Automotive turkeys 2008

The word “turkey” means different things to different people. Thanksgiving, for many, is a great time for turkey…unless you’re a turkey. For those of us who drive different cars every day, we sometimes come across features that rank as turkeys – perhaps the designers/engineers created them with the best of intentions, but in the real world, they prove frustrating. We’ve already written enough about BMW’s iDrive, perhaps the biggest automotive turkey of all time. Some turkeys are nice ideas that simply fall short.

In an informal poll in and around the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, I’ve come up with some other turkeys that particularly rankle our feathers:

•    Sirius radio reception in wooded, tree shade areas is awful. Also, some car audio systems have a long delay, making you wait to see the title of the satellite radio station identification.

•    Automatic door locks that don’t unlock when you park or allow a choice to set the locks to unlock when the car is turned off. This maybe a good feature for those who want the security in a tough neighborhood, but consumers should at least be given the choice. (This turkey was mentioned more than once.)

•    The government giving a tax credit if you buy a 19-mpg Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid but nothing if you buy a 32-mpg Toyota Corolla or 29 mpg Ford Focus.

·    Outside mirrors that automatically turn and give you a view of the ground below when shifting to reverse. While this offers a good view of the curb, it makes using the mirrors to back out of a long driveway useless. Convex or larger mirrors do it all.

•    Chrysler announcing its hybrid Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs and then unceremoniously killing them four weeks later.

·    Mini Cooper’s radio controls (see photo above), which are scattered all around the center stack. The radio’s volume knob, for example, is mounted separate from the radio head unit, lower on the dashboard. It’s easy to grab the radio’s other knob by mistake; even though that’s a multi-function knob, it only serves as a tuning knob if you push the “m” button first. (Of course!) It also takes several button presses to change radio modes.

·    Re-inventing a wheel that wasn’t broken in the first place. For example: Some keyless ignitions work OK, but some “Start” buttons are hard to find and require a push-and-hold process to start the car. The worst are those on BMWs and Mini Coopers that require using a fob placed in a slot and then pressing a start button. What was wrong with a key?

·    Big key fobs are maybe OK if you use a purse, but they’re bulky in a pant’s pocket. Kneel down at just the wrong angle, and the panic button can be activated, resulting in the car’s horn going off and waking up the neighborhood.

•    Acura’s styling department is a whole, gobbling turkey within itself. Have you seen the beaks on the TL, TSX and RL? I can’t tell them apart. They all look like grinning teenagers with mouths full of braces.

•    The headlights in the Toyota Prius Touring. On a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the tops), these lights got a 1. Even with Xenon bulbs, low-beam light doesn’t provide enough illumination forward to allow the driver time to see and react to objects in the road. The lights also have a distinct ramp-shaped cutoff between light and darkness at the top of the low-beam pattern. These lights leave us in the dark.

•    Paying a premium to buy a Smart (ours was just under $16,000) to get 39 mpg overall but putting up with the limitations of being able to seat only two people, limited cargo room, and maybe the worst transmission ever, when--for about the same a price--you could get a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, which seat five, and are infinitely more comfortable and (in the Fit’s case) fun to drive.

Anyway, that’s our short list. I’m sure we could go on, but you get the point. What particular car controls, models, or manufacturers drive you bonkers? Pass the gravy, and share your automotive turkeys in the Comments below.

--Mike Quincy

Sneak Peek: Mini E Electric Car

While other well-known automakers are developing plug-in electric and fuel-cell cars, BMW is making its own alternative fuel move by rolling out a fully electric, battery-powered Mini Cooper for lease to select customers in California, New York, and New Jersey. (Honda has a 200-unit lease program underway for its FCX Clarity fuel-cell-powered sedan.)

A large, 35 kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery pack takes up the whole back seat, making this Mini E strictly a two-seater. (That’s no great loss, as the Mini’s back seat has limited room for passengers’ legs anyway.) The battery is made up of 5,088 individual lithium-ion cells. The company claims a 150-mile range on a full charge, but in press photos the range indicator shows just 83 miles on a full charge. (While this may be a remnant of acceleration testing, we note that in practice electric cars often don’t attain their claimed electric ranges in real-world driving.)

Mini is including a quick charger with every electric car, but it has to be installed in lessees’ garages. The company says this special wall unit will charge the car in 2.5 hours, though the Mini E can also be recharged from a common 110-volt power outlet.

