Why You Should Buy This Car: Looks matter to you most of all. It's impossible to lose in the mall parking lot. You and three of your adult friends go out to eat a lot, and want to do so in comfort. Armored car side metal makes you feel safe and/or secure. You just love sitting up high. That commercial gets you every time, "Rainbows and seashells and blue skies above — now is the time for love. Look around and what do you see? A beautiful world!" The 20" shiny chrome rims are pretty blingtastic. Oh, we're back to looks, aren't we?

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: Travel over the slightest road imperfection and the Nitro tries to kill you. Worst riding car in recent memory. While the backseat is indeed comfy, your rear passengers' shrieks of "JESUS!" as you cross even the mildest expansion joint wears on your nerves. It doesn't go off road, even though underneath the svelte looks, it's a Jeep. Very limited cargo potential. Humdrum, ho-hum, parts bin interior. Very boring to drive straight and hopeless on twisty roads. High center of gravity makes it feel tippy. Horrific to park. Less than 20 mpg. Style, my friends, all over substance. – Jonny Lieberman

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Dodge
· Model tested: Nitro R/T 2WD
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $29,821
· Engine type: 4.0L SOHC V6
· Horsepower: 260 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 265 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 20" Aluminum wheels w/ 245/50s
· Drive type: rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 7.7 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 15.9 @ 86.3mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17/21
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NA

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 2WD, Part 1 Part 2

Why you should buy this car: Handling, handling, handling, five-speed manual and handling. And while I find the appearance of the Fusion only half-baked, I know there are those out there who think it snazzy looking. The low price and relatively large size are a rarity in today's autodom. A similarly equipped Accord LX costs $2,000 more. The back seats are for real people. Even driving like a rev-happy dummy, the mileage was consistently better than advertised. The Fusion SE really is an outstanding value.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: Where's the beef? 9.3 seconds to get to sixty is not good. While the handling is top shelf, you'll never get going fast enough to exploit the chassis through quick, back-to-back turns. The upmarket SEL's V6 is an old dog. The engine from the Mazdaspeed6 is not an option. Neither is the wagon. It looks like a safety razor. The taillights look like they came off an Accord owned by a 17-year-old Korean kid. The interior makes Honda chuckle with schadenfreude and an Accord is worth the extra $2000. You are a big UAW booster and don't like that the Accord is built here, while the Fusion is hecho en Mexico.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Fusion I4 SE
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $20,460
· Engine: 2.3L 16V I4
· Horsepower: 160 hp @ 6250 rpm
· Torque: 156lbs. ft. @ 4250
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 17" aluminum painted wheels; P225/50R17 V Rated tires
· Drive type: Front-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 9.3 seconds
· 1/4 mile: (don't ask)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 23/31
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/4/4

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Fusion SE, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why You Should Buy This Car:

Loverman: You want a reasonably priced, comfortable ride that is iPod-friendly, decent on gas and way up off the ground. You don't want to ever bend your knees when entering or exiting the vehicle. Your friends describe you as a serious on-roader. You look good in orange.

Austin: You want to buy American and not feel like you're trading down to do so. Or, as the Ford marketing people told us, your name is Phil and you're an active, on-the-go kind of guy who's social and likes to try new things.

Loverman: You know, Ted Bundy fit that description.

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car:

Austin: You need three rows of seats. You don't own sunglasses dark enough to handle with the excess chrome. And finally, the usual anti-SUV argument: You can get better performance and more space in a station wagon. Then again, you would look like a huge nerd in a wagon.

Loverman: Dude, both Ted Bundy and the Night Stalker drove wagons. Phil would go for the AWD model with the Vistaroof and navigation but realizes $35,000 could get him into an Infiniti G coupe, a Shelby GT, a Dodge Magnum with a Hemi, an Audi A3 or a Subaru WRX Wagon with $10,000 worth of chips, catbacks and sway bars (sit and spin, Davey). Turns out Phil was dating Dave, and a gay man would never be caught dead in an Edge.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Ford Edge SEL AWD
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $35,000 (estimate)
· Engine type: 3.5L V6
· Horsepower: 265 hp @ 6250 rpm
· Torque: 250lbs. ft. @ 4500
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 18" Polished Aluminum/Wheels wheels w/ Continental All Season tires
· Drive type: AWD
· 0 - 60: n/a
· 1/4 mile: n/a
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17/24
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: n/a

