With the full-size SUV market all but dead, General Motors and Ford are counting on large crossovers (and a few pennies from Washington) to keep them afloat. Sure, small cars are all the rage, but some people need space for six-plus people and their luggage— and will not buy anything with uncool sliding doors. Also, while large crossovers aren’t as profitable as large SUVs were in the 1990s, they are far more profitable than a Cobalt or Focus. The Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Flex recently arrived at dealers. Which is more likely to save its maker’s bacon?

I don’t have anything else to say. Lieberman thinks the Hyundai Sonata (decent car, really) handles better than the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. I think Lieberman has been hitting the wine early in anticipation of the Jewish holidays. There are, however, some cars with great enthusiast reputations that some of us are just not on board with. Lieberman doesn’t like the MINI. I don’t get the fuss over the 1-Series, Nissan 350Z, or even the Nissan GT-R. P.J. McCombs just doesn’t love the Lexus IS-F. Jay Shoemaker doesn’t dig the Maserati GT. And so on. It just goes to show, there’s nothing truly objective about cars. Even the truth. Especially the truth.

It never fails. Whenever my girlfriend introduces me to guys at parties, I hear the same nine words: “Dude, you have the best job in the world.” And it’s true. I’ve driven some of this planet’s finest, fastest and most deeply addictive automobiles. But for every Audi RS4 there’s a Suzuki XL7. And a MINI Cooper Clubman S (trust me, it’s wretched). True, sometimes I’m surprised by how much I like a car; the Pontiac G8 GT springs to mind. And sometimes my socks are completely blown off my feet, like they were last week by a special edition Mazda RX-8, the R3.

Among other topics in today’s podcast, Jonny and I discuss the Audi A3. He and I both agree, we’re seeing them all over the place. But if you’re not deep in Audi country, you almost definitely are not. With sales of 646 nationwide for July of 2008 (the A8 only sold 205 in July, and I see those everywhere too), we’re not exactly talking about a volume vehicle. In fact, while Pontiac is moving 1500-2000 G8s per month, I rarely if ever see those on the road; maybe five of them in total since the car’s launch. But Audi’s expensive little hatchback? Ubiquitous here in the NY metro area, especially on the island of Manhattan itself. And why not? I often remark that NYC is the most European-style city in terms of its layout and density. Buyers in Manhattan want small cars, they want prestigious logos on the front grill, and they want the occasional dose of practicality. It must be one of the only places in America where the Mini Cooper convertible appears to outsell the Toyota Camry. But whatever the reasons, I’d contend that Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York comprise a vehicular bubble that’s the exception, not the rule, even for big cities in the U.S.

Evaluating the Canadian-designed, built and sold Acura CSX without mentioning the Honda Civic is no easy task. (See?) Comparisons are so tempting, namely because the latter is an excellent car in its own right. The feeling’s mutual. Honda of Japan loved the Acura CSX so much that it served as a template for the JDM Civic. And why not? The CSX delivers an excellent compact luxury package without the reliability issues bedeviling certain (cough German cough) imports. Said otherwise, the CSX is the penny-pinching—I mean, thinking man’s luxury compact.

The e-voting booths are closed and the votes are in. You've selected TTAC's Ten Best Automobiles for 2008. Five of the ten are repeat winners from last year– but only one of them stayed in the same slot. Three of our winners slipped in the ratings, and one moved up. GM, Mazda, Nissan and BMW all have two winners on the list. Honda and Audi each have one. There are sedans, sports cars and econoboxes. In fact, the only thing that seems to bind this group of cars together is the "fun to drive" factor (anyone who doesn't think that's important can click here). The rest of you can make the jump and help celebrate/kvetch about TTAC's Ten Best for 2008

TTAC's Best and Brightest have spoken. You provided us with 81 nominations for our Ten Best award, from the Aston Martin Vanquish to the HUMMER H2. From this cornucopia of cars, our ever-eager writers selected the short list of 20 finalists. As you might expect, the final list leans heavily towards vehicles notable for their performance and driving excellence. Half of this year's contenders were also finalists last year [indicated by an asterisk]. So here they are, along with some of your more "colorful" comments. Once you've had a look, please step into the e-voting booth and choose TTAC's Ten Best.

