C/D 10 Best...where's Nissan?
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 371
C/D 10 Best...where's Nissan?
You know, I just don't get it...year after year, I (as a Nissan loyalist), await the annual C/D 10 Best issue in hopes of seeing a Nissan in there.
What shocks me the most about this years selection? The Acura RSX! Is this a joke? Ford Focus (it's been in their 10 Best 2-3 years now!)? What?!?! Okay, these selections might have made sense had they picked the top vehicle in given price brackets, but that's not the case!
It baffles me how an Accord, which beat the 2002 Altima SE by a measly 2 points, beats out a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE for top honors this year. It's not even as if C/D picks the best car in specific price ranges, for which I could forgive them as the Maxima would be going up against the A4 and lower 3-Series (both fine cars).
I just think that Nissan doesn't get the credit and recognition it deserves. If you think about it, the whole 10 Best thing is really a marketing machine. If Nissan could just get even one spot on that list, it would be pretty significant for Nissan in terms of sales/marketing.
My hopes are high though, with the 350Z and G35 on the horizon, I think Nissan has a good chance next year.
What shocks me the most about this years selection? The Acura RSX! Is this a joke? Ford Focus (it's been in their 10 Best 2-3 years now!)? What?!?! Okay, these selections might have made sense had they picked the top vehicle in given price brackets, but that's not the case!
It baffles me how an Accord, which beat the 2002 Altima SE by a measly 2 points, beats out a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE for top honors this year. It's not even as if C/D picks the best car in specific price ranges, for which I could forgive them as the Maxima would be going up against the A4 and lower 3-Series (both fine cars).
I just think that Nissan doesn't get the credit and recognition it deserves. If you think about it, the whole 10 Best thing is really a marketing machine. If Nissan could just get even one spot on that list, it would be pretty significant for Nissan in terms of sales/marketing.
My hopes are high though, with the 350Z and G35 on the horizon, I think Nissan has a good chance next year.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 129
Re: C/D 10 Best...where's Nissan?
Originally posted by NJ_MAX2000
You know, I just don't get it...year after year, I (as a Nissan loyalist), await the annual C/D 10 Best issue in hopes of seeing a Nissan in there.
What shocks me the most about this years selection? The Acura RSX! Is this a joke? Ford Focus (it's been in their 10 Best 2-3 years now!)? What?!?! Okay, these selections might have made sense had they picked the top vehicle in given price brackets, but that's not the case!
It baffles me how an Accord, which beat the 2002 Altima SE by a measly 2 points, beats out a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE for top honors this year. It's not even as if C/D picks the best car in specific price ranges, for which I could forgive them as the Maxima would be going up against the A4 and lower 3-Series (both fine cars).
I just think that Nissan doesn't get the credit and recognition it deserves. If you think about it, the whole 10 Best thing is really a marketing machine. If Nissan could just get even one spot on that list, it would be pretty significant for Nissan in terms of sales/marketing.
My hopes are high though, with the 350Z and G35 on the horizon, I think Nissan has a good chance next year.
You know, I just don't get it...year after year, I (as a Nissan loyalist), await the annual C/D 10 Best issue in hopes of seeing a Nissan in there.
What shocks me the most about this years selection? The Acura RSX! Is this a joke? Ford Focus (it's been in their 10 Best 2-3 years now!)? What?!?! Okay, these selections might have made sense had they picked the top vehicle in given price brackets, but that's not the case!
It baffles me how an Accord, which beat the 2002 Altima SE by a measly 2 points, beats out a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE for top honors this year. It's not even as if C/D picks the best car in specific price ranges, for which I could forgive them as the Maxima would be going up against the A4 and lower 3-Series (both fine cars).
I just think that Nissan doesn't get the credit and recognition it deserves. If you think about it, the whole 10 Best thing is really a marketing machine. If Nissan could just get even one spot on that list, it would be pretty significant for Nissan in terms of sales/marketing.
