As a child, I loved making short lists of my favourite things. I was teased by my peers endlessly with remarks like, 'Only girls love making list of these things.' Perhaps that was my first indication that I am 'different.' Regardless, I have summoned my skills of making lists honed since childhood to come up with a list of Fridae's Auto Club's favourite cars for every budget and every class. Listed cars are from the current pool of cars that are available in Singapore.
City Car: Fiat 500 1.4 (A) (top left, cars shown from left to right)
Why you should: Most fashionable car for 2008; low fuel consumption, well-equipped interior, zippy and fun to drive in town.
But: Range topping Abarth 500 with 133 bhp has yet to arrive.
Also Try: Peugeot 1007. Those sliding doors are pretty cool.
Supermini: Mazda2 1.5R (A)
Why you should: Low kerb weight translates to excellent road handling and higher fuel efficiency; good looks and high expected reliability.
But: Slightly under insulated but it shouldn't be a bother.
Also Try: Fiat Punto Grande. The mini Maserati front is irresistible.
Small Family Car: Volkswagen Golf GT 1.4 (A)
Why you should: High performance and low fuel consumption from the fabulous twin-charged 1.4 litre engine with the fabulous DSG gearbox, Classless image would get approval from all.
But: Replacement is due in 2009; interior is slightly boring.
Also Try: Peugeot 308 Turbo-New French hatchback's interior is classier.
Large Family Car: Ford Mondeo 2.3 5Dr (A)
Why you should: BMW 3-series is way too common, excellent road manners. This is a Bond car!
But: Rear end styling takes some getting used to.
Also Try: Mazda6. Sporty looks backed with fine road handling abilities.
Small Executive Car: Mercedes Benz C230 Advantgarde (A)
Why you should: Good looks with Mercedes Benz's revival of tank-like build quality.
But: Rather expensive next to rivals.
Also Try: Audi A4 1.8 TFSI-New on the market with trendy LED eye jewellery.
Executive/Luxury Car: Maserati Quattroporte 4.2 Sport GT
Why you should: Distinctively Italian styling DNA with road manners to shame supercars. Not a car from the usual German suspects, leather used in interior is to die for!
But: Slightly questionable Italian build quality, rather firm ride around town speeds.
Also Try: Mercedes Benz CLS. Individualistic styling with high levels of refinement.
Why you should: Excellent value for money @$88,000, excellent ride comfort, lovely boxer flat turbocharged engine.
But: Dated 4-speed automatic gearbox, association with farmers, a rather drab looking interior.
Also Try: Nissan Qashqai. Fusion of a hatchback and a SUV promises fuel efficiency with CVT gearbox as standard.
Full Sized SUV: Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged (A)
Why you should: Queen Elizabeth wants one too.
But: You would need to rob a bank on a frequent basis to keep up with the running costs.
Also Try: Toyota LandCruiser. United Nations had bought 12,000 units over the last five years for obvious reasons.
Coupe: Nissan GTR
Why you should: The GTR had a better lap time than the Porsche 911 Turbo at the Numbering, handsome helmet looks, geeky gadgets on board to rival a NASA rocket.
But: It's still a Nissan.
Also Try: Alfa Romeo Brera S Prodrive. Only 500 units available worldwide, hurry!
Cabriolet: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster (A)
Why you should: That engine note that feels like 20 men having an orgasm all simultaneously. No compromises on the ride and handling aspect compared to the coupe.
But: New Owners Tata does do that bit to dent the Aston Martin's future line-up and image.
Also Try: Honda S2000. An evergreen favourite with a BANZAI engine.
Coupe-Cabriolet: Mercedes Benz SLK 350 (A)
Why you should: Facelifted model's new front apron improves SLK's looks dramatically,
But: Associated as a hairdresser's car, poor performance from entry SLK 200's Kompressor engine.
Also Try: Volkswagen Eos. Good looks with space for four.
Super Car: Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Why you should: Hard core looks that is almost homo-eroticism on wheels, mind-bogging performance from charismatic 5.0 10 cylinder engine, 4 wheel drive assurance, more exclusivity than a Ferrari.
But: You would need to be Donald Trump to keep up with the fuel bills.
Also Try: Ferrari F430. Kimi Raikkonen's company car!