98CoupeV6

Cast your vote for the Car of the Year in 2003, MY2004. Price ceiling is set at $42,000 to keep competition fair and naturally only new for 2004 cars are featured. Enjoy, and please add to the discussion

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HAN Car of the Year

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Acura TL





- 3.2L V6: 270 HP 6 Speed Manual/5 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 5.7 seconds ¼ Mile: 14.4s Top Speed: 153 MPH
- $33,000-$35,000
- Probably the most impressive sedan ever offered by Honda. Packed with technological goodies, some never before seen in cars, such as a DVD-A audio system that supposedly surpasses the best from Mark Levinson, a maintenance minder system, and a captivating interior that features genuine aluminum trim. The price has increased but it still remains a top value, as neither the G35 nor BMW 3 Series can come close to its mix of performance, luxury, features and value.

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Acura TSX





- 2.4L I4: 200 HP 6 Speed Manual/5 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 7.7 seconds ¼ Mile: 15.9s Top Speed: 135 MPH
- $27,000-$29,000
- Very good bang for buck value, but engine lacks a bit in the power department. Handling is top notch and interior is extremely well designed and includes top notch materials, leading to the impression of a front wheel drive BMW. If engine had about 40 more horsepower, this would be an irresistible car.

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Chrysler Crossfire







- 3.2L V6: 215 HP 6 Speed Manual/5 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 6.8s ¼ Mile: 15.2s Top Speed: 148 MPH
- $33,000 - $37,000
- Brilliant handling dynamics and exceptional exterior looks. Mercedes power train is very nice, if not a cause for reliability concern. Main downfalls include a rather cheap interior, crappy steering, and a distinct lack of power compared to the 350Z. However, a supercharged version called the SRT-6 is due out next year.

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Mazda RX-8





- 1.3L Rotary: 238 HP/197 HP 6 Speed Manual/5 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 6.0s ¼ Mile: 14.5s Top Speed: 150 MPH
- $26,000-$35,000
- Bold styling, sweet engine, and great functionality with the suicide rear doors. The only real issue with this car is the expensive option packages, as it is a fantastic all around vehicle.
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution







- 2.0L I4 Turbo: 271 HP 5 Speed Manual
- 0-60: 5.1s ¼ Mile: 13.6s Top Speed: 160MPH
- $28,000
- Amazing performance capabilities, but that’s all this car has to offer. The suspension is punishing on the highway and the engine is buzzy, not to mention the awful interior. However, this car will deliver everything you’ve ever wanted and more in the performance category as it has an unbelievably powerful turbo 4 sitting in a perfectly tuned chassis.

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Nissan Maxima







- 3.5L V6: 65 HP 6 Speed Manual/5 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 6.3 ¼ Mile: 14.8 Top Speed: 150 MPH
- $28,000 - $32,000
- Great engine, but way too heavy and way too big and way too FWD to be anything resembling a sports car. Growing farther away from its roots, the Maxima has become a bloated FWD luxo boat with a kick ass engine. However, the interior still leaves something to be desired in both design and materials.

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Pontiac GTO







- 5.7L V8: 350 HP 6 Speed Manual/4 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 5.4s ¼ Mile: 14.2s Top Speed: 160MPH
- $33,000
- Based on the Holden Monaro, the newest GTO is an excellent car. The interior is one of GM’s best, and the Corvette derived engine is fantastic. However, it is rather pricey and the styling is somewhat bland, although very classy.

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Subaru WRX STi







- 2.5L F4: 300HP 6 Speed Manual
- $31,000
- 0-60: 5.2s ¼ Mile: 13.8s Top Speed: 155MPH
- Much the Accord to the Evo’s Altima, the Subie is a lot better of a daily driver. The suspension isn’t quite as sharp, but few will ever need the extra precision of the Evolution. The interior of the Sti is also much nicer than the Evo, although still very much econo-box like.
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Toyota Camry Solara







- 2.4L I4: 160HP 5 Speed Automatic/ 5 Speed Manual
- 3.3L V6: 225 HP 5 Speed Automatic
- 0-60: 7.4s ¼ Mile: 15.7s Top Speed: 135MPH
- $20,000-$28,000
- Classy interior, great reliability, and a very comfortable ride set this car apart from the field. However, it has no performance aspirations and is little more than a two door Camry with sharper styling.
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Toyota Prius




- 1.5L I4 w/Electric Assist: 110HP CVT
- $21,050
- A very nice car, the new Prius returns outstanding gas mileage (60 MPG on average) and is still very functional. It is classified as a midsize and includes lots of standard features. However, hybrids still cannot match the value of traditional midsize sedans at this point in time and the gauge placement is downright weird.
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Dark Horse

- Nominate your own new car for 2004 and have it added. Post here or PM me and I'll post it up ASAP like I did the others.

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Voting Categories

- You do NOT have to pick a car listed above for the individual categories (1-5)...those cars listed are competing for the Car of the Year, not the individual Categories. Also, the car does NOT have to be new for 2004 in each individual category, except for COTY.

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - IE Acura RSX, Toyota Celica
2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - IE Honda Accord, VW Passat
3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000 - IE BMW 3 Series, Pontiac GTO
4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000 – IE BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, VW Phaeton
5) Best Car, Exotic Car - IE Ferrari Enzo, Lambo Murcielago
6) Car of the Year
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Past Winners
2003 - Honda Accord
https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...threadid=30808

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Any suggestions? Please add some discussion and enjoy

98CoupeV6

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - Gotta be the RSX Type-S. Still the best blend of performance and luxury in its class by a mile.

