Best Deals in Wheels 2004-ZT

社员都是向阳花 · 发表于 2005-2-13 21:14

Economy Cars — Winner: Toyota Corolla

Base Price: $15,410

The Toyota Corolla topped last year's list of economy cars and is back on top this year. No wonder. This vehicle, now in its ninth incarnation, has evolved into a near-perfect economy car, combining excellent fuel efficiency, a handsome interior and a price that's easy on the pocketbook. Even the top-of-the-line model, the LE, comes in at under $20,000.

Okay, there is one niggling shortcoming. Our panelists caution that the Corolla will never be mistaken for the coolest-looking car on the road. Still, no one buys this car to raise eyebrows or draw whistles. Quite simply, Corollas are built to perform well and survive anything short of nuclear apocalypse. "This car has built an amazing reputation," says Garland. "I've never met anyone who has had a bad Corolla."

Hybrids — Winner: Toyota Prius
Base Price: $29,990

If you want a mid-size sedan with great fuel efficiency and an engine that doesn't belch smog-inducing fumes, you can't do better than the Toyota Prius. The hybrid vehicle, which operates in both gas and electric modes, has been around since 2001. This year, Toyota has updated the Prius with a roomier interior, a gutsier engine and more technological advancements. "It really is an engineering marvel," says Dimopoulos. "For example, the force and the energy that are generated by the brakes are actually transferred back to the engine and used as power."

Thanks to the recent fine-tuning, the car's acceleration has improved dramatically without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The new Prius burns just four litres of gas for every 100 km of travel — less than half the gas burned by a typical sedan. If you're an environmentalist, you'll love the fact that you can enjoy that level of fuel economy while producing emissions 90% lower than someone driving a conventional internal-combustion engine.

Family Sedans (under $35K) — Winner: Toyota Camry

Base price: $24,800

The Camry comes in six models, from the low-end LE to the more powerful SE V6. Whatever the configuration, the Camry is an outstanding sedan for a very reasonable price. It was one of the few vehicles on our list that received votes from every member of our panel, scoring a resounding 19 points out of a possible 25. "Year in, year out, this is the most reliable vehicle on the road," says Turk. "People don't complain about Camrys."

The Camry's virtues go beyond reliability, however. Since undergoing a slight redesign in 2002, the car is now more aerodynamic, with a lower front end and a raised back end. Turk says that the less-expensive four-cylinder version provides all the pep most people need. And you probably won't need to add many expensive options, since cruise control, power windows and keyless entry are standard features in all models. "It's a family sedan," says Stone. "But it has a little bit of luxury too."

Station Wagons (under $45K) — Winner: Subaru Legacy/Outback

Base price: $27,295/$37,995

It's hard to believe that the station wagon was once the uncoolest of uncool cars. These days, wagons are fine-looking vehicles that boast excellent handling and all the luxuries you could want. At the top of the list? The Legacy and Outback wagons, two similar models built on the same platform.

Our panelists praised both Subarus for their ability to plow through the snow and slush of a Canadian winter with the help of their all-wheel-drive systems. "People feel secure in Subarus in the wintertime," says Garland. Our panelists also praised the cars' smooth ride and reliability — not to mention their power. Some models can churn out enough torque to haul a yacht.

Luxury Cars (under $65K) — Winner: Infiniti G35

Base price: $39,600

This category is all about getting a stylish vehicle with all the bells and whistles … but without having to take out a mortgage. With those restrictions in mind, our experts picked the Infiniti G35 as the one car that best combines luxury with affordability. Indeed, the G35 sedan provides all the comforts you might expect from a top-of-the-line prestige car — soft leather seats, stateof-the-art Bose audio system and four-wheel independent suspension — for a price that is far, far lower than most other cars in its category. For just under $40,000, you get a beautifully engineered vehicle with a 3.5-litre aluminum V-6 engine that puts out 260 hp. "The car is gorgeous," says Turk. "The interior is extremely comfortable, the engine is excellent and the car has a great ride. Everyone I know who has driven one has loved it."

Minivans — Winner: Toyota Sienna

Base price: $30,000

The Toyota Sienna was our panelists' hands-down favorite minivan this year, earning 20 points out of a maximum of 25. While the Honda Odyssey, the one-time favorite in this category, has grown stale in recent years, the Sienna has undergone a redesign that has transformed the vehicle from boring to — gosh, can we say this about a minivan? — sexy. "It's got some style and some zip to it," says Garland.

For 2004, the Sienna is bigger and more powerful than before, with a 230-hp engine and enough room to carry up to eight passengers. Yet the minivan hasn't lost its sleek look, nimble handling or attention to detail. In particular, Garland likes the way the vehicle's seats can be flipped and adjusted for maximum comfort. Others may like the luxurious options in the pricier versions, which include leather seats, a navigation system, an ultrasonic bumper-distance alarm and a rearview camera."You really can't say a bad thing about Toyotas," says Robinson. "They're just very reliable."

Pickup Trucks — Winner: Ford F-150

Base price: $27,135 (F-150 Regular Cab)

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling pick-up truck in North America for decades. "There's a reason for that," says Turk. "It's reliable." Also versatile. The F-150 label is really an umbrella term for a fleet of related vehicles, spanning 10 models and dozens of variations.

