Personal Picks: Sporty and muscle cars, part 1

In our October 2009 issue sporty car round up, the modern Detroit muscle cars are the stars. The latest Ford Mustang GT faces off against the reborn Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. The glory days of classic muscle cars may have come and gone, though these modern interpretations of performance legends provide a compelling argument that these are the best of performance times.
 
These reborn automotive icons have each staged their own form of a comeback. The Mustang arguably made its triumphant return with the 2005 redesign, and the latest evolution has improved the breed. The Camaro and Challenger have emerged with retro-inspired style and decidedly modern performance, reminiscent of classic comebacks like Tina Turner, 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, and George Foreman. (Well, he sells lots of grills…).
 
Of course, many younger automotive enthusiasts were not weened on pony cars, but rather import performance cars. For that set, we also have tested the Nissan 370Z, Subaru WRX, and Hyundai Genesis Coupe in our most recent test group. Clearly, there’s probably something for near-every car enthusiast.
 
But when it comes to which of these cars bend our heartstrings, the votes certainly aren’t unanimous, as some prefer agility over brute muscle. Here are our initial picks for this most-entertaining group, with other installments to be posted over the next few days.
 
Gabe Shenhar: If we’re talking exclusively muscle cars we tested for this issue, my pick is definitely the Mustang. Although fundamentally less sophisticated than the new Camaro, it hides it well and ultimately proves to be the more enjoyable driver’s car. To boot, it’s also the more livable everyday car.
 
However, none of these cars are exactly my cup of tea.
 
The Mazda RX-8 is. This forgotten car is incredibly rewarding to drive, with its smooth-revving rotary engine, slick shifter and lithe handling. It’s also practical, at least as coupes go, with its well-hidden rear-hinged doors and semi-habitable rear seat. Although dating back to 2003, to me, it still looks great.
 
Another appealing alternative would be a used BMW 3 Series coupe. A 2007 328i, with a manual transmission and Sports Package, can be had for about $28,000. With its punchy straight-six, terrific steering and perfect body control, not only is it spectacular to drive, it also looks gorgeous -- which is partly why you’d choose a coupe, anyway.
 
Rick Small: I grew up in the muscle car era and have always had a place in my heart for these cars. Through the years, though, they became dated and fell out of style to the point that Chevrolet and Dodge discontinued theirs. I think the revised and retro Mustang of a couple of years ago (re)created the market segment, just as it did back in 1964. Its success once again sent Chevy and Dodge back to the drawing board to come up with some competition. And now we have a new Camaro and Challenger.
 
Of this group I find that the Mustang is the best for me. The 315-hp, 4.6-liter V8 delivers strong acceleration. The Mustang also has agile handling and the exhaust sound is always very pleasing. This engine, with the slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission, delivers a nice combination of power and economy: Expect 20 mpg overall in mixed driving on regular fuel. The driving position also fits my tall frame well and access and vision are better than the others. It’s very easy to live with as a daily driver.
 
The Camaro and Challenger are also good looking but overall are not as rewarding to drive. The Camaro is very fast but the interior feels claustrophobic and is hard to see out. The shifter, ride and economy also all fall short of the Mustang’s. The Challenger is a nice highway cruiser but handling is on the clumsy side.
 
One surprise: The Hyundai Genesis coupe deserves a look also. It delivers V8-like performance with its 306-hp, 3.8-liter V6. This powertrain even gets a commendable 23 mpg overall on regular fuel. It has crisp handling, nice interior…and Hyundai is building very reliable cars these days. The rear seat is almost useless, though, with little leg room and even less head room. The six-speed manual transmission and clutch were hard to shift smoothly especially going from first to second gear. We’re told that later models have refined engine mapping to correct this. Still, this car was the sleeper in the group.

The joyless experience buying our 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Working at CR’s Auto Test Center, part of our job is to buy the new cars we test. We do this anonymously so the dealers don’t know the car is going to be tested for Consumer Reports. We don’t want any preferential treatment; we simply purchase the cars like John Q. Public. (See videos on how we test cars.)
 
I was assigned the new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox V6. I called a dealership and requested the SUV we wanted. The salesman said the store had one. So I made an appointment for the next day to go see and buy the car. When I arrived, I found the salesman and I asked him to steer me to where the new Equinox was parked. I was surprised to find that it was all dirty, complete with smashed bugs all over the front of it. He said, of course, they would clean it up before they sell it. The car had dealer plates on it, which I found out meant that they were using it for a demo (it had over 300 miles on it). I opened the door to check out the interior and it reeked of cigar smoke (it even had two cigars in the cup holder). Naturally, I said that I didn’t want this car. Again, I was amazed that the dealer would have such a messy car as a demo.
 
