Would I buy one? It's a question I ask myself whenever I slide behind the wheel of a car. Would I drop my hard earned money on one of these? Would I want to own it? Drive it for years? Look at it in my driveway? Tell people it's mine?
It's also the question you the reader ask me the most. So I've decided to go through all the cars we now have in our fleet and decide whether or not I would buy one. I also included a few recently departed vehicles. Seems appropriate since they just left us.
2009 Audi A4: Yes, but without the Sport Package.
2008 Audi R8: In a heartbeat. One of the best cars in the world.
2009 Audi S5: Hell yeah. Just listen to it.
2008 BMW 135i: I would, but I still think it should cost less than it does.
2002 BMW M3: Yup. I bought this one and I'd do it again.
2009 BMW M3: Only a fool would say no. Might be the best sedan in the world.
2009 BMW 750i: I would recommend it, but I'd buy an S550.
2008 Cadillac CTS: Yes, but I'd get the wagon. And I want one that's LS3 powered.
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan: Only if it were free.
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: My kind of car. But I'd get the R/T Classic.
2007 Ford Edge: Couldn't do it. I don't by anything with lame brakes.
2009 Ford Flex: Absolutely, but I'd buy an SEL not a Limited.
2008 Ford Focus: No thanks.
2007 Honda Civic GX: Um, not unless somebody had a gun to my head.
2009 Honda Fit: Yes. Still the best of its kind.
2009 Hyundai Genesis: Faster than you can say great sedan.
2009 Infiniti FX50: I would, but only if they were sold out of Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s.
2006 Lexus RX 400h: Nope. Bad brakes.
2009 Mazda 6: Yes, but I don't like looking at it much.
2008 Mitsubishi Evo GSR: Yes, if my only other choice was an STI.
2008 Mitsubishi Evo MR: Not as long as they're selling G8s across town.
2009 Nissan 370Z: Yes. I'd get used to feeling cramped.
2009 Nissan GT-R: Only if they softened up the suspension about 25%.
2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Fnck yeah.
2008 Smart Fortwo: I find it fun and surprisingly comfortable. But would never own one as my only car.
2008 Subaru STI: I rather have an Evo. But I'd rather look at the Subie.
2009 Suzuki SX4: Yes. It may be the market's best kept secret.
2004 Toyota Prius: I don't do trendy.
2009 VW Jetta TDI: I would if they'd fix the brakes.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
cx7lover says:
05:06 AM, 05/23/09
The Edge's brakes we're fixed for 2008.
caheew says:
06:55 AM, 05/23/09
An Audi S5?!?1?!? Hmmmmm. Nice.
stephen987 says:
07:04 AM, 05/23/09
S5? When did that one show up??? (And when do we get to start reading about it. . .)
mentally says:
07:08 AM, 05/23/09
You missed the X5.
s1gins says:
07:40 AM, 05/23/09
What about the 06 (05) TDI? Versus the 09 TDI at current price disparity?
adavis2493 says:
07:41 AM, 05/23/09
An S5 eh? I hope you got the Bang & Olufson Sound- Best on the market.
cx7lover says:
08:13 AM, 05/23/09
You all are just noticing that. I mentioned it in the 135i post a day ago.
jaeger1 says:
08:16 AM, 05/23/09
Mazda 6 - you'd buy a car you don't like looking at? I sure wouldn't.
cx7lover says:
09:30 AM, 05/23/09
Should be noted the Flex has the same braking system as the EDGE, and likely a bunch of other new Ford's. Mazda's CUV's use the same calipers and rotors at the very least (CX-7 and 9). So, yeah. I'm sure the whole system is the same save for some changes.
shubh99 says:
11:42 AM, 05/23/09
learn how to spell "buy" first...
firelicked says:
11:47 AM, 05/23/09
Please add a CVT transmission...ed vehicle to this list. The sales lady at the dealership told me that since there is no "gears" that the cvt equiped Altima will go as fast in reverse as it will forward. She would not let me try. You guys should.
firelicked says:
11:47 AM, 05/23/09
Please add a CVT transmission...ed vehicle to this list. The sales lady at the dealership told me that since there is no "gears" that the cvt equiped Altima will go as fast in reverse as it will forward. She would not let me try. You guys should.
stovt001 says:
04:09 PM, 05/23/09
Wow, those are almost my exact feelings. Good call.
zjev says:
06:19 PM, 05/23/09
Good insight Scott. I'd like to see a list of what the other journalists think as well. Even more interesting would be a list of what all the staffers actually own and drive :-)
kdragon5 says:
10:19 PM, 05/23/09
You guys still have the Ford Edge? The last post about it was almost a year ago...
And where's the 2005 Jetta TDI?
bradyholt says:
04:05 AM, 05/24/09
You'd certainly buy a lot of cars...
What happens if you have to choose between or among cars that are in roughly the same class, like the A4, CTS, Genesis, and G8?
subaru123 says:
05:04 AM, 05/24/09
If you get that CVT get a 4cylinder 2010 Subaru Legacy. I test drove the a fully loaded 3.6R yesterday that my dealership happened to have and was better than any accord, camry, etc.
cx7lover says:
07:14 AM, 05/24/09
2010 Subaru is frugly for words. HELL no.
subaru123 says:
11:38 AM, 05/24/09
In person it's not as tall or squished as it seems in pictures. don't comment until you actually see and drive one
Monocrom says:
10:34 PM, 05/24/09
Regarding Mazda 6 ~
I don't get it, what's with the comment about its looks?
One of the reasons I got my V6 Mazda 6 is because of its looks. (Not the main reason. That would be its kick-ass engine and handling. Neither one has disappointed me).
This is a stylish, sport car (especially with the V6), and I've gotten nothing but positive comments about the styling.
m_thrizzle says:
10:39 PM, 05/24/09
Scott, you bought the M3 from the LT fleet? Cool, glad to see it will still be in the Edmunds family. Please keep us updated on it every now and then.
Re: Ford Edge. I drove a friend's rental Lincoln MKX and had the same feelings about the brakes. Mushy and overmatched.
justinparrk says:
10:30 PM, 05/25/09
you guys still have the edge?
0757lx says:
05:39 AM, 05/26/09
What ever happened to the Edge?
blueguydotcom says:
07:28 AM, 05/26/09
Nope to just about every car on the list. The 1 and M3 sedan are about the only two I dig. If the WRX weren't an STI, then yes.
jriz says:
09:47 AM, 05/26/09
"The Edge's brakes we're fixed for 2008."
Actually, the tires were replaced. During testing of a 2009 Edge, we discovered that the braking distances indeed improved ... from a frightening 158 feet to a mediocre 134 feet with significant fade. Motor Trend tested an Edge Sport with the crazy 22-inch wheels and found it stopped in a respectable 123 feet. So unless you sign up for that model, we wouldn't recommend the Edge.
fuhteng says:
06:00 AM, 05/28/09
"2008 Mitsubishi Evo MR: Not as long as they're selling G8s across town." +1
charlesb says:
10:49 AM, 06/ 1/09
"
By fuhtengAuthor Profile Page on May 28, 2009 6:00 AM
"2008 Mitsubishi Evo MR: Not as long as they're selling G8s across town." +1
"
I guess that means we can pencil you and old man Oldham in for a 2010 Mitsu MR then? -2
fniguy28 says:
10:02 PM, 06/28/09
Thanks for your honesty....
Now pass it on to your fellow writers so readers can get a better idea of where the writer stands personally about a vehicle that they are reporting about..