Which car is Wheels COTY ?

[QualityCounts]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Prior winners for reference:

Here’s the official list of Wheels’ Car Of The Year winners, as published on both www.wikipedia.com and www.answers.com:

1963 Renault 8
1964 Morris 1100
1965 Ford Falcon (XP)
1966 Ford Falcon (XR)
1967 Chrysler Valiant (VE)
1968 Holden Monaro (HK)
1969 Holden Torana (LC)
1970 Renault 12
1971 Chrysler Valiant Charger (VH)
1972 Award withheld
1973 Leyland P76 V8
1974 Volkswagen Passat
1975 Holden Gemini (TX)
1976 Volkswagen Golf
1977 Honda Accord
1978 Holden Commodore (VB)
1979 Award withheld
1980 Mazda 323
1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SE (W126)
1982 Holden Camira (JB)
1983 Ford Telstar and Mazda 626 (joint award)
1984 Mitsubishi Nimbus
1985 Mitsubishi Magna (TM)
1986 Award withheld
1987 Honda Prelude
1988 Holden Commodore (VN)
1989 Mazda MX-5
1990 Lexus LS 400
1991 Honda NSX and Nissan Pulsar
1992 Mazda 626 and Ford Telstar
1993 Holden Commodore (VR)
1994 Subaru Liberty
1995 Honda Odyssey
1996 Mitsubishi Magna/Verada
1997 Holden Commodore (VT)
1998 Subaru Liberty Wagon
1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2000 Subaru Impreza
2001 Holden Barina (XC)
2002 Ford Falcon (BA)
2003 Mazda RX-8
2004 Ford Territory
2005 Mazda MX-5 (NC)

For reference, the Audi TT won NRMA's 2006 car of the year and the Aurion took out the Family car category.

Interesting list. Ignoring the Lexus LS400, Toyota has never won Wheels COTY. I read that prior to 1999, passenger-carrying 4WDs were not eligible for that award. Motor Trend magazine was the first to award a COTY in 1949. I have also disqualified myself from voting as I started the poll.

[Franky]

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

VE deserves it, Aurion will win it.

Why? you can't just say it deserves it without any reason.

For a billion dollar vehicle I'd say it's more of a let down due to all the hype. It's a nice car but it's not exactly dominating the Falcon in the reviews. Also as others have pointed out the recalls should affect the decision

[Creampuff]

any car but the VE!!! why are so many Ford people voting for a Holden??

[DJM83]

VE will win, but my vote goes for the VW passat

[Angeldust]

VE will win, every commodore model change has won it since VB.
ie VB, VN, VR, VT.. etc etc

id be really really really suprised if it didnt ..lol

[WINDSR]

Recalls will hurt the VE for sure. How can it be the car of the year with so many problems? I think the Toyota will take it out. Just ask John Laws. He'll tell you.

[TUF_302]

The Elantra! :

[uranium_death]

Cars don't win COTY because they are THE best car on the market. They are almost always completely new cars.

The BFII is not a totally new car. It's a four year old body. Holden on the other hand has changed everything and as a result, they are always going to get a larger response.

Most people who drive wouldn't even realise that the Falcon now has ZF transmission and a 6 cylinder engine that far surpasses Holden's Alloytec.

Holden for a long time has had inferior transmission. Why do you think I call the VTII "Clunky?"

But as I said, it isn't the finer points that will allow it to win.

It's the big picture, and the fact that Holden, with its huge bogan following, as well as the hordes who have no idea about cars preferring Holden, they'll win.

The VE is a good car, but it isn't THAT much better than Falcon, which is what is implied.

[XplosiveR6]

I think the Aurion will most likely win it - miles ahead of the commodore - more refined, more powerful and handles better.

[Melz]

I don't think the Commodore will actually win, didn't think it was a 'dramatic enough' change for them to consider it.

Strangely enough, even though I have driven a Toyota Aurion (and hated it), i think it may be in the Top 5.

Will be interested to see how the Audi goes....

[XR8-260]

The commodore is a decent car. The V8 versions are the stand outs wheras the V6s are merely average. Given the choice between a V6 commodore and an Aurion I would pick the toyota anyday.

The S-Class is arguably the best car of the bunch. It has a good chance but may not win due to its price and exclusivity.

The commodore will win because it's the car which the average bloke can afford and is guranteed to sell in the thousands. Plus wheels magazine tends to be biased toward local cars.

I would like to see the Aurion win it though.

[Rev28K]

The Q7 doesn’t really add anything new to big 4x4’s.


The TT is better than it was (but is it better than it’s contemporaries the Z4 and Boxster/Cayman, or even a 350Z)

The 4-spd auto/V6 combination in the low end versions of the VE Commodore will hurt it’s chances (along with the harsher riding sportier suspension in the luxury models). Even if it wins, which it might, this will still cost a mention.

