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.
Compact SUV: Subaru Forester 2.5 XT(A) (top left, cars shown from left to right)
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!
讀者回應
Tata owns Jaguar and Land Rover.
As for Aston Martin, It is now under the ownership of ProDrive led by David Richards!! My bad!! Sorry!!
Still there is a hint that they do not have a proper long term plan for Aston Martin!!
Eeks...i do notice that brands like Nissan, Toyota, Honda or Lexus are missing, Well they are not included for obvious reasons!! They need to do better!!
Cheers!!
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