MrFatbooty

Seasons Greetings, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukka, Happy Kwanzaa, or whatever it is you may do at the end of the year. The new models are out so that means it's time to vote on what new car you the members of honda-acura.net think is the most significant. Everything here is an actual car (no SUVs, trucks, minivans or crossovers) and meets some sort of definition of "affordable." For this year I've set the bar at $45k because most anything new out there is a good distance away from that number in either direction. You might see some common themes of new cars: little hatchbacks, flippy hardtops, midsize sedans. So much so that there are hardly any new "premium" cars this year. Feel free to post in the thread and voice your opinion, and of course vote. And now, the nominees...

BMW 3-Series Coupe



Base price: $35,300 - $40,600
Engine: 3.0L inline 6 - 230 hp, 200 lb/ft; 3.0L twin-turbo inline 6 - 305 hp, 300 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions, rwd (or awd on 328xi)

The E92 3-Series coupe is new this year with its own distinct body from last year's new sedan and a couple of new engine choices. The 328i splits the difference from the E90 325i/330i, the 335i has the new twin-turbo motor that keeps the power numbers in line with the ever-increasing horsepower being pumped out by the now much cheaper Japanese competition. All of the inherent BMW goodness you already know about remains intact despite the removal of a couple doors.

BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe



Base price: $40,100
Engine: 3.0L inline 6 - 255 hp, 220 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions, rwd

Take a Z4, put a roof on it, throw in the motor from last year's 330i, and you've got this car. Overall structural integrity is way up, the suspension calibration is firmed up over the roadster, and the styling is arguably more "complete." If you like the Z4 Coupe in any form, this is the one that qualifies since the Z4 M Coupe is another 10 grand and the 3.0si is already at the top of the price scale of this year's group.

Chevrolet Aveo



Base price: $12,010
Engine: 1.6L inline 4 - 103 hp, 107 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, fwd

Fresh from the shores of Korea, it's Chevy's new econobox. It has four wheels, four doors, 5 seats, an engine, transmission, brakes, steering, a new-car warranty, hasn't been titled yet, and costs 12 grand. Not very exciting, but I'll spare you any cynicism.

Chrysler Sebring




Base price: $18,320 - $23,320
Engine: 2.4L inline 4 - 173 hp, 166 lb/ft; 2.7L V6 - 189 hp, 191 lb/ft; 3.5L 235 hp V6
Drivetrain: 4- and 6-speed automatic transmissions, fwd

This is Chrysler's answer to the Camry and Accord. Apparently it's a big improvement over the previous rental-car-grade Sebring. Equipment level is really competitive for the price. Whether or not it does the basics like modern engines, competent if unexciting handling, and solidly decent styling (i.e. what the perennial favorites always do) remains to be determined. If you like it, well here's your chance to let the whole world know.

Honda Fit




Base price: $13,850 - $15,970
Engine: 1.5L inline 4 - 109 hp, 105 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions; fwd

Now that the Civic has grown bigger than Accords were not too long ago, space has opened up in Honda's lineup for something smaller. Along comes the Fit, with it's funktified hatchback styling, little motor, and big interior volume. Apparently it's a winning formula since they're flying off dealer lots for sticker price, no questions asked. Well maybe I shouldn't have said that since you people always pick the Honda. It's crap. Horrible. Dreadful. Vote for something else. Oh who am I kidding, you're not reading this anyway.

Hyundai Elantra



Base price: $13,395 - $17,695
Engine: 2.0L inline 4 - 138 hp, 136 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, fwd

Hyundai is really getting good at this "pretty nice car" game. Build a car that's 90% as good as a Toyota or Honda with none of the issues that afflict say, American cars, price it a couple grand less than Honda or Toyota, give it a good warranty, and reap the benefits. We might be getting close to people actually coveting a Hyundai like they covet some spiffy gadget produced by Samsung or LG. Or not.

Infiniti G35



Base price: $31,450 - $34,050
Engine: 3.5L V6 - 306 hp, 268 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions, rwd and awd

The G35 Sedan is pretty much all new for '07. It's got modified this, updated that, evolutionary thusandsuch. Basically a completely new model that is rather in line with what the outgoing one was. The inherent Nissan FM platform goodness is there, the VQ35 engine is now the high-output version, the interior is much improved, and the styling less frumpy, more crisp. Prices stay pretty much the same, which is to say way cheaper than the BMW 3, Mercedes C, or Lexus IS.

