1995

	CARS I'VE COME TO KNOW
	(OOO) (i've owned it)
	** (i've driven it more than 300mi)



1955 chevy bel air
	for: big carbs moving big chrome
	against: this is the svelte shape of a sports coupe?
	sum-up: big flashback for big fellas

1965 lincoln continental
	for: eternal proportions
	against: takes 10 liters to move 2.5 tons
	sum-up: american giant

1966 mgb
	for: brit droptop authenticity
	against: not as special as the hippies remember
	sum-up: distant relative of austin-healy

1970 pontiac grand prix
	for: the boating experience
	against: what does it have to do with le grand prix?
	sum-up: hey dinosaur, the comets are coming!

1971 triumph spitfire
	for: looks even better than the ww2 fighter
	against: driving anywhere
	sum-up: elvira madigan died from similar causes

1971 porsche 914
	for: benchmark for entertaining handling
	against: aftermarket spyder to die for
	sum-up: underpowered but super car

1973 mercedes 280se 4.5 (OOO) (stl)
	for: better steel than some skyscrapers
	against: too much to love
	sum-up: 25 yrs later, still a great s.

1974 mazda rx3
	for: a crx from the old school
	against: nothing but the metal that makes it go
	sum-up: fine example of a great japanese econo-era

1975 mercedes 450sl
	for: makes you feel special
	against: some who get to feel special aren't
	sum-up: has acquired a good patina

1976 mercedes 250c
	for: truly sporting old merc
	against: as plain as they were supposed to be
	sum-up: one to look for

1976 olds cutlass salon v6** (honolulu)
	for: uprightness
	against: wandering steering
	sum-up: gm gene-pool

1976 volvo 240
	for: goes and goes
	against: volvo drivers aren't as safe as volvos
	sum-up: even the rusty ones feel solid as a brick

1976 honda civic cvcc** (st. louis)
	for: entertaining little 13" wheels
	against: actually a motorbike shaped like a cube
	sum-up: japanese morris mini

1977 fiat x1/9
	for: bold bertone concept
	against: such cheap plastics
	sum-up: no 850, but maybe that's good

1977-1/2 porsche 924(OOO) (sf/la/sd/denver/stl/minn/cinc/dc)
	for: a sports car to use forever
	against: nobody else knows how good it is
	sum-up: loyal favorite horsie

1977 cadillac seville
	for: the right size for a personal luxury sedan
	against: still not an allante
	sum-up: best caddy in its decade

1977 chevy citation
	for: road feel
	against: especially when it breaks down
	sum-up: can't choose your relatives

1978 porsche 911sc
	for: exuberant prestige
	against: the good ones are getting tired
	sum-up: fabulous prom night 

1978 porsche 928
	for: knowledge you can go like a 1st class train
	against: how much fun can that be?
	sum-up: somewhat confused message

1979 vw scirocco
	for: zip and zeal
	against: uncouth as youth
	sum-up: why the gti would be so good

1980 datsum 280z
	for: not as fat as it's remembered
	against: not as good as the owners say
	sum-up: lexus sc ancestor

1980 mazda rx7
	for: pure spirit
	against: feels lightweight
	sum-up: just don't compare with porsche

1980 bmw 320i
	for: running
	against: yupping
	sum-up: still a 29-year-old's lusting

1980 ferrari 308gt
	for: exciting presence
	against: too much attention
	sum-up: impractical to look so good

1981 toyota tercel
	for: arguably the ultimate econobox
	against: not a car for the 80's
	sum-up: probably a good car for the 90's

1982 jaguar xj6 s3 vdp(OOO) (stl/minn)
	for: the most special ever
	against: it's haunted
	sum-up: even pinin farina and porsche fell in love

1983 mercedes 300turbodiesel
	for: beautiful lines inside and out
	against: life off-boost
	sum-up: the platypus of automotive engines

1984 ford thunderbird
	for: some thunder, more bird
	against: ford styling kitsch
	sum-up: transportation

