KIA'S GOT SOUL

Familiar with Sunny Kim? No? I wasn't either, until two minutes ago. Apparently she's a Korean jazz musician and in all likelihood... Sunny's got soul.

And apparently that's a very Korean trait. Kia also has Soul. And they'll give you an opportunity to have Soul, as well. The production Soul will look remarkably similar to this SEMA-shown Kia, but the suicide doors will be conventional openers when it comes time for production.

2 VEHICLES - 1 good, 1 bad

Though the title of this site is worded strongly, proclaiming a vehicle "bad" is rare. The Good Car Guy would rather focus on the good anyway. Good cars provide plenty more fun. The Hummer H3 pickup will be seen at dealers - for consumer purchase - late in 2008. Expect the five-cylinder and the V8 to be available in crew cab format. If you want a pickup, spend your money on a new Silverado or F150. (Read The Good Car Guy's review of the H2 here.) If you need a Hummer, take the relatively lightweight H3 or, better yet, buy a practical and usable vehicle. Don't buy the H3 pickup.


Is there any potential of the Five Axis Yaris Club being built? It's unlikely, to say the least. But it would certainly bring some spice to your local Toyota showroom, something GoodCarBadCar just posted as a Toyota necessity today. Five Axis supercharged the small four-cylinder and chopped off anything that sat above the waistline; chopping a bit too much, perhaps. Toyota is about the last automaker you could ever expect to build something like this aftermarket-chopped Yaris.



It would take a pseudo-Renault or Citroenish mindset to pull this off. Toyota did say, however, that this Yaris Club pays homage to "Toyota's racing heritage harkening back to the late '60s when Toyota challenged for the Group 7 category of Can-Am racing with the Toyota 7."

GM WILL SELL YOU CORVETTE ZR1s ENGINE IN A CRATE

There's no dining room centrepiece quite as intimidating as  a 6.2L supercharged V8. Need your future son-in-law to know just who the boss really is? Park the LS9 Corvette ZR1 V8 between the roast beef and potatoes. Just don't let any candle wax drip on the manifold, ok?

638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque could combine to make any current new car fast. Thus, General Motors won't restrict its fitment to the Corvette ZR1. No, you can purchase the engine seperately from GM Performance Parts late next year.

(For more on the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, click here or here or here)

Designed to feel rather different from a typical old-tech V8 or most supercharged engines, the LS9 is high-revving; producing power down low and in its upper range. GM will sell the V8 crate package fully fitted with ignition, supercharger assembly, and exhaust manifolds. You'll need your own ECU/wiring harness. Have fun with that.

THE NEW JAGUAR XF?

Actually, this camoflauged Jaguar isn't the next XF, but it is a car which Jaguar should have done differently from the beginning. By 2007, years before that really, the S-Type drove pleasantly and had engines capable of stirring the performance pot. But the retro looks were not favoured by enough buyers.

These pictures prove that to be the case. Although this is just an office prank, it is nevertheless very interesting the vehicle which was chosen to be covered up by post-it notes. The email I received titled it thus: "Somewhere there's a very unhappy office manager with nothing left in the annual supplies budget."

JAPAN TRIO vs GERMAN TRIO: Altima, Camry, Accord battle A4, 3-Series, C-Class

For Canadian consumers seeking luxury and speed in one roomy package, the ability to hit up mainstream Japanese manufacturer dealerships doesn't necessarily strike you as obvious. Isn't this German territory, or at least a place where premium Japanese brands contend?

The Honda Accord, a Good 12 winner, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima can likely offer you more features than you know what to do with. Moreoever, their high horsepower levels (Accord 271; Camry 268; Altima 270) produce quite a spark underfoot when pressed, preferrably without two booster seats in the rear and a trunk full of groceries. Is the Japanese trio a partnership of sport sedans? Not at all, but that's not to say they won't shock you with their dynamic capability.

From Germany come lesser-powered alternatives with less space for your people and smaller cargo areas for your stuff. But sport sedans? Oh yes. The 230-bhp BMW 328i with a six-speed manual will light your fire on the backroad commute. Audi's recently renewed A4, in turbocharged form with 211 horsepower, is a better steed than ever before, and the Mercedes-Benz C300 with 228-bhp is a new dynamic force. In fact, BMW and Mercedes-Benz could provide you with 200 and 201 horsepower, respectively, and save you plenty of money in the process. But saving money in this climate? Who needs it? The Japanese trio below is loaded to the gunnels with equipment and flies high into a price spectrum you won't believe.