The Mini E uses a 204-horsepower direct-current electric motor and a single-speed gearbox. Torque is rated at 162 lb.-ft. Mini claims the Mini E will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, notably quicker than the base Mini Cooper we recently tested.

The Mini E is electronically limited to a top speed of 95 mph. The front-wheel-drive Mini E weighs 3,230 pounds, about 700 pounds more than a base Mini. The suspension has been fortified to account for the added weight and its distribution.

Interestingly, the Mini E will be the first all-electric car on the market with electronic stability control.

Mini says it will lease 500 of them, for a one-year term at a time. No word on how much those leases will cost, however, or what options are available to lessees at the end of the term. Mini will be looking for feedback on how lessees use the cars to gather data for future electric-car development programs.

Read more about electric cars. And join the discussion on our hybrids and alternative fuels forum.

—Eric Evarts

Driving Euro diesels from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, and Mini

More than half the cars sold in Europe are high-mpg diesels. So given the opportunity to sample four models directly from the Continent, we hoped to find out if modern European diesels are good enough to entice American drivers.

Small-displacement engines with big torque and fuel economy numbers have long been considered forbidden fruit to the U.S. market. With the revised, ultra-low-sulfur fuel recently adopted in the States, we are seeing a slow influx of European diesel models reach our shores. Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have lead this wave of new diesels, and several other automakers have announced plans to bring more here.

So, what do we have to look forward to? We got a taste last week by attending the annual International Motor Press Association (IMPA) track days at Pocono Raceway, where we piloted several imported diesel models provided by Bosch. We sampled four European-market diesel models: 2009 Audi A4 3.0 TDI Quattro, 2007 BMW 123d hatchback, 2007 Chrysler 300D, and 2008 Mini Cooper D. (Bosch supplies some of the fuel injection and emissions control equipment for these cars that allow them to meet stringent air quality standards in Europe. They say the cars could also be made 50-state compliant in the U.S.)

In our review of the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec diesel last year, we raved that its modern diesel engine was not only clean, but also felt as smooth and powerful as a gasoline engine. (Watch our video road test.)

In driving the four European cars at IMPA, it is clear that modern diesels are much smoother and quieter than those engines Americans may remember from the 1980s. But not all are as refined as gas engines, or as that E320.

I was very impressed with the Audi A4 3.0 TDI. This A4 has 236 hp and a whopping 369 lb-ft of torque, giving it impressive acceleration. The car was also quiet, relaxed, and refined in driving on the street. It’s rated at a combined 36 mpg on the European fuel economy test cycle. And several of us came away from a lap around the road course wearing wide smiles.

The Mini Cooper D gets impressive fuel economy (rated at 60 mpg combined on the European fuel economy test cycle). The Cooper D driven at Pocono didn’t require as much shifting as our base Mini Cooper with a manual transmission to stay in the power band, but it had a notably gruff engine sound. The same was true for the torquey and entertaining BMW 123d hatchback, which was rated at 45 mpg overall. Both the Mini and the BMW included an auto-stop feature that shut the engine off when the car was stopped to avoid wasting fuel when idling.

Bosch tells us the Chrysler 300D uses the same 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine as the Mercedes we tested. It was plenty powerful in the Chrysler, but not as smooth as in the Mercedes. (Also, we smelled diesel fumes after making a U-turn, whereas we couldn’t smell a thing in the Mercedes, even with our nose near the tailpipe while it was idling.) It’s rated at 35 mpg overall.

In the end, the lesson is that while modern technology has dramatically reduced diesel vibration and sluggishness, they aren’t as smooth as the best gas engines. Powertrain noise and vibration suppression are a combination of engine design, noise reduction under hood, and engine mounting technology. Nevertheless, the sacrifices to drive a diesel are much smaller than they once were, making the fuel economy improvements and abundant torque all the more compelling.

Now if only diesel fuel prices were closer to regular gasoline…

—Eric Evarts

Personal Picks: Gas-saving sedans, part 2

Continuing our staff's personal insights into the July-issue gas-saving sedans test group.

Gabe Shenhar: The small sedans we call entry-level cars here serve as mainstream family cars in many parts of the world. We see a lot of people looking down at these cars, but there’s no reason for this. Some of the better ones in this class are well-rounded, fun to drive, just roomy enough, and get great fuel economy.

