The "10 Best" winners for 2008:

BMW 3-series
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Mazda MX-5
Mazdaspeed 3
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
VW GTI

wait arnt the 3series and the cts in the same class, and the vette won come on what about the gt3, r8, f430 suderia, lambo superlegra

Malibu must be more than just all bark.

IDK but it mind bobbles the hell out of me when they throw the 3 series on there.

Interesting that they picked the GTI over the R32. I've driven both and feel the R32 is definitely more of a drivers' car...but I guess they have their reasons.

Also interesting that they picked the Miata MX-5 over the S2000 (though I'm sure bitkahuna will like that :D). Both are almost perfectly balanced, tossable, and a hoot to drive.....but the S2000, especially at high RPM's has more HP. Possibly the Miata's slightly more civilized ride was a factor.

I can understand their continuing affection for the Accord.....few cars, if you don't need AWD, can do more things, compentently, all at once, and have a stellar reliability record to boot. The EX-L V6 coupe, which I just reviewed, was one of the best FWD mid-sized cars I've ever driven.

The new Malibu? Can't comment without a review, but the Saturn Aura, which I did review, its corporate brother and very much alike, had noticeable strengths and weaknesses. The one I drove had VERY heavy steering, a quiet ride, a roofline much too low for tall people, and good fit-and-finish but, like many GM cars, too many cheap plastic parts inside.

wait arnt the 3series and the cts in the same class, and the vette won come on what about the gt3, r8, f430 suderia, lambo superlegra

I believe there's a price limit

I believe that cars have to be either new or refreshed in order to be considered ... neither of which the S2000 was so I do not think that it was in contention.

I believe that cars have to be either new or refreshed in order to be considered ... neither of which the S2000 was so I do not think that it was in contention.


Several of the cars on that list are neither new or redesigned this year, and have been out for a year or more in their present form, so newness doesn't look to me like a criteria.

Malibu? And the CTS too? Wow. That's great for GM!

Several of the cars on that list are neither new or redesigned this year, and have been out for a year or more in their present form, so newness doesn't look to me like a criteria.

For 10Best, new cars AND cars that were on last year's 10Best are eligible for this year's 10Best.

Also interesting that they picked the Miata MX-5 over the S2000 (though I'm sure bitkahuna will like that :D). Both are almost perfectly balanced, tossable, and a hoot to drive.....but the S2000, especially at high RPM's has more HP. Possibly the Miata's slightly more civilized ride was a factor.


I'm with you on this. The Miata makes a great daily driver over the s2000. I've driven both and feel that the s2000 gets my adrenaline pumping more than the miata, but the miata was WAY more comfortable and quieter in the city.

For 10Best, new cars AND cars that were on last year's 10Best are eligible for this year's 10Best.

Thanks. :)

That's obviously how the Honda Accord and BMW 3-series managed to stay on the list so long. And, while I don't think the magazine is biased in any way (I've read it for many years and have a high opinion of their ratings and some, not all, of their editorials), there's no question that, in general, they like BMWs, though Bimmers don't always win the comparison tests.

Also interesting that they picked the Miata MX-5 over the S2000 (though I'm sure bitkahuna will like that :D).

:woohoo: :D

Both are almost perfectly balanced, tossable, and a hoot to drive.....but the S2000, especially at high RPM's has more HP. Possibly the Miata's slightly more civilized ride was a factor.

S2000 is more the 'hard core' screamer, but my MX-5 is just so easy to drive and doesn't need to go to the screaming high rpm's to get anywhere. I also prefer its more proportioned look vs. the huge long hood of the S2000. The S2000 is definitely a nice car though (and more expensive though I think?).

I've kept the stock suspension on the MX-5 even though tons of more capable options are out there mainly because I like how comfortable the ride is. This thing is even very comfortable over speed bumps. Yeah I'm gettin' old... :p

But the other nice thing about the MX-5 is that you can get a soft top or a powered top, and you can get it stripped or with a lot of creature comforts (mine has heated seats, satellite radio, etc.).

I can understand their continuing affection for the Accord.....few cars, if you don't need AWD, can do more things, compentently, all at once, and have a stellar reliability record to boot. The EX-L V6 coupe, which I just reviewed, was one of the best FWD mid-sized cars I've ever driven.

I just visually checked out an Accord up close the other day and boy, it's really nice. All except the ugly wheels.

there's no question that, in general, they like BMWs, though Bimmers don't always win the comparison tests.

Uhhhhh :confused:

Looks like a decent list this year. The Malibu must be pretty decent; can't wait to give it a shot as a rental! :p

I'm not much of a domestic guy but I hear the new Malibu is the car that's supposed to reshape GM.

The usual suspects on the 10 best list. I dont have a problem with it. I've seen the new Malibu around here. Looks nice.

Uhhhhh :confused:

Yep, pick up a subscription (or get Mike's out of his fireplace) - they don't pick BMWs all the time - in fact, I'd bet that BMWs don't come in first more than 50% of the time (still an incredible showing and jeez, if you have ever driven a 3-series you will understand) :)

Malibu? And the CTS too? Wow. That's great for GM!

There must have been some pay-off going on with the Malibu pick--at least, if not the pick the full review (sorry--got my issue of C&D a few days late). Even with their favorite cars (Ahem, BMW), they try to find something to nit pick (even if they acknowledge they are nit-picking). I have a hard time understanding how they cannot find fault with the fact that Chevy, unlike all its non-GM competitors, does not offer a navigation system [PLEASE HOLD YOUR PORTABLE NAV COMMENTS!]. This is a pretty competitive class, and there ARE buyers who will go elsewhere for lack of a nav. It's a pretty easy shot for C&D to take, and they didn't. Seems fishy.

There must have been some pay-off going on with the Malibu pick--at least, if not the pick the full review (sorry--got my issue of C&D a few days late). Even with their favorite cars (Ahem, BMW), they try to find something to nit pick (even if they acknowledge they are nit-picking).
The full review complains about torque steer, a slow transmission, and the gauge lighting. Even so, I haven't seen any generally bad reviews of this car yet. :thumbup:

The full review complains about torque steer, a slow transmission, and the gauge lighting. Even so, I haven't seen any generally bad reviews of this car yet. :thumbup:

Yeah--but I think that when they reviewed the Saturn Aura, they cited the lack of nav is available.

Makes me feel good to see the GTI on the list! It's the most fun car i've ever owned - by far!