Best Automotive Buys for 2011

For those who are graduating in the spring and were lucky enough to get some decent paying job offers, now is the time to get out of that 1980 Datsun and into something new. With so many different kinds of cars out there, it can get confusing knowing which ones are good buys.

Well, I have put together this nifty little buyer’s guide to help lessen the confusion.

All of the cars are 2011 models and are organized by class and were rated on both objective (fuel economy, performance, price) and subjective (comfort, fun to drive factor, appearance) scores. So without further ado, the winners are:

Muscle Car: Ford Mustang
The new 412 hp 5.0L V8 and 305 hp 3.7L V6 are really just icing on the cake for the Mustang. It outperforms its competition in nearly every category including fuel economy, performance and handling. It also provides the best muscle car experience that is missing in the Camaro and Challenger.
Honorable Mention: Chevrolet Camaro

Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette
With a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds, a top speed of 190 mph and a starting price of under $50,000, the Corvette is an amazing performance bargain. Opt for the $5840 Gran Sport option and the “Vette” will really come alive both performance and appearance wise. This package includes performance goodies like the Z06’s brakes, magnetically operated suspension, the Z06’s wide body and even the optional old fender hashes.  
Honorable Mention: Nissan 370Z

Family Sedan: Hyundai Sonata
Some might be thinking, “Really? Hyundai as a best buy? And you call yourself an automotive journalist.” But Hyundai has come a long way from its econoboxes and imitation cars of yesteryear. The all new Sonata’s 2.0L direct injection turbocharged four cylinder makes more horsepower (274 hp) than the competition’s six cylinders while providing excellent fuel economy at 35 MPG. The design of the Sonata is also very original with its flowing lines throughout the car. The interior is one of the best in its segment with classy materials and textures.
Honorable Mention: Ford Fusion

Roadster: Mazda Mx-5 Miata
With the demise of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky last year, the Miata has a virtual monopoly in the small, cheap roadster market. That means that most of the Miata’s competition cost thousands more and in some cases almost double. The Miata is not going to have the big acceleration and other performance numbers, but what it does provide is a pure roadster experience that many of its expensive brethren lack. So while the Miata may not be the fastest roadster on this planet, it might just be the most enjoyable.
Honorable Mention: Nissan 370Z

Luxury Coupe: BMW 3 Series/M3
What makes the BMW 3 series so great is that it excels in almost every category. The handling is phenomenal thanks to its excellent weight distribution. Its silky engines, which range from a 3.0L straight six making 230 hp to the new single turbocharged straight six making 300 hp and go all the way to the powerful M3’s 4.0L V8 making 414 hp, are all engineering masterpieces. All of the interiors are perfect in both look and feel. These are the reasons why the BMW 3 series has a level of perfection that its competitors just cannot reach.
Honorable Mention: Cadillac CTS/CTS-V

Luxury Sedan: Cadillac CTS/CTS-V  
While the CTS may not have the level of perfection that the BMW does, it does a pretty good job at keeping up. And it does so without having to pay those ridiculous maintenance charges that BMWs are known for carrying. But the true gem of the CTS line is the CTS-V. With a supercharged 6.2L V8 making 556 hp and a 0-60 of only 3.9 seconds, it is one of the fastest sedans in the world.
Honorable Mention: BMW 3 series/M3

Economy: Chevrolet Cruze
Most of the cars in this segment are just bland and boring, and the Cruze is not an exception. It does not look or feel any more exciting than its competition.
So why is the Cruze on the Best Buy list? Well, its interior is just phenomenal. The interior of the Cruze does not betray its cost under $20,000. But the Cruze better watch out as there is a new Focus coming out in 2012, so it might need more than a great interior to finish on top next year.
Honorable Mention: Ford Focus

Hot Hatch: Mazdaspeed 3
The hot hatch is usually a small economical hatchback with a more powerful engine stuffed in it, and the Mazdaspeed 3 fits this description to a T. With a turbocharged 2.3L four banger making 268 hp, it is no slouch. But like the other Mazda on this list, what separates it from the competition is its fun to drive factor.
Honorable Mention: VW Golf GTI

Truck: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
A truck may seem out of place on this list, but I had to pick the Raptor because it is the only stock truck that can complete the Baja 1000. Oh, and it looks cool too.