The Cayman and the 3 series coupe are derivatives of existing platforms. I don’t know if you could really classify them as new models. They will be in the final 5 judging.

Some companies seem to sneak cars in just before COTY testing time. If the S class pushes the class standards higher than it may win (even with value for money as part of the judging criteria). The new Legend is better than the old one, if it is as good as some of the overseas reports suggest (some reports have praised it and others have said that it just doesn’t handle well enough) it could be in the final 5.

The CX-7 seems to push against the existing boundaries of small people movers (pratical, quickish, looks good and handles okay for class standards). They might ***** about it only being a 5 seater but I see this as being a BIG chance of winning the COTY.

[ClevlndStemer]

Originally Posted by Franky

Why? you can't just say it deserves it without any reason.

For a billion dollar vehicle I'd say it's more of a let down due to all the hype. It's a nice car but it's not exactly dominating the Falcon in the reviews. Also as others have pointed out the recalls should affect the decision

The BA falcon deserved COTY? It had a couple of recalls as soon as it was released as well, remember the static electricity and the air bags, the suspension clip recall? To be honest the VE is streets ahead of the Aurion and seems like good value for $$. But then on this forum i don't expect unbiased opinions, anything that mentions the word Holden is struck down. Maybe some of you need to get out there and give a VE a run. I know for sure I will be ridding of my problematic (now leaking like a sift) BA and heading for something with decent.

[Franky]

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

The BA falcon deserved COTY? It had a couple of recalls as soon as it was released as well, remember the static electricity and the air bags, the suspension clip recall? To be honest the VE is streets ahead of the Aurion and seems like good value for $$. But then on this forum i don't expect unbiased opinions, anything that mentions the word Holden is struck down. Maybe some of you need to get out there and give a VE a run. I know for sure I will be ridding of my problematic (now leaking like a sift) BA and heading for something with decent.

I think you'll find I never said the BA Falcon deserved car of the year. The first BA's had a lot of problems but most of them were found after the car was released hence it didn't effect the decision for COTY.

To be honest I found the Aurion to recieve more of a makeover than the commodore. The thing that makes me laugh is that you've have bad experiences with a Ford and you're doing everything in your power to sell the VE idea... whose opinon has more bias?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

The BA falcon deserved COTY? It had a couple of recalls as soon as it was released as well, remember the static electricity and the air bags, the suspension clip recall? To be honest the VE is streets ahead of the Aurion and seems like good value for $$. But then on this forum i don't expect unbiased opinions, anything that mentions the word Holden is struck down. Maybe some of you need to get out there and give a VE a run. I know for sure I will be ridding of my problematic (now leaking like a sift) BA and heading for something with decent.

Seriously, why do you bother being here?

Tell me what the VE brings to the market that wasn't already there 2-3 years ago?

Its styling is dated and doesn't push any boundaries, fuel economy is on par with VZ and if anything is marginally worse, prices have gone considerably up if you ignore there new naming of models they have used to hide it, suspension has only just caught up to falcon and others standards, the interior is nothing radical.

Exactly how does the VE deserve it? The only thing that is "new" is MRC, and even wheels or motor bagged it recently.

The Aurion is much the same, whats so special about it? Is it not just a stretched Camry? The TT is basically just a face lift, still a good car though.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Paull

This thing has just been released, has had 3 national recalls and you say it 'deserves it'. Please Explain????

A few more than three. I should know, because I own one with a 6 litre donk. I'm pleased that Holden are fixing them instead of trying to conceal the flaws, unlike some other manufacturers are documented to have done.

Had the first service the other day (left it until 6k) and the dealer made the necessary mods, flicked me the keys, I paid nothing, car started first go, cranked "Made In Japan" up to 18 and life returned to normal.

[merlin]

I hope the Cayman wins - great car.

IMO Commodore is OK but still let down but its crappy gearboxes and V6 - it will probably go down in a duel with VE and Aurion.

As a side note, everyone at work loves their new Aurions, I reckon they are "OK" but I still can't stand FWD.

[Dilan]

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

To be honest the VE is streets ahead of the Aurion and seems like good value for $$.

Must be a pretty short street, considering the Aurion has the better engine. Oh but wait, it's FWD so it must suck.
:

[Homer1]

I would pick S-Class, it won back in 99 and the new one is leagues ahead of the old one. However, the 99 winner didn't have to compete with an over-hyped and over-rated new Commodore.

If it makes people feel better, look how far down th E-series and VE SS finished in Motor PCOTY

[HSE2]

Originally Posted by XplosiveR6

I think the Aurion will most likely win it - miles ahead of the commodore - more refined, more powerful and handles better.

And appearance favours the Toyota imo. Better design

[bathurst77]

Award withheld again?

In a wheels mag comparo last month Commodore beat the toyota camry (or was it aurion)

So if they say the commy is better then the toyota they cant then give the award to toyota

[majin_andrew]

The VE will win it, but I hope either the CX-7 or S-class wins.