Plus, the car was painted black, which we generally don’t want since it doesn’t photograph well.
 
The salesman said he could get another one with the options we wanted. After some time he found a blue one at another dealership. Better yet, he said I could have it tomorrow. So after I saw a copy of the invoice, I gave him a $1,000 deposit on my credit card. I told him I would fax over the insurance and registration so we could transfer the plates to the new Equinox. The next day I got the paperwork together and had a company check made out for the purchase. I called him back to told him that I was about to fax the paperwork over and would like to set up a pick up time.
 
Then he sheepishly told me that there was a problem: the other dealer decided to sell that car! I asked how he could sell it to me if it was already sold. He claimed ignorance and apologized and said he could get another one.
 
I was ready to walk, but he had my $1,000 and I had a company check made out to that dealership already. So we started over. Hopefully, the third time would be a charm. After a couple of hours he called back and said he found a white one with the same equipment. He, again, promised that I could get it the next day. He promised to call me when he physically had it. The next day, he called and said it was at the dealership. So I faxed the company paperwork over – now he knows this is for Consumers Reports – but he didn’t say anything about it.
 
My salesman asked me to come in at 3 p.m. to wrap up the delivery process. Miracle of miracles, the car was there. I was eager to finish the sale and get going, so I passed on the salesman’s offer to go over the car with me. But I found myself waiting over a half hour as my salesman talked on the phone and was just hanging out talking to another salesman. I asked what was going on, and he said that the finance guy was very busy.
 
My frustration began to boil since the dealer set the 3 p.m. appointment. I waited an additional half hour and a manager comes over and apologizes for the delay and gives me his card and says that I can have a free oil change when I come back. Finally, I get to the finance guy, fill out the paperwork and buy the car. I’ve been at the dealer way too long and I just want to leave.
 
Just when I thought I was free and clear, the salesman comes over and asks me to wait “just a minute” so he can go and fill the car up with gas. Of course, he had been doing nothing for over an hour and then he suddenly decided to fill the car. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
 
It was now late Friday afternoon and the peak of rush hour. And I wound up waiting yet another 20 minutes. He finally came back and again offered to go over the car with me. Again I declined. The salesman thanked me for the purchase and hoped that I would come back if I wanted to buy another car.  Ha.
 
And some people wonder why most consumers don’t like the experience of buying a new car…
 
—Rick Small

Personal Picks: Midsized SUVs

Models such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander have been popular for years. This group easily makes up the bulk of SUV sales, probably because you can choose get almost any combination of three-row seating, good off-road abilities, luxury-lined cabins, boat-pulling grunt, or hybrid technology. Really, there’s something for everyone.

A recent Consumer Reports test group included a diverse cross-section of SUVs: the Chevrolet Traverse, Kia Borrego, Infiniti FX35, and Lexus RX 350. While the Chevrolet and Kia lean toward the practical side (both have 3rd-row seats), the Lexus and Infiniti, respectively, treat drivers to luxurious cabins and relatively sporty handling.

But when the rubber meets the road, which ones would we buy? Take a look at the testers’ personal picks:

Rick Small: While the Lexus RX is nice overall, it’s very expensive. I would save some money and buy the very similar Toyota Venza. The Infiniti FX is very quick and sporty, but it is a bit cramped for my tall frame and not as roomy or versatile as many in this group. The Borrego is priced right but rides stiffly, and it is not as economical as most in this category. The Traverse is the best of the GM offerings -- it does most things well and is roomy and not bulky to drive. However, reliability is still an open question. Overall, I still prefer the Nissan Murano. It has a good combination of comfort, performance, and fuel economy. The Honda Pilot is also a roomy, reliable choice but not if you are looking for a sporty ride. I look forward to testing the new Chevrolet Equinox, which looks promising with its choice of four-cylinder or V6 engines. Plus, it’s not as big as the Traverse, so it should handle better and be more economical.

Gabe Shenhar: Among these types of SUVs, I’m leaning toward the luxury end. I’ve always been drawn to the BMW X5. I think it looks great and it drives beautifully. It very much possesses the steering precision and body control you’d associate with a BMW. And, if you get the diesel, 22 mpg is pretty sweet for a vehicle this size. But it also costs a pile of money. No matter how you slice it, you’re hovering around $60K. That’s why my sensible side leads me to the Acura MDX. It’s smooth and refined, and it drives in a responsive, relatively connected way without beating you up. In terms of value for the money, I think it’s unbeatable. Everyone in my circle of friends and family to whom I’ve recommended the MDX couldn’t be happier.