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Nissan ALtima 3.5SE: $39,938 or (est.) $44,520 with tax

BMW 328i: $39,900 or (est.) $45,087 with tax

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI: $41,200 or (est.) $46,556 with tax

Mercedes-Benz C300: $41,200 or (est.) $46,556 with tax

Toyota Camry XLE V6: $42,629 or $49,849 with tax

Honda Accord: $47,368 or $55,265 with tax

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Imagine heading to the Audi, M-B, or BMW dealership to save money when Honda and Toyota wanted to charge too much. Let's be honest, though. For the Germans to meet the equipment makeup of the three Japanese sedans, their MSRPs would skyrocket. The Accord, with every possible accessory, a back-up camera and the best wheels possible, would drive by looking like.... an Accord. Meanwhile, its occupants would be basking in amazing luxury. Meanwhile, the 3-Series on its tiny (and ugly) 16" wheels looks impoverished and awkward, but does have a blue and white propeller. 

Oh, and if you want to actually enjoy driving the car rather than being driven in the car, you know only the Germans will do the trick.

AUDI NO LONGER 4-WHEELS ONLY - THE CALAMARO CONCEPT

Beyond typical GoodCarBadCar.net means of description, we'll have to let the pictures speak for themselves. This is the Audi Calamaro concept, "inspired by the bone of the cuttlefish" - I'm not seeing it - and surprisingly, not by squid, the design was completed by a young Hungarian.

Naming processes never go the way I'd like, but surely Audi could've discovered something other than the last name of an Argentinian composer?

Absolutely useless, then, this Audi Calamaro. But boys does it look good or what?

ALPHA MALE SUBURBAN

Goodness. Gracious, even. It ain't pretty or subtle but it is tough and full of sense. In this week where GoodCarBadCar and much of the auto press - mainstream or not - will pay attention to Toyota (read about GCBC's week of honouring Toyota here), many will pay too much attention to the overstated appearance of environmentalism.

Toyota can play the 'green' card and play it well, but they also make some fine sport-utility vehicles. With those Toyota and Lexus sport utes General Motors must compete. In the case of the Chevrolet Suburban 2500HD Z71 diesel (the name takes up half the article), GM has one-upped all competitors, including Toyota.

This SEMA debut showcases a new 4.5L diesel. Details on that powerplant are yet to be fully discovered and ironed out. The traditionally handsome brute has been marred somewhat by over-the-top fender flares and side-steps that are in direct conflict with a vehicle built to be capable off-road. However, this Suburban certainly grabs the attention of passers-by, onlookers, and The Good Car Guy. You can read The Good Car Guy's review of the Tahoe Hybrid that was showcased at a blogger's event at GM's Milford Proving Grounds, and while reading it you'll probably be able to hear the groans as the GCBC Nation wishes that Tahoe Hybrid was this Suburban diesel.


Chevrolet talks about a two-way remote start, trailer hitch close-out, concept-only roof rack, fuel filler door and wheels, as well as the heavy-dutiness of the vehicle. The 'burban's front end assembly and rear axle are built tougher. But most people are interested in the engine, what it can do; what it could save; and which vehicles might see fitment of the 4.5L.

NISSAN 370Z PRELIMINARY PHOTOS LOOK TERRIFIC

Nissan and Datsun's Z cars have proven popular over the course of four decades. The 240Z of 1969, the 260Z of 1974, the 280Z of 1975, the 280ZX of 1979, the 300ZXs of 1984 and 1990, and finally the 350Z of 2002 were all well-received. Some did not go on to incredible sales success in the way the most recent Z car has; but all will be fondly remembered.

With the 350Z exiting to a round of applause, the 370Z debuts with a fair degree of pressure. Enthusiasts want a renewed look, but its Z-esqueness must remain strong. Genuine sports car ability can't be sacrificed with the hopes of enlarging the probability of market capitalization. 

Here in pictures you saw the successful redesign. Not knowing the exact strength of the engine (probably 330+ horsepower) or the weight of the car (possibly lower) or the new MSRP (nearly identical), we're only able to judge its looks. The Nissan 370Z appears better from almost every angle. 

