THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 EN MASSE

It's time to let you in on a little secret. Since November 7th, GoodCarBadCar.net's The Good 12 v2.0 has been available on YouTube. True, it was fairly hidden away and there was no info other than pictures of each car that would make it to the list. But considering the popularity of the first Good 12, it strikes The Good Car Guy funny that this year's has been available for more than a month. Anyway, thanks for tuning in for the last twelve days. The Good 12 Supersize starts tomorrow with the twelve trucks, vans, and SUVs you should be buying in 2009 if nothing on the regular Good 12 is suitable. The video that's been on YouTube since early November is below.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part XII

VOLKSWAGEN GTI

Europeans are already able to purchase the sixth-generation Golf, a car we'll eventually know as the Rabbit. More importantly, the next-generation GTI has already been revealed. It looks good. In fact, the GTI mkVI looks like it may improve upon the mkV's appearance, economy, and performance. 

Yet the current GTI manages to assemble enough support from The Good Car Guy to claim a second Good 12 crown on the merits of an aging car that was here last year because of " a rediscovered down-the-road adeptness". It is the chassis that cuts muster again. The VeeDub's steering forges a link that already binds mind-to-hands by sending streaming footage of the road beneath. This isn't Lotus Elise-like stuff we're talking about; just good old-fashioned driving fun, the kind that is as enjoyable at 20 mph exiting your subdivision as it is at 85 mph on a twisty on-ramp.

The VW GTI's excellence must be understood with a grain of Civic Si nonetheless. Honda's 197-horsepower hottie is a great accomplishment. The simple fact that Volkswagen makes it here and Honda doesn't ought to speak volumes about the German, a vehicle that indulges more readily without depriving its owners of any practical sensibility.

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Engines: 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder

City Mileage: 21-22 mpg

Base USD Price: $22,990

Anything Else? Want to turn your high-value uber-hatch into a high-priced luxo-barge? Opt for a DSG transmission, sat-nav, upgraded wheels, and other accessories and you'll easily top $30K on the way to $34,000.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part XI

SMART FORTWO

In possession of children? A tower of boats or ATVs? Then keep reading on behalf of your unmarried cousin or the young couple next door with the bachelor apartment. The two-time Good 12-winning smart fortwo is not likely for you.

However, the smart fortwo is very much the automobile for some people. Liking the smart fortwo isn't an option. This is a love it or hate it car. The lovers are those people for whom the Mercedes-developed small car is an entirely viable option while haters originate in large family circles or rural areas. Skeptics also point to the fortwo's low horsepower rating, forgetting that in typical daily driving, they're about as likely to use two-thirds of their car's horsepower as they are to see green lights all the way to work. 

In essence, smart's city car (which does fine outside the city, mind you) performs its tasks admirably, effectively, and efficiently. It is the equivalent of a Porsche 911 GT2 lapping the Nurburgring in 7:30 or a Chevrolet Suburban towing 10,000 pounds or a Honda Odyssey ferrying seven passengers in safety and comfort. Expectations declared - expectations met. Until Scion brings us the iQ or Volkswagen debuts the production up!, there won't be a perfect combatant with which to compare the accomplished and competent fortwo.

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

City Mileage: 33-36 mpg

Base USD Price: $11,990

Anything Else? Meyers Parking facilities in New York City (a prime smart fortwo market) offer parking rate reductions of 50% to fortwo owners. This is one of many additional savings (insurance, fuel, maintenance) that must be taken into account by critics of the fortwo's 'supposed' small footprint/high price ratio.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part X

PORSCHE BOXSTER

Ignore anybody who suggests that the Boxster now appears soft in light of the rawer, hardcore Cayman. Boxsters don't crinkle up over railroad tracks, the rearview mirror doesn't jiggle when the door slams shut, and every day of a Boxster's life is spent convincing its owner that, "Yes, I was carved from a single block of granite".

