While the 2007 Mini Cooper S, 2008 BMW 135i, 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, 2009 Dodge Challenger and 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi didn't get enough votes to make it into the top five, each were clearly liked. One could also argue that these are more real-world favorites, as cars like the GT-R and R8, as cool as they are, are out of financial reach for most people.
Some of you might be wondering what happened to the 2005 Ford GT in all this. Well, it received -- ahem -- no votes. Zip. Not even owner and Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer voted for it. When queried about this, Karl said he wasn't going to waste a vote on it because he knew not enough editors drove it to make it a memorable choice. He was right. So, a TKO, but a KO nonetheless for the otherwise iconic GT.
And with that, we conclude our Editors' Favorites. Hope you found it fun!
dougtheeng says:
09:07 AM, 03/15/10
I can't argue with any of these selections - I would happily drive each of them.
wrinklebump says:
09:27 AM, 03/15/10
Anyone else thinks the 135 looks like a Bassett hound wearing a dress
sgude says:
09:45 AM, 03/15/10
Fine cars all, but it really seemed to me that you liked the 330i more than the 135i. Maybe it's just me.
bimmerjay says:
10:00 AM, 03/15/10
@sgude,
I agree with you there - but all of the winners and losers seem to be more recent testers, perhaps the 135i was simply a more recent memory? Plus the N54 *is* a lot more fun than the N52 IMO, NA be damned, I love the powah! I'd give the handling edge to the 1-Series also, it's more tossable and fun to drive fast.
fuhteng says:
10:22 AM, 03/15/10
I blame Donna for her 'lemonade'. Damned GTR.
sabastian says:
12:02 PM, 03/15/10
Lots of great cars on the list for sure, but I thought I'd see the MX-5 on there somewhere...Oh well.
bankerdanny says:
12:28 PM, 03/15/10
I wonder if the G8 would have fared better if GM hadn't killed it? That in the back of their minds the IL staff thought how much they loved the car, but you can't buy one so why vote for it (I realize you can't buy a new 308 either, but I still wonder just the same).
stovt001 says:
01:09 PM, 03/15/10
Well the G8 is there, which was one car on my top 5 list guess that missed. The other was the EVO GTS. It seemed like they had a good time working on it and enjoyed the progress. I'm surprised it didn't make the list. I'm also surprised the 06 MX-5 didn't make the list.
stephen987 says:
01:21 PM, 03/15/10
This list contains four cars I could actually see living with, long-term. The 135i, Cooper S, Challenger and G8 are entertaining without requiring the driver to be "on" all the time. While much has been made of the "livability factor" of the R8, GT-R, and M3s, IMNSHO they are just too adrenaline-laced for daily use.
bkochuk says:
01:32 PM, 03/15/10
you guys are the reason I bought a 135.
oh, and thank you!
brn says:
08:12 AM, 03/16/10
" Karl said he wasn't going to waste a vote on it because he knew not enough editors drove it to make it a memorable choice."
So Karl kept it to himself?
;)
blueguydotcom says:
09:49 AM, 03/17/10
Loved my cooper s. Had it for two years and it consistently did three things:
30 MPGs
Made me smile
Ran perfectly
Really a fantastic little car.
charlesb says:
09:35 AM, 03/19/10
I dislike "awards" of all stripes. Worthless in every respect.
jtw715 says:
02:22 PM, 05/19/10
Great choices on your Editor's Favorites. Thanks to your G8 long-term blog, I am now the owner of a 2009 G8 GT, which I purchased 1 year ago brand new. I love the car! I considered the BMW 550i, but after I drove the G8, I just could not justify the additional cost of the BMW. After 1 year and 10k miles in the G8, I still get a big smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. It's comfortable, quick, handles amazingly well, and hasn't given me a lick of trouble (other than a new set of tires due to burn-out-itis). My other choice was a used 308, but my Kids would not fit in the Ferrari's trunk, so alas, I got the more practical G8.