THE GOOD 12 EN MASSE

Before The Good 12 debuted, one-by-one, on GoodCarBadCar.net, all twelve cars were shown in brief spurts on YouTube. Having told you that, and having left you feeling put out, here's the clip 13 days late. We now await The Bad 8, only hours away. (Hey, The Good 12 v2.0 has begun - check out the twelve cars you should be driving for 2009 now)

THE GOOD 12 - PART XII

VOLVO V70

Most assuredly, the best pure station wagon on the planet is Volvo's biggest. Sure, you can have more speed with your tailgate. You can have more toughness (even an XC70) or more luxury or perhaps more beauty. But pare it all down; cut away the excess; and ask yourself for the best car for you, your spouse, your kids and dogs and stuff, and you end up at the Volvo dealership. Sign on the dotted line. You'll not be disappointed.

You find yourself remarkably comfortable in an instant. The Volvo V70 isn't fast, but it is deceptively quick. You're surrounded by fashionable accoutrements. Everyone is safe... and you know it. Sure, you spent a chunk of change, but upon opening the driver's door, you're positive the price of admission was worth it.

Will the Volvo V70 give you a Porsche Boxster experience? No; but then again, will a Porsche Boxster give you smart fortwo fuel economy? Will a Chevrolet Corvette or Audi TT help you save money, as the Honda Fit will? The V70 has a task, and it completes the job admirably. Carry you, your people, and your stuff. Do it efficiently, comfortably, safely, and quickly. While looking good. Nobody does it better than Volvo.

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Engines: 235 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque from a 3.2L inline-six cylinder engine.

Mileage: City = 16mpg.

Base USD Price: $32,465

Anything Else? Says Volvo: "If you add the interior air quality system to the (climate control), the air inside your Volvo can be cleaner than it is outside. When driving behind trucks, for example, or in tailbacks and tunnels, an air quality sensor monitors the levels of toxic carbon monoxide in the incoming air and closes the air intake long before the levels inside the car become unhealthy. The Multifilter with active carbon prevents dust, pollen and exhaust particles from entering the car via the ventilation unit, along with various unpleasant odours and fumes."

THE GOOD 12 - PART XI

VOLKSWAGEN GTI

The Rabbit, then Golf, now Rabbit (and in many parts of the globe, still Golf) isn't the prototypical performance car foundation. The hatchback, in and of itself, is not exactly a stunner. Basic versions of this vehicle can be had with as little as 75bhp in some countries.

In fact, with the current GTI, Volkswagen harks back to the first generation, not only with plaid seats, but - more importantly - with a rediscovered down-the-road adeptness. Great advertising, spectacular wheels, a futuristic transmission, and a punchy turbocharged four-pot combine to generate plenty of true GTI cred.

And when it comes to hot hatchbacks, a vehicle's accreditation carries sway into the future, affecting the sales of future generations. Let's be honest: if the current GTI drove like the VR6 of 2000, there wouldn't be enough takers to make the development worth VW's worthwhile. As it is, the GTI is a driver's car, going so far as to assure at least some sales of the next generation, on this model's reputation alone. For that, GoodCarBadCar gives honour.

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Engines: 200 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder.

Mileage: City high = 21mpg. City low = 22mpg.

Base USD Price: $22,730

Anything Else? Unimpressively, taking the GTI up another notch to all-wheel drive/V6 (the R32) adds way too much cost and subtracts way too much involvement. The GTI is the Gabbit happy medium.

THE GOOD 12 - PART X

smart fortwo

Part X of The Good 12, the fortwo built by Mercedez-Benz subsidiary smart, is unfortunately introduced on the heels of the Porsche Boxster. Take note of two things: firstly, inside that stark hallway of differentiation lies the beauty of autodom and secondly; the Boxster and fortwo have more in common than a first glance would have you believe.

Germanity, non-traditional engine placement, engine note, and seating capacity stand out as similarities. As noted in The Good 12 Part VIII, GoodCarBadCar hates boring cars. As much as the Mini Cooper is the antonym of boredom, the smart fortwo (lighting up American roads in 2008) shines as an example of originality, uniqueness, and unconventional thinking.