Porsche's most inexpensive convertible is a roadster that doesn't skimp on pristine dynamic qualities. What's more, the Boxster was a best-in-class car last year that took home a Good 12 spot and Porsche still determined that improvement was needed. Boxsters are now available with the PDK transmission, probably stripping away some of the sweet manual tranny's fun and interaction while, at the same time, providing lightning-fast shifts with ease. Oh, and there's more horsepower than ever. Oh again, the enlarged and more powerful engines use less fuel.

Every other car on The Good 12 v2.0 is a worthy vehicle, but none of the others will match the Boxster's intensity and not one will solicit such intensity from their driver. All of this, of course, is done in comfort and luxury and at some expense. Boxster owners never doubt that paying such a high price was worth it, however.

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Engines: 255 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque from a 2.9L boxer-six or 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque from a 3.4L boxer-six

City Mileage: est. 19-21 mpg

Base USD Price: $46,600

Anything Else? Be willing to make small sacrifices in the name of PDK. The double-clutch gearbox adds 55 or 66 pounds and knocks the top speed down by 1mph.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part IX

MINI COOPER

One of many repeat winners in this, The Good 12 v2.0, the Mini Cooper made its case last year with low-cost and low-risk fun. Nothing has changed.

Mini still offers the Cooper S. That car, along with the Clubman, Convertible, and John Cooper Works packages could potentially add to the fun. However, they also add big numbers on to the MSRP. Meanwhile, the basic Cooper offers nearly as many thrills-per-minute because Mini's owner, BMW, didn't forget that corners can be just as much fun with 117 horsepower as with 172. 

Minis aren't as tiny inside as you'd expect, but nobody can justifiably make the case that one purchases a Cooper for its hatchback versatility. Nope, the Mini Cooper looks cool and drives well. Make no bones about it. Oh, and for a $19K car, the Cooper is fairly luxurious. Stability control, keyless entry, air conditioning, one-touch-up power windows, and a six-speaker stereo? Standard equipment.

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

City Mileage: 25-28 mpg

Base USD Price: $18,550

Anything Else? If you can't get over the expense of such a low-powered small car when bigger and more powerful options are sometimes less expensive, remember that Mini includes the first three years of maintenance (up to 36,000 miles).

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part VIII

MAZDA 6

At first glance, one wonders why Mazda decided to enlarge their midsize sedan, a vehicle that was considered the enthusiast's choice in its segment. Then it dawns on you: "Ah yes", you say, "Mazda actually wanted to sell some of their cars". 

Now don't assume Mazda's first-generation 6 was a flop. No, that replacement for the 626 was quite successful indeed. Battling with the larger Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima (whose success ranks in that order) made life for the 6 difficult, however. The new 6 is more than four inches longer than the Camry while also being slightly wider with an extra half-cubic foot of space for passengers and a trunk that's 1.6 cubic feet larger.

All that says is that the 6 is finally on level ground. With prices that take the fight squarely to the Camry and Accord, the 6 doesn't soundly win the value quotient game, either. If all is square up to this moment, the appearance of a 6 in front of midsize buyers ought to help put them over the edge. Mazda's midsizer isn't grandfatherly like the Camry, excessive like the Altima, or forgettable like the Accord. Now you can have an average sedan that is typical in every way but actually excites the eyes. It's been a while.

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Engines: 175 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5L four-cylinder and 272 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque from a 3.7L V6

City Mileage: 17-21 mpg

Base USD Price: $19,220

Anything Else? The 6s induction into The Good 12 for 2009 basically comes as a result of bettering the Honda Accord, a member of The Good 12 last year. Competitors in what can easily be argued is the most competitive segment in North America are, for the most part, excellent. Every one of them. The Mazda adds visual flair with value; Honda's Accord does not.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part VII

HYUNDAI GENESIS

Our mothers taught us that it would be impolite to mention names, but that's not going to stop us from acknowledging the truth, is it? Motor Trend calculated that, for $22,575 more than a Hyundai Genesis V8, you'd get a car that's 0.7 seconds quicker to 60mph and offers one additional option, but only half as many standard features. Another car which we all anticipated to be a very indirect competitor for the Genesis V8 is one-tenth of a second slower to the 60mph barrier, offers more standard equipment and far fewer options, but costs $15,785 more.