And yet, both the X5 and MDX have become such an overly popular suburban soccer-mom mobile that I find myself balking at the idea. And both are kind of large for my personal taste. That’s exactly why I could see myself getting the new Audi Q5. It’s just the right size, so you don’t feel like you’re driving a truck. It has enough room, provided you are giving up the third row. It has a beautiful interior that’s tasteful, luxurious, and quiet. Most importantly, the Q5 is entertaining to drive with a sporty demeanor, good steering and a nice powertrain. As an extra bonus it also looks great. CRO subscribers can read about it on the Audi Q5 model overview page.  Or you’ll find it in the September issue of CR.

Mike Quincy: I so wanted to like the new Toyota Venza. It just seemed like the right size, and the styling really caught my eye. And when I drove it into New York for the city’s auto show, I got lots of questions from the parking attendants. They were mostly dazzled by the Venza’s slick lines and 20-inch wheels. But driving the Toyota made me feel like I had, well, influ-venza. The ride was harsh and noisy, I couldn’t see out of it, the steering felt dead, and the whole package needs to visit Jenny Craig. Instead, for a small-family-sized SUV with some pizzazz, I’d go with the Mazda CX-9. The Mazda’s handling is quite engaging, and the powertrain is surprisingly responsive. Three-row seating helps when my young boys want to each bring a friend to the movies, and the cargo area easily holds my bike. I wish the CX-9’s fuel economy was better (only 16 mpg overall), but, for me, it strikes the right balance between the nice-but-dull Highlander and the sporty but expensive and smaller FX35.

American Personal Picks: July 4th Edition

To celebrate the 4th of July, the Consumer Reports Autos team put together its patriotic personal picks focused on the American-brand models they would most like to own. Or, imagine that you’ve just accepted a new job with great pay and benefits, including a new car. However, you employer insists that it be an American-branded car. So we asked which one would you choose and why?

Car type and price were left wide open, giving the engineers and editors freedom to choose from the broad model pantheon from Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. Interesting, many of the same vehicles were repeated throughout the picks.

Read on to see the red, white, and blue selections here, and comment below with your own choices this holiday weekend. For a more official take, see our post “Consumer Reports American Top Picks 2009.” 

Jeff Bartlett: For a practical choice, I would zero in on the Ford Fusion—A well-mannered, fuel-efficient sedan that is a terrific value and practical choice, made more appealing with its 2010 update. Beyond that, I see precious little from the Detroit 3 that would appeal to my below-$25,000 sensibilities. I favor a hatchback for versatility and prize personality. Not much meets that description from Detroit.

However, were gasoline once again cheap as water, the Chevrolet Camaro SS would be a slam dunk. It is a 30-year dream realized, almost. I have long wanted a first-gen Camaro reinvented with a modern chassis, powertrain, and safety features. But having driven it, I find I also want head room, rearward visibility, and more polished interior. Still, the new model drives as good as in my fantasy, looks stunning, and has terrific power. Should I trip over a lottery ticket or leprechaun, it would be a Corvette in the driveway, again. The Z06 and ZR1 deliver exotic-car performance in an all-American sports car, though I would choose the new Grand Sport version. The name alone conjures a legendary heritage. This special-edition has Z06 appearance elements and brakes, distinctive trim details, and a more-than-adequate 436-horsepower LS3 V8. Yeah, that’d be it.

David Champion: I would choose the Ford Fusion, Flex or Chevrolet Traverse. The Fusion’s top-notch reliability is a real breakthrough for a domestic brand and the car is fun to drive. The Flex is just the right size to carry either people or cargo—it’s comfortable and quiet and makes for a great road-trip vehicle. If I were in the market for a three-row SUV, the Traverse would be on my list for its ability to handle a variety of duties, plus its ride and handling are impressive for its size. But its sibling’s first-year reliability has been very disappointing.

Eric Evarts: If I could afford a $40,000 entry-level luxury sedan, there’s no better example on the market in my book than the new Cadillac CTS. It’s quicker than a BMW, handles as well, has more room inside, and looks wicked. While earlier CTS’s had cheesy-looking and poorly laid out interiors, the new one’s feels rich, and much warmer, more practical, and easy to use than European equivalents. Even better, I could get it with all-wheel-drive to get home from work up my hill in a snowstorm. (In fact, my neighbor did.) Even the automatic transmission that comes with the all-wheel-drive model is smooth, crisp, and responsive. So it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.