– by Mike Austin and Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Edge, Special He Drove / He Drove Edition, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You like American cars — big, fast and sloppy at the limit. (If they weren't, what would Euro snobs have to brag about, soccer?) To your mind, dumping the clutch never died, it just faded away. You consider the Shaker 1000 stereo to be what the Infiniti G35's Studio on Wheels by Bose is to audiophiles. You don't mind the cops pulling you over to ask questions about your car.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You're an Asiaphile who's aware that, for the same money, you can get a faster, better handling and possibly more fuel-efficient EVO/STI. You lament that the gearbox, interior and brakes are all not built Ford tough. You enjoy autocrossing and in-car sex.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Ford Mustang GT California Special
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $29,985
· Engine type: 4.6L OHV V8
· Horsepower: 300 hp @ 5750 rpm
· Torque: 320lbs. ft. @ 4500
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 18" Polished Aluminum wheels w/ performance tires
· Drive type: rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 5.5 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 14.1seconds
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17/25
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/na/5

– Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Mustang GT California Special, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: Your Chrysler Sebring is getting a little old and you don't want to wait for a new one; you want a convertible but live in the 75% of the country that has some sort of winter.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You're looking for a more of a sports car and less of a boulevard cruiser; you or your traveling companion pack heavy.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Volkwagen Eos
· Chrysler Sebring Convertible
· Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Pontiac
· Model tested: G6 GTP Convertible
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $29,365
· Price as Tested: $31,990
· Engine type: 3.9-liter OHV 12-valve V-6
· Horsepower: 240 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 240 ft.-lbs. @ 2800 rpm
· Redline: 6400 rpm
· Transmission: 4-speed manumatic
· Curb Weight: 3428 lbs
· LxWxH: 189.0 x 70.6 x 57.0 in
· Wheelbase: 112.3 in
· Tires: P225/50R18 Goodyear Eagle LS-2
· Drive type: front-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 8.2 sec.
· 1/4-mile: 16.3 sec. @ 88 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 18 / 26
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 5/4 (driver/passenger); side: 3/5 (front/rear); rollover: 5

– Mike Austin

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Convertible, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why You Should Buy This Car: You are passionate about driving. You like embarrassing Solstice drivers. Power slides are your thing. You drift in your sleep. You understand that for the money, this is the best car on the road.

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: You absolutely need to lug around surfboards and half-stacks. I can't really think of another reason. Oh yeah — it's kind of slow.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Mazda
· Model tested: MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hardtop (pre-production)
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: (estimated) $23,995
· Engine type: 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cyl with variable valve timing
· Horsepower: 170 hp @ 6700 rpm
· Torque: 140 ft.-lbs. @ 5000 rpm
· Redline: 7000 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 205/45 R17 tires on 10-spoke alloy wheels/Michelin Pilots
· Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: n/a
· 1/4 mile: n/a
· Top speed: n/a (at least 115 mph)
· Fuel economy city/highway: n/a
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: n/a

[by Jonny Lieberman]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hardtop, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You're the type of person who thinks "Jeep" is a cartoon character named Eugene from the 1930's Popeye comic strip. You're someone who doesn't give a rat's ass what other people think about them and wants an inexpensive and useful vehicle to go from one place to the next — sometimes even in snow.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: Haven't you been listening — it's not a Jeep! Oh, and the Dodge Caliber's got a water bottle cooler in the glove box. And your iPod may not fit, either.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Jeep
· Model tested: Compass
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $21,185
· Engine type: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve Dual VVT four-cylinder
· Horsepower: 172 hp @ 6000 rpm
· Torque: 165 ft.-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
· Redline: n/a
· Wheels and Tires: P215/60R17 all season
· Drive type: four-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 10.15 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 17.5 seconds
· Top speed: we had it up to 92, it may go higher than that — but police go faster.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 25 / 29
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NT/NT/NT

[By Ray Wert]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Jeep Compass, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You already have an H1 and an H2 and want to complete the set. You want a car that "feels safe." You're genuinely interested in off-roading. You want an SUV that actually looks like a truck instead of some warmed-over tall wagon.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: It's slow as molasses, fuel economy is terrible, and your left-leaning neighbors might scream "no blood for oil!" when you drive by.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Nissan Xterra
· Toyota FJ Cruiser
· Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Hummer
· Model tested: H3
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $28,935
· Price as Tested: $35,550
· Engine type: 3.5-liter DOHC 20-valve inline five
· Horsepower: 220 hp @ 5600 rpm
· Torque: 225 ft.-lbs. @ 2800 rpm
· Redline: 6300 rpm
· Transmission: 4-speed automatic
· Curb Weight: 4700 lbs
· LxWxH: 186.7 x 74.7 x 74.5 in
· Wheelbase: 111.9 in
· Tires: LT285/75R16 Bridgestone Dueler A/T
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 9.7 sec. (manual trans.)
· 1/4-mile: 17.3 sec. @ 81 mph (manual trans.)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 16 / 19
· NHTSA crash test rating: Front: 5/4 (driver/passenger); Side: 5/5 (front/rear); Rollover: 3