Cars do not win awards here or at any other respectable publication for low prices, however. Rest assured, the Tata Nano has four wheels, seats, an engine, and a steering wheel just like your rich uncle's Ferrari. That won't convince you that the Nano is the more righteous automobile. Just the same, Hyundai's upstart luxury sedan needs merit more than low monthly payments. 

Merit it hath. The Genesis is safe, fast, luxurious, and conservatively handsome. Establishing its foes is nearly impossible. Hyundai's sedan is more luxurious than some similarly sized and priced sedans; quicker and better-handling than some smaller and more expensive sedans; and more appealing than some conceptually-identical but massively overpriced sedans. How Hyundai manages to stuff all that equipment and all that engine and all that safety tech inside that itty-bitty pricetag we will never know. We can all be thankful that, like acrobats in a telephone booth, Hyundai merely makes it happen.

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Engines: 290 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque from a 3.8L V6; 375 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque from a 4.6L V8

City Mileage: 17-18 mpg

Base USD Price: $32,250

Anything Else? The Genesis will likely feature an 8-speed automatic by 2010, a necessary feature if Hyundai wants fuel economy to stay level with the possible 5.0L upsizing of the Tau 4.6L V8.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part VI

HONDA FIT

"57.3 cubic feet", says Honda in reference to the Fit. The nameplate is a repeat winner in The Good 12 v2.0, but the car you see here is not the same as the winner from last year. Without relying on false exaggerations, the Fit is surprisingly not ugly for a small hatchback with minivanesque proportions. Those proportions help provide you with more useable space than direct competitors. In fact, the newer-bigger-better Fit offers more cargo volume than before, adding more than 25% more space for '09. The total? That's right: 57.3 cubic feet.

If total volume was what you're after, you probably wouldn't spend time looking in the small-car segment. Honda just uses that space as part of a three-pronged effort to get you inside a Fit. Efficiency and fun make the case; space seals the deal. No other car this fun-to-drive manages to combine such savings at the pump with space for your friends and your stuff. It sounds simple, but nobody else in the North American automotive marketplace is doing it.

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Engines: 117 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque from a 1.5L four-cylinder

City Mileage: 27-28 mpg

Base USD Price: $14,550

Anything Else? Honda's little hatchback ain't cheap. Toyota's 5-door Yaris starts $1,245 lower while the Kia Rio5 is $575 less expensive, big dollars at this level. The Fit is that much better, however.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part V

CHEVROLET CORVETTE

Interpolating the market with upper-tier versions of the Corvette has afforded the "basic" version of America's best and most famous sports car additional tenability. Think about it: more than doubling the price to the absolutely incredible ZR1 doesn't double power, barely bumps top speed, only tinkers with the 0-60 time, and strips just 4.2 seconds off a 2-mile circuit lap.

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All too true is the fact that Chevrolet's Corvette ZR1 and Z06 are amazing values on their own merit. But their well-engrained good value texture only softens the glow on the regular Corvette. Comparing the Corvette with another Good 12 v2.0 winner from BMW; the M3 coupe specifically, shows the Corvette to be more than 400 pounds lighter with 16 more horsepower and a $9K savings. Can I get a witness?

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Engines: 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque from a 6.2L V8 or 436 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque with dual-mode exhaust

City Mileage: 15-16 mpg

Base USD Price: $49,415

Anything Else? If two Corvettes sounds better to you, grab a basic Corvette coupe and a basic Corvette convertible and you'll still be $1,335 under the MSRP of the Corvette ZR1, a car that performs better than cars twice its price, too.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part IV

CADILLAC CTS-V

Determining the competitors for a car Cadillac says is the fastest V8 production sedan in the world is a task for the ages. BMW's M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG come immediately to mind; but they're so terribly outgunned in terms of outright power and size that the direct comparison fails. One size up, the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG are plenty powerful (although still not as powerful as the Cadillac) but stretch the boundaries of potentially comparable pricing.