But you don’t have to spend $40,000 to get a great American car. I prefer the new Chevrolet Malibu and the Ford Fusion to the Toyota Camry and the new Honda Accord, which both feel too big to me—even if I really like the VW Passat better than any of them.

Mike Leung: For me, I like the Cadillac CTS-V and Chevrolet Corvette. They’re stylish and fun to drive. Although the practical side of me would also go for the standard CTS, which is less fun to drive, but it has a very nice interior and is still quite stylish.

Tom Mutchler: A dream of mine is to get a 25-foot Airstream along with a pickup truck as a tow vehicle. Starting out with a smaller RV for now, I picked up a used T@B teardrop trailer, choosing our 2009 Chevrolet Silverado to go get it. We put 1,400 miles in three days on that truck and found it to be a comfortable and easy-to-live-with travel companion. Sure, a loaded Avalanche or a GMC Sierra Denali would be sweet, but a “modest” Silverado remains a very nice truck. I want one.

But a truck isn’t exactly what I want for a daily driver. Lots of domestic cars qualify. The Chevrolet Malibu is one of my favorite family sedans; I’d take a four-cylinder LT over the stiffer-riding LTZ. We found that the four-cylinder Malibu’s fuel economy beat the four-cylinder Accord and Camry in our tests, and I find the Malibu more stylish than the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan. If I got a management job, maybe I could swing a Cadillac CTS—a very appealing sports sedan.

Finally, I’ve come very close—more than once—to buying a Ford SVT Contour or Focus. Both were tremendously satisfying driver’s cars. There isn’t really anything in Ford’s domestic fleet that currently qualifies, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming European-based Fords. Even the Transit Connect has steering feel that rivals some sports cars…

Mike Quincy: I’ve grown very fond of the new Dodge Ram pickup truck. It’s quieter inside than a congressional hearing on Wall Street bonuses. But the Ram’s open bed isn’t secure like the Chevrolet Avalanche’s – another truck I love. Tough call between these two. But these vehicles are all work, and I have to weigh in on stuff for play. The Chevrolet Corvette is often my answer to the question “If you could have ANY car, which one would it be?” Corvettes of various generations and horsepower ratings have accompanied me on trips from Boston to Washington, D.C. The combination of awesome power, secure handling and tolerable ride is amazing. I’ve often said that if GM put as much effort into the rest of its line as it so obviously has with the Corvette, it would rule the world. I’m also a big fan of the fun to drive Ford Mustang GT. I love its looks and distinctive V8 rumble, and I’ve enjoyed driving our recently acquired ’09 GT.

Gabe Shenhar: I think the Ford Fusion SEL V6 makes for a good family sedan. Even though it’s based on the previous-generation Mazda6 and is built in Mexico, it qualifies as American by most definitions. The Fusion steers and handles well with a nice ride. For a larger sedan, I’d take the Pontiac G8 GT. I love this car. With Euro-style ride, handling and braking and some rough-and-tumble American muscle, this Aussie import is exactly what the British would call a Q-car – an incognito fierce performance machine. If my budget allowed me to go more upscale, I’d be happy with a Cadillac CTS. This home-grown Detroiter looks gorgeous and drives almost as beautifully as a BMW 5 Series. And I personally think it steers better than an Infiniti G37. The larger Cadillac STS has even more comfort, quietness and roominess thrown in, yet is still a solid, enjoyable drive.

For SUVs, I’d look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7, really one of Chrysler’s only worthy models. It has a character, looks and the off-road ability befitting a Jeep. And yet, it’s brisk and fairly capable on the road with some handling response and decent seats. For a model with three-row seating, I’d choose the Chevrolet Traverse. It’s roomy and drives well. This coach feels solid and quiet without being the Queen Mary II. And I prefer its looks over its three other siblings. In the absence of a domestic minivan, its functionally comes close to that most-efficient suburban vehicle.

Rick Small: I would buy a Ford Fusion, Flex or Edge. These models have a sportier feel than much of their competition and they’re attractive designs to boot. Discounting for these models is prevalent, so you can get a good deal. The Fusion and Edge are also reliable. Finally, Ford isn’t taking any bail out money (yet) which means the company should be around for awhile.

Personal Picks: Small cars

With all the doom and gloom news dominating the airwaves these days, it’s good to know that there’s a new, small car that really blew us away...and it doesn’t cost a fortune. For about $17,000, the manual transmission Honda Fit goes from 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds, holds five people (or lots of cargo) and still gets 33 mpg overall. Remember the “economy” cars of the 1980s? While several got terrific fuel economy, none were as comfortable, fun to drive, or as safe as the Fit. It does so many things well, the Fit is the answer to many buyers’ needs.

