DSCOTY '08: Compacts Options

[clarkma5]

For more on the DieselStation Car of the Year '08 competition, please see this thread.

Ford Focus
Base MSRP: $14,075 (coupe), $14,375 (sedan)
Available Engines: 2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with 140 HP and 146 ft.-lbs. of torque (130/129 in California emissions states).
Available Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission
Available Drivetrains: Front wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 24 City/35 Highway (5MT), 24/33 (4AT)
Curb Weight: 2588-2623 lbs.







Mitsubishi Lancer
Base MSRP: $13,990
Available Engines: 2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with 152 HP and 146 ft.-lbs. of torque (143/143 in California emissions states).
Available Transmissions: 5-speed manual or CVT
Available Drivetrains: Front wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 22 City/29 Highway (CVT), 21/29 (5MT)
Curb Weight: 2922-3109 lbs.







Saturn Astra
Base MSRP: $15,375 (4-door), $17,875 (2-door)
Available Engines: 1.8 liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with 138 HP and 125 ft.-lbs. of torque.
Available Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission
Available Drivetrains: Front wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 24 City/32 Highway (5MT), 24/30 (4AT)
Curb Weight: 2754-2836 lbs.







Scion xB
Base MSRP: $15,650
Available Engines: 2.4 liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with 158 HP and 162 ft.-lbs. of torque.
Available Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode
Available Drivetrains: Front wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 22 City/28 Highway (5MT & 4AT)
Curb Weight: 3020-3086 lbs.







Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
Base MSRP: $16,995 (4-door), $17,495 (5-door), $19,995 (Outback Sport)
Available Engines: 2.5 liter DOHC 16-valve horizontally-oppsed flat-4 with 170 HP and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque.
Available Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode
Available Drivetrains: All-wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 20 City/27 Highway (5MT & 4AT)
Curb Weight: 3064-3175 lbs.

[mung35]

I love the new Lancer. Looks really nice and I'd guess it drives better than everything but the Impreza.

[moe]

I went with the Lancer. I really wanted to vote for the Focus because of Sync, its interior, and the fact that it's always been a fun car to drive, but in the end it was just so ugly that I couldn't.

[clarkma5]

The ugliness also stopped me from voting for the Focus. The weight of the Lancer combined with the high price for the GTS model (the only one worth having) and the cheapness of the interior (it looks better in pics than it does in real life) means I can't pick that.

I went for the Astra. Alright, not the greatest motor and its interior is also on the plasticky side, but otherwise I think it's the best here.

[moe]

^ Yeah it was pretty close between the Lancer and the Astra for me. I could've just as easily voted for the Astra, but I thought the Lancer's interior was just a bit nicer looking.

[Razor]

I wonder.

Hands down because it's the best looking, from what I've read/seen the GTS is a good drive, and it's the first Lancer that doesn't look ridiculously cheap.

[Benny]

the impreza for me. it sounds like a rocket.
not alot of torque tough
2.6 liter DOHC 16-valve horizontally-oppsed flat-4 with 1470 HP and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque.

[dukenukem]

Available Engines: 2.6 liter DOHC 16-valve horizontally-oppsed flat-4 with 1470 HP and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque.

VTAK just kicked in yo?

[LeviM]

I voted for the Focus, but the lancer was a close second, I just really don't like the looks in the back.

And wow that subaru has a lot of hp

[Mr b00st]

the Impreza is far and away the best, and i don't even really like it. This poll was depressing.

[UserDrew]

The Impreza. The 4-door doesn't look to bad. There is a Subaru/ Hyundai dealership right next where I work and I was eying up the new Impreza 4-door. Doesn't look as bad as the hatch. I wouldn't think twice on it.

If it matters the Astra is my second choice for the vote. I am sure that redline variant is going to be awesome. I hate the Xb , and the dash board is horrendous. I hate having gauges placed in the center. The focus is ugly and not much different mechanically from the previous generation as I understand it. The Snyc system would be cool but the technology isn't exclusive to the focus. Also I think a New Edge Cougar owner on their forums put a sync system is his cougar. On top of that it really didn't affect my vote because I would be fine without the Sync system or anything similar in my car. The Lancer Evolution looks awesome, performes well and is a great car, but the styling does not fit the lower range cars. When I see one on the road I feel turned off by them. They appear overly aggressive for just a normal sedan and the stance looks awkward from several angles, the black one in the sample picture is a good example. It just doesn't seem to "sit" right.

[Razor]

The Lancer Evolution looks awesome, performes well and is a great car, but the styling does not fit the lower range cars. When I see one on the road I feel turned off by them. They appear overly aggressive for just a normal sedan and the stance looks awkward from several angles, the black one in the sample picture is a good example. It just doesn't seem to "sit" right.

This doesn't include the new Evo. This is only the base Lancer. The Evo would not be in this category, AFAIK it's going to be in "Boy Racers 2."

[duality]

I really do feel sorry for the US market that gets such an atrocious Ford Focus..

The Lancer because at least it has some presence and has a very functional yet decent interior. Non Sti version, the Subaru looks so generic and pathetic.

[Synesthesia]

I really do feel sorry for the US market that gets such an atrocious Ford Focus..

Yuck, tell me about it.

I'm pissed at what Scion did with the new xB...I seriously love the original. I don't know...I abstain.

[b0mb3r]

lancer, just because it is the best looking once... although fully optioned one is pretty $$$