“Hot enough to boil a monkey’s bum!” I don’t know exactly what that means, but it was that hot in North Texas the afternoon I picked up my 2008 Scion xB. How appropriate that the old Flying Circus reference should flash through my mind; the xB looks like something out of a twisted Terry Gilliam animation. Now that Graham Chapman resides in an urn, all of the Pythons could fit in the xB, although 6’4” tall John Cleese would be uncomfortable in any seat.  But the newly redesigned boxy Scion is more than a surreal comic sketch. Or is it? And now for something completely different…

According to Autospies' spies, Volvo NA is shipping C30s "back to Sweden." Yes, well, the C1-based hatch is assembled in Ghent, Belgium. In any case, the C30 seems to be selling poorly; Volvo's dropped C30 prices in Australia and Old Blighty. This might have something to do with a $22k base price for what is, in essence, a tarted-up Focus. Though the C30 offers more cargo space than, say, a MINI Cooper, the C30's practicality is hurt by its awkward hatch shape. And then there's the Swede's EPA 20/28 mpg via a turbo I-5. The poisoned cherry on top: the Volvo brand is in the weeds, facing a date with Ford's corporate strimmer. Add it all up and the C30 boomerang story seems plausible. Throw a little anecdotal evidence into the mix (how many C30s have you seen on the road lately?) and well… if Volvo can't sell its smallest, most efficient car, what does that say about its odds of survival?

While top 5 and top 10 lists are the crack of the automotive nickel press (cheap, low quality, likely to give you brain damage and felonious), Autoweek's Top 5 Fuel-Efficient Cars You Actually Want to Drive" is just too asinine, too absurd not to pass on to TTAC's Best and Brightest. Not only do they choose bad cars (that, according to Autoweek, bring a smile to your face), but their stats are largely incorrect.  

— 2008 Tesla Roadster (Exotic)   
        – $109,000 MSRP   
        – 220 miles per charge (256 mpg equivalent)    
        – 0-60 in 3.9 seconds

Oh, it's exotic alright. So exotic, it's not in production and you can't buy one. Autoweek should know better than to swallow the load from Tesla’s PR department. The Tesla isn’t in full production, the range is completely unverified, they are likely going to be selling for way over the $109,000 sticker. Then again, Autoweek’s list is “cars you want to drive” and in fact, we all do want to drive the Tesla. 

— 2008 Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro (Weekend Warrior)        
    – $49,000 MSRP (estimated)         
    – 44 mpg (hwy)         
    – All-wheel drive handling

Does Autoweek know something Audi doesn’t? This model wasn’t confirmed for US production. Audi is bringing a 3.0-liter V6 diesel for the A4 and Q5/Q7, but the TDI four-banger is VW only for now. If they want to go off on the European cars tangent, that’s fine, but in such a case I’m going BMW 120d.

  — 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC (Executive Sedan)
     – $53,075 MSRP
     – 32 mpg (hwy)
     – 210 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque

  — 2008 MINI Cooper (Cheap Thrills)
     – $18,700 MSRP
     – 37 mpg (hwy)
     – 2546 lbs and go-kart handling

They were bound to get two out of the five right. But you still have to ask yourself if the diesel price premium actually makes sense over a Benz E350, which unlike the oil burner, is available with 4Matic. There’s no denying the diesel Benzes are wonderful. And as for the Cooper, it’s a gem.

  — 2008 Lexus RX 400h (Family Fun)
     – $42,980 MSRP
     – 27 mpg (city)
     – 84.7 cubic feet of available cargo space

The only “family fun” thing about the Lexus RX hybrid is parking it on a set of train tracks and walking home. This is a terrible vehicle, with observed mileage guaranteed to be much lower. Also, just try finding one without the $6000 navigation package.