More dramatic headlights and taillights scream new. Emphasizing the body around the rear wheels speaks of power and its rear-wheel drive nature. Tinkering with the shoulderline - right where the window line meets the roofline - may not be to everyone's taste but is, at least, unique. Nissan's constant worry over the grille of the previous edition resulted in a good look: the new 370Z looks strong in that department, too. 

For comparison, check out the gallery of this '07 Nismo-tuned 350Z below.

TECHART UNVEILS NEW BODY KITS FOR THE PORSCHE 911

Renowned Porsche tuner TechArt has released images of their latest Porsche 911 aerokit. With a front spoiler that manages to "reduces buoyant forces on the front axle" while also ensuring "optimal air flow for the effective cooling of the brakes", style does seem as though it may be secondary.

Decorative items include varnished wing mirrors; carbon fiber or chrome. Special wheels and double oval exhaust tips add TechArt flavour. TechArt took some heat here at GoodCarBadCar.net for overdone 911 GT2 modifications. Nevertheless, the German manufacturer, almost 22 years old, seems to have hit the right note with these aero kits.

GORDON BROWN TAKES A LOOK AT THE THINK

Fully homologated for European Union roads, the Think City is 100% electric and 100% ugly. That didn't stop Gordon Brown and his Minister for Business and Secretary of State for Transport from having a look-see at the Norwegian city car.

Think bodies are recycled plastic. 65 mph is possible, although the range is only 112 miles. Typical electrical sockets can restore full power to the battery. Airbags and anti-lock brakes are present and accounted for. Beauty, unfortunately, was left in the fjords.

One might wonder if the Think City stands a chance at upsetting typical parliamentary rides like the Jaguar XJ and Toyota Prius in London. Regardless, Monday's introduction of Prime Minister Brown with the Think City happened to time well with a summit on business where electric vehicles - as a means of mass transportation - was a topic of discussion. Think Citys will be on sale in the UK in 2009.

2009 HONDA CIVIC SI HAS DISAPPOINTING WHEELS - SIXTEEN IMAGES

Comparing the '09 Honda Civic Si with the model that ran for three years before it is like comparing apples with.... well, apples. In fact, its like comparing the juiciest, crispest honeycrisp apple with another very juicy, crispy, honeycrisp apple.

Why will the 'new' Civic Si garner any attention at all? Well, Honda will market it as relatively new; relatively being my word and not their's. Secondly, the Civic Si is an excellent car and a wise purchase. That's why the motoring press, both mainstream and web-based will talk about it.

All too true, however, is the Civic Si's continuance. Follow? The '09 is just like the '08. And the '07 and '06 that came before. That's not a bad thing. Features will likely be bumped up a notch. Some slight styling tweakery will reveal a slightly, erm, crisper look. Prospective owners tend to gravitate to new or somewhat new things. That'll help Honda sell a deservedly successful car, a car that's quick and fun-to-drive in an era when fuel efficiency is demanded (and provided by the Si). 

But while The Good Car Guy will willingly point out that the '09 Si  is just like the 1-year old model and note that fact as 'not a bad thing', one problem has arisen. In the gallery below, pay specific attention to disappointing wheels. Granted, "Honda" and "good wheels" traditionally avoid each other like life-long enemies. But this is seriously disappointing because Honda had managed to equip the '06, '07, and '08 with decent wheels. Comparo pics are available. 

For more on wheels, check out this GCBC Top 5 where the Civic Si's competitor ranks #2

Oh I know plenty of Civic Si owners strip these four off and fit 19" five-spokes. That's beside the point. These disappointing creatures look like they belong on a mid-rung Accord sedan, not Honda's most righteous coupe. Anyway, sixteen pictures are in the gallery below.

THE POOR MAN'S LAND ROVER LRX - CHEVROLET'S GPIX

Fairly handsome, likely capable of carrying less than its low-slung counterpart, and heavily featured one would assume, the Chevrolet GPiX is a General Motors Sao Paulo auto show debut worth attending to. Try to ignore the name, which Chevrolet says standards for Global Pix; pix as in image or picture. This then is the Chevrolet Worldwide Photograph. Whatever. There's no denying that with rumours of Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban future development under cancellation possibilities and the Cadillac Escalade switching to the Lambda platform, that Chevrolet is thinking small in the same way that Land Rover's done with the LRX.

evo SAYS KTM X-BOW 'MISSES THE TARGET'

Such excitement behind the release of the KTM X-Bow, isn't there? Considering the rarity with which it'll be seen and the likelihood that most people who catch a visual will be at the side of a racetrack, it's easy to figure that KTM's background in motorcycles and work with Audi on a car is part of the reason for the enthusiasm and hype.