The heart of this fleet, the F-150 Regular Cab, has been redesigned for 2004. The new version is longer, with a deeper cargo box. It's also heavier, thanks to beefed-up safety features that improve the truck's collision protection. Power output has shot up, too: the truck's 5.4-litre V-8 engine now churns out 300 hp, up from 260. Got something heavy to haul? This pickup can handle payloads of up to 1,360 kg.

Of course, if you'd rather haul people, our panel recommends the F-150 SuperCab. It can seat six or accommodate a comfy bed.

Sport Utility Vehicles (under $45K) — Winner: Subaru Forester

Base price: $27,995

The Subaru Forester is a vehicle that straddles the line between small SUV and bulked-up station wagon. But however you want to categorize this niftylooking vehicle, it won raves from our experts. They loved its SUV-calibre power and roominess, but appreciated its car-like handling and response. "A lot of people say, 'I like the feel of an SUV, I like to be sitting higher, I like the visibility, I like the traction — but I don't want to feel like I'm driving a truck.' The Forester delivers hands-down on that," says Turk. "It drives like a car."

Credit the superb handling to a terrific engine — which gets pretty gutsy in the top-of-the-line 2.5 XT version — and an all-wheel-drive system that our panelists rave about. While some SUVs have been prone to rollovers, the Forester comes with an excellent crash safety rating that is the envy of most other vehicles in its class.

Sport Utility Vehicle
+ C* j, I7 a% o/ T) M6 R9 ws (over $45K) — Winner: Toyota Sequoia
Base price: $53,650

This massive SUV, one of the largest in its class, could be mistaken for a cottage on wheels. It can seat up to eight passengers in comfort. Standard equipment includes a sound system and dual climate controls in the front and rear seats. Luxury-lovers can even add a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

On the road, though, the Sequoia is no lumbering wheezer. It packs a 4.7-litre V-8 engine that produces 240 hp. You'll find this SUV right at home in just about any environment you take it, from the rugged wilderness to the sophisticated downtown core. "The Sequoia is good for off-road driving, but still looks nice enough for a night on the town," says Stone. Be warned, though: with a vehicle this large, tight parking could be a problem.

Prestige Cars (over $65K) — Winner: Rolls Royce Phantom

Base price: $470,000

Pretend for a moment that you've got so much money that you don't know what to do with it. One solution? Buy a Rolls Royce Phantom, one of the most expensive cars on the planet and arguably the status symbol of the ultra-rich. "It's pure decadence," says Turk, who compares the interior to a luxurious living room. "When you're driving a Rolls Royce, you're making a statement: I'm beyond wealthy."

The Phantom, updated for 2004, goes a few steps beyond being a mere status symbol. Its muscular 6.7-litre V-12 engine delivers an amazing 453 hp, which is enough power to propel you from zero to 100 km/hr in just 5.9 seconds. At least in theory, the Phantom can reach a top speed of 240 km/hr — fast enough to rocket you from Montreal to Toronto in about two-and-a-half hours. That's right, keep dreaming.

Convertibles — Winner: Chevrolet Corvette

Base price: $75,940

When you take the roof off a car, you often lose the sleek appearance of the original hardtop version. Not so with the Corvette convertible. This car is a streamlined beauty that attracts looks from adoring fans. It's also mighty impressive under the hood and within the chassis. Stiffening panels ensure the convertible is as strong as the hardtop while the V-8 engine guarantees you'll have all the muscle you need. "Based on power, looks, performance and price, it's an extremely good package," says Garland. "The Corvette is a car that GM always puts its best effort into."

Sports Cars (under $55K)— Winner: Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Base price: $46,995

At last, Subaru has given North American drivers the keys to the WRX STi, its stellar rally vehicle. What's the verdict on this supercharged version of the popular Impreza WRX sedan? Quite simply, it rocks. The 2.5-litre 300-hp engine will rocket you from zero to 100 km/hr in 4.8 seconds. "It's so fast it's unbelievable," says Dimopoulos. "It was one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. It would rip the doors off some muscle cars."

Yet the Impreza boasts more than power. With a state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive system, it grips the road like a magnet hugs iron. The interior is designed with the driving enthusiast in mind and features torso-hugging seats. "The interior is great," says Turk. "I love the seats, steering wheel, pedals, sound system — and it has a great turbo engine. This car flies. It's hard to beat."

And make no mistake, the Corvette fully deserves to be in the sports car category. It grips the road tenaciously and packs muscle to spare with a 5.7-litre V-8 engine that pours out 350 hp. You can enjoy the power while reclining in the car's power leather seats and savoring a suspension system that reduces vibration and noise. "The Corvette outperforms many of the other cars in this category in handling, braking and things like that," says Robinson. "It's a very well-built car for the price."

[ Last edited by 社员都是向阳花 on 2005-2-17 at 08:09 PM ]

随便 · 发表于 2005-3-2 06:02

谢谢，还有吗？

spark · 发表于 2005-3-24 19:10

beautiful picture.

Phaeton · 发表于 2005-3-29 09:44

斑竹不是抵制日货吗？为什么还发这个帖子？？？:lol:

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