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Hummer H3, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: Because it's a taut, brilliantly executed roadster in the tradition of great British roadsters — well, not exactly in their tradition. Think of the romanticized, open-top road car of your dreams, not the one whose parts fly off when it gets breezy. Also because you're also well-heeled enough, or willing enough to subsist on Top Ramen for a decade out of love alone, to float the $10,000 premium (plus $1,000 gas-guzzler tax) over a base BMW Z4.

Why you should not buy this car: Because you think the Bangled design is better suited to a shopping mall in Leipzig than a roadster. Also, because you're way too into driving not to buy the coupe.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Porsche Boxster S
· Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG
· Honda S2000

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: BMW
· Model tested: M Roadster
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $51,300
· Price as Tested: $56,400
· Engine type: 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve inline six with VANOS variable valve timing
· Horsepower: 343 hp @ 7900 rpm
· Torque: 269 ft.-lbs. @ 4900 rpm
· Redline: 8000 rpm
· Transmission: 6-speed manual
· Curb Weight: 3,273 lbs
· LxWxH: 160.4" 69.5" 50.8"
· Wheelbase: 98.3 in
· Tires: 225/45 ZR18 - 255/40 ZR18 Continental ContiSport Contact
· Drive type: rear-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 4.8 sec.
· 1/4-mile: 13.6 seconds @ 105 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 16 / 24
· NHTSA crash test rating: 4 /4 / 3 / 5

[by Mike Spinelli]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 BMW M Roadster, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: It's got those cool dent-resistant plastic hydroformed sheetmetal body panels. Really though, the Sky looks boss, especially for a car priced in the mid-20's. It gives us hope for the American auto industry that they can still make fun cars.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: The roof is annoying and trunk is pretty useless, and it should feel sportier. The 0-60 time is decent, but this is a sports car, not a family hauler, so the engine response and handling should be livelier. The 260-hp Sky Redline will fix many of these problems, for a price.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Mazda MX-5 Miata
· Pontiac Solstice
· Porsche Boxster (used)

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Saturn
· Model tested: Sky
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $23,115
· Price as Tested: $26,205
· Engine type: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 177 hp @ 6600 rpm
· Torque: 166 ft.-lbs. @ 4800 rpm
· Redline: 7000 rpm
· Transmission: 5-speed automatic
· Curb Weight: 2963 lbs
· LxWxH: 161.1 x 71.4 x 50.4 in
· Wheelbase: 95.1 in
· Tires: P245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA
· Drive type: rear-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 7.2 sec.
· 1/4-mile: 15.7 sec. @ 89 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 22 / 26
· NHTSA crash test rating: not tested

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews; 2007 Saturn Sky, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You're an SUV-driving parent who wants to buy American, but still wants to be different from the 10 other Ford drivers in your subdivision. Or, you're a man who drives a Jeep Liberty, but looking for something slightly less feminine.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You enjoy driving, but don't tow, drive off-road, or use the third-row seat and you don't want to suffer through 14 mpg in the city.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
· Honda Pilot
· Nissan Pathfinder
· Dodge Durango

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Mercury
· Model tested: Mountaineer
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $35,500
· Price as Tested: $40,800
· Engine type: 4.6-liter SOHC 24-valve V-8
· Horsepower: 292 hp @ 5750 rpm
· Torque: 300 ft.-lbs. @ 4750 rpm
· Transmission:6-speed automatic
· Curb Weight: 4742 lbs
· LxWxH: 193.5 x 73.5 x 72.8 in
· Wheelbase: 113.7 in
· Tires: P235/65R18 Michelin Cross Terrain SUV
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 8.0 sec. (est.)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 14 / 20
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 5/5 (driver/pass.); side: 5/5 (front/back); rollover: 3

[by Mike Austin]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Mercury Mountaineer, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: It's exactly what the car you need, even though you think you need a midsize SUV. That, and you've had an attachment to Volkswagens ever since that weird guy who hung around your high school parking lot offered you a ride home in his microbus.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You are single and lack the requisite number of mountain biking or kayaking racks and stickers to make a wagon look like anything less than a family truckster. Or, you're not really a fan of extra visits to the dealer service center.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Mazda 6 Sportwagon
· Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon
· Dodge Magnum SXT

