Best Cars of 2007 -- What, no GM?? UNPOSSIBLE! - Page 3

Silock · 03-08-2007, 05:47 PM

Full story:
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...nsumer_reports

Best Cars 2007 - Consumer Reports
by Peter Valdes-Dapena
Thursday, March 8, 2007provided byCNNMoney.com

To be a 'Top Pick', a vehicle must score at or near the top of its category in Consumer Reports' testing, must have at least average reliability and must perform well in government and Insurance Institute crash tests.

BUDGET CAR, SUBCOMPACT
Honda Fit
Cost: $14,000 to $16,000

Consumer Reports calls the Fit the "best overall in a new class of fuel-efficient cars."

Fuel economy, as measured in Consumer Reports' controlled tests, was 32 mpg with an automatic transmission and 34 mpg with a manual.

"Not only is it fun to drive, but its compact dimensions pack an impressive amount of interior room and versatility," the magazine said.

The Fit got top scores in "Reliability," "Crash protection" and "Satisfaction." Its road test score was good, but not the best.

More from CNNMoney.com:

• 2007 Geneva Motor Show

• America's Best Car Company

• New Mariner Hybrid: Nice and Green

This has become a crowded market segment with a number of good entries, said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports.

"The Nissan Versa we thought was very good," he said. "The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent were very good."

SEDAN, LESS THAN $20,000
Honda Civic
Cost: $17,000 to $23,000

Cosumer Reports praises the Civic for its "relatively roomy interior, comfortable ride, smooth powertrain and good handling."

It also helps that the Civic has good reliability, crash test results and fuel economy.

In Consumer Reports' tests, it got 31 mpg with a manual transmission and 28 with an automatic. The hybrid version got 37 mpg.

SEDAN, $20,000 TO $30,000
Honda Accord
Cost: $20,000 to $33,000

Like the Civic, the Accord is availaible in a hybrid version, which offers only slightly better fuel economy, however.

In Consumer Reports' testing, the Accord Hybrid got 25 mpg, while a V6 Accord got 23 mpg and the 4-cylinder version got 24.

"The Accord provides an excellent balance of comfort, roominess, ride and handling," the magazine says.

SEDAN, $30,000 TO $40,000
Infiniti G35
Cost: $35,000 to $39,000

The G35 is available in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

The G35 "really blows the BMW 3-series away at its own game," said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "It's extremely fast - 306 horsepower, zero-to-60 in 5.4 seconds - really agile handling, great steering, reasonable amount of room inside and really easy to live with on a day-to-day basis."

Its reliability has also been excellent, Champion said, although the record for parent company Nissan has been spotty.

LUXURY SEDAN
Infiniti M35
Cost: $42,000 to $45,000

The M35 earned the highest score of any sedan in Consumer Reports' testing, according to the magazine.

"Well equipped and comfortable, it's just as capable on a twisty two-lane road as it is cruising down the highway."

Like the smaller G35 - also a Top Pick - it's available with either rear- or all-wheel-drive. The V8-power M45 costs about $55,000.

In the same class, the BMW 530i and Audi A6 are also worth considering, the magazine said.

SUV, LESS THAN $30,000
Toyota Rav4
Cost: $23,000 to $27,000

The Rav4 was redesigned for 2006, adding more room and an optional third row of seats. An optional V6 engine gives smooth performance and good power while provided just 1 mpg lower fuel economy in Consumer Reports' testing.

The Rav4 also got top marks for reliability and crash protection.

The newly redesigned Honda CR-V is another good choice, the magazine said.

SUV, MORE THAN $30,000
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Cost: 35,000 to $40,000

Although the Highlander Hybrid is a Top Pick, even Consumer Reports wouldn't advise you to buy it now. That's because the redesigned 2008 version will be available very soon.

The 2007 Highlander offers a comfortable, quiet ride and excellent quality, according to Consumer Reports. The new version will have a movable second row, to allow for more space in the third row, according to Toyota.

The Hybrid offers all the benefits of the non-hybrid Highlander with better acceleration but only slightly better fuel economy (22 mpg) in Consumer Reports' testing. The redesigned will be the same, in terms of the drivetrain, as the current version.

MINIVAN
Toyota Sienna
Cost: $26,000 to $28,000

When Consumer Reports first started releasing "Top Picks" in 1997, the minivan chosen was the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager.

The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey have traded the top spot ever since. With the addition of a more powerful engine, the Sienna takes it back after two years of going to the Odyssey.

