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2006 Car & Driver "10 Best" List Response - READ ONLY

61 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2006 at 3:36 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#27 of 61
Re: I feel ya, Rocky! [habitat1] by habitat1
Dec 10, 2005 (7:14 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 10, 2005 6:26 am)

Correction, my wife just informed me that she weighs 105, our 10 year old weighs 60 and our 7 year old weighs 48 for a total of 213.
 
But they all can drive a stick!!
#28 of 61
Re: I feel ya, Rocky! [callmedrfill] by merc1
Dec 10, 2005 (11:03 am)

Replying to: callmedrfill (Dec 09, 2005 9:57 pm)

But they sold me out, and pulled a Mercedes, putting the stick in the wrong model, cutting all enthusiast off at the knees!
 
Actually now you can get a C350 with a stick!
 
M
#29 of 61
Sorry, Merc by callmedrfill
Dec 10, 2005 (1:56 pm)
I was referring to the initial faux paus when the C-Class came out 5-6 years ago.
 
  The bad first impression was already made.
 
  DrFill
#30 of 61
Re: Sorry, Merc [callmedrfill] by habitat1
Dec 11, 2005 (6:46 am)

Replying to: callmedrfill (Dec 10, 2005 1:56 pm)

My bad first impression of a Mercedes stick came when I test drove an SLK230 6-speed back in 2001. Compared to the precise, crisp shifting Honda S2000 and Porsche Boxster S, the Mercedes stick felt like it was made out of rubber bands.
 
As I have said before, I believe AMG engineers are exceptionally talented, but misguided. It's not as if the "55" engine at 493 hp is so weak as to need a "65" with 600+. But if AMG put a bit more time into developing a decent manual transmission, tighter suspension and cars that aren't 500 lbs overweight, they might create an SL, SLK, CLK or even a C-class model that actually appeals to real driving enthusiasts, instead of muscle car maniacs overdosing on Viagra.
#31 of 61
Re: Sorry, Merc [habitat1] by potemkin
Dec 11, 2005 (8:29 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 11, 2005 6:46 am)

"My bad first impression of a Mercedes stick came when I test drove an SLK230 6-speed back in 2001"
 
M-B must've heard your complaints. The 2005 C230k I test drove last year had a really good shifter. Crisp, solid, short throws. I liked their tranny better than the others I drove (Infiniti & BMW).
#32 of 61
C&D Ten Best by potemkin
Dec 11, 2005 (9:01 am)
Acura TSX (Best Sports Sedan)
Sorry, can't have FWD and be "Best Sports" anything. Those are the rules. To me, 'sedan' implies a certain level of luxury so I'd have to say that is is redundant with the 'Lux-Sports' entry.
   
Audi A3 2.0T (Best Sport Compact)
My vote: Mini Cooper S.
 
BMW 3-series (Best Lux-Sports Sedan)
The traditional winner in this category (for good reason).
  
Chevy Corvette (Best Sports car)
I guess if you're factoring in price (as long as they're referring to the Z06), a $65k car that preforms the same as a Ferrari F430 would have to be the winner here.
  
Chrylser 300 (Best Full Size)
The trophy here would have to go to Mercedes-Benz... Oh, wait... It did.
 
Ford Mustang GT (Best Muscle Car)
Again, adjusted for cost, a good choice that's hard to argue with.
  
Honda Accord (Best Family Sedan)
Like the 3-series, a traditional winner in its category, but I would've thought that competition would've dethroned it by now.
  
Mazda MX-5 (Best Roadster)
We've (thankfully) just entered the age of the convertible hard-top. No rag-top is going to make my list. I'll go with the M-B SLK.
 
Mazda RX-8 (Best Sport Coupe)
Since the convertible SLK is also a hard-top, I'll say that this category is now redundant as well.
 
Porsche Boxster (Best Lux Sports Car)
Can't see how you'd give an award to a low-rent 911 like this. Doesn't bring anything new to the table (other than a lower sticker price) that the 911 didn't already provide. Just because it was a good business decision by Porsche, doesn't make it an award worthy vehicle.
 
Best Car we don't have a category for but should (Subaru WRX STI)
Isn't it time they added something like a "Best Factory Tuner" category? Come on, the times they are a changin'! If they wanted to keep the list at '10' they could drop one of the redundant sedan categories, or maybe combine the coupe/roadster into one. Then again, this category could probably replace the ancient "Best Muscle Car" -- that one's outlived its usefulness.
#33 of 61
Re: Sorry, Merc [habitat1] by merc1
Dec 11, 2005 (11:00 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 11, 2005 6:46 am)

I seriously doubt there is a market for a manual tranny in a SL especially when no of its competitors offer a manual. For the C,CLK, and SLK AMG models though a manual would be most welcome, but I don't think it fits in with the overall character of a AMG Mercedes, which like you noted are more about power and stability than outright cornering, not that handle as poorly as you imply, IMO.
 
No Benz is going to satisfy coming from your current car! There is no substitute.
 
M
#34 of 61
Re: Sorry, Merc [callmedrfill] by merc1
Dec 11, 2005 (11:09 am)

Replying to: callmedrfill (Dec 10, 2005 1:56 pm)

I was awaiting your annual thread about C&D's 10 Best. The only entry that I really question is the A3. That segment isn't that big and the A3 hasn't been in a comparo at C&D yet so...it kinda makes you wonder how they came up with that choice.
 
M
#35 of 61
Re: Sorry, Merc [merc1] by habitat1
Dec 11, 2005 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: merc1 (Dec 11, 2005 11:00 am)

The Aston Martin V8 comes in a 6-speed. I suspect the future convertible model will sneak a few sales from the SL. And I know the AMG's handle better than I implied, but don't tell them that. I'd still like to see them do better.
 
There is no arguing your last point.
#36 of 61
Re: C&D Ten Best [potemkin] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Dec 11, 2005 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: potemkin (Dec 11, 2005 9:01 am)

Good list---a couple of quibbles.
 
The Mini reputation for quality control and problems is pretty bad. It's a risky buy or so it seems.
 
The Mitsubishi EVO is I think rated a bit better than the STi by just about every tuner magazine I've read. Having driven both, I tend to agree...it shifts better and isn't as harsh. But it's close.

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