And, as evo points out in issue 123, "The X-Bow is arguably the most extraordinary object with four wheels ever to be seen on a road". So then, why did evo say on the cover of the magazine that the KTM X-Bow "misses the target"? The X-Bow, of all cars, is an evo sort of car, isn't it?

"It's seriously and effortlessly quick, properly stuck down, remarkably easy to drive and, well, strangely underwhelming," writes David Vivian. Of the shifter, Vivian says "the throws are family-car long and feel incongruously ponderous in a superlight road racer". Ah, there's plenty positive, but if you were expecting rave reviews, KTM bosses, evo wasn't the place to read. "... let things get too out of shape and the momentum of the engine will take over and you quickly discover there isn't enough steering lock to gather it up. Yet - and for better or worse, this seems to be the X-Bow's defining characteristic - the sense of drama and excitement is much less heightened."

John Barker said that the X-Bow is "too good". Well, to be honest, he explained it more thoroughly. "In terms of what it does and how it deals with different road surfaces, it's outstanding. But," he continued, "perhaps the baby has exited stage left along with the bath water. Cars like this are about excitement, a quick hit of adrenalin, and I think this is too good, disguises speed too well." 

Referring to the Ariel Atom Supercharged, a vehicle many would consider to be KTM's natural progenitor, Vivian writes: "And this is the crucial difference between it and the KTM. The X-Bow's manners are keen to flatter, all-but guaranteeing that your heart won't end up in your mouth. The Atom, which has a more softly sprung and reactive chassis, forces you to face up to the consequences of ill-judged actions, makes you worry that a few millimetres too much throttle, a momentary lapse of steering finesse and failure to accurately read the road surface might be punishable with genuine danger."

Thus, it sounds as though evo has made the KTM X-Bow out to be the Toyota Camry of the mad trackday cars. Well, the Camry that's dressed like a mad trackday car capable of accelerating like nobody's business and gripping the road like a newborn grips your finger.

One KTM X-Bow gallery can be seen with a click over to evo's stats from issue 123. The other, found below, is of the KTM X-Bow race version.

AUDI A6 VARITIES

Variety is the spice of life. Personally, I'll add oregano to everything; basil is great, too. Dill weed is surprisingly all-around worthy.

Apologies for a horrible digression. Audi has positioned itself as a style icon, and the challenging front grille we see slapped on the front of each Audi has only enhanced consumers' opinion of the brand. Audi is on a roll and it doesn't appear that the brand famous for Quattro and four intersecting rings is slowing down any time soon.

It's interesting to look back - to the present - at Audi's ability to design. The A6 is Audi's middle sedan. Large enough; but smaller than the A8. Small enough; but larger than the A4. If Audi were Honda, the A6 would be the Accord. Although Audi has always offered plenty of engine options (V6, V8, V10 available to North America now - twin turbo V10 coming) and has always managed to keep the A6 handsome and even beautiful, you could forget the distinction that Audi is able to provide each model-within-a-model. (Europe sees plenty of diesels and four-cylinders too.)

Directly below you have the upcoming 572bhp RS6 Avant. Yowza. Above and to the right you'll see a regular A6 sedan. Except that it wasn't "regular" or run-of-the-mill. It's the Le Mans edition, 'inspired' by Audi's dominance at the French 24 hour race.



Again, below you'll see an Avant, but this time it's the A6 Allroad. With its adjustable suspension and tough bodykit, the Allroad plays the same field as Volvo's XC70/Cross Country and is an incredibly different car than the RS6. You could easily see the two parked side-by-side and be ignorant of their identical origins.



The Chinese are able to buy the A6L, which might sound familiar until you realize the L is affixed to the A8 in your country. An A6 is stretched 10 centimetres between the wheels, benefiting rear-seat passengers immensely and offering a smidgen of higher-status that China's New Money craves.