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Volkswagen
· Model tested: Passat Wagon 2.0T
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: $26,175
· Price as Tested: $26,805
· Engine type: Turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four
· Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 rpm
· Torque: 207 ft.-lbs. @ 1800 - 5000 rpm
· Transmission: 6-speed manumatic
· Curb Weight: 3512 lbs
· LxWxH: 188.0 x 71.7 x 59.7 in
· Wheelbase: 106.7 in
· Tires: P215/55R16 Continental ContiProContact
· Drive type: front-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 7.5 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 22 / 31
· NHTSA crash test rating: front: 4/4 (driver/passenger); side: no info; rollover: 4

[by Mike Austin]

Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Volkwagen Passat Wagon 2.0L, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You always wanted a German performance sedan but care too much about what others think about you to get a BMW; you really like Audi but the wife won't let you get "that station wagon," also known as the A3.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: You've got a little too much "flava" to go with the automotive equivalent of a fine gray suit. After all, there are a lot of choices in this price segment.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
· Infiniti G35/G35x Sedan
· BMW 3-series
· Mercedes-Benz C-class

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Audi
· Model tested: A4 Sedan 3.2 Quattro S-line
· Model year: 2006
· Base Price: $34,840
· Price as Tested: $40,835
· Engine type: 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6
· Horsepower: 255 hp @ 6500 rpm
· Torque: 243 ft.-lbs. @ 3250 rpm
· Redline: 7000 rpm
· Transmission: 6-speed manual
· Curb Weight: 3649 lbs
· LxWxH: 180.6 x 69.8 x 56.2 in
· Wheelbase: 104.3 in
· Tires: P235/40R18
· Drive type: all-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 6.5 sec.
· Fuel economy city/highway: 17 / 27
· NHTSA crash test rating: front 4/4 (driver/passenger); side: 5/4 (front/rear); rollover: 4

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: Audi A4 3.2 Quattro, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: Vee Dub's $25k cruise missile is the financially challenged pistonhead's Porsche. We're talking maximum bang for the buck (discounting the cramped MINI Cooper S and pricier, harder-riding Subaru WRX STi and Mitsubishi Evo). The GTI is also an ideal chariot for less adrenal enthusiasts with kids and an aversion to gas stations, who still like to fart around from time to time.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: VW's reputation for reliability disappeared about the same time luftballoon singer Nena declared "Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich" ("Back at base, bugs in the software"). Only time will tell if the new Golf has the ICBM-proof build the brand needs to reestablish the whole German-quality shtick.

Suitability Parameters
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Volkswagen
· Model tested: Golf GTI DSG
· Model year: '06
· Price as Tested: $23,880
· Engine type: 2.0-liter inline-4, fsi, intercooled turbo
· Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5100 - 6000 rpm
· Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 1800 - 5000 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 17J X 17: alloy wheels, 225/45 R17W summer performance tires
· Drive type: front-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 6.3 seconds
· 1/4 mile: 14.8 seconds
· Top speed: 130 mph (limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 25 / 31
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: Not Rated

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews, 2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI, Part 1; Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: When you were a penniless pre-pubescent pistonhead, a poster of a white Lamborghini Countach poster held pride of place on your bedroom wall, right next to the soft core porn shot of Cheryl Ladd in a bikini. Even though you eventually learned to see the Italian be-winged behemoth as a foul-handling, garish pimpmobile, you never got quite over the desire to nullify feelings of self-doubt by driving a Lambo (although Cheryl's recent appearance on NBC's "Las Vegas" has cured your onanistic affliction).

So now that you're made of money but still have to be somewhat careful (thank you first wife), buying a Gallardo (instead of a Murcielago) makes some kind of sense — even if the e-gear is e-gregious engineering and the brakes fade faster than your pre-teen's interest in Brittany Spears. In other words, the Gallardo is something you have to go through.

Why you shouldn't buy this car: Your left testicle isn't willing to sacrifice itself for the design, the cabin offers less of a sense of occasion than Caesar Chavez Day, there's not enough bottom-end grunt, the brakes fade, the e-gear ain't DSG, the Porsche Turbo exists, the Corvette Z06 exists, the Audi R8 is on its way and equivalently priced "pre-owned" F360s are out there (somewhere).

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Lamborghini
· Model tested: Gallardo SE
· Model year: '06
· Price as Tested: $194,850
· Engine type: 5.0-liter V-10, DOHC 40-valve aluminum
· Horsepower: 512 hp @ 8000 rpm
· Torque: 376 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
· Redline: 8100rpm
· Wheels and Tires: Pirelli P-Zeros 235/35 ZR 19 (front), 295/30 ZR 19 (rear)
· Drive type: AWD
· 0 - 60: 4 secs. (est.)
· 1/4 mile: 12 secs. (est.)
· Top speed: 195mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 9 / 15
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NA

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Review: 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo SE, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: The A3 has the world s best gearbox, and it isn t afraid to use it.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: $40k for a hatchback?

