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