Since the January 2005 issue just came out, you won't find the article online for a few weeks.

Here's the January 2004 - 10 Best Cars (which includes the RX-8) if you had not seen it : http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=7571

 

FYI, That's the old article from January 2004.

 

figured it out. thx

 

I'll be sure to send a copy to my brother in-law with the 350Z. Ha ha ha!

 

I have driven a 2003 S2000 and I know why it isn't on Automobile's 10 best - the engine. It's an oxymoron. You have to rev the **** out of it to get any power but it doesn't want to rev. The chassis, brakes and transmission are fantastic. I know you have to rev the rotary to make power but at least it seems to enjoy it.

 

I find it it interesting that the Nissan 350Z didn't even make the nominee's list.

As far as source, no, didn't find it online. The January issue just came out and I received it in the mail yesterday ... I subscribe to C&D, Road & Track, Automobile and AutoWeek.

 

Also, Autoweek had an update on their long-term-test RX-8, which they continue to enjoy. At 15,000 miles, they report that it's used 12 quarts of oil, which they grumble about, and that their average fuel mileage is 16 mpg.

Their -8 got punted in the trunk by another car, to the tune of $3800 in damage - rear bumper, decklid, and both rear quarters had to be repaired.

But, they said that the overall enjoyment of the car continues unabated.

Sounds strangely famiilar ...

 

Did anyone else catch the little "blurb" about the upcoming RX-7, 2 seat with a300 hp rotary???? It's in the bit about the next Miata, which will NOT have a rotor motor option!

 

What other cars fall into the sport coupe class? What cars did the 8 beat out for this title? Someone scan the article please. I don't want to take my 8 out of the garage in this rain.

 

:o the link is to 2004, last January's issue not the new one. Doh!

 

The article doesn't make class comparisons ... when I get a chance, I'll post up the entire list of considered cars.

 

Nice!!! I love my 8 more and more everyday!! On a sad note, I just read the latest issue of "Consumer Reports"...the 8 was lumped in the UNRELIABLE category.

Oh well.....to me, shes still PERFECT!!

- Irish

 

The 8's eccentric, not unreliable.

 

The RX8 just keeps getting great scores...OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!

What a car!

 

It looks like they made the list then assigned these categories (like best sports coupe and best muscle car) as afterthoughts. I hope they're not creating "classes" to compete in that leave out some true top 10's.

The list grouped by company

Acura RL, Acura TSX
Audi A6 Quattro, Audi S4 Quattro
BMW 3-series/M3, BMW 5-series
Buick Lacrosse (WTF?)
Cadillac STS
Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevy Impala SS, Chevy Malibu Maxx*
Chrysler Crossfire Convertible, Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6, Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, Chrysler 300/300C Hemi
Dodge Magnum
Ford Five Hundred, Ford Focus, Ford Mustang
Honda Accord, Honda S2000
Infiniti G35
Kis Amanti, Kia Spectra
Lotus Elise
Mazda RX-8, Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata
MB C55 AMG, MB CLS500*, MB E320 CDI, MB SLK AMG*, MB SLK350
Mercury Montego*
Mini Cooper S convertible
Pontiac G6
Porsche Boxster*
Saab 9-2X
Saturn Ion Redline
Scion tC
Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback
Suzuki Forenza, Suzuki Reno
Toyota Camry Solara Convertible, Toyota Prius
VW Passat TDI
Volvo S40, Volvo V50

* met eligibilty for the test but exmples were not available for eval.

I think they need to keep a true top 10, then best of the rest in unrepresented categories.

 

Yeah, it was in the article about the Japanese 276 HP compact being officially broken. I wonder if it'll get kept in Japan like the last FD's, Supra's and the Skyline GT-R. Hell, I need the 4 seats so what am I worried about.

 

Yup, I'm with you on that one!

 

There's the problem - Consumer Reports. They haven't a clue when it comes to sports cars. Now if you're talking about "Blue-hair-mobiles" such as the Crown Vic or LeSabre... :D
Needless to say, I echo your sentiments about the 8. I love my car, and am just itching for the weather to warm up again.

 

http://caranddriver.com/article.asp?...rticle_id=8914

 

I don't think there's a problem. I think consumer reports rated it as "unreliable" because of what owners of the RX-8 submitted? I'm not sure but if I remember correctly that's how they do those types of ratings. And I'm not too surprised. Some people here seem to have a lot of issues with their car. Of course others are completely fine. I hope I stay in the fine category. Just need them to check out my air conditioner when I take it in for an oil change next time.

 

The nominees are only new (or substatiially updated) cars and cars that made the list last year. The Z was on the list in 2003, but punted off last year.

Also- the catagories were an after-thought. Look at what they called the 3-series. "sport luxury sedan". The 3 series could have legitimatly won every catagory on the list with all its variations.

 

After reading G-Rex's post, it's good to see Chrysler putting up some good vehicles. I used to think it was a mistake that MB bought them. Since the Crossfire, and better yet the 300C, we might see them making more tracks in the future. Kudos DC.

 

I like how the magizine just made up the categories of best wagon and best muscle car. Those categories weren't there any other year that I can remember. Looks to me like their playing favorites this year. The Mustang should have be been in the sport coupe class with the RX-8.

 

my recollection is that C & D don't really 'categorize' cars that they select on the list, and this categorization on this year's list is more for giggles than anything else

 

Although C&D assigns "categories" to the ten cars selected, it does so only after the top ten cars are chosen. I have no doubt that the individual editors doing the selection expend some effort in selecting a relatively wide range of vehicle types. (To do otherwise would yield a very narrow group, especially since motojournalists have similar biases in the cars they like.) Even with that in mind, however, you'll notice that the vehicles represent a relatively narrow spectrum.

You'll notice, for example, that five of the ten categories are "sedans" of one kind or another. There is no SUV or Van category. Furthermore, there appears to be an effort to include cars at a variety of price points. No doubt to avoid selecting nothing but luxury/exotic/German/etc. vehicles. (Sedans are big this year, yielding a surfeit of candidates.)

A more accurate comparison would not limit the eligible participants to new (or significantly changed) models. Since the purpose of publications like C&D is primarily to promote the latest/greatest offerings from auto manufacturers, however, such a comparison would not be in their best interest, especially if it turns out none of the current crop are significantly better than the cars they replaced.

All in all, it's nice to see the RX-8 recognized as a significant vehicle in terms of its qualities, even if the category in which it is placed (after the fact) doesn't technically apply to the car since it's not even a coupe.

Just remember that when the RX-8 is not recognized next year it doesn't mean it's any less special, just that it's no longer the latest flavor of the month.