And there you have the CTS-V's claim to fame. Not only is it outrageously fast and ten times better-looking than its predecessor, it also happens to completely lack competitors. A class of its own? Now that carries extra connotations. The CTS-V is a worthy car without the value equation; its low price just helps to make the case.

Complaints The Good Car Guy directed at the regular CTS were laid at the feet of basically one item and one item only: the interior. Not enough has changed in this department, but the $58K CTS-V nearly manages to make the $38K 304-bhp CTS look like a bad deal, anyway. BMW's M cars and Mercedes' AMG sedans never managed that feat before.

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Engines: 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2L V8

City Mileage: est. 15 mpg

Base USD Price: $57,920

Anything Else? Cadillac set a Nurburgring time of 7:59.32, believed to be the fastest ever time for a production sedan around the 12.9-mile German circuit.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part III

BMW 3-SERIES

The diesel onslaught has begun. Who knows how long it will last? That's right - nobody knows. You better take advantage of it while it lasts, because one of the planet's best sedans can now be had with one of the planet's best diesels under its hood.

True enough, one of the planet's best sedans happens to use nomenclature identical to that of one of the planet's best coupes; one of the planet's best wagons; and one of the planet's best convertibles. And all offer what should be considered the most impressive gasoline-fired engine lineup.... on the planet.

Last year, The Good Car Guy held back. Only the 3-Series convertible snuck onto The Good 12. Amazed, however, that BMW continues to improve the 3-Series while also taking a bit of a risk by offering North Americans (at some expense to both the customer and the manufacturer) a twin-turbocharged 3.0L diesel, GoodCarBadCar.net now recognizes every 3-Series for what it is: a terrific car. 

Complaints directed BMW's way are few. Please return to classier styling as exemplified by the previous-generation 3-Series, the E46. And umm, maybe.... could you drop the price just a smidge?

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Engines: 230/300/300/414 horsepower; 200/300/425/295 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0L inline-six; a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six, a twin-turbocharged diesel 3.0L diesel inline-six, and a 4.0L V8

City Mileage: 14-23 mpg

Base USD Price: $33,400

Anything Else? BMW offers a 2.5L inline-six with 200 horsepower in Canada. They call it the 323i and offer it only as a sedan. Including M models, all engines, and all-wheel drive derivatives, there are 15 different 3-Series BMWs for sale in Canada.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part II

AUDI TT COUPE

Returning for its second year on The Good 12, Audi's tidily packaged TT coupe has more performance on the options sheet (in the form of the TTS) and just as much head-turning capability as before. Truly well-thought out designs continue to strike the eye long after their introduction. The TT keeps striking us in the eye and will continue to do so.

Ah yes, we all know there are better drives available. That was pointed out in last year's Good 12. None of those other vehicles, from the Nissan 350Z to the Mazda RX-8 to the Porsche Boxster, has the TT's class or wow factor. Besides, the current TT is better on the road than the first edition. Commonly outfitted with Quattro all-wheel drive, the TT has a measure of all-weather usability that might not be found in its rear-wheel drive competitors.

One can't escape the truth, however. The Audi TT coupe's most impressive feature can be seen from your living room window. Everybody who walks by it in the parking garage will take note, too. Exterior design, when done right, is a wonderful thing. 

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Engines: 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, 250 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque from a 3.2L V6, 265 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder

City Mileage: 17-23 mpg

Base USD Price: $35,200

Anything Else? Every extra horse available in the TTS will cost you an extra $158.46 beyond that of the regular TT's 200 horsepower. 