1985-1/2 porsche 944(OOO) (stl/minn/dc/pitt/denver)
	for: balance, ability, and exhaust note
	against: things happen fast
	sum-up: 80's symbol of fortunate youth

1985 alfa spider** (california 1)
	for: asking yvettie to take the day off and drive the coast
	against: makes you do nutty things
	sum-up: lovable darling

1985 pontiac fiero
	for: low center of gravity
	against: no match for monsters
	sum-up: rare american toy

1985 subaru gl
	for: unique practicality
	against: only the rx version was good looking
	sum-up: practically unique

1985 peugeot 505
	for: quirkier than a saab, and more sedate
	against: a machine designed and made by the french
	sum-up: call it a good experiment

1985 bmw 535i
	for: awesome power door locks
	against: straight 6 a joy in the 3, not in the 5 or 7
	sum-up: last in a class it created

1985 mercedes 190e 2.3
	for: most fun, most practical
	against: sentra-sized mercedes looks queer in traffic
	sum-up: under-loved

1985 saab 900
	for: cares for you
	against: a non-luxury non-sports sedan?
	sum-up: cute and real, velveteen rabbit

1985 saab 900 turbo
	for: all the practicality and none of the yawns
	against: you thought the unblown torque curve was queer?
	sum-up: moose meat

1985 mitsubishi cordia** (los angeles/san diego)
	for: can keep up with a 4-cylinder porsche
	against: fwd ruins the delight
	sum-up: for those who deserve better but don't mind

1985 vw gti
	for: agility
	against: sports car in a box
	sum-up: deserves the following

1986 honda civic 4dr
	for: when you're done, buy mercedes with $ you saved
	against: even blander in brown
	sum-up: sense and sensibility

1986 nissan sentra** (rochester)
	for: an excellent first car
	against: makes you want a second
	sum-up: should've been the people's car

1986 toyota supra
	for: doesn't feel 3600lbs. heavy
	against: but why should it be so heavy?
	sum-up: japanese muscle 

1986 plymouth horizon** (st. louis)
	for:  stylishly unpretentious
	against: small and weak, of course
	sum-up: proof that having nothing is wanting nothing

1987 bmw 325is 2dr.
	for: taut leather surfaces
	against: more acura than porsche (sorry, but true)
	sum-up: still the best idea in sport sedans

1987 volvo 740 gle
	for: livelier and tighter than most sports sedans
	against: still a boring shape
	sum-up: too cool to be square

1987 bmw 325 conv.
	for: perfect package
	against: not quite high class
	sum-up: high watermark for nouveau riche

1987 vw jetta
	for: attachment to the road
	against: vw proportions
	sum-up: enjoyable 200,000 miles

1987 mercedes 260e(OOO) (stl/urbana/indi/clvlnd/rochester)
	for: almost a 300e
	against: but not quite
	sum-up: almost perfect (almost a 300e)

1987 mercedes 300e
	for: best mercedes sedan concept
	against: 
	sum-up: classic w/class

1987 honda crx hf
	for: nifty little egg
	against: worry about scrambled egg
	sum-up: picture of commuter future

1987 bmw 735i
	for: some fabulous interior materials
	against: not light on its toes
	sum-up: deserves a better engine

1987 jaguar xj6 a40
	for: taste and build 
	against: so far astray from the mk2
	sum-up: the last one with design integrity

1987 mazda 323
	for: utility
	against: too utilitarian?
	sum-up: good sense deserves our respect

1987 toyota celica** (chicago/urbana)
	for: a really good car
	against: a really dated design
	sum-up: got me to the airport in time

1987 lincoln town car** (rochester/buffalo)
	for: tries to be civilized
	against: can't tell if you're on or off the highway
	sum-up: jurassic town

1987 ford taurus** (st. louis)
	for: air conditioning great during heatwave
	against: escort-sized brakes
	sum-up: why did so many buy it?

