here is my opinion on those chosen and whether i would suggest them. some cars i love, but still wouldn't suggest.
civic, fine. i agree. wouldn't hesitate to have friend or family buy one.
fit? again, wouldn't hesitate to suggest, but less love for this one. don't love the styling and a few other small hatches would also get me to suggest a look.
accord, yep. with the redesign, for sure would be what i suggest in that category.
the qashqai, i've seen a few in the wild... but they didn't stand out at all... with that goofy name i expect something that stands out... this one is invisible. i also have not a huge amount of love for what i deem "the chrysler of japanese cars".
atlas... wouldn't suggest it. maybe if it leased well. i find it boring to look at, and considering every customer i have had who was cross-shopping it with jeeps/durangos went with my product... just solidifies my stance (or means i'm just fricken awesome at my job).
f150... meh. truck is one category that my suggestion would totally depend on the current pricing and the package the customer/family/friend wanted/needed. i like them all for different reasons. no truck really wins this. even if i like the ford best, if the equivalent ram was 8k less, i'd suggest the ram... if they liked the ram best, but needed more capability, i'd steer them to either of the other big ones.
pacifica. sure. with the hybrid option, definitely. have a hockey teammate picking his up today and a ski buddy picked his up wednesday. if you like the hybrid options, the ontario phev credit makes it a heck of a buy for a nice vehicle. looking for a more basic van though and the usual suspects are worth a look due to pricing.
macan? well... while i would say i like it best, i'm only suggesting it to friends and family who use hundreds as toilet paper. to be honest, this category i would find it hard to suggest a friend or family member buy anything. why suffer poor capacity when you can have more of that for less, while just giving up a bunch of stuff that an "suv" shouldn't be worried about in the first place.
v90... well, again, i don't know how many people i would suggest purchase it, i wouldn't hesitate to look into a lease. lots of style, good capability, and just different. a purchase though? engine... i tell my children there is a supercharged turbo under their bed to scare them at night.
no issues with the mx5. nice that we have choices for performance cars right now and the mazda still does hit the right notes.
cayman... yeah, i can get onboard with that. looks like a porsche should, seems to drive like one should and in the right guise, can either be a beast or quite reasonably priced.
volt, yep. while it isn't my favourite category by any means, i bet this one has the most cars i can at least stand behind. volt, bolt, energi, prius, soul ev, etc.... other than a couple odd ducks, they all seem to be well put together and offer something that equates to a "deal" to me.
xc90 like the v90, lease, ok... otherwise, basically the same thoughts as the wagon.
so yeah... while these choices are all nice cars that we all kind of want... i wouldn't suggest them all. if it is the best car in everything, but just too damn expensive... i won't suggest it. if it is the hottest sex on wheels out there, but the interior sucks... i won't suggest it. if it handles like a dream but the engine leaves me scared... heck no.
