1. Bugatti Veyron 16.4
$1.4 million
The Veyron 16.4 is reported to be the only production car with more than 1,000 horsepower, at 1001 hp. Unless someone is building one in a secret lab somewhere,
it’s also the only one that costs more than $1 million. It has a 16-cylinder engine that forms a "W" out of two Vs .
2. Maybach 62S
$428,750
The Maybach brand from Mercedes-Benz broke the $300,000 barrier four years ago. To own a 62S today means parting with $400,000. The 62S gets a bigger turbocharged V12 than the "ordinary" 62 model, and about 50 extra horses, at 604 hp. It also gets upgraded upholstery that Maybach calls "Grand Nappa" leather, with color-contrasting piping, carbon fiber trim, different woods and exclusive paints.
3. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition
$482,750
Mercedes-Benz named the 722 Edition of its already exorbitant SLR McLaren after its winning entry in the 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race in Italy, in 1955. Also memorable is the new model’s scorching 650 hp. Owning an SLR includes membership in the "SLR Club" at the Circuit Paul Ricard high-tech test track in Le Castellet, in the south of France. The club hosts an SLR Safety & Speed Academy, which offers special driver training courses and seminars.
4. Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe
$412,000
Nothing else makes an entrance like the Drophead Coupe, powered by a nearly silent, 6.75-liter V12. Its fabric top even includes a layer of cashmere, allegedly because of the material’s sound-deadening properties. As in the Phantom sedan, push a button in the glovebox, and The Spirit of Ecstasy roof ornament disappears down a trapdoor, to discourage thieves and vandals
5. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster
$362,400
Like other Lamborghinis, the Murcielago is named for a breed of fighting bull. This convertible is definitely a hard charger, which gets its second name from its 640 hp, V12 engine. It has full-time, all-wheel drive, which helps keep it pointed the right way when you step on the gas.
6. Bentley Azure
$337,085
The Bentley Azure is the costliest Bentley, keeping other Bentleys off our list. For the money, the 500-hp Azure better be exclusive. It is. Only 133 were sold in the U.S. in six months, following its debut in December 2006. Before that, the Azure was out of production for about three years
7. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1
$280,295
The 599 GTB Fiorano F1 is named for Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. In Italy, the high-pitched buzz of Ferrari’s Formula One (F1) race team on the track stops traffic. People abandon their cars and run to watch. This car, with 611 hp from a V12 engine, could get a similar reaction
8. Aston Martin DB9 Volante convertible
$175,550
The term, "Volante," is Aston Martin’s term for a convertible. It sounds like something that would fly, and the DB9 Volante does, thanks to a 450-hp V12. The wood and leather in the cabin are handcrafted and include walnut, "piano black," mahogany and bamboo. The last two are highly unusual. Wood panels are also solid wood, not veneers. In addition, Aston Martin offers oiled finishes like fine furniture, as an alternative to a shiny, high-gloss finish.
9. Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
$136,500 (2008 model)
Keeping up with the Joneses gets tougher in September, when the 480-hp 911 Turbo Cabriolet goes on sale. The seats are covered with hand-stitched leather, and high-tech features borrowed from racing include a rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds over 75 mph. The Cabriolet has the same 3.6-liter, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged boxer engine found in the 911 Turbo Coupe. The manual transmission version goes from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 3.8 seconds; top speed is 193 mph
10. Maserati Quattroporte Automatic Executive GT
$126,500
The name is a mouthful, signifying a six-speed automatic transmission, and Executive GT extras like heated and cooled massage seats, more chrome, more and nicer leather, and special badging. Far from cheap, this version of the V8, 400-hp Quattroporte is the least-expensive car on the Top 10 Most Expensive List
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Ford Mustang
This list is heavily skewed toward practical vehicles for hauling families and belongings, but there are plenty of shoppers who want something a little more fun, maybe even with a top that folds down to let in the air and sun.
Of course, wanting something sporty to drive doesn’t mean that shoppers are willing to put up with troublesome cars that will keep them on a first-name basis with their dealer’s service manager.
Among fun-to-drive domestic cars, take a look at the venerable Ford Mustang. It has lots of power, decent gas mileage, racy lines and an available convertible top. Consumer Reports bestowed its “Recommended” rating on the Mustang, and it scored a third-place finish in its class in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study.
