Topic: "Grins Per Mile" by Dr. Bud E. Bryan of Autoextremist fame..

[ovr50]

http://www.autoextremist.com/page5.shtml#RoadKill

This is Autoextremist's columnist Dr. Bud E. Bryan's take on cars that are fun to drive yet reasonable to buy and own. A good list for sure..

[si]

 

[Snowman]

A good first page, but there are many missing. Not having the MX-5 on the list and including the Solstice does not go well for his credibility.

[inco]

Power corrupts Snowy. The most likely reason the Solstice was there was because it was the GXP with 90 hp more than the regular one.

[Marc_]

This article is somewhat timley,  I was justing thinking of a similar list in my head - fun, relativley priced, good on gas.

I agree with his selection, but feel a couple are missing

Acura RSX-S perhaps?

[ovr50]

It does say "Part 1" so I assume more coming next week. 

[initial_D]

Impala SS?  V8 fun, but it is still a very short list, even if it is only "part 1".  3 out of the 9 cars on the list is  ... GM. Not that they are bad cars, how about just spread the love.

[The Mighty Duck]

Impala SS and Corvette struck me as the odd ones out.  Big engine and fuel economy does not normally go together, I guess.

And no MX-5?  Hmm.

[si]

No worries... all we have to wait is for the "Gins per Kilometer" for our version of the list.

[The Mighty Duck]

Would make a good follow up to "20 Fun to Drive Cars under $20 000", wouldn't it?  Hmm...

[84im]

I see the Mini Cooper S is on the list.  I've always really liked this car, but have had concerns about its quality control.  The newer ones (05 & 06) are, from what I've heard, a lot better.  I took my wife for a test drive in a 2003, and she LOVED IT.  Now she wants one.  We're seriously considering purchasing a new Cooper S.

[Snowman]

"Corvette struck me as the odd ones out"  why?

[Shnak]

A good first page, but there are many missing. Not having the MX-5 on the list and including the Solstice does not go well for his credibility.

Well he does mention the MX-5... but he prefers the Solstice.

Pontiac Solstice GXP. It seems that it's an unwritten law in auto journalism circles that you can't mention the Solstice without mentioning the Mazda MX-5. We like the Mazda plenty, but we'd take the new Solstice GXP in a heartbeat

[Panzer]

"Corvette struck me as the odd ones out" why?

Because the guy said it's a guide to fuel-efficient fun.  I'd take the Impala and 'vette out just based on the fuel economy requirement.

And I'd add in a Subie or two.

And the MX-5.

And the Mazdaspeed 3 (or the 6 until the 3 comes out).

[Snowman]

Fun and fuel efficiency does not equate to fun IMPO. Nor does it work with tire wear.

[ovr50]

Fun and fuel efficiency does not equate to fun IMPO. Nor does it work with tire wear.

Ya, but's not your list, Snowy. Just go with the flow here...

[G0dspd]

Impala SS and Corvette struck me as the odd ones out.

Impala SS ... can run on 4 cylinders

... a small-block Chevy V-8 and efficient displacement-on-demand technology, this is a high value package that will deliver 28 mpg on the highway under real world conditions.

Corvette ... we're talking supercars here not Yaris or Fit

... there isn't another high-performance sports car in the world that can match the performance, the value and the real world fuel-efficency of the C6 Corvette.

Threre are also 2 hondas, 1 VW, 1 Bimmer and 1 Porsche ... so this is not a pro-domestic list. 

[Giant Dwarf]

I can appreciate him choosing the Sol GXP over the MX5... but if value comes into play at all, I think he's remiss in neglecting the Mazda.

As for the Impala SS... I've been in the new Pontiac twin to the SS (The Grand Prix GXP) and found the power impressive.  And it's a well-equipped car for the moolah too.  However, to have this car make the list before a Hemi Charger or more surprisingly, the Mustang GT, is just silliness.  If the Stang doesn't make part II of the list, there's something seriously wrong there.

RSX-S would be on my list too Marc... but with the Civic Si already included, I'd say that base is essentially covered.