| Are you in the market for a new car? Here is the | | | | a uniquely American blend of performance, |
| best piece of advice I can offer you before you | | | | swagger, and everyday livability. |
| make any decision. Do your homework. Every | | | | 3. Chrysler 300 - The 300 is known for its styling |
| year, hundreds of Americans buy a car and later | | | | but it's what's on the inside that keeps everyone |
| on come to regret their purchase. It's called | | | | coming back. Under its hood, there is either a mild |
| buyer's regret and there is no excuse for it with | | | | V-6 engine for the faint of heart and then there |
| the internet at your fingertips. | | | | is a wild Hemi V-8s, with up to 425 horses |
| Car and Driver Magazine wants to help. Every | | | | coupled to a five-speed automatic with manual |
| year, they evaluate all of the new cars released | | | | control. The 300 has a huge back seat (even |
| by the manufacturers. They make their | | | | huger in the new-for-'07 long-wheelbase versions), |
| judgments based on three general areas. They | | | | a capacious trunk, and fold-down rear seats to |
| want to know how well a car performs its | | | | provide cargo utility. The cabin is structurally rigid, |
| intended functions. A sport car is supposed to be | | | | free of road-induced vibrations, and impressively |
| fast and exhilarating so they expect it to be. | | | | quiet. |
| Next, they look at factors like its driving manners, | | | | 4. Honda Fit - The Fit, with its 109 horsepower |
| a new and exciting body design or interior, or a | | | | producing engine, won't generate any kind of |
| powerful engine. Finally, they want to know its | | | | acceleration like a Ferrari or Corvette, but it |
| worth the dollar amount asked. If it an | | | | generate some pretty attractive fuel-economy |
| inexpensive car is fast, fun, and practical, then it | | | | numbers. It gets on average 33 city miles per |
| will certainly be graded well above others. | | | | gallon, with 38 highway mpg, according to the |
| | | | EPA. Now, factor that in with its relatively cheap |
| 1. BMW 3-Series - This gem is a 300-hp | | | | price (anyone can afford one), room enough for |
| twin-turbo 3.0-liter version of the classic six. The | | | | four adults, exceptional cargo adaptability with |
| 3-series zips to 60 in 4.8 seconds and corners at | | | | sports-car agility, and you get full fledged |
| 0.89 g while offering more luxury and space. It | | | | economical car with its own unique appeal. |
| also delivers better fuel economy and a quieter, | | | | 5. Volkswagen GTI - The GTI knows how to cut |
| more comfortable ride than its competition. The | | | | like no other competitor, thanks to its |
| 3-series is the definitive sports sedan, delivering | | | | high-powered, turbocharged, direct-injected |
| the driving satisfaction of a sports car in the body | | | | 2.0-liter four engine that develops 200 horsepower |
| of a practical machine. | | | | of smooth feeling goodness. More importantly, this |
| 2. Chevrolet Corvette - The composite body of | | | | little power-packed engine is light enough to |
| the Corvette hearkens back to the seminal 1953 | | | | maintain excellent balance in the front-drive |
| model. Newer materials, like balsa-core composite | | | | chassis. While it has the mentality and feel of a |
| floor panels used in the floor panels, combine with | | | | race car, the car's designers didn't forget about |
| a sophisticated structure to yield a car that | | | | you, the driver. The GTI possesses an interior |
| remains light and agile, despite higher power, | | | | finish that belies its price, an optional navigation |
| bigger brakes, and grippier tires. The Corvette's | | | | system, and a long list of other standard features |
| combination of heritage and sophistication gives it | | | | that more expensive cars don't even offer. |