Finally, the S6 is one step below the RS6. Featuring just a simple V10 - no turbos here, folks - the S6 must propel itself with a measly 435 horsepower. Styling distinction remains, as always. One could argue that the S6 has class where the RS6 is all rippling muscles; that the S6 is understated underneath the shadow of a barking-mad RS6. Audi prices the S6 about £30,000 higher than the least expensive A6 in the UK product range. Expect the RS6 to stretch the difference.

HOLY CRYSTAL INTERIOR VOLVO - The next S60 to debut with wicked concept interior

Gutt eftermiddag, kristall inre.

Volvo wanted imaginative. Transparency would be good. Bright, light, airy, modern. You know the Swedish drill.

At the concept debut for the next S60 in Detroit this winter, be alert to the possibility that the interior will far outshine anything Volvo's exterior designers can come up with. That being said, we haven't seen the exterior teasers.

Orrefor, a Swedish glassworks firm, helped Volvo out on this crystal waterfall dashboard. Dashboard? Centre stack? Instrument panel? That sounds so terribly downmarket. Expect three things to change on the production S60: no flow into the rear passenger compartment, no crystal, and a lot less white. 

SEAT IBIZA WINS DUTCH COMPACT CAR OF THE YEAR

Surely you're familiar with the marketing concept. Release a hot new car. Watch sales come your way. Time goes on. Hot new car ages. Tell everybody this once-hot new car won dozens of international awards in its day. See a few more sales come your way before end-of-cycle.

Well, one of those awards may well be the CCoty from the Netherlands. Yes, the Dutch like their compact cars, and apparently they like them with Spanish flair. Beating out Ford's excellent new Fiesta, the Mazda 2, a beautiful Alfa Romeo known as the Mito, Dacia's Sandero and the not-at-all-widely acclaimed Chevrolet Aveo, Seat's 2009 Ibiza becomes the Compact Car of the Year in the Netherlands.

(Read all Seat-related GCBC posts here)

Say the deciders: "The Ibiza is one step ahead of its rivals, and the difference can also be seen in the interior, where passenger compartment comfort is second to none." 

For those not aware of Seat's background, the Spanish automaker is a Volkswagen subsidiary. The Ibiza is about one size down on the Volkswagen Rabbit that we receive in North America, sharing architecture with the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia. The Ibiza in this CCoty contest was an 85-bhp 1.4L model. Obviously diesels are a popular choice, and horsepower can be as high as 180 in the Cupra model. Three and five doors are available.

Up one rung from the Ibiza is the Leon. The handsome Alteo and awkward Toledo seem to attack a similar market. The Alhambra is basically the same vehicle as Volkswagen Sharan and the Ford Galaxy. The Seat Exeo will be at the top of the rung. With the introduction of the new Audi A4, the Exeo is basically the older A4 reincarnated as a Spaniard instead of a German.

RENAULT DONE WITH ITS LARGEST MPV, THE ESPACE

Credited on the other side of the Atlantic with the introduction of the "minivan" - to Europe the MPV - Renault appears to have decided that the fad's forerunner will not be replaced at the end of its current life cycle.

The Espace and Grand Espace are rather luxurious family vehicles now but still completely capable of transporting you and all that comes with you across continents. Renault has long since developed smaller, cheaper alternatives to the Espace - the Scenic and Grand Scenic; Modus and Grand Modus.

(See all Renault-related posts with a click right here)

The irony of it is almost sad. In an era where Chrysler, the North American originator of the minivan, is struggling mightily to survive as truck sales fall of a cliff and minivan sales continue to stagnate (if continuing to stagnate is possible), their European equivalent's underling (Nissan), is rumoured to be interested in purchasing a chunk of the world's biggest minivan-maker, Chrysler LLC ,even as Nissan's parent (Renault) is cancelling further production of the Espace, a vehicle the rest of the world sees as famous. Irony, see?

VOLVO XC60 GROUND CLEARANCE DOESN'T HURT?

In its first drive/review of the Volvo XC60, a soon-coming competitor for the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and Infiniti EX35, Motor Trend surprised me with the following statements (read the whole piece here):

"Canyon-carving sessions are surprisingly rewarding given Volvo's priority on safety...... Clearly its engineers took a different tack with the XC60 and gave on-road performance a high position on the agenda...... the XC60 doesn't feel tall or unstable. Credit its firm and responsive MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspension that minimizes body roll through corners...... Volvo's traction and stability-control systems (DTSC, RSC) don't kill the fun too quickly...."

