Car and Driver 10 Best Awards 2009

As I have mentioned in previous posts, it is a good idea to use various guides in purchasing a car. Here is one of my favorites Car and Drivers 10 Best Cars. The staff at Car and Driver are serious car enthusiasts, so if they pick a car for this list then that should be a serious consideration on your list.

"The cars are judged on three points. The first is how each car performs their intended duties. Second, they consider how engaging a car is on an emotional level. Lastly, they look at how competitive a car’s pricing is for the levels of versatility, practicality, and fun it offers. They are looking for value in their selections and highlight those cars that possess it. Check out these Car and Driver videos!

• BMW 3-Series/M3 Video
• Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Video
• Chevrolte Corvette Video
• Honda Accord Video
• Honda Fit Video
• Infinity G37 Video
• Jaguar XF Video
• Mazda MX-5 Miata Video
• Porsche Boxter & Cayman Video
• Volkswagon GTI Video

Eligibility for 10Best is determined based on newness and past 10Best success. All cars either new or significantly redesigned are allowed. Additionally, cars that made the list in 2008 are automatically invited back for 2009, providing they still clear the price cap—2.5 times the average newcar transaction price for all light-duty vehicles sold through August of the previous year, or $71,000 this time around.

If a car fails to make the list its first year on the market, it’s out of contention until a significant redesign renews its eligibility. Conversely, if a car consistently impresses Car and Driver enough to be voted to the list year after year, it can remain on the list indefinitely, even if it receives no updates. But all eligible cars must be available for sale no later than January 2009.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

In some of my previous posts, I outlined that some of the cars that GM produces are highly competitive in their respective classes. The Chevrolet Corvette is one of those cars, it is an example of what is going right at GM. Today, I am covering the best Corvette ever the ZR1.

The Corvette ZR1 is an incredible bargain in the super car arena. The ZR1 is the most expensive Corvette at $103,970 plus options, that price is double what the base Corvette costs. It is also the most expensive car that GM has ever produced!

The Corvette's foreign competition is priced $187,830 more for a Mercedes SL65 AMG and $323,940 more for a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

The supercharged LS9 V-8 delivers a tidal wave of power with 638 hp, the 0-60 is 3.3 seconds, and 60-0 is an amazing 97 feet. The ZR1 earned a 1.07 g on the skidpad. All these numbers are exceptional by any standard. Check out the Motor Trend video.

The braking is handled by huge 15.5 front and 15.0 rear ceramic disks. The ceramic disks make the ZR1 brakes strong, fade resistant and have terrific pedal feel.

Driving the car will give you an impression that the ZR1 can be a very civilized every day driver. But, when you step on the gas you quickly discover that this is no ordinary car. This is a refined, fast, powerful super machine that immediately stirs your adrenaline.

The ZRI uses carbon fiber on the interior, the hood and on the roof of the vehicle. It does not look at outlandish as some of the other super cars it competes against but delivers a superlative driving experience. In a recent Car and Driver comparison test the Corvette ZR1 won a comparison test over some very serious competitors.