Suitability Parameters
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Audi
· Model tested: A3 3.2 quattro DSG
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $37,700
· Engine type: 3.2 liter V6 DOHC
· Horsepower: 250 hp @ 6300 rpm
· Torque: 236 lbs-ft @ 2800 -3200 rpm
· Redline: 6500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 17-inch 5-spoke cast alloy wheels with 225/45 all-season tires
· Drive type: Haldex quattro all-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 5.9 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 14.4 secs.
· Top speed: 130 mph (limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 21 / 27
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NYR

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro DSG Part 1 , Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: The new M5 is a supremely capable corner carver with epic thrust available at the top of the rev range. It s as close as you ll get to a four-door Ferrari — at least until the Aston Rapide and Porsche Panamera blow into town.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: The gearbox blows.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals
· Manufacturer: BMW
· Model tested: M5
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $94,965
· Engine type: 5.0-liter DOHC 40-valve V10
· Horsepower: 500hp @ 7750 rpm
· Torque: 383 ft.-lbs. @ 6100 rpm
· Redline: 8250rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 255/40ZR-19 (front) 285/35ZR-19 (rear)
· Drive type: rear-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: 4.5 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 12.8 secs. @ 119 mph
· Top speed: 155 (electronically limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 12/18
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NYR

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 BMW M5, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: You live in a world of snow, sleet, rain and loose gravel; you love BMW s, you don t have kids, you don t drive fast and you re never, ever going to sell your car.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: The 325ix may get you out of/through the muck, but it drives like an alcoholic after root canal surgery: slow and numb. Anyone who ponies-up forty-large for a fully-specced 3-Series sports wagon is also looking at the kind of cliff-face depreciation normally reserved for Ferraris and 12-cylinder luxo-barges. You have been warned.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Vitals
· Manufacturer: BMW
· Model tested: 325xi Sports Wagon
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $43,140
· Engine type: 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve inline six
· Horsepower: 215hp @ 6250 rpm
· Torque: 185 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm
· Redline: 7250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: Bridgestone Turanza E42 205/55R-16
· Drive type: four-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: 7.7 secs.
· 1/4 mile: NA
· Top speed: 130 mph (limited)
· Fuel economy city/highway: 20/27
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NR

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 BMW 325ix Sport Wagon, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: The Cayman S is the world s safest, best handling sports car.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: The Cayman S is not quite sexy enough to win your heart and not nearly enough powerful enough to exploit its inherent capabilities. Corvette s significantly faster and identically priced (once options are factored in) Z06 and BMW s forthcoming M Roadster are worthy alternatives.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Porsche
· Model tested: Cayman S
· Model year: 2006
· Price as Tested: $69,910
· Engine type: 3.4-liter flat-6, aluminum block and heads
· Horsepower: 295hp @ 6250 rpm
· Torque: 250 ft. lbs. @ 4400 - 6000 rpm
· Redline: 7200 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2; F: 235/35ZR-19 (87Y), R: 265/35ZR-19 (94Y)
· Drive type: rear-wheel-drive
· 0 - 60: 5.1 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 13.4 secs. @ 105 mph
· Top speed: 171 mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 15/30
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NYR

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Porsche Cayman S, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Why you should buy this car: It s faster than a BMW 330i and looks sharp enough to draw blood.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: Driving a 300-horse sports sedan without adequate chassis control or progressive brake feel is like dating a bulimic supermodel.

Suitability Parameters
· Speed Merchants: Yes
· Fashion Victims: Yes
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: Yes
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: Yes
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: Yes
· Soccer Moms: No
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Lexus
· Model tested: IS 350
· Model year: 06
· Price as Tested: $35,440
· Engine type: 3.5-liter V6 DOHC 24 valve, VVT-i
· Horsepower: 306hp @ 6400 rpm
· Torque: 277 ft.-lbs. @ 4800 rpm
· Redline: 6600 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 17 X 8 aluminum alloys, [optional] Michelin Pilot Sport 225/40YR18 (front) 255/40YR18 (rear)
· Drive type: rear wheel drive
· 0 - 60: 5.3 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 14.2 secs.
· Top speed: 142mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 21/28
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NR

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2006 Lexus IS 350, Part 1; Part 2 [internal]