As gas prices continue to climb, more and more people may retreat to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. All of the other fuel-thrifty models in this test group--the Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Versa, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Yaris--were competing for second place.

But vehicle choice is a personal one, and here are our staff picks:

Mike Quincy: The Smart ForTwo sparks more conversation than just about anything I’ve driven in the last 10 years. But when people ask me about the diminutive design, I immediately bring up the Honda Fit. I’ve repeated these lines so many times: For about the same money as the Smart, the Fit is immensely more fun to drive and easier to live with. The Fit is faster, has superior steering, loads more cargo room, and only gives up 6 mpg overall. I don’t hate the Smart, but there’s no way I’m buying one over a Fit. Finally, what puts the Fit over the top for me is the relationship between its four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. I can’t think of many engine/transmission combinations that come close to the shear precision of their operation. And after running through the gears in our manual Sport model, I have to again remind myself that it only costs $17,000. The Fit is the smartest choice.

Gabe Shenhar: The engineer in me admires the originality of the Honda Fit design. What a genius of a car. With the gas tank mounted under the front seats, rather than the rear seat, it frees up a lot room, which gives the car its amazing spaciousness and in-cabin flexibility. It’s not for nothing the Fit has already established a cult following during the relatively short time it’s been for sale in the U.S.

But I’d have trouble shelling out $16,000 on a new Fit that’s still a noisy and jittery-riding car. For me, a used Mini Cooper for similar money would be much more enjoyable with similar gas mileage, go-kart agility, and nicer interior (but, admittedly, less space). You can’t have everything.

Rick Small: These small sedans are enjoying a surge in popularity due to poor economy and fresh memories of high 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. The Hyundai Elantra is very nice, has a long warranty and good fuel economy. The Toyota Corolla gets very good fuel economy but my tall frame also doesn’t fit in it so well. The Ford Focus has lost some of its grip and with it went braking distances and some of the fun-to-drive factor. The Focus’s driving position is decent for tall drivers but it has no rear headrests which is a serious safety omission. The VW Rabbit feels more solid and sporty than some here and has a good driving position for taller people.

All that being said, my favorite, though, is the Mini Cooper. Both the base and S models are a blast to drive, get very good fuel economy and surprisingly have a very good driving position for tall drivers. The back seat is petty much for storage or very small passengers, however. The Honda Fit has a versatile interior, a useable rear seat and good driving position for taller drivers; a new tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel really helps here. The manual shifter feels sporty. Fuel economy is very good--even with the automatic transmission--but if you want even more mpg, get the manual.

Tom Mutchler: True confession time: I had already written my Personal Pick for this group, the Honda Fit. I started out with a diatribe about the lack of ESC unless you get navigation, but then noted that the Fit was great fun to drive with a very clever interior.

But then I read a post on our expert forums by a Pontiac Vibe owner, suggesting that his car might be the best "budget car" over the Fit. Never mind that the Vibe is larger than the Fit and isn't really a subcompact, or that the MSRP of his Vibe 1.8-liter manual with air and power accessories is $18,630 compared to the $16,730 Fit Sport manual.

Let’s examine his idea. First, that price difference mostly dissolves with the Vibe’s incentives. You can likely buy that Vibe for a little over $17,000; you’ll probably pay list for the high-demand Fit. The Fit doesn't give you the Vibe’s standard ESC or a fold-flat front passenger seat or OnStar. (You do get iPod control and alloy wheels on the Fit Sport; the cheaper base Fit lacks cruise control.)

The Fit isn't exactly a ball of fire and the interior trim is on the cheap side - ditto for the Vibe. Neither is that quiet inside. We haven’t tested a Vibe 1.8-liter manual, but given that our Toyota Corolla manual got 32 mpg overall with the same engine, we’d expect the larger Vibe to get something less. Not quite up to the Fit Sport manual’s fuel economy, but probably still quite good.

Both have room for four and a spacious cargo area. The Vibe has long been reliable too--remember, it's basically a Toyota Matrix that costs less.

My heart still leans towards the spunky, fun-to-drive Fit (or a used Mazda 3s Touring); put simply, I wouldn't look forward towards hustling a Vibe down a twisty road. But logic says that a discounted Vibe is a fine alternative.

Jaguar XF: The fix is in

As promised, here’s the follow up to our initial dealings with our Jaguar dealer, chronicled in “Saga of the Jaguar XF fix.”

