QUESTIONS FOR THE GOOD CAR GUY FROM AUGUST OF 2009

Not since early this year has The Good Car Guy delved into the hordes of Questions asked by readers in The Good Car Nation. Strange Questions have arisen before (for example) while sometimes I've kept the topic steady (another example). Today's grouping is only lightly related but should be enough to amuse and inform.

-----

What are good American compact cars? I'm almost frightened: is this a trick Question? Good American compact cars are.... rare? Unbeknownst? Truly, American small cars available in North America are as follows: Chevrolet Cobalt and Aveo, Chevrolet HHR (sort of), Pontiac Vibe, G3, and G5 (not for long), Saturn Astra, Dodge Caliber, Chrysler PT Cruiser (sort of) and Ford Focus. Some people might even include the Jeep Compass and/or Patriot. In terms of truly small cars that'll live on in the near future, this list includes four main players: the Cobalt, Aveo, Caliber, and Focus. Oh... but you're looking for goodness. Wait for - and hope for - the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Spark.

What is the best powerful luxury car for a top lawyer? Clearly, this querier feels as though they've reached the upper echelon, so why not drive a car that shouts, "I've made it", no bones about it. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class in S550 trim is something to behold. Upgrade to the S600 or S63 AMG to impress the cognoscenti. More money will buy you the S65 AMG if you want to be that stupid. BMW's 7-Series isn't pretty. The Audi A8 is up for replacement. The new Jaguar XJ is as strange as this question. Lexus will sell you an LS if you're dull. Don't forget about the Range Rover - not a car, but perhaps the best vehicle in the world.

What is the best-selling European car in America? Traditionally, Volkswagen's Jetta takes this crown. Accounting for nearly 40% of the U.S. sales of the only mainstream Euro brand competing in the States works in favour of the Volkswagen Jetta when compared with high-end, low-volume cars like the Benz S-Class or Audi R8. Nevertheless, the Jetta still did not crack the top 10 best-selling vehicles in America in 2008 nor in any month thus far in 2009.

What is the best-selling American car in America? Unlike the VW Jetta, which generally holds its crown as the best-selling European car in America month-after-month, the best-selling American car in America changes routinely. Ignoring trucks and SUVs like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Ford Escape, 2008's best-selling American car in America was the Chevrolet Impala. More recently, the Ford Fusion beat out all other entrants May and June while the Ford Focus took the title in July.

Which European auto brands don't compete in North America? The definition of a European car must remain the same, regardless of the origin of a company's overlords. Lotus is still British; not Malaysian. Jaguar and Land Rover are very clearly British; not Indian. Mini, Rolls-Royce, and BMW field a team. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach are a trio to whom attention is worth paying. Volkswagen and subsidiaries like Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti all send cars across the Atlantic. Saab and Volvo, despite fleeting U.S. ownership, are well-known competitors in the premium sector over here, as well. And of course, Ferrari and other ultra-luxury manufacturers like Porsche and Koenigsegg still attempt to sell cars in troubled times.

This leaves out Italian brands like Fiat and Alfa Romeo, both of which should export to North America soon. Abarth is Fiat's AMG equivalent but likes to think of itself as a separate entity. Lancia is an Italian underling of Fiat's. Dacia is the Romanian part of Renault's conglomeration. Of course, Renault participates in North America via its alliance with Nissan. Another French group is PSA with its brands Peugeot (407 Coupe pictured) and Citroen. Opel and Vauxhall appear to be decreasingly GM-preserved but are, historically, GM's German and British outposts, respectively. Volkswagen owns Spain's Seat as well as Czech automaker Skoda. This lengthy list seems to ignore Russian automotive brands, many of whom have connections with more established players. AvtoVAZ, GAZ, and others team with companies like Renault and Ford in order to compete in one of the fastest-growing auto markets on the planet.