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TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:09 AM
http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2009_motor_trend_car_of_the_year_contenders.jpg

Motor Trend has kicked off judging for the 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year. The major automotive magazine is hanging out in Mojave, California at the Hyundai/Kia testing facility with 17 contenders that are undergoing performance and other evaluations.

Motor Trend points out that the Car of the Year is not a comparison test. The publication does not look at vehicles that have been on sale for the past 5 years and looks at three main things when evaluating a car: Superiority (engineering), Significance (usability) and Value (how it compares to rivals). Head over to Motor Trend to learn more about the evaluation process.

While Motor Trend finishes up their testing, we’re wondering what car you think deserves the title for the 2009 Car of the Year.
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:13 AM
Within the criteria of "Superiority (engineering), Significance (usability) and Value (how it compares to rivals)" I'm not sure how anyone could vote for anything other than the GT-R. That is pretty much the definition of the GT-R.
LASERBLUE135
10-01-2008, 10:26 AM
I'm sure the GTR will win, but there are some decent cars this year.
mazdaspeedster3
10-01-2008, 10:33 AM
the GT-r is not mainstream enough...
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:33 AM
I'm sure the GTR will win, but there are some decent cars this year.

Yeah, probably a few cars that could win in any other year.
SPEED3TYPE2
10-01-2008, 10:35 AM
wheres the speed?
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:36 AM
the GT-r is not mainstream enough...

Sales numbers don't have anything to do with it. It's attainable enough that it's got to win. Nothing else here can touch the GT-R in engineering or value.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 10:36 AM
here we go...
wheres the speed?
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 10:37 AM
In all honesty tho...I dont think the GT-R should be in that mix lol its kind of unfair...so because of that I voted for the G8 :D
mikeyb
10-01-2008, 10:37 AM
wheres the speed?

Its not all new for 08.
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:38 AM
Its not all new for 08.

...and it didn't win when it was new.
SPEED3TYPE2
10-01-2008, 10:39 AM
i have 3 mags where it wins head to head comparo contests..
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:40 AM
In all honesty tho...I dont think the GT-R should be in that mix lol its kind of unfair...so because of that I voted for the G8 :D

Why's it unfair? It's a better value than a 135i all day long.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 10:41 AM
Oh, I'm not saying it doesnt meet all those requirements but its like a competition between a filet minion and a chuck steak lol
Why's it unfair? It's a better value than a 135i all day long.
mikeyb
10-01-2008, 10:42 AM
i have 3 mags where it wins head to head comparo contests..

Dude, The MS3 is not an all new model for 09.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 10:42 AM
please stop, now.
i have 3 mags where it wins head to head comparo contests..
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:42 AM
i have 3 mags where it wins head to head comparo contests..

Good for it. I can show you plenty of magazines where the Honda Odyssey wins head to head comparo contests. The Speed3 is not the greatest car ever made. I can show you the most recent comparison it was in where it took 3rd, behind the new WRX and the Cobalt SS.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 10:42 AM
OMG ITS NOT?!?!
Good for it. I can show you plenty of magazines where the Honda Odyssey wins head to head comparo contests. The Speed3 is not the greatest car ever made.
mazdaspeedster3
10-01-2008, 10:44 AM
The WRX and Cobalt are all new this year and they are not even in this either...
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 10:45 AM
The WRX and Cobalt are all new this year and they are not even in this either...

Actually, I don't think the 2009 WRX is eligible, since it's not on sale yet.
SPEED3TYPE2
10-01-2008, 10:46 AM
Ahh! i'm aready used to the Jelous minds of the speed..lol
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 10:48 AM
right....
mikeyb
10-01-2008, 11:00 AM
Just shows that people do not read. This is for Motor Trend Car of the Year. The "Year" being 2009 not 2008.
mikeyb
10-01-2008, 11:03 AM
The WRX and Cobalt are all new this year and they are not even in this either...



Actually, I don't think the 2009 WRX is eligible, since it's not on sale yet.

Both the WRX and Cobalt are just motor changes. They are not all new.