My hopes are high though, with the 350Z and G35 on the horizon, I think Nissan has a good chance next year.
I agree, the 10 best thing has some BS sometimes. If I'm not mistaken, the Dodge Intrepid made it on a year or 2. I mean come on...no one's gonna say an Intrepid is better than a Maxima or Altima, seriously. But somehow that car has made it on the list...
Most of the others I understand though, Bimmers, Lexus GS, etc.
Most of the others I understand though, Bimmers, Lexus GS, etc.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 190
I too was surprised that Nissan didn't get a single car in there. They had 3 that made the 10 Best Nominees list... Maxima, Altima and Sentra SE-R. All three of those cars are significant in their categories, the Altima especially (considering the performance and price).
I can't see how the Focus makes the cut year after year. The interior that they rave about is typical Ford. It just looks and feels like an improved Escort...nothing special.
And the Accord is a great car... I have recommended them to people many times and have multiple friends with EX V6 equipped cars. But they aren't special or '10 best cars on the market' material. Every other car on the list is at or near the top of its segment with respect to performance...except the Accord.
I bet that Nissan will make the cut with either the 350Z or the G35 next year. We can keep our fingers crossed!
Maybe Nissan just hasn't figured out where to send the check!
I can't see how the Focus makes the cut year after year. The interior that they rave about is typical Ford. It just looks and feels like an improved Escort...nothing special.
And the Accord is a great car... I have recommended them to people many times and have multiple friends with EX V6 equipped cars. But they aren't special or '10 best cars on the market' material. Every other car on the list is at or near the top of its segment with respect to performance...except the Accord.
I bet that Nissan will make the cut with either the 350Z or the G35 next year. We can keep our fingers crossed!
Maybe Nissan just hasn't figured out where to send the check!
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,968
I agree!!
I think it might be inherent in a periodical who makes a large portion of its money from advertisers to have a natural bias towards making their 'cash cows' happy...even if their vehicles should be put out to pasture.
Not that I LOVE ones like Consumer Reports, or any others who purport to be 'unbiased'...but hey...
My opinion at least...
Not that I LOVE ones like Consumer Reports, or any others who purport to be 'unbiased'...but hey...
My opinion at least...
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,064
Originally posted by carguyrob
And the Accord is a great car... I have recommended them to people many times and have multiple friends with EX V6 equipped cars. But they aren't special or '10 best cars on the market' material. Every other car on the list is at or near the top of its segment with respect to performance...except the Accord.
And the Accord is a great car... I have recommended them to people many times and have multiple friends with EX V6 equipped cars. But they aren't special or '10 best cars on the market' material. Every other car on the list is at or near the top of its segment with respect to performance...except the Accord.
In the "family car" market, all-out performance is not what makes a car good to the vast majority of Americans (it still matters to enthusiasts). Most Americans that buy a V6 family sedan just want to have the power to not get run over by SUV's, or to keep the car peppy and have reserve power on tap with a full load, or while escaping road raged idiots. They don't care about 1/4 mile times. Hell, they don't even know what a good 1/4 mile time is...
Yeah, the Maxima and Altima will clean up with resepct to performance, but that simply isn't what the majority of family car buyers want. A study was conducted recently on family sedan buyers and respondents were asked to rank features that were important to them by order of importance. Guess where performance ended up?
13th.
Yep, family sedan buyers don't care so much about performance. They ranked other things like space, ergonomics, and economy well above performance. This could explain why over 80% of Camry buyers got the anemic 132HP 4-cyl model, and why about 90% of Accord buyers got the 4-banger too. This also explains why the V6-only Maxima hasn't sold well in this segment. The 4/V6 Alty will change that.
Anyways, don't read into these "Best" lists too much. Everyone is different and has different needs. People that care about performance a lot more need to adjust the mag results to their own tastes. If performance is what you need above all else, then the Accord and Camry clearly wouldn't be a good choice for you. But an Altima or Maxima will suit you just fine
But "enthusiasts" are a minority in America. If most Americans were enthusiasts then everybody would be buying a V6 5spd and low-15's would be considered "slow"
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Now before I get flamed, I'll just say this.