Why is this so surprising? Does The Good Car Guy, an admitted Volvo fan, not believe Volvo to be capable of turning a compact SUV into a bit of a dynamic dynamo? No, no, no. See, Motor Trend also brought to my attention another aspect of the XC60 - it's height. The XC60 T6 AWD possesses 9.1 inches of ground clearance. Height off the ground inherently produces tipsy-topsy vehicles, and the 4000+ pound Volvo with that much ground clearance led me to believe that this, of all Volvos, would be the softy in the corners. For context, have a look at competitor clearance below.

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Volvo XC60: 9.0 inches

Mercedes-Benz GLK350: 7.9 inches

Audi Q5: 7.87 inches

BMW X3: 8.0 inches

Infiniti EX35: 5.4 inches

Land Rover LR2: 8.3 inches

Volvo XC90: 8.6 inches

INSANE FUEL ECONOMY - by smart

Perhaps the timing is ripening for a GCBC Lowdown on the smart fortwo. Perhaps this post would be aptly named a rundown - a simple mathematical view of the new smart fortwo. Canada sees a somewhat different fortwo than that which is available to the Americans.


Canada fills their Mercedes-Benz designed smart fortwo's with diesel; Americans use gasoline. Canada will be seeing the second generation of smart's, and so will the USA. But this is the first smart to clear American customs.

Canadian smart buyers see an entry price $3,400 higher and $4,660 higher on passion cabriolets. Horsepower numbers are significantly different. There's one major reason for the disparity. The core design of the Canadian smart enables it to run on diesel and is also 0.2L smaller than the gas-powered three-cylinder in the American-market smart fortwo. Although power and torque are up in the new 800cc turbodiesel engine, the gas engine is still 26 horses stronger.

Fuel efficiency, however, is the smart's calling card. Maneuverability and safety may be major selling points, but a potential 71mpg (3.3L/100km) in the smart fortwo cdi is... just ... plain... incredible. smart USA believes their fortwo will average 40mpg under "normal driving conditions and current standards". The previous, less-efficient diesel smart fortwo produced Canadian government ratings that equated to 51 US mpg in the city. Even considering that smaller differential in the fuel mileage of the two cars, the diesel smart travels an extra 87 miles (139km) on each tank.

Put it this way: Today in New York City, filling your gas-fired smart fortwo would cost $24.79 USD. Filling a diesel smart in NYC would cost $28.63. The driver of the regular gas smart fortwo could buy himself another gallon of fuel with the savings, and that gallon would make up 40 of the 70 mpg advantage the diesel smart normally holds. (In my neck of the woods diesel/gas are equivalently priced.)

An American smart fortwo wouldn't even drink a whole tank of fuel if you drive from Detroit to Indianapolis. Had you been driving the diesel smart, you would have continued through Indy and all the way to Nashville, at which point you're likely able to roll into a Shell station with a whiff of fumes remaining.

More smart fortwo math? You can cram an extra 60 litres of junk in the back of a smart fortwo that you wouldn't have found space for in the first fortwo. It's 12 total cubic feet is equal to that of a Honda Civic sedan.

HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?

Enlightening; not pointless. Strategic; not stupid. Educational rather than envy-driven. That's what The Good Car Guy says about this $$$ article. The fact that a BMW 3-series or Infiniti G35 can be had for a speck more money than Honda's latest special edition vehicle, the Civic Mugen Si, and that Acura's TSX or a Subaru Impreza WRX are less expensive than the Mugen (as seen on GoodCarBadCar this week) told me the world needs to see comparative pricing.

That's not to say the 1000 people who buy Mugen Si's aren't smart. They're getting a great car, a vehicle which sought out handling fun and disregarded any expense; caring not about luxury or straight-line speed. Nevertheless, it is sometimes shocking to see what other items are available for the price you paid.

In some cases - many cases, actually - very sporting vehicles are available for the same price as your new minivan, and it's hard to remember that you needed seven seats. "Counting the Cost" ignores that fact and looks at five USD price points ($20, 30, 45, 80, & 170K) to find out what unique rides are available. Don't get stuck in the rut of considering some of these cars "good deals" and others "bad deals". Different buyers need different vehicles.