As it turns out, the part came in a couple of days later and the dealer promptly called to schedule an appointment. They even offered to pick up the car and return it when fixed. But since I drive by the dealer every day, I figured I’d simply drop it off and take a loaner.

Thankfully, this time I got a new XF with only 400 miles on it. Maybe they read the earlier blog, where I pointed out that an Isuzu Ascender is a less-than-appropriate loaner car for a Jaguar owner.

The dealer called around lunch time and said that the car was fixed. I picked it up on the way home, and –surprise, surprise–everything’s working fine. (Admittedly, after some back and forth on getting parts to replace the window regulator.) While at the dealership, I noticed that the $120,000 XKR convertible I had jokingly asked for a loaner last time now had a sold sticker on it.

Our XF is purring along fine now. Maybe our cat does have nine lives.

--Rick Small

Personal Picks: Compact Sports Sedans

We used the word “fun” several times in our recent comparison test of sports sedans. The test group included the Acura TSX; Audi A4 2.0T; Infiniti G37 Journey; and Volkswagen CC. And while few of the available models are actually dull, most tested models fulfill the goal of scoring decently in the fun factor. But they’re not cheap – ranging from around $32,000-$40,000.

If you’re looking for basic, four-door transportation, you can save a lot of money forgoing these sports sedans – and you’ll note that several of us lean toward this. But if fun is on your radar screen (and you’d like a dash of luxury thrown in), look no further than the current offerings of sports sedans.

Which ones piqued our fancy? Here are our Picks from this highly-touted (but expensive) category:

Tom Mutchler: "You know how I always say I’d buy a (Infiniti) G if I needed a car? Let’s face it – I’d never spend that much money on a new car.” Those words from my colleague Jake, spoken during one of our morning coffee sessions, ring true to me this month, especially as the economy tends to waver.

This is a fine group of cars. There are quibbles with each, but not a loser in the bunch. Like Jake, I would definitely gravitate toward the G37 if I were buying a new luxury sports sedan. But as I wrote before in a BMW 135i logbook blog, my arms are short and my pockets deep. Put simply, there are a lot of things I could do with $38K.

So my sports sedan aspirations may be less ambitious, but they’re still very pleasing to me. I’d buy a nice used, first-generation Acura TSX. I’ve been kidded on our forums about how often I advocate this car, but I think it’s an overlooked gem. Super-nimble handling (better than the new TSX), compact dimensions yet roomy enough, a well finished interior, one of the best manual transmission linkages out there, and an engine that loves to rev. All this for easily under $20K.

Gabe Shenhar: Out of this whole category, there’s no question that I’m going with the BMW 3 Series. It’s such a terrific driver’s car that’s thoroughly enjoyable, yet totally livable. In terms of what makes a sports sedan a sports sedan, in my opinion, no manufacturer has yet surpassed the 3, even though several competitors come close, including the Infiniti G37 and new Audi A4.

What makes the 3 Series special? It’s that wonderful steering feedback and response, tied-down ride control, and good compliance that speak to driving connoisseurs and puts a smile on my face.

Unfortunately, BMW chose to equip the non-sports package cars with underachieving Bridgestone Turanza run-flat tires, which cost the car points in our testing in terms of empirical stopping distance and avoidance maneuver speed. To make this car really spectacular, I’d buy the optional sports package, bringing sharper steering response and more grip, yet with a negligible loss of ride comfort. I realize I’d have to switch to winter tires, as the performance tires are not all-season, but I do that anyway.

What I also love about this car is the pull and tractability of the straight six-cylinder engine, which sings a perfect soundtrack -- be it the 230 hp in the 328i or the 300 hp in the 335i. Thankfully, our 328i also delivered decent fuel economy, to alleviate the guilt of how many times I put my foot into it. That awesome powertrain (even with the automatic) and sporty handling, augmented by supportive seats and the innate quality of the interior can really start my day on a good note. Yes, one can nit pick about some unnecessarily complicated controls and a cramped rear seat. But ultimately, when it comes to sports sedans, what matters is which car elicits the biggest grin. And, for me, my smile is never broader than when I’m driving a 3 Series.

Rick Small: In this group, I prefer the G37. It has loads of power, delivers decent economy and is very sporty and is competitively priced. Downside? The G is just a little tight for my 6’3” frame. Considering these tough economic times, I would buy a Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, or Ford Fusion. All are roomier, have good performance and economy are reliable and much cheaper to own. They offer four-cylinder or V6 engines, and the Fusion Hybrid delivers good performance and excellent fuel economy.