"It's a little bit quieter, a little bit more refined, little bit more comfortable than the Odyssey," said David Champion, head of Consumer Reports' auto testing.

Champion also said that, for his personal use, he would go for the Honda.

"I'm a bit more of a driver," he said. "I prefer the Odyssey. It's got a bit more of a sports car performance in a minivan."

GREEN CAR
Toyota Prius
Cost: $23,000

The Prius got 44 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing, the best the magazine has ever measured for a 5-passenger vehicle.

The interior is also roomy enough, for both occupants and luggage, to make the Prius a viable alternative to an ordinary family sedan.

A rearview camera is available and, the magazine says, "highly recommended."

FUN TO DRIVE
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Cost: $21,000 to $27,000

The Miata offers balanced handling, pinpoint-precise steering and a crisp six-speed manual transmission.

Its cloth top can be raised and lowered with one hand without leaving the seat. A new power-folding hard-top is available for 2007.

Reliability is fair, but that's good enough to earn a recommendation.

The Miata competes against the Pontiac Solstice and the closely-related Saturn Sky. So far, the Solstice has been outselling the Miata.

"I think [the Solstice] is going to do very well for the first couple of years," said David Champion, head of Consumer Reports' auto testing, "but I think, over the long term, this is the better sports car."

Where are the American cars?

This year's Consumer Reports Top Picks are all vehicles produced by Japanese companies. This is actually the second year in a row that that's been the case. In the 10 years that Consumer Reports has produced annual "Top Picks" lists, it's the fifth time there have been no American cars among them.

The biggest problem is that fewer American cars even make it into consideration. To be a "Top Pick," a vehicle must first earn Consumer Reports' general recommendation. That doesn't mean it's the best, but it's at least proven to be reliable, safe, it handles well and is reasonably easy to live with.

Of 23 Toyotas tested by Consumer Reports since 2000, 20 are recommended. Of 37 General Motors cars tested, only 13 are recommended. For Ford, it's eight out of 17 and, for Chrysler, four out of 20.

Besides reliability, American cars can fall down in other areas. Ford, for example, tends to do well in ride and handling, but poorly in braking performance and fuel economy, according to Consumer Reports. While GM has improved greatly in the "fit and finish" of its cars, there still tend to be problems with emergency handling and fuel economy, Consumer Reports says.

Chrysler has the second-lowest score of any automaker in Consumer Reports testing. Bad visibility, cheap interiors and noisy engines are cited as specific problems.

Things are getting better, though. New models and recently redesigned cars from Ford and GM are much more reliable and getting better test scores. The Ford Focus and Buick Lucerne, while not top-rated, are cited as two very good cars that signal a potential turnaround for Detroit products.

And in case you think Consumer Reports always likes Japanese car companies, there is one company with lower average scores than Chrysler: Suzuki.
Copyrighted, CNNMoney. All Rights Reserved.

**HemiEd** · 03-09-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recxjake

IMO you are completely wrong....

Compare Taurus sales to 500 sales... the 500 names flopped big

I gave you my opinion, it can't be wrong.

jjjayb was right, have you seen much of a promotion on the 500? A major name change like that takes a lot of advertising to get across.

Were you around when Datsun changed to Nissan? It was on everywhere you turned, it was sickening.

Also, I read somewhere, that the majority of Taurus sales were fleet and rental. This is very low profit business just to move inventory.

**morphius** · 03-09-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recxjake

Toyota Trucks!

Link: www.wsj.com

Toyota Dealers Offer Discount On Newly Redesigned Tundra
By NORIHIKO SHIROUZU - March 9, 2007 10:06 a.m.

Toyota Motor Corp. says some of its dealers are offering as much as a $1,500 discount on the basic work truck version of Toyota's newly redesigned Tundra truck, just barely one month after it went on sale.

A person can stop reading that right at the "basic work truck"...

recxjake · 03-09-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphius

A person can stop reading that right at the "basic work truck"...

Toyota's new program offers dealers on average three $250 "coupons" they can use per Tundra regular cab to entice the customer.

Toyota executives say a dealer could use as many as four coupons per sale to offer the customer as much as a $1,000 discount on the truck, but the total number of coupons they use per truck will have to be three on average at the end of the month.

**morphius** · 03-09-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recxjake

Toyota's new program offers dealers on average three $250 "coupons" they can use per Tundra regular cab to entice the customer.

Toyota executives say a dealer could use as many as four coupons per sale to offer the customer as much as a $1,000 discount on the truck, but the total number of coupons they use per truck will have to be three on average at the end of the month.

reg cabs/basic work truck, basically the same thing. The money is in the extra cab...

