 24, 2008, 08:44:27 pm
Greg, "given Honda's notorious pricing," why is the Canadian made Civic the top selling vehicle in North America?
Just wondering? Maybe the people who buy them perceive some value in them?
December 24, 2008, 10:39:44 pm
Some people will pay any price for a reputation, regardless of whether it is deserved.
December 25, 2008, 01:25:11 am
Are you saying that Honda and cars have a better reputation? If so, why does this make Honda the best selling car in North America? Is this perception misguided? Why? I need to know for my next purchase of a car, which will be soon. What brand and model, Greg, do you recommend I buy for my daughter and based on what parameters?
December 25, 2008, 06:20:31 am
Some people will pay any price for a reputation, regardless of whether it is deserved.
Wow - who knew Canadians were such mindless uninformed lemmings? Wait a minute... we're not!
Jaeger
December 25, 2008, 07:56:13 am
Some people will pay any price for a reputation, regardless of whether it is deserved.
Wow - who knew Canadians were such mindless uninformed lemmings? Wait a minute... we're not!
Main Entry:
cult
Pronunciation:
\ˈkəlt\
Function:
noun
Usage:
often attributive
Etymology:
French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate — more at wheel
Date:
1617
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents
3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious ; also : its body of adherents
4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book) ; especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: the object of such devotion
December 25, 2008, 08:24:48 am
Surely a big gash doesn't happen as often as some poor soul gets hit in traffic when trying to change a flat. Its much easier, esp. in winter to use a sealant and an electric pump.
When I was 16, I tore the sidewall out of my parent's Camry by clipping a curb while turning a corner. I pulled into the nearest store's parking lot (a whopping 15 feet from the accident) and, with some help from someone who knew what they were doing, swapped out the damaged tire for a spare. Sure, changing a tire in the middle of traffic is dangerous, but how hard is it to pull well off the road, or into a nearby parking lot?
I like to have a spare tire. I don't like runflats, and I really really really don't like a can of sealant, because it wouldn't have helped me at all in the above situation.
Well...it happen to me with the Xtrail on a 4 lane highway...piece of steel completely ruined a new snow tire, no parking lots to be found here. As well with my Focus at night on a rural road with my 2 young sons on board, a piece of steel destroyed the tire. Glad I had a spare tire, with the Xtrail a real one at that. I wonder the reaction if it was GM the "el cheapos" here and not Honda
December 25, 2008, 10:58:14 am Ahh, so it is a cult. That explains everything.
December 25, 2008, 11:14:51 am
Surely a big gash doesn't happen as often as some poor soul gets hit in traffic when trying to change a flat. Its much easier, esp. in winter to use a sealant and an electric pump.
When I was 16, I tore the sidewall out of my parent's Camry by clipping a curb while turning a corner. I pulled into the nearest store's parking lot (a whopping 15 feet from the accident) and, with some help from someone who knew what they were doing, swapped out the damaged tire for a spare. Sure, changing a tire in the middle of traffic is dangerous, but how hard is it to pull well off the road, or into a nearby parking lot?
I like to have a spare tire. I don't like runflats, and I really really really don't like a can of sealant, because it wouldn't have helped me at all in the above situation.
Well...it happen to me with the Xtrail on a 4 lane highway...piece of steel completely ruined a new snow tire, no parking lots to be found here. As well with my Focus at night on a rural road with my 2 young sons on board, a piece of steel destroyed the tire. Glad I had a spare tire, with the Xtrail a real one at that. I wonder the reaction if it was GM the "el cheapos" here and not Honda
Happened to me. BOTH lh tire sidewalls on my 2 month old BMW on a pothole in TO April 2003 ( the Ice storm week.)
Got off the road and waited for a towtruck. Annoyingly the tires ( Goodyear RSA 205-50/17 VR) were on backorder/unavailable even at BMW dealers so I had to get 4 new tires.
December 25, 2008, 01:24:19 pm
Well of course it is - that's the only reasonable explanation. I mean, it would be absurd to think it had anything to do with design, quality and value. Nope - they're all brainwashed. That makes much more sense.
My new year's resolution, by the way: Don't feed the trolls.
Jaeger