I may be in a minority, but the Hyundai Elantra SE doesn’t really do it for me—it’s just not engaging enough to drive. And if that wouldn’t be a priority for me, I’d choose the Toyota Corolla for a slightly more mature demeanor and its excellent 32 mpg overall.

I like the looks and the spirited powertrain of the Honda Civic. But for me, taking into account handling agility, seat comfort, and decent interior quality brings me to the Mazda3. When I drive one, I feel like I’m driving a small package, but without being deprived of anything that would frustrate me.

Mike Quincy: How often can you get something for nothing? I recently drove from CR’s home office in Yonkers, NY, back to our test track here in CT – typically a two-hour trip. I spent those miles in the Chevrolet Cobalt. It drove OK, but I felt completely anonymous. However, when I drove a Mini Cooper last week to my son’s soccer practice, I (almost) felt like Beckham arriving at a posh L.A. nightclub. Even though the modern Mini has been around since 2002, this car still makes people smile. And I doubt any car in this month’s test group will get a wave or headlight flash from another driver of the same car. Compared to the Cobalt, for roughly $2,500 more, I can get a Base Mini (with minimal options) that gets superior fuel economy but have loads more fun. I understand that almost no one pays sticker price for a Cobalt (hence, the price difference argument is tougher to make), but I’d be willing to get something (an attractive, entertaining package) and not give up fuel economy. Bottom line: The beauty of the Cooper is that you don’t feel like you’re driving a cheap-o tin can or a forgotten rental car.

For more on this gas-saving sedans test group, read the road tests and Personal picks: sports sedans, part 1, and also watch our car review videos.

Personal picks: Hatchbacks

This month's group almost seems like a blast from the past. Hatchbacks are back and we are excited about driving them because of their combination of pretty good fuel economy and versatile cargo carrying capacities. Many of my colleagues have owned hatchbacks in the past. Here's a look at their picks:

Tom Mutchler: We heard it from family members and friends. We even heard it from contractors visiting the track. People see this group of hatchbacks and say, "Wow, you're testing a group of #@$%boxes this month." Sales figures of these hatchbacks versus their sedan counterparts hint that many Americans feel the same way.

But my fellow engineers at the track and I bristle at the dismissal of these logical cars. They do an awful lot of things right. They get good fuel economy, they can haul a wide variety of cargo, safety equipment is up to snuff, and the best ones can even be fun to drive. All this for not much money. In fact, before this group of cars, my top choice for "If I Had to Buy a Brand New Car Today, What Would I Buy?" was a Mazda3s Grand Touring hatch.

But the VW Rabbit vies for my affections and theoretical dollars. The Rabbit is fun to drive, comfortable, and has better crash-test data and a more substantial feel than the nimble Mazda. I really like that the Rabbit defies the logic that all German-designed cars must have inscrutable controls (Exhibit A: the Saturn Astra. Exhibit B: the Mini.)

Only one misgiving: having owned a VW, my attitude toward the company’s overall reliability history is "once bit, twice shy." The reliability charts for older VWs show that, as those cars aged, reliability went super bad. Hopefully the Rabbit can shake this history…

Gene Petersen: I love hatchbacks. My first brand new car was a three-door Honda Accord hatchback, the only way you could get one back in 1978. I would fold down the rear seats and use it like a station wagon to carry lumber, garden supplies, or move smaller pieces of furniture. This new crop of hatchbacks reminds of the versatility of that old Accord, plus these cars have four doors for getting passenger out of the rear seat in a respectable manner. My choice here is the Mazda3. It offers versatility, is roomy for four adults, and has a sporty flair that makes it fun to drive. It's also well finished, nicely styled inside and out and gets a respectable 25 mpg with the 2.3 liter engine and five-speed automatic. In this age of $4.00 gasoline, it may be time for me to consider a hatchback again…

Gabe Shenhar: It's too bad the Volkswagen Golf (sorry, Rabbit) isn't available with the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine attached to the DSG (automated manual) transmission. On second thought, it does exist, only then it's not a Rabbit anymore—it's called the GTI. Such a combo would give me greater agility, punch and fun-to-drive quotient as well as versatility and affordability. But I already had my GTI days in the 1980s (I owned two of them), so it’s time to move on. Besides, we’ve classified the GTI as a sporty car, so I better re-gear for the hatchbacks at hand.