Ahh! i'm aready used to the Jelous minds of the speed..lol

Jealous of what? I'm not.
BlackCherry06
10-01-2008, 11:06 AM
I suspect Hyundai Genesis, Mazda 6 or VW Passat CC.
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 11:08 AM
If the CC wins, I'm going to find out where Motor Trend's headquarters are and burn it down.
Kymerik
10-01-2008, 11:14 AM
The G8 and GTR are clear favorites in my mind. They both offer superior value and performance and ingenuity compared to the others. However, in comparison to the other cars it faces, I think the GTR wins a slim margin over the G8 and thus becomes the Car of the year
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 11:24 AM
The G8 and GTR are clear favorites in my mind. They both offer superior value and performance and ingenuity compared to the others. However, in comparison to the other cars it faces, I think the GTR wins a slim margin over the G8 and thus becomes the Car of the year

As much as I love the G8 (if it had a manual tranny) there's not a lot of ingenuity there. It's a big pushrod V8 in a RWD sedan that's not a pig. It's not complicated, and it doesn't need to be. That's why we love it.
nealric
10-01-2008, 12:54 PM
I'm surprised fewer people have voted for the 1 series. The GTR is cool and all, but 95+% of people here have no hope of ever owning one. The 1 series on the other hand, is relatively accessible.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 12:55 PM
dont they start in the mid 30's? There's no such thing as an entry level BMW anymore...
I'm surprised fewer people have voted for the 1 series. The GTR is cool and all, but 95+% of people here have no hope of ever owning one. The 1 series on the other hand, is relatively accessible.
Kymerik
10-01-2008, 01:41 PM
dont they start in the mid 30's? There's no such thing as an entry level BMW anymore...

*nod*
Omar MSP
10-01-2008, 01:48 PM
i voted for the GT-R. Topgears review was pretty impressive.
mazdaspeedster3
10-01-2008, 01:54 PM
The Cobalt has a new engine, suspension, interior upgrades and bigger better brakes (brembos). That is a lot of significant changes. THe WRX has taken the same changes so as they may TECHNIALLY not be all new, they are new. I think the TL is a beast this year, nice improvements. I like the look of the current typeS but all the other upgrades are sweet and that SHAWD is the shit!
mazdaspeedster3
10-01-2008, 01:55 PM
If the GT-R is in then the ZR1 should be in as well.
mikeyb
10-01-2008, 04:11 PM
dont they start in the mid 30's? There's no such thing as an entry level BMW anymore...

Mid 30's for the 135i and the 128i starts at 29K. For the price of the 135i you can get into 3 series. There is still a such thing as a entry level BMW and its called the Mini Cooper.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 04:12 PM
yes a mini (technically) is a BMW but its not a BMW
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 04:17 PM
Mid 30's for the 135i and the 128i starts at 29K. For the price of the 135i you can get into 3 series. There is still a such thing as a entry level BMW and its called the Mini Cooper.

Yup, mid-30's for the 135i, and the way BMW packages cars, you'd probably have to custom order one to get it for much under $40k.
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 04:23 PM
I'm guessing that the Mazda6 is second to the GT-R based on nothing but unbiased opinions... :rolleyes:

That said, in a year with fewer significant new models, I could see the 6 winning pretty easily.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 04:23 PM
(lol2)

It could be a piece of poop but as long as it had 4 wheels and a mazda emblem it would get voted for here lol
I'm guessing that the Mazda6 is second to the GT-R based on nothing but unbiased opinions... :eyeroll:
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 04:25 PM
(lol2)

It could be a piece of poop but as long as it had 4 wheels and a mazda emblem it would get voted for here lol

You know, thinking about it, if the GT-R weren't such a dominatingly well-engineered and historically significant car, I might make a case for the 6 over the rest of this pack.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 04:26 PM
dont ruin it! I'm enjoying picturing a poop car...
mikeyb
10-01-2008, 04:27 PM
You know, thinking about it, if the GT-R weren't such a dominatingly well-engineered and historically significant car, I might make a case for the 6 over the rest of this pack.

You just took the works right out of my mouth.
TinmanMS6
10-01-2008, 04:29 PM
dont ruin it! I'm enjoying picturing a poop car...

THPPPPPPPBBBBBBBBBBTTTT!!! **Taylor makes farting exhaust sounds** (lol2)
seanmcsean
10-01-2008, 04:31 PM
You know, if the GTR doesn't win, I'll bet the new Fit does. Mostly because I think MT might be trying to think progressive. The Fit represents a new school of thinking. It is small, yet robust. Efficient, yet practical. Not to mention under $20k. Sort of an everyman's car, you know? Plus it is a Honda, and most of the car rags love Hondas.

