Nominations for Car of the Year - 2002

  • Thread starter 1X83Z
  • 23 comments
  • 1,003 views
Status
Not open for further replies.
1

1X83Z

Premium
20,944
United States
usa
Because I may not be around for New Year's this year due to various holiday trips, I've decided to post this now:

What car/truck/SUV is your nomination for 2003 car of the year?

Perhaps with the okay of MazKid and vat_man I will set up a poll beginning on the 25th or so to decide the 'official' car of the year for the 2003 model year. If your car isn't a 2003 and/or isn't either redesigned (like the Accord is this year) or brand new (like the Element is this year) then it won't be included in the poll. Commence nominations!

---------------------------------

I nominate the Volvo XC90 (SUV):
- $33,350 - $39,975
- FWD or AWD
- Base engine: 208 horsepower 2.5L I-5t
- Optional engine: 268 horsepower 2.9L I-6t

Why you should vote for it:
- Although most of you hate SUV's, the XC90 is only an SUV to those who buy it. When it crashes in to your car, its bumpers are low enough to meet your door beams side-on, meaning totally compatible. It comes with an optional seven seats; it's cheaper than most in-class SUV's; and it clearly raises the bar in the luxury SUV class.
 
Infiniti G35/G35 Coupe (it's a 2003, right?)

- $28,950-$31,820 - (30,000 to 32, 545 for the Coupe)
- RWD
- 260hp for sedan, 280 for the coupe

why vote for it? it completely changed the way we'll look at the midsize luxury sedan market. BMW is not alone anymore.



i think you should set a price limit, else you'll see a lot of Ferrari Enzo, or Lamborghini Murcielago entries. :rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by PunkRock
Infiniti G35/G35 Coupe (it's a 2003, right?)

- $28,950-$31,820 - (30,000 to 32, 545 for the Coupe)
- RWD
- 260hp for sedan, 280 for the coupe

why vote for it? it completely changed the way we'll look at the midsize luxury sedan market. BMW is not alone anymore.



i think you should set a price limit, else you'll see a lot of Ferrari Enzo, or Lamborghini Murcielago entries. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I wonder from who....:rolleyes:
 
Doug-- Nice job on matching the title with the post content. ;) *cough*

Anyway, I too was thinking about the Infiniti G35 even before I scrolled down to see the other nomintations... do you two happen to be C/D subscribers? :P

My specific vote goes to the coupe though-- apparently, it's handling is better than the sedan's (though, obviously, I can't personally backup that statement), and it's got the garsh-darnedest nice exterior skin I've seen on a luxury coupe as of late. It's also more practical than its Z cousin (more trunk space, though still not a whole lot), and, in general, more people are agreeable on the styling of it versus its cousin (I personally like the Z's styling, but it's a love-hate deal).

So, one vote for the G35 from me, please! :) Big kudos to Nissan for the big turn around in the past year. :thumbsup:
 
Nominations...hmmm

The Accord. But should you differentiate between the US and rest of world version?
The 350Z and G35.
The RX-8 isn't slated until spring...
The 6.
This is the second year for the WRX, right? So I guess that's out. Same with the RSX.
The Z4.
The Mazdaspeed Protege.
 
For SUV of the year, my vote goes to Honda Element.
for Car of the year, I agree with PunkRock, Infiniti G35, especially the sport coupe. :thumbsup:
 
My vote is for the Nissan and 350Z and the Infiniti G35 Coupe

Although I think the sedan is awesome, we have been seeing countless semi-performance + semi-luxury sedan packages for decades. It is not new or significant.

I choose the 350Z/G35 Coupe because they are bringing back a resurgence of affordable Japanese sports cars. The early 90's 300ZX,RX-7 and Supra were high on performance but way too high on price. The 350Z is a cheaper sports car that will still hold its own on the track.

The early 90's 300ZX,RX-7 and Supra's are some of my favourite cars. Its too bad they didnt sell enough, but I think Nissan is doing quite well with the 350Z, I hope. I know that the S2000 is really the first resurgance of a similar car, but is it as cheap?

I cant wait until the RX-8 but it isn't as good as the 350Z, according to the few reviews/previews done on it.
 
The RX-8 is too early to be nominated for the 2002 NA COTY maybe at 2003.