Both the Rabbit and the Mazda3 hatchback possess similar driving characteristics: agile handling, decent ride and some zip in their acceleration. Both also have comfortable seats and interiors that are solid and pleasant and make you feel like you are surrounded by a nicer environment than is typical for the class. However, the Rabbit's standard 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine sounds too coarse for me and it doesn’t help that it has a relatively big thirst for fuel. The Mazda's 2.3-liter four-cylinder has a sweeter nature to it and sounds happier when it’s revved. So I’m leaning toward the Mazda3. And then there’s the likelihood of the Golf (woops—did it again—Rabbit) having more problems over several years then the Mazda3. But then again, the Rabbit has better IIHS crash test results than the Mazda3.

This has become a much bigger dilemma now, so I think I'll go with the Mini Cooper. All the Minis (S, non-S or Clubman) are a blast to drive. They look like nothing else and ooze charm and character. Good fuel economy is an extra bonus.

Rick Small: These small models are enjoying a surge in popularity due to the ever rising gas prices. The Subaru Impreza is a nice car but only comes in AWD, hurting fuel economy, and the driving position doesn’t fit my tall body as well as some others. The Saturn Astra has a nice ride, but it is slow responding and fuel economy falls short for this class. Of this group, I like the Volkswagen Rabbit the best. It feels more solid and sporty than the others here and has a good driving position for taller people. I also really like the Mini but not this Clubman version. While the "bigger" Mini does provide a little more room in the back, I dislike the split rear doors and big blind spot they create. The Clubman's handling is not as crisp as the other Mini versions, either. The Base or Mini S are a blast to drive, get very good fuel economy and (surprisingly) have a very good driving position for tall drivers like me. The back seat is petty much for storage or very small passengers, though. Fuel economy for this group is pretty good, but if you want even more mpg get the manual transmission.

Mike Quincy: My first new car was a 1987 Honda Civic Si. It was a three-door hatchback, got great fuel economy, and was more fun to drive than the car I replaced it with—a 1985 Mazda RX-7. To this day, it was one of the best cars I ever owned. Hence, I have a soft-spot in my heart for these little hatches. I think the Mini Cooper (Base model, manual transmission) comes closest to the fun and value of my original Honda. And while it's small inside, it doesn't drive that way. It's not too noisy, the ride is tolerable, and it overflows with personality. The Clubman is almost practical, but its styling seems just a bit out of proportion. Go easy with options and the Mini is affordable. Go nuts and you wind up shelling out money that could buy a larger, more comfortable car. Like I said: Base model Mini Cooper is the way to go.

Grand openings—Hatchback road test and videos

For our test group in the June 2008 issue, we drove small hatchbacks. These vehicles provide good fuel economy, practicality, and versatility. And one has all-wheel drive.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos from our staff auto experts. These videos highlight our tests of each vehicle, plus they demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

"Grand Openings" features the Mini Cooper Clubman, Saturn Astra, Scion xD, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, Toyota Matrix, and Volkswagen Rabbit. Ratings for all small cars we have tested can be found with our dynamic New Car Selector tool.

Check out the video of the Mini Cooper Clubman, plus see the rest of our hatchback videos.

Helpful hints for new car owners

A couple of weeks after I bought CR's Mini Cooper S test car, I received a package from Mini in the mail. (Apparently everyone gets it.) Along with the roadside assistance wallet card, the care package contained a cute little notebook, a deck of Mini playing cards, and a card to fit in one of the two glove boxes titled "The Idiosyncrasies of Your New Mini."

That card's title is an understatement. As we've mentioned in our test results and our video for the Mini, its controls are a mess. Just a few examples: The volume knob floats around on its own in the center of the dashboard. It takes two actions - dock the key fob (logo up or down?) and push the start button - to start the car. (Unless you splurge for the transponder key.) The turn signal wand is electronic; you can even program how many times it will flash after a brief poke. All in all, the card covers ten areas of Minidom that might need further explanation.

Why would a car company send a card explaining this stuff long after you bought the car? I'm guessing it's so that owners don't kvetch about "unique" design features in various surveys. Many surveys don't ask solely about problems that require repair. Instead, their measurement of "quality" includes product design and performance issues. So, if the Mini's card clears up how something works and a buyer is no longer confused by the feature, they probably won't complain. Ta-da! No more problem in the survey's eyes.