The "Best Car" is the one that's best for you, not what some mag says. Yes, mags are biased, but if you don't like a mag do what Paul did and drop your subscription. I'm evaluating all three right now and MT is probably going to be the first one I drop. Their numbers are inflated and their articles are poorly written and unorganized, IMHO...
I myself have a need for more speed, and I don't care how many times the Accord has been on the C&D Best list. I'm trading within 2 years to get somethign I'll be happier in and I'll accept tradeoffs if that's what I have to do.
No car is perfect.
The "Best Car" is the one that's best for you, not what some mag says. Yes, mags are biased, but if you don't like a mag do what Paul did and drop your subscription. I'm evaluating all three right now and MT is probably going to be the first one I drop. Their numbers are inflated and their articles are poorly written and unorganized, IMHO...
I myself have a need for more speed, and I don't care how many times the Accord has been on the C&D Best list. I'm trading within 2 years to get somethign I'll be happier in and I'll accept tradeoffs if that's what I have to do.
No car is perfect.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 190
Hey SteVTEC... I agree with you and see where you are coming from. The majority of car buyers can't tell you how many horsepower they have under the hood, but that really isn't what the Car & Driver 10 best is about. They even state at the beginning of the article that SUV's, vans and trucks are excluded as they have "taken on ever more of the pure people hauling duties". This leaving cars to "satisfy a driver's passions for performance, style and technology". This was supposed to be what the editors used to judge the list of cars.
Besides, if you look at the 10 best winners, there is a definate performance angle to the list. The cars they listed are not really for 'most Americans' except the Accord and Focus. Here are the 10 best cars (for anyone who hasn't seen it):
Acura RSX
Audi A4
BMW 3-series/M3
BMW 5-series
Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Focus
Honda Accord
Honda S2000
Porsche Boxtster
Subaru Impreza WRX
These really are not mainstream cars for the average American buyer that is looking for comfort, room and cup holders...except for the two cars that we mentioned.
Just my opinion.
Besides, if you look at the 10 best winners, there is a definate performance angle to the list. The cars they listed are not really for 'most Americans' except the Accord and Focus. Here are the 10 best cars (for anyone who hasn't seen it):
Acura RSX
Audi A4
BMW 3-series/M3
BMW 5-series
Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Focus
Honda Accord
Honda S2000
Porsche Boxtster
Subaru Impreza WRX
These really are not mainstream cars for the average American buyer that is looking for comfort, room and cup holders...except for the two cars that we mentioned.
Just my opinion.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 812
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SteVTEC
[B]Now before I get flamed, I'll just say this.
The "Best Car" is the one that's best for you, not what some mag says. Yes, mags are biased, but if you don't like a mag do what Paul did and drop your subscription. I'm evaluating all three right now and MT is probably going to be the first one I drop. Their numbers are inflated and their articles are poorly written and unorganized, IMHO...
The only reason I keep my subcriptions to Car and Driver and Motor Trend is becuase they are like 11 bucks a year.
[B]Now before I get flamed, I'll just say this.
The "Best Car" is the one that's best for you, not what some mag says. Yes, mags are biased, but if you don't like a mag do what Paul did and drop your subscription. I'm evaluating all three right now and MT is probably going to be the first one I drop. Their numbers are inflated and their articles are poorly written and unorganized, IMHO...
The only reason I keep my subcriptions to Car and Driver and Motor Trend is becuase they are like 11 bucks a year.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,145
The list is basicly one big *** BS.
Noone buys a vette every weekend...its really minor. then why its on the list. Most of the cars are expensive(30+). there are tons of examples i can come with...but its a waste of time.
Like paul said...C/D is comparing copholders while Road and track is doing the real job of comparing handling and performence
Noone buys a vette every weekend...its really minor. then why its on the list. Most of the cars are expensive(30+). there are tons of examples i can come with...but its a waste of time.