The G35 deserves the award better than the Z because:
-Practicality (4 seats + cargo space)
-Price-Value ratio
-Almost equal in performance numbers (despite the 7hp deficit than the Z, but who cares?)
-Customer Service/Warranty
-Mechanically the same
-Originally, its a Skyline (softcore, GT-R is the hard-core)
-More toys per doller

Currently According of their achievements they're tied by 2 awards each:

Nissan 350Z:
-Automobile of the year (Automobile Magazine)
-10 Best Cars (Car and Driver Magazine)

Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe/Sedan
- Car of the Year (Motor Trend Magazine)
-10 Best Cars (Car and Driver Magazine)
 
I would say the Audi A8. (3.0 V6 - 5.0 V10, 4wd)

All-new for this year, Audi have gone into a segment where the S-Class is awesome but ubiquitous, and the 7-Series is unforgivably ugly and confusing with its I-drive.

The A8 is the car for the person looking for the best blend of comfort and performance in a package which is unobtrusively stylish. Many reviewers state that the A8 is at least as good as the S-Class, and that its individuality makes it a valid choice for someone looking not to go the established way. It's my choice for 'sensible' car of the year.
 
I prefer the S8 or RS8 (if theres any in the future) coming soon.

But still I like the plain A8, the simple LS430, and the upcoming VW Phaeton W12 rather than the techno-geek 7-series, the new Jaguar XJ, and the boring S-Class.

I'll pound my head against the wall if the H2 won the Truck of the Year, its utterly no sense at all! Gosh, I hate the H2! :mad:
 
The G35 is nice, and certainly original for once, just not my cuppa. Nor is the 350Z, for that matter. Said my piece on this, yadda yadda yadda. The XC90 is excellent. This, along with the Outback, is what (I believe) SUVs should be. As good a ride as the Z4 is, it's looks leave me wanting...a better looking car. Audi's A8 is my cuppa, but since the new S8 isn't out yet (and I wish for an RS8), it's not going to get a nod from me. Mazda 6 is nice, too, but as interesting as the G35: eh.

I would have nominated the Audi RS6, but it's numb steering and surprising understeer make it another pointless car. Another idea I had was the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato. At last, a DB7 that won't piss all over your driveway. And it looks spectacular, too! The TVR Tamora crossed my mind, but then I remembered one thing: TVR Tuscan R.

If this were about "Practical Car of the Year", then XC90 would have got it, but since pretty much anything goes, the Tuscan gets my vote. Probably one of only a few, but it is quite a substantial technical achievement, a great ride all around, and one of the best designs of the last ten years -- at least.
 
G35

g3503.jpg


G35 Coupe

032003g35coupe.jpg


they're basically rebadged versions of the new basic Skyline that's currently sold in Japan
 
If the GT-R were sold here in the US, would it be sold under Infiniti or Nissan? I think Infiniti Skyline GT-R sounds pretty nice.
 
probably under Nissan's name... we'll see, the R35's coming!

if it was an Infiniti, it would carry a letter-number name, like G35R or something like that. not exactly interesting
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
TVR Tuscan R.

If this were about "Practical Car of the Year", then XC90 would have got it, but since pretty much anything goes, the Tuscan gets my vote. Probably one of only a few, but it is quite a substantial technical achievement, a great ride all around, and one of the best designs of the last ten years -- at least.
Click to expand...
:eek:, I forgot about the TVR Tuscan R! I've seen those in magazines, and it's a fabulous looking car, not to mention a powerful beast... I don't think I can rightously vote for it though, since

a) I've already voted for the G35, and
b) It's not sold in the U.S.! (Darn it, I thought that TVR promised to come statewide by Fall 2002?) :bawling:
 
I nominate the Volvo S60R.

- 2.5L 300HP@5,200RPM
- Four-C active chassis control
- AWD

Base price not confirmed yet, estimated at $55,000 - $65,000.

You should vote for it, because it's the perfect blend between a luxury sedan and a sportscar. It features a chassis control system that allows you to alter the physics of the car while you drive and the S60 hasn't suffered from any comfort or safety compromises in order for it to become a truly fast car. 0-60 in 5,2!

All in all, an awesome car!
 
This is a nice one-two combo, who will win?
0301_g35_pair.jpg

The G35 Sport Coupe (aka. Nissan Skyline [V35]) and Nissan 350Z (aka. Fairlady Z) :drool: :thumbsup:

*Photo by Car and Driver Magazine
 
well the G35 is already the car of the year according to MT Mag.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
Your 2024 game of the year?
Replies
27
Views
2K
SPhilli911
SPhilli911
J
KOTY race, tips for next year
Replies
3
Views
659
Jumbone1
J
T
Your 2023 game of the year?
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
mika haka
M
Turbo
READ THE OP! GTP Alternative Car Cool Wall Nominations Thread
Replies
4
Views
808
Turbo
Turbo
TheHun99
Importing a 25+ year old car to the US
Replies
9
Views
2K
05XR8
05XR8

Latest Posts

Back