No doubt, Mini isn't alone at this. Engineers told us that GM put a hang-tag on the neat one-lever release handle for the Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave's second row seats so that customers would very easily figure out how to fold the back seats. This tag emphasizes the feature and reduces the likelihood of complaints. We've seen placards about run-flat tires and window decals about performance tires on newly-purchased Toyota and Lexus models. This is likely due to complaints of rapid tire wear; informing the buyer up front lessens the chance of an unpleasant surprise later.

It's not just written material, either. Although I waved off the full Mini preflight inspection when I picked up our test car at the dealer, the salesman was still very certain to point out the aforementioned volume knob. When we bought our Honda Fit, the dealer pointed out that the small release toggle on the front seat to slide it forward (needed to fold the rear seat flat) wasn't strong enough to use as a lever. Apparently these handles frequently broke on the Jazz, the Fit's European version.

Now, I'm far from arguing that the consumer should be less informed about their new car. These measures will improve customer satisfaction, especially since not many buyers ever crack the binding on their owners manual. (You should.) But I have to wonder if it would be simpler to just have a normal volume knob in a Mini rather than being told twice how to use it or Honda making that release a bit stronger.

--Tom Mutchler

Read more blogs about Mini. Discuss Mini in the forums.

Personal Picks: Small and sporty cars

Car testing at CR covers the gamut of the automotive world. It's strange, perhaps, but we'll really go from testing pickup trucks--with some weighing up to 8,000 pounds--to measuring the strengths and weaknesses of small, economy cars weighing considerably less (around 3,000 pounds). And with fuel prices never far from our minds, it's good to know that there are a number of good, capable small cars that deliver fine fuel economy but also relatively refined and comfortable driving experiences. For when you want more fun in your life (but still want to conserve fuel), we've uncovered a few small and sporty gems.

Here are more small car (and sporty car) picks based on our recent test groups:

Gabe Shenhar:
Small car: Among small sedans my choice is the Mazda3. It looks good, handles well, and has a pleasant interior; it doesn't feel like you are driving an econobox. Even though the Honda Civic is a logical choice--with more futuristic styling and more sparing with fuel--it's less fun to drive. Better yet, I would pick the hatchback version of the 3 for its added versatility and even better looks.
Sporty car: Out of the sporty cars, I'd take the Mini in a heartbeat. It's such a blast to drive. It handles like a go-kart, goes like hell, and it sounds awesome. I might even get used to the unintuitive controls. And while the Mazdaspeed3 is more capable on a track, on the road the Mini is more fun. The Mini looks like nothing else and oozes character. It's the closest thing to my original first-generation Volkswagen GTI that I was piloting two decades ago.

Gene Petersen:
Sporty car: This year, I'm picking the Mazdaspeed3. Few other cars provide the practicality, refinement, and fun-to-drive balance.  It's a perfectly easy car to live with as a commuter and for running around town with the family in tow.  I'm taken by the well-rounded refinement. There aren't many cars that deliver sports-car handling with a comfortable ride or have an exciting, smooth revving turbo engine that is equally drivable in normal use. And don't forget the sensible four-door hatch design that's versatile and yet sporty looking. Shortcomings? Not much, but I would prefer not to have to fill up with premium fuel and those sticky summer tires won't do in New England's winter months. 

Tom Mutchler:
Small and sporty car: Emerson wrote that "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." That might be why I don't just simply pick two different versions of the Mazda3 as my choice for best small car and best sporty car. The Mazda3 hatchback does everything I want a small car to do. It handles well, is lots of fun to drive, has a pretty nice interior, stability control is readily available, and it's been reliable. But picking a small, practical sporty car is a different story. As much fun as the Mazdaspeed3 is to drive (and, whoo-boy, it is a lot of fun), I'd probably try to find a 2003-2004 Ford Focus SVT five-door. Maybe an orange or yellow one with the European Appearance package, which also gets you lovely Recaro seats. The Focus certainly isn't as fast as the Mazdaspeed3 or a VW GTI, and it lacks modern safety gear, but handling is razor-sharp and the ride remains comfortable. It would only run around $13,000, leaving me plenty of budget for tires for track days.