Even you have to know that.

sportsman1 · 03-09-2007, 12:46 PM

Yeah but now Ford has an indenity crisis on their hands. The Taurus and Five hundred are completley different models and now it only adds further confusion. The five hundred was kind of a classier taurus and now the re-branding takes away distinction. I honestly dont see how that will turn car sales around. They need to drop the price a couple thousand if they really wanna increase sales not change the name.

jjjayb · 03-09-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recxjake

Wrong... the worst deccision Ford ever made was to drop the Taurus name to start with.

Ford sold very little retail Tauruses in the last few years. It took HUGE rebates to get them to move. Dealers wouldn't order them because we couldn't sell them. Most Taurus sales in the last few years were fleet sales.

Sure the Taurus has great name recognition. But for what? Try to get someone under 40 to buy one. If they wanted to call the 500 the taurus they should have done that from the beginning. They actually might have gotten some good press out of it. I just think Ford is going to take a beating over this. Heck, 2 months ago they Debuted the new 2008 Five Hundred at the detroit auto show. Now last month they Debuted the "new Taurus" at the Chicago auto show and it's the same frigging vehicle? We all know how much the press already loves ford. I can't wait to see the reviews on the "new" 08 taurus. I'm sure it'll go over swell.

Oh, and the Freestyle crossover (which was too similar name to the freestar to begin with) is now going to be called the "Taurus X"