$20,000

• Chevrolet Malibu (169bhp 4 cylinder)
• Ford Mustang (210 bhp V6 coupe)
• Mini Cooper (118 bhp 4 cylinder)
• Honda CR-V (fwd, 166bhp 4 cylinder)
• smart fortwo cabriolet (71 bhp 3 cylinder)

$30,000

• Toyota Avalon (Touring, 268bhp V6)
• Toyota Highlander (awd, 270bhp V6)
• Subaru Legacy GT (sedan, 243bhp turbo 4 cylinder)
• Mazda CX-7 (awd, Grand Touring, 244bhp turbo 4 cylinder)
• GMC Sierra 1500 (SLE2, 315bhp V8)

$45,000

• Audi A6 (awd, 255bhp V6)
• Audi TT (awd, convertible, 250bhp V6)
• Lincoln Mark LT (4x4, 300bhp V8)
• Dodge Ram 3500 (4-door, 4x4, 350bhp diesel 6-cylinder, dualie)
• BMW X5 (260bhp 6 cylinder)

$80,000

• BMW 750Li (360bhp V8, long wheelbase)
• Land Rover Range Rover (305bhp V8)
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport (390bhp supercharged V8)
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (505bhp V8)
• Volkswagen Touareg (310bhp diesel V10)

$170,000

• Bentley Continental GT (552bhp twin turbo W12)
• Aston Martin DB9 Volante (convertible, 450bhp V12)
• Mercedes-Benz S600 (510 bhp twin-turbo V12)
• 1 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1 awd 4-door BMW 335i, and 1 Cadillac Escalade
• 8 Mini Cooper S
• 1 Honda Civic Mugen Si, 1 BMW 328i, 1 Acura TSX, 1 Infiniti G35, 1 Subaru Impreza WRX

HOW CONSUMER REPORTS RELIABILITY RANKINGS RELATE TO GCBC AWARDS

Late last year and in early 2008, The Good Car Guy handed out twenty awards. Well, let's be honest: eight of them were shameful awards. The Good 12 and The Bad 8  place significance on vehicles that can be purchased by people you and I know - no Ferraris, Lamborghinis, or Bentleys. Of the hundreds and hundreds of different models available to the North American consumer, The Good 12 tells you which you should buy if at all possible in 2008 and The Bad 8 makes very clear which cars you should not buy if at all avoidable.

Of course, those vehicles are in the running for 2009's Good 12 and Bad 8. If they're still the best, they ought to be recognized that way. But before that comes, it appears that Consumer Reports has released its reliability rankings, pieces of news in which many consumers (how ironic) place a great amount of trust.

So, how do those rankings compare with The Good 12 and The Bad 8? Have a look below.

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Small Cars: Consumer Reports says the Scion xD and Mini Cooper Clubman are at or near the top while the Nissan Versa sedan is the worst. The Good 12 holds fast on the regular Mini Cooper while the Versa sedan resides in The Bad 8.

Family Cars: Consumer Reports puts the Toyota Prius and Kia Optima at or near the top with the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger platform-mates at the bottom. GoodCarBadCar.net is silent on the topic.

Sporty, Coupes, & Convertibles: Consumer Reports places the Lexus SC430 and Volco C30 at the top with the Chrysler Sebring convertible and Saturn Sky at the bottom. The Bad 8 has both the Sebring and Lexus SC in its grasp.

Luxury Cars: Infiniti's M35 and Lexus IS250 are CR's most reliable; the V8-powered Cadillac STS and V8-powered Mercedes-Benz E-Class are at the bottom. GoodCarBadCar.net speaks neither well or ill of all four.

Minivans/Wagons: The Toyota Matrix and Scion xB are the best of the bunch in CR's rankings, the Chrysler twins (Town & Country, Grand Caravan) are the worst. GoodCarBadCar.net is silent.

In the SUV/truck arena, the Toyota Tundra; Honda Ridgeline; Toyota Sequoia; Honda Pilot; Lexus RX400h; Honda Element, and Toyota FJ Cruiser are all leaders of their respective packs. Conversely, the Ford F-250; Land Rover LR2; Saturn Vue in V6 all-wheel drive form; Land Rover Range Rover; Volkswagen Touareg; V8-powered and diesel-fired Mercedes-Benz GL-Class; and the Dodge Dakota 4x4 are all unreliable by Consumer Reports' standards.

One more thing: Consumer Reports also said the Honda Fit; smart fortwo; and Infiniti G35 are "also very reliable". Those cars are in The Good 12.