Well here it is fellow gearheads and car fans alike. I chose my top 5 for 2008 based on several criteria. Some of the top factors are; bang for buck, nostalgia/history, and overall style. Three of my top five picks are vehicles either reborn or highly influenced from past years, a common practice in today's market.
Here they are in no particular order:
1. Mini Clubman
Being of English decent, I tend to have a soft spot for British cars. I know they haven't always been the most reliable but from the Mini to the TVR, they all have originality compared to Japanese and American design. My first on the list is the Mini Clubman. The Clubman is the modern successor to the legendary classics Morris Mini Traveler, Austin Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate.
This was the small grocery getter most Brit's grew up with over the years. The modern day model has the look of yester-year yet offers all the creature features of today's cars. In addition, the MINI Clubman has a rather ingenious door configuration on the right side of the car.
The "Clubdoor" swings open in the opposing direction relative to the main passenger door to increase the access to the rear seating area. The backseat has over 3 inches more legroom than the standard Mini Coupe.
2. BMW 1 series
Although I was a little disappointed after seeing this car in person(third pillar line and rear-end design), I still have it on the list because of the bang-for-buck ratio and the grassroots design. This car was highly influenced by BMW's 2002 from years ago. The new 1 series was released in 2004 on the other side of the drink and has many more configurations and engines. We get it here with either the naturally aspirated 3.0 or the perkier 3 liter twin-turbo engine.
All 1-series come standard with six-speed manual transmissions; a six-speed automatic is optional as well. Starting at $30k, this is a lot of fun for a car with a sticker $2,000 below the national average new car price. Look out import crowd, this car will catch you off guard.
3. Mercedes Benz C63 AMG
I have a soft spot for the AMG line ever since owning a 2000 E55 AMG myself. The basic rule is gobs of luxury with gobs of power. I simply label them as German muscle cars. Although the C Class is the introductory level car for Benz, AMG takes this ride to an unparalleled level.
The power was actually dialed back a little to leave room for AMG's bigger models but this car still comes in with 450hp and 443 torque which makes this car an M3 killer.Yes, the car still lacks a manual gearbox but with the 7G/ 7 speed transmission, this car blips through gears just as clean as the best SMG or F1 trannies.
If your a yuppie looking for the car that says you have arrived, look no further than the C63. Let everyone else in SoCal buy the BMW!
4. Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Along with all the European luxury automakers boasting North American debuts at the show, humble Volkswagen has announced its plans to return the Jetta TDI diesel in the spring of 2008.
Powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and either a six-speed manual or DSG automated manual transmission
This car is one of my answers to the current fuel crunch and eco concerns of our time. While many Americans still have a fear of diesels, they are some of the cleanest, highest MPG cars in the world!
Using technology developed under the BlueTec cooperative formed by Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, the Jetta TDI will slip by the stricter regulations without resorting to a urea-based exhaust treatment, as many BlueTec labeled models will. Fuel economy will be in the 45 mpg range, better than most hybrids currently on the road today.
5. Nissan GT-R (aka The Skyline)
Little known fact to most fans, the original Nissan Skyline GT-R hit the streets in 1969.It wasn't until 1990 that the GT-R legend would be put on such a tall pedestal. That was the year the Skyline GT-R was introduced to a stunned Japanese market. It was the first of three twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive and all-wheel-steering Skylines.
Made famous in the road race and time attack arena’s, this car has a great history on the track.
One of my favorite magazines officially coined this ride as the potential Z06 Vette killer. This statement purely generated off a “bang for buck� mentality.
According to MT's headline, the GT-R boasts a 0-60 of 3.5 seconds, an 11.7-second quarter mile, a 192 mph top speed!
Little known fact: In 2007 the Heat Treatments Drag Skyline GT-R driven by Reece McGregor of New Zealand, broke the world record for the fastest 4WD over a 1/4 mile with a 7.57@ 305.96 km/h in Australia.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lance
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