I wouldn't be surprised..
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 04:35 PM
(alright)
THPPPPPPPBBBBBBBBBBTTTT!!! **Taylor makes farting exhaust sounds** (lol2)
Donas64
10-01-2008, 04:41 PM
I'd vote for either the pontiac G8 for reviving RWD American sedans and doing it in style but overall I'l have to vote for the hyundai Genesis. V8 Tau is an impressive piece, interior is beautiful, driving dynamics are excellent for a car of its type and it undercuts its rivals by tens of thousands of dollars.

Kudos to Hyundai.
seanmcsean
10-01-2008, 04:41 PM
(lol2)

It could be a piece of poop but as long as it had 4 wheels and a mazda emblem it would get voted for here lol

so you mean my neighbor's 1993 mazda 929 can't be car of the year.. well damn it all.
seanmcsean
10-01-2008, 04:42 PM
I'd vote for either the pontiac G8 for reviving RWD American sedans and doing it in style but overall I'l have to vote for the hyundai Genesis. V8 Tau is an impressive piece, interior is beautiful, driving dynamics are excellent for a car of its type and it undercuts its rivals by tens of thousands of dollars.

Kudos to Hyundai.

I wish more people would buy that car. But the sad reality is, when you have BMW cash, you don't want a hyundai.
evilmonkeyMSP
10-01-2008, 04:43 PM
Couldnt agree more. It is equal in every way but when it comes to branding, people that want that kind of car will always go BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc before buying a Hyundai....
I wish more people would buy that car. But the sad reality is, when you have BMW cash, you don't want a hyundai.
dmitrik4
10-01-2008, 05:12 PM
I'd vote for either the pontiac G8 for reviving RWD American sedans and doing it in style but overall I'l have to vote for the hyundai Genesis. V8 Tau is an impressive piece, interior is beautiful, driving dynamics are excellent for a car of its type and it undercuts its rivals by tens of thousands of dollars.

Kudos to Hyundai.

Agreed. I think it has to come down to the GT-R or the genesis. None of the others are truly significant steps in their respective classes. The 6 is a really nice car, but what's so special about it? The Genesis and GTR are potential game-changers.
clicknext
10-01-2008, 06:15 PM
Based on motor trend's supposed criteria, "Superiority (engineering), Significance (usability) and Value (how it compares to rivals)", I'd have to say that the GT-R is pretty high up there. But it's on the basis of pure awesomeness that I chose it.
nealric
10-03-2008, 11:22 AM
dont they start in the mid 30's? There's no such thing as an entry level BMW anymore...

Right...

But since when does an entry level car do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds? The 1 is not even attempting to be an entry level BMW (at least in the US).
evilmonkeyMSP
10-03-2008, 11:27 AM
the 09 WRX is pretty much close to that time depending on the driver and thats a mid 20's car...
Right...

But since when does an entry level car do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds? The 1 is not even attempting to be an entry level BMW (at least in the US).
TinmanMS6
10-03-2008, 12:40 PM
I'm just going to hold my breath until the 335i wagon comes out. I'm definitely going to have to keep an eye out for one in a few years once slightly used ones become available.
nealric
10-04-2008, 01:50 PM
the 09 WRX is pretty much close to that time depending on the driver and thats a mid 20's car...

That's a bit different because the WRX is all-wheel drive. In other performance metrics, the 135 is a much faster car than the wrx (and much more luxurious to boot).

The 1/4 mile of the 135 is faster than the 1/4 of the STI, which costs the same as the 135. Plus, the 135 can do a 4.3 0-60 and mid 12s 1/4 with a $600 chip.
LASERBLUE135
10-04-2008, 02:51 PM
The 1 series is cute, but not really a game changer. $40k for a 300hp rear driver...we've seen that before. I've driven the Genisis and it's a fantastic car and does seriously beat its competitors in the price for value arena. The GTR is flat out amazing. its the re-invention of the corvette for today's generation, while the corvette is similar to...the bmw 1 series. The GTR wins easily this year because it was such a step forward for sub $100k autos.
Flash5
10-04-2008, 04:12 PM
even though i kinda hate saying it...the gtr will win
coolmazda5
10-05-2008, 11:30 PM
Honda Fit FTW!!, LOL. Oh well, with all the range of cars selected the voting can get subjective IMO (even claiming that is based on "Superiority (engineering), Significance (usability) and Value (how it compares to rivals)")