Mike Quincy:
Small and sporty car: I know this is turning into a Mazda3 love fest, but if you haven't tried this car (and you want something that's fun, practical, affordable and economical) you must drive one. I can't really get worked up over the extra speed and pizzazz of the Mazdaspeed3 version when the "regular" 2.3-liter model is so good. I'm fond of the s Grand Touring hatchback version with the manual transmission. My two boys fit in the back with lots of room, and in those blessed moments when I have some time to myself, I can fold down the rear seats, load my bike in the back, and meet my buddies for a ride. While I wish there was less road noise on the highway, getting a model with the optional Sirius satellite radio would keep me happy for an extended road trip. Hence, this is the car that fulfills both my economy car and sporty car wants and needs. It does it all.

Read more Personal Picks from the sporty car group and Jim Traver's "Pick of the Litter."

Personal Picks: Small, economical cars

While the "PeeWee Sports" sporty cars in the October 2007 may have elicited the most water-cooler conversation among the staff, the all-new and redesigned models in our "Small Wonders" test group warrant a closer look.

View video reviews of the small cars.

Here the staff shares their personal insights with picks, and sometimes pans:

Eric Evarts: I'll start with a confession: I'm not a big fan of small sedans (though we have one in the family that my wife loves). It seems to me if you want a small car to save gas or money, you'll benefit by maximizing the car's interior space. Uncool though it may be, that means buying a wagon or a hatchback.

But that's not the only reason my personal pick among this month's Small Wonders is the Scion xB. The main reason is that it feels more grown up than the other cars here, despite its youthful target audience. The xB strikes me as a car I could consider as a substitute for the much more expensive Toyota RAV4. It has a huge back seat, plenty of room for cargo, and lots of room up front. I especially love all the handy storage nooks and crannies for road trip gear and the iPod adapter that lets you control it through the xB's radio or steering wheel. There's plenty of power, and cornering is relatively lively.

Unlike the old xB, the engine remains subdued on the highway, and the doors don't feel like they'll bend every time you slam them shut.

Like the old xB, the new one looks hip and youthful. And your neighbors don't have to know you only spent $18,000.

Jeff Bartlett: Be careful what you wish for. The manufacturers do listen closely to owners and auto show goers, as well as monitor online forum banter. The original xB was funky, affordable, and frugal, giving Scion an instant hit to grow the fledgling, youth-targeted division.

The public, at least certain hipster and hip-replacement segments, loved the original, but there was a desire for a little more power, refinement, and safety. (However, the 2004-2006 models earned a Poor rating in the IIHS side-crash test.) With the new xB, Scion delivered what buyers wanted, but in this ever-changing world, the timing was a little off. The second-gen went on sale this year amid elevated gas prices, right when the country really needed another high-mileage choice. The new xB only gets 23 mpg overall in our tests, down from 30 mpg in the last one.

The latest xB feels much different than the original, which had great visibility and feather weight. Now, the xB feels solid, with small, Hummer H3-like side glass and perceived heft. The larger engine does give the car appropriate verve, and the Dr. Who Tardis effect of an impossibly roomy interior continues.

In a segment where the competition is a variety of typical c-a-r-s, albeit with more refinement and features than ever before, the xB stands out as a buck-the-mainstream choice. The basic package provides more rear-seat space than just about anything within a yard of its length, and it just feels fun to drive a vehicle that seems like the off-spring of an armored bank truck and an urban dance club mix CD.

Once again, the xB succeeds in being a distinct alternative, without exacting a price penalty. But, I sure would welcome a couple more miles per gallon, and I suspect Scion hears other voicing similar desires. Maybe with the next generation... And if the next model launches when gas prices go down, I won't complain.

Cliff Weathers: My wife coos at our Mini Cooper the way she would a tiny puppy. Yes, she may think it's so cute and adorable now, but wait until she tries to work the radio or the confounding switchgear while driving. And the Mini's torque steer would yank her around a bit too much. She'd end up denouncing this wide-eyed little buggy faster than you can say "high-strung Chihuahua."

Unfortunately, she's always found the Scion xB to be unlovable and ugly. But if she gave it a home, she'd find that it to be a loyal companion. First of all, it plays well with the kids. Our nine- and ten-year olds barely fit in the back of our Subaru Forester these days, yet they're plenty comfortable in the back of the xB.

