- Jan 3, 2001
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Say you had your choice of any of these cars as your daily driver. Keep in mind that you have to pay for gas, insurance, drive the car in 4 seasons, and occasionally make trips to the store in the vehicle. Considering cost, performance, fuel economy, style, and maintenence costs, which would you choose?
Mini Cooper S JCW -- Cool, handles like a go-kart, convertible, back seat makes it a tad more useful, great gas millage. Large fan base, considered one of the best driving cars. A bit slow, harsh racing suspension, and limited trunk space. The mentioned back seat is in name only -- 1 adult sideways or two kids could fit back there.
Pontiac G8 GT -- Large, fast, and probably one of the best cars GM has ever produced. Excellent interior, large trunk, great brakes and engine. The GT only comes with an automatic (the rare GXP has a 6-speed and a Corvette LS3 engine, but good luck finding one). Nobody will be impressed that you're driving a Pontiac, styling is a bit blah, big V8 is fuel thirsty.
Porsche Boxster S -- Widely regarded as one of the best handling cars in the world. Quick, fuel efficient, and the 05' and up models are fairly roomy inside. Mid-engine mounting makes the car drive-able in a wide range environments. Two trunks gives above average storage space. Reputation for being very reliable, but maintenance costs are expensive... some owners claim $1000-$3000/yr is common on used vehicles. Car will be in the '05-'07 range to bring the price in line with other models (as the saying goes- "an entry level Porsche is a used Porsche").
Mustang GT -- Large and powerful. Has a back seat, large trunk, large engine, large everything! Aggressive styling is still attractive, but becoming a bit too common. Great acceleration, but you have to step up to the Shelby model to get decent handling (they actually used 1970's suspension technology in the lower-end cars!). Interior is OK, not best quality. V8 is a bit fuel thirsty- some owners are reporting 10mpg with a lead foot.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe -- Nice styling, nice interior (though a bit cramped), and nice performance...especially the R-Spec model. The V6 is fairly efficient, and the car is quick and very affordable. Complaints about the transmission quality pop up in many reviews. The "Hyundai" brand name won't impress people not-in-the-know.
Subaru Impreza WRX -- AWD, an excellent engine, and its racing heritage make the WRX a favorite. Newer models are scoring 0-60 times under 5 seconds, and they're fairly inexpensive to maintain. Fuel economy is average, and the interior is a bit cramped and cheap looking. Trunk space is also so-so. Styling is in the "some like it, some don't" category.
Volkswagen GTI -- Sharp, quick, and affordable. Some consider VW the "Apple" of car manufacturers...they tweak all the little details making their interiors more of an experience than a tool. One of the most fuel efficient high-performance vehicles with MPG's in the 30's. Nice styling and handling, but reliability issues abound, and other manufacturers offer more for the money.
Mini Cooper S JCW -- Cool, handles like a go-kart, convertible, back seat makes it a tad more useful, great gas millage. Large fan base, considered one of the best driving cars. A bit slow, harsh racing suspension, and limited trunk space. The mentioned back seat is in name only -- 1 adult sideways or two kids could fit back there.
Pontiac G8 GT -- Large, fast, and probably one of the best cars GM has ever produced. Excellent interior, large trunk, great brakes and engine. The GT only comes with an automatic (the rare GXP has a 6-speed and a Corvette LS3 engine, but good luck finding one). Nobody will be impressed that you're driving a Pontiac, styling is a bit blah, big V8 is fuel thirsty.
Porsche Boxster S -- Widely regarded as one of the best handling cars in the world. Quick, fuel efficient, and the 05' and up models are fairly roomy inside. Mid-engine mounting makes the car drive-able in a wide range environments. Two trunks gives above average storage space. Reputation for being very reliable, but maintenance costs are expensive... some owners claim $1000-$3000/yr is common on used vehicles. Car will be in the '05-'07 range to bring the price in line with other models (as the saying goes- "an entry level Porsche is a used Porsche").
Mustang GT -- Large and powerful. Has a back seat, large trunk, large engine, large everything! Aggressive styling is still attractive, but becoming a bit too common. Great acceleration, but you have to step up to the Shelby model to get decent handling (they actually used 1970's suspension technology in the lower-end cars!). Interior is OK, not best quality. V8 is a bit fuel thirsty- some owners are reporting 10mpg with a lead foot.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe -- Nice styling, nice interior (though a bit cramped), and nice performance...especially the R-Spec model. The V6 is fairly efficient, and the car is quick and very affordable. Complaints about the transmission quality pop up in many reviews. The "Hyundai" brand name won't impress people not-in-the-know.
Subaru Impreza WRX -- AWD, an excellent engine, and its racing heritage make the WRX a favorite. Newer models are scoring 0-60 times under 5 seconds, and they're fairly inexpensive to maintain. Fuel economy is average, and the interior is a bit cramped and cheap looking. Trunk space is also so-so. Styling is in the "some like it, some don't" category.
Volkswagen GTI -- Sharp, quick, and affordable. Some consider VW the "Apple" of car manufacturers...they tweak all the little details making their interiors more of an experience than a tool. One of the most fuel efficient high-performance vehicles with MPG's in the 30's. Nice styling and handling, but reliability issues abound, and other manufacturers offer more for the money.
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