- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
Okay, I've decided to stick my feet back in the water and go searching for the best family sedan. This time things are a bit different, as we won't be comparing country-to-country, as I am looking for maybe the best vehicle worldwide in a particular category. This does create some challenges, particularly with pricing and size differences.
So here are the new rules:
1) Each person can nominate ONE, and only ONE car.
2) The car MUST be a sedan. No wishy-washy wannabes like the Mazda RX-8 or Saturn Ion Quad Coupe. That would be a sedan, saloon, whatever you want to call it.
3) Price wise, it can be anything up to $30,000 USD or it's equivalents in Europe and Australia, which I believe work out to around £20-23,000 (based on comparisons between 3-series and Vectra prices, your tax system makes things complicated, same with conversions), and about 25-27,000, and about $40,000 Australian (based on conversion tables). In a perfect world, we would be looking a nicely equipped models, not some stripper luxury ones.
4) This competition is open to models around the world. I do realize that some models will overlap here, and that is fine by me. For example, models like the Vectra come to mind, and I don't plan on encompassing all of the Epsilon models in one category, as many of them are indeed different.
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So, lets begin?
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Being the crazy Volkswagen-loving American that I am, I can't deny the awesomeness of the VW Jetta GLI. Okay, I'd be more likely to go out and buy a Zeta Impala once they arrive, but until they get here, I'm going with Vee-Dubya powa.
Pricing is fairly competitive, and you can usually find a pretty nicely equipped model for less than $25K with a moon roof, 6-speed manual, and the arguably better plaid seats. Where this car wins is in fuel economy and power delivery, the 2.0T besting the old "efficent" 2.0L 8V by a few MPG, and manages to deliver an extra 85 BHP thanks to the turbocharged, direct-injection setup. Power is instantly there, and VW has done a good job of keeping torque steer at bay. Added to that, the chassis is remarkable at keeping the car pinned to the tarmac while still offering a quiet, comfortable ride that is acceptable for the whole family. Of course, that is if you allow the kids in the back seat...
Look, I'm sure a car like the Accord or Camry would be likely to win in this situation, but who knows. The GLI may be a long-shot nowadays, but it is worth a mention no less.
So here are the new rules:
1) Each person can nominate ONE, and only ONE car.
2) The car MUST be a sedan. No wishy-washy wannabes like the Mazda RX-8 or Saturn Ion Quad Coupe. That would be a sedan, saloon, whatever you want to call it.
3) Price wise, it can be anything up to $30,000 USD or it's equivalents in Europe and Australia, which I believe work out to around £20-23,000 (based on comparisons between 3-series and Vectra prices, your tax system makes things complicated, same with conversions), and about 25-27,000, and about $40,000 Australian (based on conversion tables). In a perfect world, we would be looking a nicely equipped models, not some stripper luxury ones.
4) This competition is open to models around the world. I do realize that some models will overlap here, and that is fine by me. For example, models like the Vectra come to mind, and I don't plan on encompassing all of the Epsilon models in one category, as many of them are indeed different.
---
So, lets begin?
---
Being the crazy Volkswagen-loving American that I am, I can't deny the awesomeness of the VW Jetta GLI. Okay, I'd be more likely to go out and buy a Zeta Impala once they arrive, but until they get here, I'm going with Vee-Dubya powa.
Pricing is fairly competitive, and you can usually find a pretty nicely equipped model for less than $25K with a moon roof, 6-speed manual, and the arguably better plaid seats. Where this car wins is in fuel economy and power delivery, the 2.0T besting the old "efficent" 2.0L 8V by a few MPG, and manages to deliver an extra 85 BHP thanks to the turbocharged, direct-injection setup. Power is instantly there, and VW has done a good job of keeping torque steer at bay. Added to that, the chassis is remarkable at keeping the car pinned to the tarmac while still offering a quiet, comfortable ride that is acceptable for the whole family. Of course, that is if you allow the kids in the back seat...
Look, I'm sure a car like the Accord or Camry would be likely to win in this situation, but who knows. The GLI may be a long-shot nowadays, but it is worth a mention no less.
My own car?? Yep 
)
ower driver seat, Outside mirrors and Power steering column.
over value.