1987 chevy beretta** (st. louis)
	for: straight-line acceleration
	against: some roads have curves
	sum-up: typical american 

1987 toyota cressida
	for: outranks the camry 
	against: where's the advantage?
	sum-up: no lexus

1987 honda civic hatchback
	for: perfect practicality
	against: overlooked
	sum-up: civic pride without prestige

1987 acura legend 2.5 4dr
	for: pride of ownership, japan-style
	against: won't polka like germans
	sum-up: coupe makes all the difference

1988 mercedes 300d
	for: 300 body
	against: diesel weakling
	sum-up: even the diesel makes you feel like a million

1988 honda accord
	for: driver involvement
	against: fellow owners don't signal
	sum-up: too good for the masses

1988 chevy caprice
	for: massive interior
	against: massive exterior 
	sum-up: the saudi desert limo

1988 chevy cavalier** (rochester)
	for: no-nonsense rental
	against: makes you cut your trips short
	sum-up: more torture than economy

1988 toyota mr2 
	for: niftiness
	against: feels like a toy
	sum-up: an historical achievement

1988 saab 9000
	for: rear seats' living room
	against: plain in so many places
	sum-up: a luxury 900 that's had to compromise

1988 toyota tercel
	for: rawness
	against: barrenness
	sum-up: simple goodness

1989 eagle talon
	for: 4wd safety in sweepers
	against: 4wd boring handling
	sum-up: 4wd hot hatch of note

1989 toyota mr2
	for: grinning
	against: spinning
	sum-up: against earlier model, not quite winning

1990 acura integra** (los angeles)
	for: acura name, civic size
	against: only the engine is worthy
	sum-up: hot rod civic

1990 acura legend coupe L(OOO) (stl/urbana)
	for: 24kt gold accord
	against: 2+2?  more like 1+3
	sum-up: accord++ =? bmw--

1990 nissan 300zx** (bar harbor/boston)
	for: torque stirs the soul
	against: torque twitches the shifter
	sum-up: forget all previous z's

1990 renault 21** (amsterdam/bonn/paris)
	for: can dice on the autobahn
	against: stay out of the left lane
	sum-up: best french car i'll ever get to drive

1991 toyota celica
	for: updated lines
	against: updated lines
	sum-up: a good car should be a classic, not a tart

1991 chrysler lebaron conv** (san francisco/san jose)
	for: power roof
	against: boulevardier handling
	sum-up: more coq than sportif

1992 pontiac grand am** (boston)
	for: it had room for me to sleep in it
	against: hopefully not while driving
	sum-up: a sign of domestic cars getting better

1992 ford mustang v8** (los angeles)
	for: staying on testarossa tail
	against: bad boy behavior
	sum-up: third-gear wheelspin

1992 mazda miata** (las vegas/red rock canyon)
	for: cute door handles, fast city corners
	against: not as pretty as everyone thinks
	sum-up: looks like pennies, and worth all of them

1992 acura legend
	for: pleasure of perfection
	against: more soggy than staid
	sum-up: the honda to take to the symphony

1992 dodge stealth v6
	for: looks better than 3000gt
	against: porculent like the 3000gt
	sum-up: more tank than toy

1993 chevy camaro rs v8** (san jose/san francisco)
	for: camaro attitude
	against: darth vader dashboard
	sum-up: bad mount for the bred

1993 toyota previa
	for: funky space
	against: engine under the driver, like tokyo breadvans
	sum-up: minivan kitsch

1993 toyota corolla** (pensacola/seaside)
	for: chassis and refinement
	against: with leather, it could be lexus
	sum-up: dr. toyoda scold workers for corolla too good

1992 alfa romeo 164L(OOO) (stl/urbana)
	for: even faster than it looks
	against: clutch sticks like a ferrari when hot
	sum-up: yeah, i bought two of them

1993 alfa romeo 164L(OOO) (stl/urbana)
	for: gregariously gorgeous, and discreet
	against: can an executive car be so loved?
	sum-up: no wonder the latins keep these to themselves

1994 honda civic hatchback
	for: works so well
	against: that's no surprise
	sum-up: high IQ choice

1993 saturn coupe twin-cam
	for: gets up and goes
	against: shaped like a mongrel
	sum-up: must we re-body good japanese cars so badly?