Kia Optima



Base price: $16,355 - $20,400
Engine: 2.4L inline 4 - 161 hp, 163 lb/ft; 2.7L V6 - 185 hp, 182 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and automatic transmissions, fwd

This is not a Hyundai Sonata. The new-for-2006, USA-built Hyundai Accent is a pretty solidly competitive Accord/Camry fighter, across the range. The new-for-2006, Korea-built Kia Optima is a bit more geared towards the lower end of the range. It's a bit sportier than the Sonata, and the 4-cylinder engine is competitive. It's sorely lacking a good V6 like the one found in the Sonata, but if you're looking for the 4, the Optima is probably worth a look. If and when it gets the 3.3L V6 from the Sonata, then it'll be worth a look for the V6.

Kia Rondo



Base price: $16,395 - $20,195
Engine: 2.4L inline 4 - 162 hp, 164 lb/ft; 2.7L V6 - 182 hp, 182 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 4- and 5-speed automatic transmissions, fwd

The latest entry in the new-to-us compact people mover segment, the Rondo has been sort of quietly slipped into the marketplace to see if it can find a niche. It's kind of like a Mazda 5 with its three rows of seats, although with its normal swing-out doors and full-width second row bench, it's more bulbous hatchback than mini-minivan. But if you absolutely must not drive a large vehicle to tote your 4+ child family around, the Rondo should probably be on your shopping list.

Lexus ES350



Base price: $33,170
Engine: 3.5L V6 - 272 hp, 254 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed automatic transmission, fwd

The ES takes an evolutionary tack this year, its styling being drawn a bit more tightly to match the current Lexus styling theme. The engine and most of the other mechanical bits are the same as a Toyota Avalon. Which is a good thing because the Avalon is a perfectly competent larger fwd cruiser that happens to appeal to the geriatric set. With the ES you can avoid that stereotype.

MrFatbooty

Mazdaspeed 3



Base price: $22,240
Engine: 2.3L turbo inline 4 - 263 hp, 280 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual transmission, fwd w/ LSD

So take the motor out of the reasonably civilized all-wheel drive Mazdaspeed 6, throw it in a front-wheel drive 3 that's a few hundred pounds lighter, toss an LSD in the transmission and do a few other tricks to minimize the inevitable torque steer, and give everything else on the car the factory-tuner treatment, and you've got the Mazdaspeed 3. It's not too expensive, it's quick, it's rowdy, and it may or may not be top-speed limited to 155 mph (Mazda claims there's a limiter, Automobile Magazine has driven one up to an indicated 162 mph with no sign of a limiter kicking in). Interesting.

Nissan Altima



Base price: $17,950 - $28,400
Engine: 2.5L inline 4 - 175 hp, 180 lb/ft; 3.5L V6 - 270 hp, 258 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual and CVT transmissions, fwd

The previous generation Altima finally brought Nissan into solid contention for the mainstream midsize sedan segment dominated by the Accord and Camry. This new Altima continues the formula established by that car, adds in updated powertrains, more refinement, and freshened styling. Plus a coupe model is on the way. With any luck, sales should close the gap even more on the Camry and Accord.

Nissan Versa



Base price: $12,550 - $15,550
Engine: 1.8L inline 4 - 122 hp, 127 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, and CVT transmissions; fwd

Want to buy a Renault Clio? Well, here's the Versa, Nissan's new entry in the rapidly expanding (in the US) B-segment, based on the Clio. It's a pretty standard 5-door hatch designed with efficiency of both fuel and space in mind. The CVT is becoming a pretty ubiquitous Nissan option, and as in the other segments where Nissan offers CVT it's pretty unique among its competition. So yes, another perfectly nice car for not a lot of money.

Saturn Aura



Base price: $19,945 - $23,945
Engine: 3.5L V6 - 224 hp, 220 lb/ft; 3.6L V6 - 252 hp, 251 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 4- and 6-speed automatic transmissions; fwd

The Opel Vectra-based Aura is meant to be Saturn's euro-style midsize family sedan contender. No more plastic panels, no more dodgy old chassis being sold well past it's become obsolete. There's a pretty solid car in there somewhere, however the amount of watering down of the original design by the beancounters may be an issue. Another "much better than the old one" car from GM, maybe one that's competitive in its own right.

Suzuki SX4



Base price: $14,999 - $17,399
Engine: 2.0L inline 4 - 143 hp, 136 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, awd

Want the cheapest car on the market with all-wheel drive? This is it. It's sort of a minivan-ified B-segment hatch with a little Outback flavor to it. The price is nice and so is the equipment level. This is a real Suzuki rather than a rebadged Daewoo, and as such it's intended as a replacement for the Aerio, although there will be one year of overlap where the Aerio is sold alongside the SX4.

Toyota Camry



Base price: $18,270 - $27,820
Engine: 2.4L inline 4 - 158 hp, 161 lb/ft; 2.4 liter hybrid gasoline-electric inline 4 - 192 hp, 138 lb/ft; 3.5L V6 - 268 hp, 248 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual, 5- and 6-speed automatic, and CVT transmissions; fwd

The king of the passenger car sales hill is completely redesigned for this year. The 4-banger is the same, the V6 is once again competitive with its heart transplant from the Avalon, and the hybrid option offers a bit more power than the 4-banger while providing better mileage. Trims and options run the gamut from basic commuter grey mouse fur with no gadgets, to wood and leather lined entry-lux cruisers with nav systems and fancy stereos. With even more variety, there's a very solid chance the Camry will continue to be the 800 pound gorilla in its particular room.

Toyota Yaris



Base price: $11,050 - $14,150
Engine: 1.5L inline 4 - 106 hp, 103 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, fwd

The Yaris is the most egg-shaped vehicle in the B-segment. In a segment that's a little more like selling dishwashers than cars, the Yaris has the advantage of the Toyota reputation, and proven mechanicals that are already on sale at a dealer near you as the Scion xA and xB. It also has the advantage of not being the Echo, which at the end of its life sold so poorly that it was not included in any normal dealer allocation.

Volkswagen Eos



Base price: $27,990 - $36,850
Engine: 2.0L turbo inline 4 - 200 hp, 207 lb/ft; 3.2L V6 - 250 hp, 235 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual and DSG transmissions; fwd

The Eos, in addition to sharing its name with a line of Canon cameras, is VW's new flippy hardtop model. Luxo-ish appointments, solid engine choices, the usual VW pseudo-snob appeal, and of course the roof are highlights. Mainstream convertibles are having a bit of a rennaissance with the advent of affordable folding hardtops, so in the US the Eos has to compete with the Pontiac G6, Volvo C70 (see below), and upcoming Chrysler Sebring, among others.

Volkswagen Rabbit



Base price: $14,990 - $18,065
Engine: 2.5L inline 5 - 150 hp, 170 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions; fwd

Say goodbye to the Golf, and hello again to the Rabbit. VW hired some fancy shmancy brand-image consultants that helped BMW redo Mini, to tell them that a little bit of retro cool in the form of an old nameplate, would be a good idea. Maybe it is. One thing is for sure, the Rabbit finally brings the Golf up to modern standards of engineering, which had not been the case for a real long time. The motor is extremely torquey for the segment but sacrifices true economy car mileage as a result.

Volvo C70



Base price: $39,090
Engine: 2.5L turbo inline 5 - 218 hp, 236 lb/ft
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions; fwd

The C70 was a late-introduction '06 model, so it gets to duke it out among the new '07 cars. It's a coupe cabriolet (to use the European-market name for these things) based on the S40, which itself is based on the Ford global C1 architecture underpinning the Mazda 3 and the next-gen Ford Focus that we don't get in the states. Engine output splits the difference of the VW Eos' options, and the price is higher.

lexusis350

I voted for the Honda Fit

Ochdx

I voted for G35, but wheres the all new MDX?

TheOtherDave™

Forgive me, but shouldn't the new LS be included on this year's ballot?
It premiered as a 2007 model. h:

lexusis350

I also wonder where the RDX, TL, Accord are not on the list.

The Lexus ES 350 doesn't reach the Lexus standard. I read this in Motor Trend Magazine (or Car and Driver) and the new Lexus ES 350 isn't sold in Japan because the Toyota Wisdom sold so poorly. LS 460 should be on the list, its a pretty significant improvement, but no standard.

DaGip

honda fit for me.

MrFatbooty

The MDX and RDX are SUVs. The TL and Accord are not new. The LS460 is way more than 45 grand. And lexusis350, the poll is showing you voted for the ES350.

lexusis350

May you change it to the Honda Fit for me, I clicked the wrong one.

O I got you for the MDX and RDX.
TL got a new engine, does that count?

97civicEXVTEC

3-series