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2001-2002 Edmunds Sport Coupe Review - READ ONLY

6 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2001 at 7:02 AM

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#3 of 6 Separate but Unequal by kkollwitz

Nov 26, 2001 (10:05 am)

Interesting how the 2 fastest cars were segregated into their own category. Based on Liz Kim's sneer, "excuse me while I go frost my hair, buy some spandex outfits and date Joey Buttafuoco" I guess it must be the "lower-middle-class moron" category, although "fastest sport coupes" might be less prejudicial.

#4 of 6 Fast vs Luxury by boomn29

Nov 27, 2001 (11:05 am)

I was interested to see that they downgraded cars because of the options offered, or they upgraded ones because of the amount of options. Just kind of odd for the category I thought.

#5 of 6 A random category by crazed17

Dec 02, 2001 (9:53 pm)

They could have called this cars-that-don't-fit-in-other-categories. This is not like comparing the Accord to the Camry to the Taurus to the Passat. The GTI, Celica, and Cougar are different cars. The GTI is a box (wasn't a requirement fancy styling?) and the Cougar doesn't have a sports car engine (another supposed requirement). I was surprised not to see the New Beetle here - wouldn't the 180 hp version (same as GTI) better fit the category? If the GTI gets in, what about a Focus SVT or Sentra Spec-V? They are all small cars with the simple addition of a more powerful engine. An Audi TT would fit their description and match many of the other cars. So it's more expensive - isn't the RSX Type-S a significant amount over the others? And how about coupe/sporty versions of sedans. The Grand Prix GT coupe parked next to me yesterday has a more sporty look than the RSX, a huge increase in torque to make up for the weight, all the same features, and a lower sticker price.
 
I would have pulled the Cougar and replaced the GTI with the Beetle, and called the category Small Front-Wheel Drive Sports Cars. Because that's what they are really trying to be.

#6 of 6 Beetle, Cougar and others... by bill_1

Dec 03, 2001 (7:02 am)

Well with respect to the Beetle versus the GTI, I think in practical terms if they are testing the base 150hp engine, it makes little difference which one you choose. However in general the 2002 GTI will be a much more serious driver's car than the beetle (180hp Turbo and the VR6 will be updated late in the Model year to 201 hp). (for the record, I like the boxy shape of the GTI).
 
As for the Cougar, what defines a sportscar engine? The biggest problem with the Cougars performance probably was the odd gearing.
 
Regarding Price, actually the RSX is not really much more expensive than a GTI if it is equipped similarly nor that much more than a fully equipped Celica GTS.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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