Mike Quincy: Do you ever find yourself rooting for the underdog? You vote for candidates that don’t win, root for movies to get nominated for Academy Awards that don’t have a chance, or you’re a Cubs fan... I think I do this with cars. For some strange reason, I have a soft spot in my heart for beleaguered Saabs. For me, the cars’ many flaws are somehow overcome by their charm and personality. But no more. I’m turning the page and moving on. The company is on the ropes and I’m jumping ship. Instead, I’m getting behind the Lexus IS 350. It’s not as sporty as the edgier G37 or 3 Series, and the IS’s interior is snug. But I love its combination of comfort, reliability and relatively decent cost of ownership. I’d also consider the cheaper IS 250 with a manual transmission (good luck finding one, though). Is the IS still somewhat of a dark horse in this sports sedan derby? Sure, but you never know when an underdog might surprise you. I still like Saabs, but I don’t think enough people share my affection to keep the flame burning bright.

Saga of the Jaguar XF fix

It’s fair to say that Jaguar’s reliability history has been, well, a mixed bag. And while we praised our tested XF for being a sporty sedan with strong acceleration and notably nice interior fit and finish, our Jag hasn’t been without its problems.

Case in point: After only 12,000 miles and less than a year in service, the fuel door wouldn’t open and the power driver’s window malfunctioned – it goes up, then comes down an inch and stays there. Ultimately, the window requires a number of switch operations to close it fully.

We called the dealer who told us to bring it in and they’d fix it while we waited.

So I took the car in. While I was there, I found out that there were a couple of outstanding recalls on the XF and it was also due for a free scheduled maintenance. The dealer even offered a loaner (hmmm, can you say “420 hp XKR?”) and said that everything should be ready the next day. Unfortunately, I was handed the keys to an old Isuzu Ascender--twin to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. When’s the last time you saw an Ascender? Our last tested TrailBlazer had very un-Jaguar-like handling, braking, fuel economy, noise levels, and atrocious fit and finish. Sigh.

But I needed to get to work, so I took the keys and was off.

The next day the dealer called and said the car needed a new window regulator. Unfortunately, these were on back-order. So I waited a week for the part to come in; I was again told that the car should be ready the next day.

The next day the dealer called and told me that the parts that arrived to fix the XF were marked incorrectly and what we really needed was still on back-order. It may be another 1-2 weeks more before they get it.

Thankfully, I have lots of other cars to drive--the Ascender is not exactly a sweet ride--but I imagine that regular Jaguar owners wouldn’t be amused at commuting in this outdated SUV for several weeks while making payments on their cat. At least the Isuzu’s windows go up and stay up.

Meanwhile, we wait and wait until the right part comes in for our Jaguar FiX…stay tuned.

--Rick Small

Personal picks: Small SUVs

Small is the big word these days. Many people are surviving on less, buying less, and downsizing. But small doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable or compromising when it comes to living with a small SUV. In fact, some even offer a token third-row seat and nominal towing capacities–some can handle up to 3,500 pounds.

And if fuel economy is a chief deal maker, one model–the Mercury Mariner Hybrid (twin to the Ford Escape)–got an impressive 26 mpg overall in our tests. However, what might be the deal breaker here is that it cost several thousands more than most competing models. (Ours rang in at $36,615.)

Here are our picks for this category:

Mike Leung: The V6 Toyota RAV4 has been a perennial favorite of mine since its debut, because of the wonderfully flexible engine that mates good acceleration and performance with very reasonable fuel economy.

New to my list is the VW Tiguan. The 2.0T engine is really good and handling is similar to a GTI. My only reservation about the Tiguan is VW’s spotty reliability and their higher cost to own.

Between the two vehicles it’s a tough call which one I would prefer, but they’re both at the top of my small SUV list.

Rick Small: There are many small SUVs today with many new ones showing up. It’s a rapidly expanding market with growing popularity. They do have many advantages over the older truck-based models, with improved handling, smoother rides, and greater fuel efficiency. They are also very roomy for their size and have folding rear seats, adding to their usefulness.

Overall, I like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe, which are both much improved over their earlier versions. And while the CR-V’s fuel economy is good, it can’t tow too much. I need a 3,500-pound towing capacity for my boat, so that leaves the four cylinder models off my list. The Santa Fe and Toyota RAV and Mitsubishi Outlander offer V6s that will tow what I need. Of these, the Outlander is the sportiest of the group and it fits my 6’ 3” frame the best as well–although my wife complains about the lack of leg room on her side, so I guess Outlander’s off my list.