Up to this point, smart has not been a money-making operating for Daimler, but the little city car is a terrific way for consumers to save $. Not only is the fortwo insanely fuel efficient, it will also be one of the least expensive vehicles on sale in the USA.

Is the smart fortwo a logical purchase for the buyer of The Good 12 Part V, Honda's Accord? That's unlikely. Is the smart absolutely perfect for thousands of Americans? Most certainly. So specific are the fortwo's capabilities; so perfectly will it meet the demands of its buyers.

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Engines: 70 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque from a 1.0L three-cylinder.

Mileage: City/highway combined estimation of 40-45mpg.

Base USD Price: $11,590

Anything Else? fortwo's are available as pure's and passion's in the States, as well as passion cabriolet's which feature a $16,590 base price.

THE GOOD 12 - PART IX

PORSCHE BOXSTER

No, it's not the cheapest Porsche. The Boxster isn't the fastest, either. It's debatable; but the Boxster probably isn't the prettiest Porsche. The most expensive Boxster, known as the S, has less horsepower than a Ford Mustang GT; less than the projected horsepower of Hyundai's Genesis coupe; and less than the German and Japanese luxury sporting coupes.

This may sound like a case before The Good 12 Court of Appeals. In fact, the Porsche's seemingly low power rating aids its cause. To be frank, numbers like 245 and 295 do not represent low horsepower ratings. Top speeds of both the standard and S versions are in excess of the German gentlemen's agreement (155mph) and acceleration is sub-6 seconds to 60mph in both cases, as well.

But the Boxster is so much more than speed. It's about communication, tactility, appropriate noises, and a three-way conversation between road; machine; and man.

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Engines: 245 or 295 horsepower and 201 or 251 lb-ft of torque from a 2.7L flat-six or a 3.4L flat-six.

Mileage: City high = 32mpg. City low = 20mpg.

Base USD Price: $45,800

Anything Else? The prettier, faster Porsche Cayman would be joining its closely linked sibling on this page were it not for its +$3,600 price tag, which also forbids the dropping of the Boxster's top.

THE GOOD 12 - PART VIII

MINI COOPER

If you're one of the remaining earthly citizens who don't know the result, don't let the idea of a German interpretation of the UK's most famous small car deter you from visiting a BMW dealership. The famous sports sedan builder has taken the Mini to far-reaching extensions: turbocharged, convertible, and even extra-long versions included.

Yet, what makes the Mini Cooper so great isn't turbocharged performance or the barn doors of the Clubman, it's affordable style and telepathic responses. GoodCarBadCar hates a boring car. The Mini is the antonym of 'dull car'. Do you need 172 horsepower to avoid boredom? No, you need fun; style; quality; and communication. Base Cooper's, with just 118bhp, provide zip; quick shifts; and a responsiveness that typically requires a payment hundreds of dollars greater each month.

So is The Good Car Guy rejecting the Cooper S, convertible, and Clubman? Let's just say that the Cooper offers plenty of satisfaction at a much lower price point.

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Engines: 118 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6L four-cylinder.

Mileage: City high = 28mpg. City low = 26mpg.

Base USD Price: $18,700

Anything Else? You can option up a turbocharged Clubman to $44,888 in the website's Build Your Own section.

THE GOOD 12 - PART VII

INFINITI G

Let us liken Infiniti's G35 sedan and G37 coupe to discovering you'd booked your favourite New York City hotel on Hotwire.com, at a 25% savings mind you, after already resigning yourself to staying at the Super8.

Landing an Infiniti G is showing up at your favourite restaurant for lunch and realizing the best main course they offer is on special; and with dessert thrown in for free. The buyer determines his or her luxury sports sedan need; spends their money on Infiniti's G coupe or sedan, and finds a couple extra thousand dollars sitting in their bank account. How'd that happen?

This Infiniti sports sedan took the world by storm when it debuted as a first-generation BMW 3-series competitor. Now in its second iteration, the G35 and G37 don't need to sell on value - they're good enough without a price advantage - but if savings Infiniti wants to give, then savings we shall have.

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Engines: 306 or 330 horsepower and 268 or 270 lb-ft of torque from a 3.5L V6 (sedan) or 3.7L V6 (coupe).

Mileage: City high = 26mpg. City low = 17mpg.