Like paul said...C/D is comparing copholders while Road and track is doing the real job of comparing handling and performence
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 554
Re: C/D 10 Best...where's Nissan?
Originally posted by NJ_MAX2000
You know, I just don't get it...year after year, I (as a Nissan loyalist), await the annual C/D 10 Best issue in hopes of seeing a Nissan in there.
What shocks me the most about this years selection? The Acura RSX! Is this a joke? Ford Focus (it's been in their 10 Best 2-3 years now!)? What?!?! Okay, these selections might have made sense had they picked the top vehicle in given price brackets, but that's not the case!
It baffles me how an Accord, which beat the 2002 Altima SE by a measly 2 points, beats out a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE for top honors this year. It's not even as if C/D picks the best car in specific price ranges, for which I could forgive them as the Maxima would be going up against the A4 and lower 3-Series (both fine cars).
I just think that Nissan doesn't get the credit and recognition it deserves. If you think about it, the whole 10 Best thing is really a marketing machine. If Nissan could just get even one spot on that list, it would be pretty significant for Nissan in terms of sales/marketing.
My hopes are high though, with the 350Z and G35 on the horizon, I think Nissan has a good chance next year.
You know, I just don't get it...year after year, I (as a Nissan loyalist), await the annual C/D 10 Best issue in hopes of seeing a Nissan in there.
What shocks me the most about this years selection? The Acura RSX! Is this a joke? Ford Focus (it's been in their 10 Best 2-3 years now!)? What?!?! Okay, these selections might have made sense had they picked the top vehicle in given price brackets, but that's not the case!
It baffles me how an Accord, which beat the 2002 Altima SE by a measly 2 points, beats out a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE for top honors this year. It's not even as if C/D picks the best car in specific price ranges, for which I could forgive them as the Maxima would be going up against the A4 and lower 3-Series (both fine cars).
I just think that Nissan doesn't get the credit and recognition it deserves. If you think about it, the whole 10 Best thing is really a marketing machine. If Nissan could just get even one spot on that list, it would be pretty significant for Nissan in terms of sales/marketing.
My hopes are high though, with the 350Z and G35 on the horizon, I think Nissan has a good chance next year.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,915
I used to subscribe to:
Autoweek
Car and Driver
Road and Track
Motortrend
Car Craft
Oldsmobile Newsletter
Now I'm down to: Autoweek + Road and Track for magazines. I also watch Motorweek (PBS) and all the TNN Saturday car shows. I occaisionally receive a NICO online newsletter. That Nissan newsletter is advertised in Autoweek.
Autoweek
Car and Driver
Road and Track
Motortrend
Car Craft
Oldsmobile Newsletter
Now I'm down to: Autoweek + Road and Track for magazines. I also watch Motorweek (PBS) and all the TNN Saturday car shows. I occaisionally receive a NICO online newsletter. That Nissan newsletter is advertised in Autoweek.
Originally posted by Paul6speed
I used to subscribe to:
Autoweek
Car and Driver
Road and Track
Motortrend
Car Craft
Oldsmobile Newsletter
Now I'm down to: Autoweek + Road and Track for magazines. I also watch Motorweek (PBS) and all the TNN Saturday car shows. I occaisionally receive a NICO online newsletter. That Nissan newsletter is advertised in Autoweek.
I used to subscribe to:
Autoweek
Car and Driver
Road and Track
Motortrend
Car Craft
Oldsmobile Newsletter
Now I'm down to: Autoweek + Road and Track for magazines. I also watch Motorweek (PBS) and all the TNN Saturday car shows. I occaisionally receive a NICO online newsletter. That Nissan newsletter is advertised in Autoweek.
Motor Trend is the most biased, any retro car (especially American made) is excellent, no matter how sh!tty it really is.
I find Autoweek and Road and Track to be best. Automobile is good too, but I find that magazine sorta boring...
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