Car and Driver names their 10 Best for '02

[BigSmooth]

Linky

Winners (in no particular order):
Acura RSX
Subaru Impreza WRX
Ford Focus
Audi A4
Honda Accord
BMW 3-series/M3
Honda S2000
BMW 5-series
Porsche Boxster
Chevrolet Corvette

Last year's winners (for comparison):
Audi A6 2.7T/A6 4.2
Audi TT
BMW 3-series
BMW 5-series
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Ford Focus
Honda Accord
Honda S2000
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster

Your thoughts? I know C&D isn't the world's best auto mag, but what do you think of their picks?

 

[vi edit]

New camry didn't make it? Odd.

[edit] No altima or sentra spec-v either?

 

[vi edit]

you might want to throw a "www." in that link

 

[Rent]

Good pics, at least they're giving props to cars that deserve them.

 

[Nitemare]

The inclusion of the ford focus in last years and this years kind of made me not think too highly of the list..

but then again you kind of have to include a (Found on Road Dead) because they do sell alot of cars here..

The Ford focus above the Honda Civic or the Toyota Camry or Solara or even any of the Nissan's...*snicker*

Guess we know about their credibility now

 

[StageLeft]

Personally I think it's damned retarded. Subaru WRX, followed by Ford Focus, followed by Audi A4, then a honda accord, then a corvette later all in the same top 10? How in god's name can you possibly compare any of these cars.

 

[BigJohnKC]

Where's my Altima??? Well, Car & Driver sucks in my opinion now, they didn't include my new car on the best list.
And another thing, how in the hell can a Porsche Boxster and a Ford Focus be on the same list? Does that make any sense to anyone??

 

[UltraQuiet]

It's all about the advertising dollars folks. It's not a coincidence that there are lots of ads when C&D features a car. If you want an unbiased opinion about a car go to Consumer Reports.

 

[BDawg]

IMHO, the Miata should make it every year. It's the most fun car I've ever driven!

 

[LittleWolf]

The list sucks... Their explanations for inclusion of some cars like Accord, BMWs borders on ridiculous.
Obviously some personal bias and advertisement money at work...

-j

 

[sohcrates]

yeah, i'm surprised the altima didn't make it

but go AUDI !!!!

 

[TurboQuattro]

Wow...what a bunch of crybabies in here! All these cars made it onto the list becuase they are excellent in their respective classes. The Focus? Go drive one, there isn't a nicer riding/handling $13,000 car on the planet. Why was the Altima left off? Or the Camry? Because they got beat by the Accord...remember, these are FAMILY cars, The Altima's ride is too harsh for that segment, great for those that like sporty cars, not so for those who want a sedate family cruiser. BMW is on there because they make the finest cars on the planet. Sentra V-spec? Give me a break.

 

[brtspears2]

Doesn't a S2000 and a Boxster fall into the same catagory?

Anyways, Ford Focus is a great little car... better than a Civic, nice and smooth clutch, nice engine, and pretty cheap. Just stay away from the "special" package Focus's, it makes the car look lame...

 

[KokomoGST]

Have to agree with the snubbing of the Altima... the ACCORD AGAIN!?? I could understand the appliance on wheels (Camry) in the Ten Best, but the Accord instead? If they wanted a good roadster the S2000 is a good car, but WAY too expensive in comparison to the the MR2 Spyder.
Ick... seems the winners are mostly Hondas... mebbe a little $$$ thrown their way?
and the Boxster I don't understand... Porsche makes better cars than the Boxster...

Why the Audi A4 instead of the S4? In fact, why the A4 at all? The WRX is in the same class... why double up?
The Ford Focus I can kinda understand but it was out last year & the PT Cruiser won that segment.

We're not being crybabies... we're voicing that we think some of their picks are downright inexplicable. At least Motor Trend picked something fairly reasonable for their Car of the Year! (the new Ford Thunderbird)

 

[StageLeft]

Anyways, Ford Focus is a great little car... better than a Civic, nice and smooth clutch, nice engine, and pretty cheap. Just stay away from the "special" package Focus's, it makes the car look lame...

Yeah right. Lets see how consumer reports compares the 2002 focus to the 2002 civic 5 years from now...by that time the focus will be sucking up half your paycheck in repairs and it's blue book value will be $500!

 

[RoninRXN]

<< Linky

Winners (in no particular order):
Acura RSX
Subaru Impreza WRX
Ford Focus
Audi A4
Honda Accord
BMW 3-series/M3
Honda S2000
BMW 5-series
Porsche Boxster
Chevrolet Corvette

Your thoughts? I know C&D isn't the world's best auto mag, but what do you think of their picks? >>



Hahahah! Only 2 American cars up there!

As for the other cars, I like all of them...especially the WRX, RSX and BMWs...but not so much the Porsche Boxster.

 

[damocles]

Top 10 cars advertised in this mag ( in no particular order)
Acura RSX
Subaru Impreza WRX
Ford Focus
Audi A4
Honda Accord
BMW 3-series/M3
Honda S2000
BMW 5-series
Porsche Boxster
Chevrolet Corvette

 

[hominid skull]

I have a ford focus, i bought it because it was the best handling car that i test drove. I bet you people that a bitching haven't even been in one. I wouldn't have dreamed of buying one until, unhappy with the cars that i tested, i happened upon the ford garage and thought - I might aswell give it a go. I was so surprised and impressed i paid a deposit for one staight after the test drive, a very good car.

 

[luvya]

does anyone really care about what car and driver have to say?
they know jacksh*t ok!!

 

[GTaudiophile]

When was the last time BMW's 3 & 5 weren't on that list?

BMW: The Ultimate Driving Machine

Edit: You should have noted that BMW's 3 & 5 have made the list 11 and 6 times, respectively.

 

[RoninRXN]

<< IMHO, the Miata should make it every year. It's the most fun car I've ever driven! >>



Ewwwww....Miata....

 

[dawheat]

<<Ewwwww....Miata.... >>

The only people who ever say this are those who have never driven a miata. I'll be the first to admit I will never buy the car as it makes me feel like a chick, but it is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. The shifter, steering and throttle are sublime, the car is so eager and responsive, perfectly balanced by careful applications of the throttle.

Same thing with the Focus- i wouldn't say its a great handling car, but for under 15K, it is a very very suprisingly capable vehicle.

 

[prontospyder]

<<Edit: You should have noted that BMW's 3 & 5 have made the list 11 and 6 times, respectively. >>

I think the Accord have gotten the honor for 14 years.

I'm also disappointed that the Altima didn't get chosen....but I'll still keep my C&D subscription.

 

[GT578]

Seeing how Honda softened the Civic to the point where it is not even related to the previous models (no more double wishbone suspensions)....I can see why a focus would be on the list instead. I drove one for a while ..a rental car...and it handled really nicely....I drove the hell out of it since it was a rental car and I was impressed....but the engine sounds like sh*t...and its pretty weak.

 

[RoninRXN]

<< <<Ewwwww....Miata.... >>

The only people who ever say this are those who have never driven a miata. I'll be the first to admit I will never buy the car as it makes me feel like a chick, but it is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. The shifter, steering and throttle are sublime, the car is so eager and responsive, perfectly balanced by careful applications of the throttle.

Same thing with the Focus- i wouldn't say its a great handling car, but for under 15K, it is a very very suprisingly capable vehicle. >>



I have driven it, and I hate it. The WRX handles better, in my opinion.

Also...the "Ewwww" was more directed toward the look of the car than the mechanics.