Base USD Price: $31,600

Anything Else? Individual horsepowers can be had for $103.27 in the sedan, but are ¢0.52 more expensive in the coupe.

THE GOOD 12 - PART VI

HYUNDAI ACCENT HATCHBACK

If you're still wondering why you see so many Hyundai's on the road, please quit it. Not only does Hyundai compete successfully at this, the lower end of the market, but also in the lofty heights of Veracruz and Santa Fe. You want the very, very best subcompact money can buy. Part V of The Good 12 is a great place to start. After visiting the Hyundai dealership, you'll discover that the Hyundai Accent hatchback is truly worthy of your attention. Plus, and it's a big plus, the Hyundai manufacturing plant and your salesperson will give you more stuff for less money.

In my region, I could have an Accent hatch with sunroof, power locks & keyless entry, a sport-tuned suspension, air-con, four speakers, power windows - for less money than Honda would charge for a Fit without all that stuff. Would the Accent feel as good as the Fit? Put it this way: you would feel plenty pampered, indeed.

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Engines: 110 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6L inline-four cylinder.

Mileage: City high = 27mpg. City low = 24mpg.

Base USD Price: $10,775

Anything else? Hyundai's 3-door hatchback, the winner here in part for its good looks, weighs more than the 4-door Accent sedan.

THE GOOD 12 - PART V

HONDA FIT

Before GoodCarBadCar even listed the Fit as one of its 12 cars to drive in 2008, Honda introduced the next Fit. Growth, power, and added maturity are expected. Nevertheless, the characteristics which contribute to the little Honda's greatness are traits we expect from any great car. The inside feels more commodious than the exterior dimensions suggest. The power rating, though low, doesn't match with the rev-happy feel and a quick-on-its-feet quality. Some will complain about a rough ride, but Toyota builds a Yaris for them. The Fit possesses sharp steering, a snickety-snick gearshift or even a 5-speed automatic, and remarkable economy.

The Fit's biggest demerit? That economy, as expected, falls from 'remarkable' to 'impressive' when you give heed to the engine's desire to reach redline in every gear. Woe to the Fit driver.

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Engines: 109 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque from a 1.5L four-cylinder.

Mileage: City high = 28mpg. City low = 27mpg.

Base USD Price: $13,950

Anything Else? Great though the Fit may be, the best among the new wave of small cars for North America, it's hard to buy a car when you already know the look and specs of its successor.

THE GOOD 12 - PART IV

HONDA ACCORD

The North American Accord would seem large in Europe, expensive in developing markets, and a little too front-wheel drive Down Under. For North America, its intended market, the Accord (new and old) suits perfectly. The Accord has taken on a smidgen of exaggerated growth, but Honda has managed to build a larger and more powerful car that also happens to be more fuel efficient. If the sub-luxury midsize sedan market were split in two camps, the Accord wuld be the one car seen riding the fence.

Most competitors are blaa, but some are quite fun to drive. The Mazda 6 and Subaru Legacy fit this sector well. On the other side are blaa cars with enough qualities apart from driving fun to meet sales success. Think Camry. The Accord wraps this all into one car. It's not an S2000, but it's no Pilot, either. The Accord is a sharper-than-you'd-think driving tool, with the space; reliability; perceived quality; and efficiency you expect from a family car.

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Engines: 177, 190, or 268 horsepower and 161, 162, or 248 lb-ft of torque from a 2.4L four-cylinder or 3.5L V6.

Mileage: City high = 22mpg. City low = 19mpg.

Base USD Price: $20,360

Anything Else? The Accord's basic 4-cylinder engine makes seven more horsepower than did the original V6 Accord of the mid-'90s.

THE GOOD 12 - Part III

CHEVROLET CORVETTE

Sold in six decades, and quite successfully I might add, General Motors' most famous model line sees constant updating, fine tuning, and adjustment. The current base Corvette (the one GoodCarBadCar recommends with highest regard) makes 25 horsepower more than did the ultra-performance Z06 of the previous generation. Included in the amazingly low price is a removable lid that allows the elements to enter, despite the fact that you didn't pay high dollar for a convertible.

