2008 Best Car Series: North America - Get Your Nominations in Line!

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YSSMAN

YSSMAN

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Same as the German thread guys... Nominate your "Best Car" (currently in production), say a few words, feel free to banter a bit. We've got three or so days to sort it out, and I'll kick it off.

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For "2008 Best North American Car," YSSMAN nominates:

Corvette-Competition-1%5B1%5D.jpg

The 2008 Chevrolet Corvette (Were you expecting anything else?)

There aren't many cars that come with an exhaust note that says "USA! USA! USA!" but this one would be it. With a V8 that is a little too big, an interior that is a little too cheap, and the ability to do massive amounts of hoonage without much work, the Corvette is an instant favorite. From the "base" flavor on up to the monstrous ZR1, there is bound to be a model for you.

But, lets be honest. Its the Z51 (European Competition Edition shown) that does the dirty work, and at least in my opinion, does it best. With 436 BHP, it gets the job done with the T56 and the Goodyear Eagles. Its a performance bargain, because, well, there isn't anything that is as fast or as civilized available for the same sub-$50K price.
 
I second the Corvette. America is finally getting our own proper sports car, with the Z06 rivaling the likes of Ferrari and Porsche in performance. And even though the Nordschleife is far too long (i.e. inconsistent) to really base anything off of, you can't deny the ZR1's 7:26 (making it the fastest road car around the course) is extremely impressive.
 
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Been having a look on each of the US manufacturer's sites to see what I'd pick. I quite like a number of American cars, but nothing really jumps out at me, at least nothing I could actually resonably afford, and in these votes I've generally been choosing cars that are pretty affordable, as opposed to the all-too-predictable supercars. For that reason, I'll let other people choose things like the Viper, Charger etc and I'll nominate something a little more down to earth.

Chrysler PT Cruiser
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Yeah, I picked the "Cruiser". Every time I asked myself the question, "what would I drive around in if I lived in the States" the answer was "Lotus Elise". Not deterred, I thought harder. Much as supercars are great, if it's not something I'll ever be able to afford then the appeal is limited for me, so I had to think more down to Earth. SUVs and Pickups are out, much as I can fully see the appeal in the States much more than I can in the UK, I don't have deep enough pockets to run them and I'd still want something a bit more nimble. Everything else still has massive engines so I looked even further down the food chain.

I got to the Chevy Aveo and decided to look a little higher.

I then had a bit of a shortlist. Chevy HHR, Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Caliber, Chrysler PT. The Cobalt had to go because much as I like the looks of it, I know full well that it's equivalent European competitors would eat it alive in most areas, save for price. The Avenger also had to go. We get it over here, and it disappointed me by being spectacularly average when I was hoping it would be great. The HHR looks good but I don't know enough about it.

So, Caliber and PT, both of which we also get in the UK. In the end, the PT has to win. They both compete in the same market segment here, but as with the Avenger the Caliber is supposed to be quite disappointing, so much so that the PT still gets higher marks in many magazines' stats and figures sections.

In addition, I've driven one. I've spent 1,600 miles in a week behind the wheel of one in California, and I thought it was great. I was genuinely surprised actually, I was expecting it to be the biggest heap ever. It handled pretty well, the steering was good (though it had an appauling turning circle), it took a bootful of luggage no worries, was comfortable and even the looks grew on me (the one you see above is the very car I drove). The only thing I didn't like was the engine/auto transmission combo, which felt genuinely slower than my 1.3 Fiesta and delivered pretty bad economy compared to what I was expecting.

Plus, good on Chrysler still making it. I know it dies soon but it still looks fresh and actually felt pretty well built.

So yeah. The PTC 👍

Oh, and I'm aware that there are a thousand cars better than this but even if only one person other than me votes for it in the voting round then I'll know I'm not completely off my trolley...
 
The new CTS. An honest to goodness, no excuses needed, kick ass car. I don't even feel compelled to nominate the V version, because the basic car is good enough on it's own.




M
 
Hm. I think I've got it.

2008_Cadillac_CTS_ext_1.jpg


I like things that stick it to the establishment. I love the GT-R for that exact purpose. While I like the Corvette and it's "Devil Z" variant, It is kinda aging. The CTS, on the other hand, represents the first truly serious challenge GM has made to the Europeans that a skeptic wouldn't leave the car laughing like Jeremy Clarkson would. It is, truly, a world-class sports sedan...I can at least ascertain that the interior's just as nice as a Jaguar or Mercedes, while reviews applaud the car's BMW-like handling, (Particularly as the FE3) and punchy V6. Deserving of it's praise? why not?

EDIT: TREE'D.
 
homeforsummer
Chrysler PT Cruiser
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You are a mental. Seek help.

homeforsummer
Oh, and I'm aware that there are a thousand cars better than this but even if only one person other than me votes for it in the voting round then I'll know I'm not completely off my trolley...
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The only way you'll get one other person voting for it is if you have multiple personality syndrome.

Also:

112_0711_09l+2008_dodge_viper_SRT10_ACR+front_view.jpg

2009 Dodge Viper ACR​
 
Well, I was going to say the Ford Focus, but since they've decided to base the styling of the new one on Roz from Monsters Inc, I had to remove it indefinitely.

Sooo, this is tricky. I suppose I'll have to nominate the Ford Mustang GT.

2007FordMustangGT01.jpg
 
2nd Famine's nomination. America is trying to build cars as complex as the Germans & Italians, and then comes the Viper giving all of it the finger.
 
Famine
You are a mental. Seek help.