03-08-2007, 05:47 PM
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	Best Cars of 2007 -- What, no GM?? UNPOSSIBLE! Full story: http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...nsumer_reports Best Cars 2007 - Consumer Reports by Peter Valdes-Dapena Thursday, March 8, 2007provided byCNNMoney.com To be a 'Top Pick', a vehicle must score at or near the top of its category in Consumer Reports' testing, must have at least average reliability and must perform well in government and Insurance Institute crash tests. BUDGET CAR, SUBCOMPACT Honda Fit Cost: $14,000 to $16,000 Consumer Reports calls the Fit the "best overall in a new class of fuel-efficient cars." Fuel economy, as measured in Consumer Reports' controlled tests, was 32 mpg with an automatic transmission and 34 mpg with a manual. "Not only is it fun to drive, but its compact dimensions pack an impressive amount of interior room and versatility," the magazine said. The Fit got top scores in "Reliability," "Crash protection" and "Satisfaction." Its road test score was good, but not the best. More from CNNMoney.com: • 2007 Geneva Motor Show • America's Best Car Company • New Mariner Hybrid: Nice and Green This has become a crowded market segment with a number of good entries, said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "The Nissan Versa we thought was very good," he said. "The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent were very good." SEDAN, LESS THAN $20,000 Honda Civic Cost: $17,000 to $23,000 Cosumer Reports praises the Civic for its "relatively roomy interior, comfortable ride, smooth powertrain and good handling." It also helps that the Civic has good reliability, crash test results and fuel economy. In Consumer Reports' tests, it got 31 mpg with a manual transmission and 28 with an automatic. The hybrid version got 37 mpg. SEDAN, $20,000 TO $30,000 Honda Accord Cost: $20,000 to $33,000 Like the Civic, the Accord is availaible in a hybrid version, which offers only slightly better fuel economy, however. In Consumer Reports' testing, the Accord Hybrid got 25 mpg, while a V6 Accord got 23 mpg and the 4-cylinder version got 24. "The Accord provides an excellent balance of comfort, roominess, ride and handling," the magazine says. SEDAN, $30,000 TO $40,000 Infiniti G35 Cost: $35,000 to $39,000 The G35 is available in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The G35 "really blows the BMW 3-series away at its own game," said David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "It's extremely fast - 306 horsepower, zero-to-60 in 5.4 seconds - really agile handling, great steering, reasonable amount of room inside and really easy to live with on a day-to-day basis." Its reliability has also been excellent, Champion said, although the record for parent company Nissan has been spotty. LUXURY SEDAN Infiniti M35 Cost: $42,000 to $45,000 The M35 earned the highest score of any sedan in Consumer Reports' testing, according to the magazine. "Well equipped and comfortable, it's just as capable on a twisty two-lane road as it is cruising down the highway." Like the smaller G35 - also a Top Pick - it's available with either rear- or all-wheel-drive. The V8-power M45 costs about $55,000. In the same class, the BMW 530i and Audi A6 are also worth considering, the magazine said. SUV, LESS THAN $30,000 Toyota Rav4 Cost: $23,000 to $27,000 The Rav4 was redesigned for 2006, adding more room and an optional third row of seats. An optional V6 engine gives smooth performance and good power while provided just 1 mpg lower fuel economy in Consumer Reports' testing. The Rav4 also got top marks for reliability and crash protection. The newly redesigned Honda CR-V is another good choice, the magazine said. SUV, MORE THAN $30,000 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Cost: 35,000 to $40,000 Although the Highlander Hybrid is a Top Pick, even Consumer Reports wouldn't advise you to buy it now. That's because the redesigned 2008 version will be available very soon. The 2007 Highlander offers a comfortable, quiet ride and excellent quality, according to Consumer Reports. The new version will have a movable second row, to allow for more space in the third row, according to Toyota. The Hybrid offers all the benefits of the non-hybrid Highlander with better acceleration but only slightly better fuel economy (22 mpg) in Consumer Reports' testing. The redesigned will be the same, in terms of the drivetrain, as the current version. MINIVAN Toyota Sienna Cost: $26,000 to $28,000 When Consumer Reports first started releasing "Top Picks" in 1997, the minivan chosen was the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager. The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey have traded the top spot ever since. With the addition of a more powerful engine, the Sienna takes it back after two years of going to the Odyssey. "It's a little bit quieter, a little bit more refined, little bit more comfortable than the Odyssey," said David Champion, head of Consumer Reports' auto testing. Champion also said that, for his personal use, he would go for the Honda. "I'm a bit more of a driver," he said. "I prefer the Odyssey. It's got a bit more of a sports car performance in a minivan." GREEN CAR Toyota Prius Cost: $23,000 The Prius got 44 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing, the best the magazine has ever measured for a 5-passenger vehicle. The interior is also roomy enough, for both occupants and luggage, to make the Prius a viable alternative to an ordinary family sedan. A rearview camera is available and, the magazine says, "highly recommended." FUN TO DRIVE Mazda MX-5 Miata Cost: $21,000 to $27,000 The Miata offers balanced handling, pinpoint-precise steering and a crisp six-speed manual transmission. Its cloth top can be raised and lowered with one hand without leaving the seat. A new power-folding hard-top is available for 2007. Reliability is fair, but that's good enough to earn a recommendation. The Miata competes against the Pontiac Solstice and the closely-related Saturn Sky. So far, the Solstice has been outselling the Miata. "I think [the Solstice] is going to do very well for the first couple of years," said David Champion, head of Consumer Reports' auto testing, "but I think, over the long term, this is the better sports car." Where are the American cars? This year's Consumer Reports Top Picks are all vehicles produced by Japanese companies. This is actually the second year in a row that that's been the case. In the 10 years that Consumer Reports has produced annual "Top Picks" lists, it's the fifth time there have been no American cars among them. The biggest problem is that fewer American cars even make it into consideration. To be a "Top Pick," a vehicle must first earn Consumer Reports' general recommendation. That doesn't mean it's the best, but it's at least proven to be reliable, safe, it handles well and is reasonably easy to live with. Of 23 Toyotas tested by Consumer Reports since 2000, 20 are recommended. Of 37 General Motors cars tested, only 13 are recommended. For Ford, it's eight out of 17 and, for Chrysler, four out of 20. Besides reliability, American cars can fall down in other areas. Ford, for example, tends to do well in ride and handling, but poorly in braking performance and fuel economy, according to Consumer Reports. While GM has improved greatly in the "fit and finish" of its cars, there still tend to be problems with emergency handling and fuel economy, Consumer Reports says. Chrysler has the second-lowest score of any automaker in Consumer Reports testing. Bad visibility, cheap interiors and noisy engines are cited as specific problems. Things are getting better, though. New models and recently redesigned cars from Ford and GM are much more reliable and getting better test scores. The Ford Focus and Buick Lucerne, while not top-rated, are cited as two very good cars that signal a potential turnaround for Detroit products. And in case you think Consumer Reports always likes Japanese car companies, there is one company with lower average scores than Chrysler: Suzuki. Copyrighted, CNNMoney. All Rights Reserved.
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03-09-2007, 12:46 PM	#35
sportsman1 Nomadical Transient in Chief Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10005215	Yeah but now Ford has an indenity crisis on their hands. The Taurus and Five hundred are completley different models and now it only adds further confusion. The five hundred was kind of a classier taurus and now the re-branding takes away distinction. I honestly dont see how that will turn car sales around. They need to drop the price a couple thousand if they really wanna increase sales not change the name.
Posts: 1,456