Check out CorvetteGuys.com and their

large selection of Corvette Body Parts

The Corvette's old reputation for being a bit of a bruiser stands in contrast to the current reality: a base Corvette is a comfortable grand tourer with remarkably good fuel economy, efficiency within shouting distance of GM's own turbocharged Solstice/Sky twins while offering an extra 170 horsepower. If you're accustomed to today's high-powered sports sedans or even the ever-present pocket rockets, the Corvette's acceleration and cornering prowess will still knock your socks off.

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Engines: 430, 436, or 505 horsepower and 424, 428, or 470 lb-ft of torque from 6.2L V8 or 7.0L V8.

Mileage: City high = 16 mpg. City low = 15mpg.

Base USD Price: $46,110

Anything Else? As if more power is needed, another Corvette variant named ZR1 will be supercharged with substantially more than 600 horsepower.

THE GOOD 12 - Part II

BMW 3-SERIES Convertible

Many critics were fearful when BMW revealed that the convertible version of their famous 3-series sport sedan would switch from soft-top to hard-top. Thankfully, most fears were undone when pictures failed to show a massive hind end, and when test drives bore out BMW's claims of a stiff structure and a not-too-terribly heavy hardtop. The fact that BMW includes six smooth cylinders and a handsome body (while the hardtop aids security and all-weather usability) simply places the strawberry and chocolate sauce on top of a wonderful sundae.

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Engines: 230 or 300 horsepower, 200 or 300 lb-ft of torque from 3.0L inline-6 or twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-6.

Mileage: City high = 17 mpg. City low = 18 mpg.

Base USD Price: $43,200

Anything else? Save up to $8,000 if you want your two-door 3-series with a permanently secured roof, and if you want AWD with your all-weather convertible, head elsewhere.

THE GOOD 12 - PART 1

AUDI TT Coupe

One of three Audi 'coupes' now available, the TT remains a design icon even if the second generation isn't revolutionary like the first. The latest TT is available with turbo four power or as a V6. Though it may sound strange, it's recommended by GoodCarBadCar and many others that buyers seek out the 4-cylinder model. Power is plentiful, the MSRP is an easier pill to swallow, and the balance of the vehicle as a whole is more suitable for a sporting car. Speaking of which, 'sporting nature' is where the new TT outdoes the old; and soundly. Audi doesn't sell a Porsche Boxster yet, and the TT is no R8, but driving enjoyment is present and accounted for. In addition to the consistent ability to positively affect the eyes.

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Engines: 200 or 250 horsepower, 207 or 236 lb-ft of torque from 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or 3.2LV6.

Mileage: City high = 23mpg. City low = 17mpg.

Base USD Price: $34,800

Anything Else? Audi builds a TT roadster as well, where weight is gained and beauty is lost.

THE GOOD 12 - INTRO

Is there only one car worthy of our compliments this year? Should we not expect cars - those priced high above the average consumer's spending ability - to be great, able to sell without our recommendation? Are the only cars worth recommending brand new designs? Are we to recommend cars suitable only for the budgets of residents in Malibu Hills?

No. Yes. No. No.




What cars should The Good Car Nation be seen driving in 2008? Specifically, the twelve cars which will be introduced, one car per day, on December 20th until December 31st. Beyond the points raised in question form ↑, understand this, as well. The newly licensed may yearn for a fast convertible, but insurance rates disallow any sating of that appetite. On the other hand, a family of five could be in desperate need of saving coin, but they need space. Space costs money.

Thus, despite the fact that The Good Car Guy would willingly give place to six luxury sports sedans, there would be no sense in that. GoodCarBadCar refuses to suggest that the populace be seen driving small Benz's, Bimmer's, Audi's when there are excellent, inexpensive, small cars ripe for the buyin'.

Because of this, GoodCarBadCar will showcase vehicles in The Good 12 suitable for a wide swathe of the populace. He who needs a 7-seat, boat-towing ute cares not one whit about small city cars, but can - or at least should - understand that a small city car could be perfect for somebody else. The most expensive car on the list starts well under $50K, although The Good Car Guy was willing to spend up to $72K, about 2.5x the value of the average new American car.

All twelve are cars - vans, SUV's, crossovers, and trucks come later. The Good 12 winners will debut alphabetically. Be aware: more than half of The Good 12 hail from Europe and one-third from Asia. You do the math.

To learn more about who's behind the selection process, click here. The Impact Cars of 2007 is also a definite recommended read.