Which Long-Termers Made Top Picks in Edmunds 2012 Buying Guides

Although I wouldn't buy one, I think the Leaf is the best electric/hybrid. The car works as advertised, it's just not for me.

"the Fiat 500 is a coupe? I would think it's a hatchback."

There is no category for hatchback. Everything is either a coupe or a sedan, so it seems they're going for the difference in number of doors...nope - the VW GTI is a coupe, in spite of the fact that it's offered in both 2 and 4 door configurations.

Their categories make no sense - try to look up a particular car.

I guess my biggest disagreement with this type of thing is the use of price to differentiate segments. For example, the CX-9 is a pick in the under $30K SUV category. The Acadia is a pick in the under $45K SUV category. The CX-9 is often cross-shopped with the GM crossovers and there have been many comparison tests. I have not seen any that rank the Acadia above the CX-9. So maybe the CX-9 belongs in the under $45K category as well. Maybe it's a stretch but you could argue that it could go up against the MDX in the under $55K as well.

I understand why Edmunds does it this way. Many (maybe most) car buyers shop by price point, status and perception rather than by objectively assessing features, performance and capabilities. While I don't expect Edmunds to change human nature, it would be nice if you gave the facts and let the readers make the mistakes for themselves.

I can't believe you guys initiated a whole big discussion on the best sedan under $40k and the clear favorite of the readership was the G37 followed by the S60 with the C-class a distant 3rd, yet the C-class gets the most recommended status. It's a dull, boring slug with high ownership costs and the dynamic appeal of a dial tone.

I can agree with most of the choices for the most but I will say that your full size truck section as usual needs work and you need to more carefully research your facts and the realities of for example towing 5 tons with a Dodge Ram.

There is only one worthy wagon -- the CTS-V wagon

The Nissan Juke is an abomination. It does not get near the estimated MPG, and it's fugly to boot..

legacygt

The CX-9 ranks above the Acadia in many of tests. The Acadia isn't all that, and has some serious reliability problems to go along with the poor dynamics, higher-than-it-should-be sticker price and cheap interior.

I'd disagree with the Mustang (with manual transmission) considering how many problems owners are keep running into with it. From Ford's document to the NHTSA:

04/26/2010: Revised Clutch Pedal Return Spring
For clutch stay-out at high RPMs

01/07/2011: Revised Clutch Spring Finger Height
For clutch stay-out at high RPMs

10/19/2010: Revised fastener/thread locker
Addresses clutch fastener back out

09/07/2010: Changed 5th/6th gear surface finish
Addresses grinding during 5th gear shifts

07/25/2011: Added phosphate coating to gears
Reduces gear noise

07/25/2011: Lower viscosity lubricant
To reduce shift effort in all temps

08/31/2011: Changed clearance between 2nd gear friction ring & cone
Resolve ring to gear face contact and gear clash

02/25/2011: Fourth gear weld incomplete during production
Process verification to ensure complete gear welding

07/01/2011: Vehicle message center
Extended skip-shift illumination time so drivers aware of engagement

"Approximately three percent of transmissions were affected"

Yep, only 3%.

"Ford investigated a variety of issues and found issues with cold shifting, the clutch plate bolt, clutch stayout, and 5th gear synchronization"

"Each of the problems was addressed"

"Many other factors resulted in the reporting of problems, including driver effect, the skip-shift feature, the influence of online forums, vehicle modifications and abuse."

That is part of Ford`s official response given this month.

And yet, owners every single day... even new 2012 owners... continue to report to the NHTSA and Mustang forums everywhere that their transmissions are a train wreck. Did you REALLY think Ford was going to give accurate data in that report? AFM has already identified 4 owners in lemon cases with Ford that weren't listed in the docs they provided the government. And Appendix C which lists the details of every complaint is mission from the package.

Volt over Prius?

REALLY?
BD