Also, the xB from the "Small Wonders" test group does some pretty cool tricks, especially with an iPod. If she attached hers to the wagon's dedicated jack, she'd discover that the car's audio system integrates seamlessly with Apple's media player, letting her control it through the steering wheel and radio controls.

And last, nobody wants a vehicle that's difficult to control. My wife would find that the xB is obedient on the road and only emits the slightest growl from its 4-cylinder powerplant. And at 23 mpg overall, it doesn't have much of a gas problem.

I'm always lecturing my wife when it comes to dogs cars: Make sure that you can find one that you can live with; don't take home the first one that you find adorable. Maybe next time she'll listen.

Personal Picks: Sporty cars

The October 2007 issue had two test groups, the "Small Wonders" economical cars and a "PeeWee Sports" trio of sporty cars. These all-new and redesigned models provided a dramatic contrast to the recent full-sized pickup trucks Picks from the staff.

We'll  explore the editor and engineer opinions for these two groups, as the team shares their personal insights and picks. For this installment, we'll focus on the sporty cars. In the coming days, we'll continue our Personal Picks and expand to consider the affordable, small cars.

For more perspective, view the video reviews of the sporty cars.

Eric Evarts: Making a single pick each month can be tough, and I know picking a single car to buy and own for years can be even tougher. Therefore, I don't take this task lightly. That said, as much as I like the Scion xB, what I'd really like to have in my garage is our Screaming Yellow Zonkers Mini Cooper S. So many cars today are bland and boring that it's easy to lose track when you drive different ones every day. The Mini stands out, both for its looks, razor-sharp steering, and turbocharged power.

Sure, like all our testers, I hate its controls. And I find it somewhat annoying when the stiffly-sprung front end crashes through bumps in mid-corner. But having grown up on old Hondas, Saabs, and front-drive VWs, its torque steer doesn't faze me as much as some of my colleagues. And I found I don't usually have to drive the Mini hard enough to encounter it.

What I love is the slot-car handling, the tiny size that adds to its agility, and the resulting 30 mpg that takes the sting out of my commute. I also love the big double sunroof.

Other testers will sing the praises of the Mazdaspeed3, and I share their respect. It is a much more capable car. But it struck me as overkill. I found that I had to be wailing well above the legal limit to notice the Mazda's great grip and raucous power - a feat my insurance policy won't tolerate for long. At ordinary speeds, the Mazda struck me as, well, ordinary - only louder (and hotter inside).

By contrast the Mini demonstrated the validity of two old automotive saws:

• It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, and
• No boring cars!

There's nothing boring about this Mini Cooper S.

Jeff Bartlett: Fun, reasonably affordably cars with personality... Sign me up. The October 2007 test groups were eagerly anticipated by this auto scribe. Particularly, since my family has been enamored with the BMW-reinvented Mini Cooper. In fact, as my young son's first word was "Dada," as it is for many kids, his second was "Mini."

I had a long-term Mini Cooper in my previous life that I drove coast to coast, twice. And I commuted in it to the Detroit Auto Show from Florida. I knew this car inside and out (not difficult given that you wear it like a glove), and welcomed it as part of the family for months.

The latest Mini has been received with some disappointment. The dreams of buying one faded on the first outing with our test model. Egregious torque steer and a skittish ride made my Connecticut-to-New York commute an overly exciting, white-knuckle experience as the wee machine fought to hop around in its lane on the sometimes bumpy and imperfect Saw Mill River Parkway. The baffling interior controls accomplish neither artistry nor elegant function. For example: The window switches are by the six-speed manual shifter--often a useful tool when approaching and departing toll booths. But the switch does not have an auto-up feature, making the inconvenience downright unpleasant in the rain or snow.

The real deal breaker was the rear seat. Naturally, an adult should expect to find the bench snug in one of the smallest cars on the market. But, my four-year-old son, who now has a much larger automotive vocabulary, didn't have enough leg room. If he can't fit without his feet twisted sideways and the driver NASCAR-close to the steering wheel, who can?

The Mini has changed some over time, and perhaps, so have we. The family love for this adorable car has faded.

Fortunately, we found an enticing option in the Mazdaspeed3. It delivers more room, more power, better ride, excellent interior and tremendous driver satisfaction. I've driven a Mazda 3 cross country, too, and can attest, even in more basic 2.3 form, it is a rewarding car that could bring a smile to my face on even a simple commute. Eric can have the Mini.