1994 toyota paseo** (st. louis/chicago)
	for: shape
	against: size
	sum-up: the crx successor

1994 volvo 740 gle
	for: sensible like a german
	against: uneven like an american
	sum-up: the best possible swede

1994 jeep cherokee
	for: image is everything
	against: age is hard to hide
	sum-up: still worth the trouble

1994 ford explorer eddie bauer
	for: big leather seats halfway up to the sky
	against: big step-up too
	sum-up: good to park next to the riding mower

1994 buick regal** (rochester)
	for: column-shift maturity
	against: uninspired
	sum-up: but the park avenue looks so much better

1994 pontiac bonneville
	for: 200hp six for $20k
	against: such a big thing
	sum-up: a winner even in american form

1994 dodge intrepid
	for: pampers like a caddy
	against: big like a caddy
	sum-up: reminds me of a caddy

1995 ford windstar
	for: let the kids drool on the seats
	against: used ones will have drooly seats
	sum-up: if you must have a van, why not have a continental, too?

1995 opel corsa** (frankfurt/bonn/paris/genoa)
	for: lets you thrash it
	against: doesn't go unless you thrash it
	sum-up: not best on autobahn/autostrada, but you won't die (maybe)

1995 infiniti j30
	for: awesome leather and wood interior
	against: a loaded fwd maxima in a big altima body? 
	sum-up: almost a japanese jag mk2

1995 chevy camaro convertible v6
	for: looks like fun
	against: isn't quite
	sum-up: another pig to market

1995 dodge neon
	for: plenty of go, not a lot of dough
	against: not much show
	sum-up: how can you say no?

1995 mitsubishi diamante wagon
	for: poise on its toes
	against: 3 liters buried in there somewhere
	sum-up: the joy of sobriety

1996 saab 900
	for: wonderful market niche
	against: still a swede?
	sum-up: better than before, but blander

1996 mustang convertible 3.8v6** (st. louis/decatur)
	for: does what it's supposed to
	against: made-for-the-masses
	sum-up: nicest possible package considering the chassis

1996 honda civic coupe
	for: car completely fills the niche
	against: you completely fill the interior
	sum-up: automotive shrink-wrap

1997 chrysler sebring convertible v6** (california 1)
	for: that feeling of piloting a small craft through the glades
	against:  is the engine growl authentic?
	sum-up:  best midsized american car i've ever driven

1997 nissan altima** (california 1)
	for: competent in-town
	against: incompetent on the highway
	sum-up: the greatest sentra ever

1997 dodge neon** (hartford/boston)
	for: excellent road manners
	against: not as cute as the renault twingo
	sum-up: best american car i've ever driven

1998 mitsubishi mirage** (las vegas/la)
	for: everything it has works
	against: it hasn't everything
	sum-up: but it works

1998 acura integra
	for: delighted driver
	against: squished passengers
	sum-up: one-person bento

1998 infiniti g20
	for: little sweetie
	against: more altima than maxima
	sum-up: agreeable

1998 infiniti q45
	for: built like a brick, stops like a brick
	against: goes like a brick
	sum-up: a buick that feels like a brick

1998 infiniti qx4
	for: college classmates won't complain
	against: unless they drive it
	sum-up: needs more power

1998 chevy blazer** (san diego/angeles crest)
	for: saves motel costs
	against: drives like the truck that it is
	sum-up: proves what kind of people drive sport-utes

1999 porsche boxster 2.5
	for: memory of a beautiful show car
	against: engineered to market
	sum-up: better than the 3.0 944?

2001 audi tt roadster
	for: bold ideas
	against: 
	sum-up: would you really miss your boxster?

2001 ford mustang gt
	for: cheap thrills
	against: not so cheap tickets
	sum-up: first step to the dark side

2001 vw passat
	for:
	against:
	sum-up: