Winding Road Magazine picks their 12 fav. autos.

adrean8j · 01-09-2009, 04:58 PM

As taken from Autoblog.com:

When Winding Road picked their 12 favorite cars of 2008, they went out of their way to diversify. Their "Dynamic Dozen" includes vehicles as inexpensive as the $14,000 Honda Fit up to the $114,000 Audi R8, with everything from the Ford Mustang to the Porsche Cayman/Boxer in between. The list is filled with great vehicles, with one really big (literally) surprise: the Dodge Sprinter. The $37,000 people/cargo hauler doesn't crank through the twisties and it couldn't beat a pack mule in a quarter mile, but WR loves the German-born hauler for its distinct personality and core competencies. It can haul people or things in great quantities, it has very solid interior, has a great service record, and WR claims it's a lot of fun to drive, too.

As surprising as the nod to the Sprinter was, we almost reserved as much shock for the lack of a BMW 3-Series. We were beginning to think that the best-selling BMW was a requirement for any "best" list. They did outline why they chose the 1-Series, though, so that's probably close enough. Hit the read link below to catch Winding Road's top 12 from beginning to end.

The 1er is listed INSTEAD of the 3er (page 148-149)
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/i...tos-including/

ZIPNBYE · 01-09-2009, 05:13 PM

An excellent choice.

Chewyjr15 · 01-09-2009, 05:17 PM

i agree.

atr_hugo · 01-09-2009, 07:53 PM

That's a great list and Winding Road is fast becoming a must read for me. Remember David E. Davis occupies some space in your white vinyl bibles (aka as, "Year 1 of the 1 - Commemorative Edition". ; -)

I got to drive a Sprinter at Chrysler's proving grounds a few years back and I loved it. Best cargo van I've ever driven (and that coming from a guy who knows what a Quigley is ; -).

MOCKBA · 01-09-2009, 07:58 PM

I guess C class is currently leading sales in entry level luxury sedans market replacing all time leader 3 series. It is quite strange because C lass has less powerful engine and less luxury features. My explanation is that 3 series became too common, so people like to find a new leader. Here is no relation with actual car qualities.

ptack · 01-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Nice find.

dortega · 01-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

I guess C class is currently leading sales in entry level luxury sedans market replacing all time leader 3 series. It is quite strange because C lass has less powerful engine and less luxury features. My explanation is that 3 series became too common, so people like to find a new leader. Here is no relation with actual car qualities.

Your guess is not even close. The 3-series is still outselling the C-class by a significant margin - almost as large as all of the Infiniti G35/G37 sales for the year.

Full Year 2008 NA Sales:
C-Class 72,471
3-series 112,464

MOCKBA · 01-10-2009, 12:12 AM

Isee. My guess was based on Oct/Nov sales. So far I am glad that people still take 3ser over C class.

MastaMind · 01-10-2009, 07:07 AM

1 series instead of 3 series? Let me guess, they couldn't afford the 335. :wink:

I've been a fan of WR since its inception.

adrean8j · 01-10-2009, 08:39 AM

Yeah it is a pleasant discovery as I had never heard of WR until recently...I like their justification for ALL of their vehicles...

Yoot1 · 01-10-2009, 09:12 AM

I guess I'll play Devils Advocate. I'm not impressed to find the 135i on the same list as 5000 lb van with a 180 HP motor. Mercedes does build the best handling van, but fun to drive?

I have driven the Mustang. The G8 (and the previous GTO) is much better IMHO.

ptack · 01-10-2009, 09:44 AM

It is a decidedly non-conformist list, so I kind of like it. Doesn't everyone else's lists include the GTR, ZR-1, etc? This one dares to be different though it would have been a better article if they had at least acknowledged some of the more famous 08 releases (and why they skipped them).

adrean8j · 01-10-2009, 10:55 AM

Well for the Devil's Advocate you should note that they list their 12 favorite over a wide range of vehicle types. That being said they cannot list ALL of the best vehicles. I agree the G8 probably should have been on there. I understand their reasoning for the Mustang though...will all the different variations of that car AND the affordability of ALL of those variations....ehh..to each their own.

01-09-2009, 05:13 PM	#2
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	An excellent choice. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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01-09-2009, 05:17 PM	#3
Chewyjr15 1 addict and proud! 42 Rep 570 Posts Drives: jb 135 on order Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: irvine, ca iTrader: (0)	i agree.
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01-09-2009, 07:53 PM	#4
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	That's a great list and Winding Road is fast becoming a must read for me. Remember David E. Davis occupies some space in your white vinyl bibles (aka as, "Year 1 of the 1 - Commemorative Edition". ; -) I got to drive a Sprinter at Chrysler's proving grounds a few years back and I loved it. Best cargo van I've ever driven (and that coming from a guy who knows what a Quigley is ; -).
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01-09-2009, 07:58 PM	#5
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	I guess C class is currently leading sales in entry level luxury sedans market replacing all time leader 3 series. It is quite strange because C lass has less powerful engine and less luxury features. My explanation is that 3 series became too common, so people like to find a new leader. Here is no relation with actual car qualities. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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01-09-2009, 08:41 PM	#6
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	Nice find. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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01-10-2009, 12:12 AM	#8
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Isee. My guess was based on Oct/Nov sales. So far I am glad that people still take 3ser over C class. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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01-10-2009, 07:07 AM	#9
MastaMind I like beer 32 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: AW 135 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Under Pressure iTrader: (0)	1 series instead of 3 series? Let me guess, they couldn't afford the 335. :wink: I've been a fan of WR since its inception.
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01-10-2009, 09:12 AM	#11
Yoot1 Private First Class 5 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Washington iTrader: (0)	I guess I'll play Devils Advocate. I'm not impressed to find the 135i on the same list as 5000 lb van with a 180 HP motor. Mercedes does build the best handling van, but fun to drive? I have driven the Mustang. The G8 (and the previous GTO) is much better IMHO. __________________ I want 1
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01-10-2009, 09:44 AM	#12
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	It is a decidedly non-conformist list, so I kind of like it. Doesn't everyone else's lists include the GTR, ZR-1, etc? This one dares to be different though it would have been a better article if they had at least acknowledged some of the more famous 08 releases (and why they skipped them). __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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