2008 Motor Trend COTY

[Vinsanity]

It's that time of year again!

Obviously I'm pulling for the new CTS to win, but the new C-class seems pretty awesome (at least compared to the last one), the new Audis are beautiful, and the Volvo C30 is pretty cool, too

But keeping in mind MT gave it to the Camry last year, it seems apparent to me that they're just going to hand it to the Accord without a second thought.

What car do you think deserves it?

[the Teuton]

I think the Malibu will have the most impact as a new car.  I gave it my nod because it brings something new to the table.

[SVT666]

The Grand Caravan gets my vote, but we all know the Accord is going to win.

[Raza]

Audi TT, hands down.  Almost as gorgeous as the old model, but vastly improved.  It went from a hairdresser's car to a real live GT. 

[ifcar]

There is nothing particularly worthy this year, IMO.

The two big GMs are only redesigns of cars that were already supposed to have been revolutionary once; the CTS won lots of awards and was hailed as the next big thing before people got tired of the styling and interior, and the Malibu was already COTY once, in 1997. They've already had their chances to be revolutionary.

The Accord is evolutionary, and if anything, evolving in a direction contrary to enthusiast tastes. Also, the Camry just won last year; I can't imagine the two sweeping.

The A5/S5 is also evolutionary, based on an existing car without really adding anything. (Like the G37, though it's not on the list.)

Those are the only ones I could see winning, but maybe they'll pick a wild card and go for the C30.

[Vinsanity]

WOW I wonder why they didn't have the G37 this year; I'm pretty sure they had the G35 last year

[ifcar]

WOW I wonder why they didn't have the G37 this year; I'm pretty sure they had the G35 last year

You're sure you just didn't miss it when making the poll?

[Raghavan]

A5/S5

[Vinsanity]

You're sure you just didn't miss it when making the poll?

here's the MT site I saw the list on:
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6220056/car-of-the-year/2008-motor-trend-car-of-the-year-the-contenders/index.html

[Onslaught]

I only like the TT ad Mini. I'd only buy the Mini. Mini it is.

[sandertheshark]

Malibu has the potential to restore America's place in the mainstream family sedan market, and change a lot of perceptions.  I think it's the most significant car of 2008.  I'll vote for that.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Scion xD

[SaltyDog]

See sig

[Vinsanity]

See sig

hehe...did you get to drive the C30 yet? It's a pretty fun car! Although for me, the clutch took a lot of getting used to

[Raza]

hehe...did you get to drive the C30 yet? It's a pretty fun car! Although for me, the clutch took a lot of getting used to

It breaks no new ground.  It's simply a hatchback that's not all that practical.

[Eye of the Tiger]

It breaks no new ground.  It's simply a hatchback that's not all that practical.

Just how many hatchbacks aren't practical? That sounds like new ground, to me. 

[Raza]

Just how many hatchbacks aren't practical? That sounds like new ground, to me. 

350Z.

[Eye of the Tiger]

350Z.

No, the 350Z is a liftback.

[TheIntrepid]

A5/S5, but the C-Class is close.

[Vinsanity]

It breaks no new ground.  It's simply a hatchback that's not all that practical.

how is it any less practical than a GTI?

[S204STi]

I voted Accord, simply because it seems like a great redesign of a great car.  The Malibu to me is still an unknown quantity, and it seems like the powertrain might let it down.  Otherwise I think it is a strong candidate.

The Impreza is a nice car, but not lightyears ahead of the previous generation in any major way.  I'll wait till they get smart and put a 6spd, direct injection, and a variable vane turbo in it (or at least the first two) before I consider trading into one.

The CTS is also a new car that I like a lot, but while it is an outstanding car by its own merits, and certainly competitive in its class, it's still not the class.

[Raza]

how is it any less practical than a GTI?

Boot opening's rather small, isn't it?

[thewizard16]

I voted CTS because I think it's an extremely important car for Cadillac, but realistically, I might vote Malibu for similar reasons. If the Accord wins, I'll be about as thrilled as last year when the Camry won.

[Vinsanity]

Boot opening's rather small, isn't it?

meh. If it bothered me enough to care, I'd get an Element

[Vinsanity]

The Malibu to me is still an unknown quantity, and it seems like the powertrain might let it down. 

Well, the same engine in the Caddy doesn't let me down at all

The motor isn't as refined as the TL's, but its powerband is much more useful

[Raza]

meh. If it bothered me enough to care, I'd get an Element

I can't find a picture of the GTI with the hatch open. 

[Vinsanity]

The rear bumper seems higher than I remember; I do remember liking how lightweight the glass hatch felt; it helps when loading groceries

The Caddy, OTOH, for some reason has these high-effort struts that hold up the trunklid, and you'd get quite a workout if you had to open your trunk more than twice a day. An automatic closing mechanism is definitely in order

[omicron]

Audi TT, hands down.  Almost as gorgeous as the old model, but vastly improved.  It went from a hairdresser's car to a real live GT. 

Not only that, but most of the other cars have at least one obvious shortcoming or the curse of competency working against them. The TT doesn't seem to have any glaring deficiencies; but more importantly, it has moments of brilliance and character.

The C-class has a good chance, and given this is an American magazine, so too the Accord.

[TBR]

Malibu has the potential to restore America's place in the mainstream family sedan market, and change a lot of perceptions.  I think it's the most significant car of 2008.  I'll vote for that.

I agree. COTY isn't necessarily about the best car (check the sig for the winner of the award ), but rather it is about the car that will make the biggest impact on the market (or at least that was their excuse for the Camry). Out of this list the Malibu is certainly the most important.

[CJ]

But the Malibu still doesn't hold a candle to any of its competitors.  It is so far behind everyone in interior quality, it's not even funny.  The interior quality is a joke.