It turns out that Fiat and BMW's axis of platform-sharing may help facilitate Alfa's stateside arrival. Automotive News [sub] reports that the Fiat version of the automakers' joint agreement states that "as part of possible cooperation, BMW Group will provide Fiat Group Automobiles with support in launching the Alfa Romeo brand in the North American market." And really, it's perfect. BMW already has a chain of boutique dealers in the more "sophisticated" American markets: MINI. And sure enough, Fiat spokesfolk tell AN "Mini U.S. dealers would have the possibility to also sell Alfa Romeo cars." Official details of the agreement have not been publicized, nor has BMW officially commented on MINI becoming a multi-brand retailer. Still, it's hard to think of too many downsides. MINI stores are already located in the markets that will be interested in Alfas, and the idea of an 8C Competizione gracing a MINI showroom is hardly the stuff of MINI salesman nightmares. Though the two brand's FWD offerings may not be as coordinated as they'd like, the platform-sharing plans mean that the two brands could grow around each other. Besides, a MINI-Alfa dealer would hearken back to the good old days of "import specialty dealers." Only without the horrendous products and service support. We hope. 

Cypselus von Frankenberg. Now that's what I call a name. (Even Mel Brooks would approve.) It belongs to MINI's spokesman. When Cypselus (can I call you Cypselus?) isn't busy calling media outlets to tell them to CAPITALIZE THE GOD DAMN NAME FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, he's updating journalists on the latest MINI variant. Did you know the MINI Mars Lander is due soon? Speaking of which, Automotive News [sub] reveals that the German-owned British brand is going to sell an electric vehicle version of the Cooper in the Golden State. "The [500] electric Minis [ARRGGGHHHH] are being built at the Mini [NOOOOOOO] factory in Oxford, England, without engines, gearboxes or fuel tanks, then shipped to Munich, Germany, where they are being fitted with electric powertrains." Needless to say BMW will take a bath on every EV MINI they sell. But the PR value will be priceless. Not only will the vehicles help satisfy CA Zero Emissions regs, but they'll be "leased to selected customers" (i.e. Hollywood's green glitterati). Hang on; how will bystanders distinguish an EV MINI from a "regular" MINI? "The electric Minis are painted silver and have yellow roofs." Although range and recharge times are unspecified (of course), it's unlikely that EV MINI will be slower than the original, 1.4-liter, 90hp MINI ONE, a vehicle that kept bumping into itself (i.e. it couldn't get out of its own way). But it's not impossible.

Fiat makes some really wonderful small cars. But as always, it's more fun to do it with someone else! And so Fiat likes to take lovers, much like the Italian Prime Minister does (e.g. former topless model/current Minister for Equal Opportunities Mara Carfagna, Ministers of Parliament Gabriella Giammanco, Micaela Biancofiore and Nunzia De Girolamo and Venezuelan Model Aida Yespica). Consider: The Fiat Panda and 500 share a platform with the upcoming Ford Ka. Fiat partnered with PSA Peugeot-Citroen for the (these are real names) Fiorino, Bipper, and Nemo small vans. In Europe, Fiat sells the car us North Americans know as the Suzuki SX4 as the Fiat Sedici. And Fiat has been rumored to be talking to Tata about accessing Jaguar's RWD platforms for future models. And now, BMW! Automotive News reports that Fiat is looking to hook-up with BMW for future platform engineering and powerplants. In particular, BMW and Fiat may co-develop the next gen Fiat 500 and MINI. Considering the 500 is reported to be not the most phenomenal car to drive, this would be good news for the Italians. For its part, BMW realizes the importance of collaboration. The current MINI Cooper's 1.6-liter mill was co-developed with PSA Peugeot-Citroen, which also makes a home in a number of small French car-things. And BMW has declared that future BMW branded 4-cylinder engines will be shared with PSA. So how long is it, really, before there are just two car platforms in the world: one RWD, one FWD, with 30 different badges?

Forbes, that Number One purveyor of "Top 10" lists, has devised a list of the ten hardest-to-get cars. They've based their selections on dealer inventory levels and retail turn rates (how long a model sits on the lot before it's sold). While some of the selections are obvious (anyone try to buy a Prius lately?), who would expect the 14mpg Lexus LX to be in short supply? The other two anomalies (considering gas mileage and purchase price) are the Audi A5 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, both of which are selling faster than they can build them. Here's the entire list and supply level of each model:

Toyota Prius – 7-day supply
Lexus LX Series – 8-day supply
MINI Cooper – 8-day supply
Audi A5 – 8-day supply
Toyota Yaris – 13-day supply
Scion xD – 19-day supply
Honda Fit – 20-day supply
Honda Civic – 21-day supply
Toyota Corolla – 23-day supply
Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 29-day supply