[andrewts]

Only reason I voted Camry is because I wouldn't have a bloody clue! lol

[fou_bleu]

I hope the Porsche Cayman wins. Dad and i went for a test drive in one when we went to sydney, IT IS AWESOME!!!!!! Holden needs to do much better than uglify a Z-series to win COTY!!!

[bathurst77]

Interestingly. On Wheelsblog site they have an artical on coty. The pic is a captiva.
And the pic is titles COTY4x...

make of it what u will.. or wont

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

Interestingly. On Wheelsblog site they have an artical on coty. The pic is a captiva.
And the pic is titles COTY4x...

make of it what u will.. or wont

Ill make nothing of it, not a snow flakes chance in hell that it will ever win anything.

[QualityCounts]

The final seven contenders were revealed in this evening's "A Current Affair" program:
Audi TT
BMW 3 Series Coupe
Holden VE Commodore
Honda Civic
Mazda CX-7
Toyota Aurion
Volkswagen Passat

The presenter then revealed the three finalists:
BMW 3 Series Coupe
Holden VE Commodore
Toyota Aurion

The winner will be revealed in the ACA program tomorrow evening from 6.30pm (EST).

Thanks to all who participated in the poll. I hope either the VE or the Aurion wins for the sake of the local car industry.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by QualityCounts

Thanks to all who participated in the poll. I hope either the VE or the Aurion wins for the sake of the local car industry.

I dont, stuff them. Both the Holden and the Toyota are nothing new, they hardly push any boundaries. BMW is in the same boat, but walk up to the average Joe and ask him which one he would take, not a hard choice.

Just a Q aswell, when they say "VE" or "Aurion", do Holden and Toyota nominate one particular model, or is it the whole range?

[merlin]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I dont, stuff them. Both the Holden and the Toyota are nothing new, they hardly push any boundaries. BMW is in the same boat, but walk up to the average Joe and ask him which one he would take, not a hard choice.

I kind of agree with this - whilst I fully support the local industry and lets face it, probably won't be able to afford a BMW for a good 10 years (and even then their is a percieved value equation I couldn't bring myself to get past), at least BMW push the boundries of the motorcar whilst the VE and Aurion are the same old crap in different clothing, i.e. nothing new - they are still catching up to equipment that Euro and Jap domestic cars had 10 years ago - hello the VE still uses its f***g dinsosaur age 4 speed auto, and has a boat anchor of a V6.

I often wonder that in the last 50 years look at the leaps and bounds in computer, telecommunications and other technology - it has massivly evolved and changed shape so you wouldnt even recognise it. Then look at the popular car - still a steel box, with four circles of rubber at each end and a petrol engine up front, it has evolved but not by much...Something which pushes these boundries should win. My 2c + change.

[monaroCountry]

The Aurion, the TT BMW, and the VE SSV were the three contenders

From the little ACA snippet the Aurion’s steering and handling was a letdown, the BMW’s ride comfort over rough surfaces also let it down. The VE’s higher fuel consumption over the Aurion might also factor in. Overall the VE was the best in all categories.

The VE does bring in allot of new improvements. It’s pushrod engine might be regarded as old tech by some but to those that actually know engines know that it’s a very good donk. Suspension wise and body rigidity would also be on par with many top Europeans.

Hopefully the VE wins this comp. Holden and Ford has always pushed each other to develop a better car.

As for recalls, every new car has problems. Holden should be commended for recalling its vehicles and not making issues a secret. Toyotas recall practices has been questioned by many overseas. Some examples include:
1)Not telling (or too little info) customers and dealers of sludge issues which has resulted with many dead engines. 3.5 million Toyotas and Lexus were affected.
http://www.oilgelsettlement.com/
2)Toyota not complying with vehicle safety regs in their Tundra trucks. Instead of modifying the latch, Toyota decided to turn their airbags off, making the vehicle less safe. Toyota reasoned that complying within the rules would be too expensive.
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/n...-latch-recall/
3) Toyota's managers covering up dangerous flaw and not issuing vehicle recalls.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...apanese+police

Recent studies have found that Toyota’s recall rates has increased while those of GM’s and Fords have decreased. Toyota is now no better than GM.

2006 Recall Rates in America

Honda:
1.5 million US sales, 1.4 thousand US recalls (excludes owner's manual typo), 0.00093% recall rate
Toyota:
2.5 million US sales, 0.81 million US recalls, 32% recall rate
GM:
4.1 million US sales, 1.4 million US recalls, 34% recall rate
Ford:
2.9 million US sales, 1.7 million US recalls, 58% recall rate
DaimlerChrysler:
2.4 million US sales, 2.3 million US recalls, 96% recall rate
Nissan:
1.0 million US sales, 1.3 million US recalls, 130% recall rate