Most Underrated #2 - Station Wagons
Tired of your big ol' SUV's tippy handling, hobbyhorse ride, poor fuel economy and pickup truck engineering? Get in line, pal! It was no shock that in 2004 we saw new wagons from Volvo (V50), Subaru (Legacy/Outback), Chevrolet (Malibu Maxx), Kia (Spectra5), or Saab (9-2X). But the biggest sign that wagons are back was the cooler-than-any-Monster Garage-creation Dodge Magnum.
Most Overrated #1 - Hybrids
Questionable real world consumption numbers, resale value and long-term maintenance costs should keep the smart car buyer away from hybrids. But then, the Chevette was a best seller in its day, too.
Like buying your decaf mocha at Starbucks, with hybrids, you get the exclusive opportunity to wait in line and pay a premuim price. You'll be in good company with million-per-flick Hollywood greenies Tom Hanks, Cameron Diaz and Susan Sarandon, who all drove a flock of Priuses to last year's Academy Awards.
Most Underrated #1 - Diesels
With conspiracy theorists questioning the timing of their sudden proliferation--from the micro-miserly Smart car to the all-conquering V-10 Volkswagen Touareg--diesels came back big time in 2004. And why not? Big horsepower numbers may look good in a Car and Driver test-track comparo, but for the rest of us, its torque that walks the talk.
Tired of your big ol' SUV's tippy handling, hobbyhorse ride, poor fuel economy and pickup truck engineering? Get in line, pal! It was no shock that in 2004 we saw new wagons from Volvo (V50), Subaru (Legacy/Outback), Chevrolet (Malibu Maxx), Kia (Spectra5), or Saab (9-2X). But the biggest sign that wagons are back was the cooler-than-any-Monster Garage-creation Dodge Magnum.
Most Overrated #1 - Hybrids
Questionable real world consumption numbers, resale value and long-term maintenance costs should keep the smart car buyer away from hybrids. But then, the Chevette was a best seller in its day, too.
Like buying your decaf mocha at Starbucks, with hybrids, you get the exclusive opportunity to wait in line and pay a premuim price. You'll be in good company with million-per-flick Hollywood greenies Tom Hanks, Cameron Diaz and Susan Sarandon, who all drove a flock of Priuses to last year's Academy Awards.
Most Underrated #1 - Diesels
With conspiracy theorists questioning the timing of their sudden proliferation--from the micro-miserly Smart car to the all-conquering V-10 Volkswagen Touareg--diesels came back big time in 2004. And why not? Big horsepower numbers may look good in a Car and Driver test-track comparo, but for the rest of us, its torque that walks the talk.