The RAV is a good choice but I don’t like the right-hinged rear cargo door; a hatchback design is much more user-friendly. Also, the RAV’s seat comfort is not that great for taller drivers.

In the end, my favorite is still the Nissan Murano, which can be a bit more expensive but is quicker, bigger and sportier than most of these and manages a decent 19 mpg. The new 2010 Chevy Equinox looks interesting and could be good competition here. We’ll be testing it as soon as it’s available.

Mike Quincy: I think the Mariner/Escape hybrids have faults (expensive, noisy, not a wonderful ride), but I’m mostly dazzled with their fuel economy. I’ve mentioned it before in several blogs, but I’m a total sucker for a lengthy cruising range–and these hybrids clock in at 435 miles before the low-fuel light starts to glow. That’s impressive enough for me that I can forgive many of the SUV’s other downsides. The 4-cylinder RAV4 also has excellent fuel economy and only 10 few miles of range (and it cost a WHOLE lot less), but I absolutely hated the seats in our tested base model. Even a short drive made me feel that I was about to fall off the front edge of the seat–ours didn’t have a seat cushion tilt adjustment. The upscale RAV4 leather seats are much better, but opting for the Limited trim line bumps up the price considerably (especially with the V6). So if I’m going to go small with an SUV, I’m leaning toward big fuel economy.

Personal Picks: Upscale sedans, part 2

Continuing our staff's personal insights into the February-issue upscale sedan test group. (Read: “Personal Picks: Upscale sedans, part 1.”)

Gene Petersen: For me, the timing is just right. I’m experiencing a mid-life crisis, gas prices seem to be back to near record lows when adjusting for inflation, and the car that grabbed my attention is the Pontiac G8. But I wouldn’t just go for the GT version we tested -- I’d get the GXP model with a six-speed manual transmission and a whopping 402-hp, 6.2 liter V8 engine. No telling how long low gas prices will hold, but I think now is the time to own a refined car like GXP. I’ve always wanted a true muscle car to check off on my “bucket list” and this car fills the bill. Not only can it dust off most muscle cars of the past in shear acceleration, it rides and handles better than some well respected foreign brands today. Plus, with good ergonomics and reasonable room, it passes as being a “practical” family car.

Rick Small: In this upscale sedan group, I prefer some of the less expensive models. Their comfort, performance and fuel economy are equal to or greater than much more expensive cars. The new Acura TL is larger and quicker than the previous model but retains the same overall fuel economy of 23 mpg. I personally like the old body style over the new one. The Nissan Maxima is also improved, and, like the TL, delivers strong performance and good fuel economy. Here I like the new Maxima body style over the previous bulbous model. Both of these cars have a roomy and comfortable driving position for taller people. The new Hyundai Genesis is fully competitive; it’s roomy, quick and comfortable but with a less sporty feel. The interior is impressively finished even compared to the more expensive cars around. The V8-powered Pontiac G8 is fun to drive, very quick and comfortable in both the front and back seats. But some controls are awkward and economy is on the low side. Still, it’s a lot of bang for the buck.

Mike Quincy: Like most people I work with, I’m constantly asked by friends and neighbors for car recommendations. My next-door neighbor, Jim, was due for a new car a couple of years ago. After consulting with me and doing a fair amount of research, he chose an Infiniti M35x. Our sons are about the same age and we often carpool to Cub Scouts. Earlier this week, Jim drove us all to a meeting and I was reminded of how nice the M35 is – from the smooth ride, quiet interior and cranking-hot heated seats. The M35 deserves every accolade we’ve thrown at it, but I’m not sure I’d pick it over the Nissan Maxima.

Heresy?  Just hear me out.

I confess to liking the Maxima’s style – it’s slick and modern without looking too showy. The shared 3.5-liter V6 is a gem. Most of the time, I don’t need all-wheel drive (doing without AWD helps explain part of the Maxima’s 500+ pound lighter weight advantage). And compared to the mighty M35x, the Maxima is faster to 60 mph (6.2 seconds vs. 7.0 for the Infiniti), has the same standard safety features, and just about equals it for trunk space and interior quietness. But what puts the Maxima over the top is it gets better fuel economy (22 mpg overall vs. 18 for the M) and it’s $15,000 cheaper. I know the Maxima isn’t perfect (the low-beam headlights stink and it requires premium fuel), and I appreciate my colleagues’ affection for the G8. But the Maxima does many things well and it doesn’t cost a ton. It’s a good car…Scout’s honor.