The only way you'll get one other person voting for it is if you have multiple personality syndrome.
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:dopey:

Hey, at least I'm trying here, you picked a muscle car that someone drove through Halfords :sly: (Note: This is a joke before Viper fans get tetchy).

Seriously though, at least I've made a half-assed attempt to explain why I nominated it.
 
homeforsummer
:dopey:

Hey, at least I'm trying here, you picked a muscle car that someone drove through Halfords :sly: (Note: This is a joke before Viper fans get tetchy).

Seriously though, at least I've made a half-assed attempt to explain why I nominated it.
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But, it's a PT Cruiser. :P
 
This much is true: it's a 7-year old car, going on 8, and it's original retro appeal has faded.

Problem is, it's among Chrysler's better small cars. And still terrible. Okay, terrible's a little strong, but the GT Cruiser's 2.4 Turbo is gone, as is the lesser 180HP turbo mill, I think, unless you want a floppy little convertible. and the interior? Jackal-laughable.
 
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Ford Fusion, I was actually surprised when I drove this and it didn't suck. It even looks half way decent too!

2008_ford_fusion_sport_appearance_package-thumb.jpg
 
Joey D
Ford Fusion, I was actually surprised when I drove this and it didn't suck. It even looks half way decent too!

2008_ford_fusion_sport_appearance_package-thumb.jpg
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Nice choice 👍 I was considering nominating it, but I was going based on looks alone seeing that I know nothing about it at all.
 
Jondot
Nice choice 👍 I was considering nominating it, but I was going based on looks alone seeing that I know nothing about it at all.
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It's related to the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-9, which means it's what people in this area buy instead of the Mazda6 because they think it's Japanese and bombed Pearl Harbour.
 
Jim Prower
This much is true: it's a 7-year old car, going on 8, and it's original retro appeal has faded.

Problem is, it's among Chrysler's better small cars. And still terrible. Okay, terrible's a little strong, but the GT Cruiser's 2.4 Turbo is gone, as is the lesser 180HP turbo mill, I think, unless you want a floppy little convertible. and the interior? Jackal-laughable.
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Meh.

It's just a nomination. At the end of the day I've picked something that I've actually driven, and it's certainly not a bad car by any stretch of the imagination.

I've generally been picking small cars in these polls so far instead of cars that 95% of this forum will never own, and given that America is largely hopeless when it comes to anything smaller than a Charger I stand by my nomination. It isn't just better than most of Chrysler's small cars, it's better than most of America's small cars...
 
Jim Prower
This much is true: it's a 7-year old car, going on 8, and it's original retro appeal has faded.
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But as you say, compared to the Caliber it is a Euro Focus. Besides, you know what other car is that old? Honda S2000. What that has to do with anything is a mystery for another time.
 
0607_z+2007_gmc_acadia+front_corner.jpg

0607_z+2007_gmc_acadia+side.jpg

I'd have to go with the GMC Acadia. Normally I'm a fan of truck-based SUV's, but this is actually a cool FWD based SUV. It looks good in person (the best looking of the three), has a pretty powerful V6, and has plenty of space.
 
Nice pick with the Acadia! I hadn't thought of that when I was considering these...

When is someone going to nominate the Aveo?
 
Jondot
Well, I was going to say the Ford Focus, but since they've decided to base the styling of the new one on Roz from Monsters Inc, I had to remove it indefinitely.

Sooo, this is tricky. I suppose I'll have to nominate the Ford Mustang GT.

2007FordMustangGT01.jpg
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I like you already. :D 👍

Joey D
Ford Fusion, I was actually surprised when I drove this and it didn't suck. It even looks half way decent too!

2008_ford_fusion_sport_appearance_package-thumb.jpg
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This is a surprising vote, I was expecting no one but maybe me voting for it?

I vote for this 100% purely American (:lol:) product...which is proof that GM can do something right.

2009 Pontiac Vibe:
2009-pontiac-vibe-side-view.jpg

2009_Pontiac_Vibe_interior.bmp

2009-pontiac-vibe-gt-rear-profile-view.jpg


This is as cool as GM can get until the G8 ST Ute gets here.
 
2008_pontiac_g8-thumb.jpg


It's about as good as it gets... I've only seen one, it was in white, I was kind of far away, and only saw it from behind... But I want one.
 
:P I would of voted for it but it screams Aussie (which is a good thing!) but isn't as American as the others in this thread (minus Fusion).
 
It counts, don't worry. The problem is, will it be able to out-pace the other American cars nominated when it comes time to vote? Either way, I'm quite positive that it will have its chance again in the Aussie thread. Otherwise, it'll be up to its Chinese cousin to get the job done.
 
I Second the G8. Looks way better then the Corvette in my opinion but if the ZR1 is awesome. Plus I love four door GM "muscle" cars
 
Umm, is there any way we can vote 4-5 times in this country!:scared: I'd take the Corvette, the CTS, the G8, the Challenger, the (my nomination) Camaro:

camaro_rev23.jpg


I don't think I even need to explain why, you all understand.;)


Famine
112_0711_09l+2008_dodge_viper_SRT10_ACR+front_view.jpg

2009 Dodge Viper ACR​
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I didn't think that was a legit production car.:confused:
 
Oh wow, this is gonna be hard. There is a lot of good nominations up there, the Viper, Mustang, Corvette, G8 and Vibe. But to be honest, I wish I could do 2 nominations. This, and the Scion TC. :P

2008-Pontiac-Solstice-GXP-02.jpg

Pontiac Solstice
 
I hope that people don't discount the Camaro because they feel they've "seen it too much".:grumpy:
 
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