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - Part I

AUDI A4 AVANT

With a drastic wheelbase stretch, Audi has breathed new life into its already successful A4 range. One of very few models, luxury or not, to increase sales as it aged, the previous-generation A4 was a positive starting point for the new car. With styling that's even more eye-catching, perceived quality that impresses at every touch, and that innocuous-only-at-first wheelbase stretch, the new A4 is worth every penny and more.

More specifically, the extra half-foot of wheelbase that provided a solution for traditionally front-heavy Audi dynamics also offered up more space in the cargo compartment of the A4 Avant. Avant is Audi-speak for wagons. At GoodCarBadCar.net, wagons are loved. If it looks good, drives well, impresses the neighbours, and allows you to chuck all your stuff in the back, The Good Car Guy calls it successful.

Audi didn't fall back on Vorsprung durch Technik marketing spin or the merits of Quattro all-wheel drive with the new model. They pushed the envelope just enough to propel the A4 Avant into The Good 12 v2.0.

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Engines: 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder.

City Mileage: 21 mpg

Base USD Price: $34,500 

Anything Else? The A4's 2.0L TFSI engine won the International Engine of the Year award for its category, engines from 1.8 to 2.0 litres.

THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 - INTRO

On December 20th of 2007, The Good Car Guy began the introductions of twelve cars believed to be the best suited vehicles for 2008. Twelve cars made the cut for The Good 12 - all of which you can read about here - including seven from Europe, one from the United States, three from Japan, and one from Korea. 

These cars provided the answers to the following questions in The Good 12 Intro from last year: "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?" You may remember the answers: no, yes, no, no. On top of those four one-word answers came the Audi TT, BMW 3-Series Convertible, Chevrolet Corvette, Honda Accord & Fit, Hyundai Accent hatchback, Infiniti G, Mini Cooper, Porsche Boxster, smart fortwo, Volkswagen GTI, and Volvo V70. 

While The Good Car Guy would like to tell you all to incorporate an Audi RS6 into your lifestyle; or perhaps a mix of small and sporty hatchbacks.... or better yet, a trio of American muscle-car convertibles, there are multiple issues with that unrealistic viewpoint. For one thing, some cars are so expensive (above $75,000 USD) that The Good Car Guy believes greatness is pre-afforded to them. Almost every car in the price bracket above $75K is desirable, after all.

But what about those vehicles within our grasp? Within the context of the current economic environment, GoodCarBadCar.net's Good 12 v2.0 actually features a list fully below $60,000 USD. Hopefully those who could afford the Boxster or Corvette last year were able to understand why the Fit and Accent hatchback were desirable for others. That story continues this year. We trust that The Good Car Nation will see fit to understand why a variety of vehicles were chosen. 

Interestingly, there's one easy method in deciding what belongs and doesn't belong in The Good 12 for 2009. Which vehicles would still be considered worthy of our praise if priced even higher than they already are? There are 12 such vehicles, and they will be listed here. After The Good 12 v2.0 is complete, the first Good 12 Supersize, The Bad 8 v2.0 and The Bad 8 Supersize will be revealed, as well. That's the place for cars that go unrecommendable even at half their price.

So, are you ready? One car per day with a brief list of specifications; reasoning; and an extra tidbit or two will be revealed beginning this afternoon. Bookmark this link in order to check back for the continuing reveal. Oh, and a couple more rules for you to swallow.

Unlike some publications who name one car each year as a Car of the Year, GoodCarBadCar.net recognizes a couple of important elements. First, new cars may not be better than previously released models. Should they simply be awarded for being better than other new stuff? Secondly, is there really only one car per year worthy of our recommendations? Of course not. Thus, all vehicles from last year's Good 12 are eligible to retain their titles. Only new or significantly revised models compete against those twelve. Also, only at The Good 12 Supersize will vans, SUVs, trucks, and crossovers compete. The Good 12 v2.0 is for cars competing in the North American market by January 1st only.