2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - Still the new Accord. The 6 comes in a close second, but I'll take the Accord's interior by a nose.

3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000 - Gotta go with the Acura TL on this. The STi comes in close 2nd with awesome performance, but the TL's value is unmatched.

4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000 – I'm going with the 5er. Say what you want about the new styling, the 5er still kicks ass in the powertrain and chassis departments.

5) Best Car, Exotic Car - Ferrari Enzo

6) Car of the Year - I'm going with the TL. It's the only car I would buy out of all of these and I just don't understand everyone ripping it for being FWD...I mean, it's only apparent at 8/10.

kazi

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000
Tied: Mini Cooper S and RSX-S

2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000
Accord, of course

3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000
Tied: Acura TL, Infiniti G35c (not sedan)

4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000
Mercedes E-class (it really hurts not picking the BMW here :wtc: )

5) Best Car, Exotic Car
Ford GT

6) Car of the Year
:dunno:
Lots of good cars, but nothing really stood out this year.

Dorikin

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000
Dodge SRT-4

2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000
Mazda 6

3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000
Infiniti G35

4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000
BMW 5 series...**** MB

5) Best Car, Exotic Car
Ford GT

6) Car of the Year
Pontiac GTO-It appeals to me on some weird level, just like Chris's Mom :P

jaje

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000
WRX...$23k nothing really can beat its price/performance/quality (even a torque steering dodge fwd turbo!...limit of traction on a fwd car)...rsx is a good blend of quality and sportiness but takes 2nd

2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000
Accord consistently leads this category and its competition has really never made a decent run

3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000
TSX...strong engine (doesn't need a v6)...no torque steer yet good amount of torque...excellent quality and $26k fully loaded...3 series is a close 2nd but at $6k more for similar equipment rwd just can't overcome such a high premium

4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000
this is the hard one for me...will respond later

5) Best Car, Exotic Car
Enzo...don't need no 8.3 liters (viper) or a s/c (gt40) to make power...close 2nd is the porsche gt3 and ferrari challenge stradale

6) Car of the Year
Pontiac GTO...hands down the best car gm has offered in most recent memory...only car that has a soul outside of the corvette

yianni64

I want to vote BMW 545i.

More&Faster

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - gotta say SRT-4. cant beat that value.

2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - Still the new Accord

3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000 - TL fo sho

4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000 – Iim gonna say the LS430. in my eyes theres no competition for that car.

5) Best Car, Exotic Car - Ferrari Enzo

6) Car of the Year - im gonna have to go with the RX-8, although the GTO was a close runner-up.

asianautica

1) Best Smallish Sporty Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - Gotta be the RSX Type-S. Like 98CoupeV6 said, "Still the best blend of performance and luxury in its class by a mile." But IF i don't care about interior, I'll go w/ the SRT-4 for pure power.

2) Best Midsize Car, $20,000 - $25,000 - Mazda6. Best blend of speed and handling. Great interior design, best in its class.

3) Best Car, $25,000 - $35,000 - AWD G35. Great in snow for those snowboarding trips. Plenty of interior room. Pretty much perfect blend of everything I need.

4) Best Car, $40,000-$60,000 – 98CoupeV6 says it best, "I'm going with the 5er. Say what you want about the new styling, the 5er still kicks ass in the powertrain and chassis departments."

5) Best Car, Exotic Car - Dunno if I can still choose the McLaren F1. But if I could, that's my choice. Like Jay Leno says, unlike other exotic car, the F1 very street driving friendly. You don't have to worry about steep driveway and the long nose like other exotic. If I can't choose the McLaren, I guess I'll have to choose the Enzo.

6) Car of the Year - So many good ones, hard to say which is best. Each has its own + and -. It's all depending on your wallet.

zishan

98coupev6:
The maxima has 265hp not 287.

Nothing really stood out to me this year (as far as cars go) either. I ended up voting for the TL because its the only one I wouldn't mind owning(even though I would never really own a fwd car).

The tsx is uderpowered for my tastes.

The crossfire has a nasty butt.

The rx-8 looks good in pics and definately handles well, but in person, the cars proportions look way off and it doesnt looks sleek at all.

the evo looks good for a lancer, but it still looks like a lancer and a riced out one at that. just cant buy a performance car that is based on an economy car.

The maxima serves no more purpose to nissan IMO. Just give the altima that interior and axe the max.

The GTO is fast should handle great and has a great interior (for a domestic that is). Also very affordable for what it is. However...it's just wayyyyyy to boring looking.

The wrx sti, same as the evo. Plus its ugly.

The prius is ugly also...if I were to by a hybrid, It would definately be the civic hybrid. As it is the only one that doesnt look like...well, a hybrid.

Do I really need to mention the solara?? very well.. its the biggest joke of the year.



Now to the TL. Like I've said earlier, I'd never own a fwd car. However, the TL does seem to have it all. Good (not great) styling, great interior, very feature rich, excellent materials used, pretty good performance all at an excellent price. Thats why its the only one of the bunch that I would ever own.

Dorikin

Well the TL is leading..no suprise here