Maybe the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger have taken their showroom battle with the Mustang into the realm of reliability and will get their own impressive scores in coming years.
Of course, wanting something sporty to drive doesn’t mean that shoppers are willing to put up with troublesome cars that will keep them on a first-name basis with their dealer’s service manager.
Among fun-to-drive domestic cars, take a look at the venerable Ford Mustang. It has lots of power, decent gas mileage, racy lines and an available convertible top. Consumer Reports bestowed its “Recommended” rating on the Mustang, and it scored a third-place finish in its class in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study.
Maybe the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger have taken their showroom battle with the Mustang into the realm of reliability and will get their own impressive scores in coming years.
Ford Expedition
Ford’s big SUVs lead their class, earning accolades from reviewers along with top quality scores.
The Expedition and its mechanical twin, the Lincoln Navigator, received the sought-after “Recommended” rating from Consumer Reports. Both ranked third in their respective categories for J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study.
The Expedition and its mechanical twin, the Lincoln Navigator, received the sought-after “Recommended” rating from Consumer Reports. Both ranked third in their respective categories for J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The domestic carmakers can earn more than $10,000 in profit on the sale of each large SUV they produce, so they have poured development efforts into making these products their very best.
Their popularity may have dimmed, but the domestics still build the best full-size SUVs. As in the pickup truck category, they dominate import brands in capability and match or top them in reliability and customer satisfaction scores.
The Tahoe, and its GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade variations, all would be a good choice. The Tahoe earned a second-place ranking in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study, while the Yukon and Escalade took first and second in the Initial Quality Survey.
Their popularity may have dimmed, but the domestics still build the best full-size SUVs. As in the pickup truck category, they dominate import brands in capability and match or top them in reliability and customer satisfaction scores.
The Tahoe, and its GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade variations, all would be a good choice. The Tahoe earned a second-place ranking in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study, while the Yukon and Escalade took first and second in the Initial Quality Survey.
Ford Taurus
The onetime best-selling car in America faded out of sight a few years ago. Apparent indifference to building competitive cars and an overreliance on fleet customers helped undermine the old sales champ.
Now Ford engineers have revamped the Taurus, giving it bold sheet metal, a luxurious interior and more refined powertrains. It’s too early to know how the Taurus and its cousin, the Lincoln MKS, will score in the reliability reports, but the car is impressive to drive. Most of Ford’s other recently introduced models have scored well, so we’re taking a chance by recommending the new Taurus as a car worthy of consideration.
Now Ford engineers have revamped the Taurus, giving it bold sheet metal, a luxurious interior and more refined powertrains. It’s too early to know how the Taurus and its cousin, the Lincoln MKS, will score in the reliability reports, but the car is impressive to drive. Most of Ford’s other recently introduced models have scored well, so we’re taking a chance by recommending the new Taurus as a car worthy of consideration.
Ford Edge
Ford’s smartly styled two-row crossover SUV has won many fans, including the editors at Consumer Reports, who gave it a “Recommended” rating. The Edge also picked up a J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey first-place award. The Lincoln MKX is a similar model with more luxurious appointments and better-rated dealers. The Edge has been a worthy contender in its segment for a couple of years and Ford has recently added upgrades meant to make owners like it even better.
Cadillac DTS
The last bastion of the old front-wheel-drive Cadillacs soldiers on as the DTS, which shares much of its hardware with the Buick Lucerne.
Both cars are well-regarded for the traditional American soft luxury preferred by mostly older drivers. Both cars are roomy, comfortable, efficient for their size and safe.
Consumer Reports recommends both cars, and the Lucerne scored a second place in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study in its category. The DTS placed third against its luxury brand competitors. Cadillac customers can expect superlative treatment by their dealers, while Lucerne buyers can get almost the same car for a lot less money if they don’t mind missing the Cadillac experience at the dealer.
Both cars are well-regarded for the traditional American soft luxury preferred by mostly older drivers. Both cars are roomy, comfortable, efficient for their size and safe.
Consumer Reports recommends both cars, and the Lucerne scored a second place in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study in its category. The DTS placed third against its luxury brand competitors. Cadillac customers can expect superlative treatment by their dealers, while Lucerne buyers can get almost the same car for a lot less money if they don’t mind missing the Cadillac experience at the dealer.
Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac brand has returned to the realm of the exclusive and has again become a worthy goal for those who can afford its cars.
The sporty CTS boasts distinctive styling, taut handling and renewed curbside prestige. It has also grabbed a Consumer Reports “Recommended” rating, a spot on Consumer Reports’ “Best Overall Safety” list and second place on J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study. The CTS is as fine a midsized sport sedan as exists, even if some owners of rival brands remain reluctant to recognize that.
The sporty CTS boasts distinctive styling, taut handling and renewed curbside prestige. It has also grabbed a Consumer Reports “Recommended” rating, a spot on Consumer Reports’ “Best Overall Safety” list and second place on J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study. The CTS is as fine a midsized sport sedan as exists, even if some owners of rival brands remain reluctant to recognize that.
Ford F-150
Need a pickup? It’s hard to go wrong with any of the domestic trucks, which are all excellent. But Ford’s F-150 and Chevrolet’s Silverado have earned good reliability ratings besides having the ability to engage in all manner of useless and unlikely derring-do for television commercials.
Both trucks earned Consumer Reports’ “Recommended” label, and they tied for second place in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study. The F-150 also earned first place for pickups in J.D. Power's Initial Quality study, which could be considered a tie-breaker. And it was also named the 2009 North American Truck of the Year. Each of these trucks boasts unique features which can help sway the decision when picking between them.
Both trucks earned Consumer Reports’ “Recommended” label, and they tied for second place in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study. The F-150 also earned first place for pickups in J.D. Power's Initial Quality study, which could be considered a tie-breaker. And it was also named the 2009 North American Truck of the Year. Each of these trucks boasts unique features which can help sway the decision when picking between them.
Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion competes in the midsize sedan segment with the popular Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. (The Fusion is functionally identical to the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, originally known as the Zephyr.)
These cars have accumulated a strong record for reliability and owner satisfaction, although reviewers have quibbled over details relating to interior appointments and powertrain refinement.
For 2010, Ford has upgraded the Fusion and Milan in these areas, making them even nicer to drive while still preserving the excellent quality foundation that is so important to buyers in this segment. Consumer Reports bestowed its “Recommended” award on the Fusion and both its siblings. Those sister models outshone the Fusion in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study, with the Lincoln winning first place in its category and the Milan taking third place among midsized cars, reflecting the quality with which all three cars are made.
These cars have accumulated a strong record for reliability and owner satisfaction, although reviewers have quibbled over details relating to interior appointments and powertrain refinement.
For 2010, Ford has upgraded the Fusion and Milan in these areas, making them even nicer to drive while still preserving the excellent quality foundation that is so important to buyers in this segment. Consumer Reports bestowed its “Recommended” award on the Fusion and both its siblings. Those sister models outshone the Fusion in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study, with the Lincoln winning first place in its category and the Milan taking third place among midsized cars, reflecting the quality with which all three cars are made.
Chevrolet Malibu
Time was when midsized family sedans were the mainstay of domestic brands, and cars like the Chevrolet Impala sold in greater numbers than many entire brands sell today. But in recent years North American automakers have poured resources into developing innovative SUVs and pickups, abandoning the less-profitable family car segment to Honda and Toyota.
No longer. The Chevrolet Malibu, part of GM’s line of midsize sedans, is excellent, and its Buick LaCrosse and Saturn Aura siblings are also worth considering.
The Chevy and Saturn earned “Recommended” ratings from Consumer Reports, while the LaCrosse is too new to be rated by the magazine. The Malibu is also included on Consumer Reports list of “Good Overall Mid-Sized Sedans,” and the previous-generation LaCrosse won the No. 1 spot in its category for J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study. The Saturn and the Chevy were both named North American Car of the Year.
No longer. The Chevrolet Malibu, part of GM’s line of midsize sedans, is excellent, and its Buick LaCrosse and Saturn Aura siblings are also worth considering.
The Chevy and Saturn earned “Recommended” ratings from Consumer Reports, while the LaCrosse is too new to be rated by the magazine. The Malibu is also included on Consumer Reports list of “Good Overall Mid-Sized Sedans,” and the previous-generation LaCrosse won the No. 1 spot in its category for J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study. The Saturn and the Chevy were both named North American Car of the Year.
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