Thursday, May 24, 2007

Car and Driver Compares $40k Convertibles


2007 VW Eos v 2007 Audi A4 v 2007 BMW 328i v 2007 Volvo C70 v 2007 Saab 9-3 - Comparison Tests

"Forty-something? What’s up with that? Bucks, for one. These sun-optional rides roll in luxury territory, most with prices well above $40,000—40-something, in fact. And in that price class, it’s a good bet they attract 40-something buyers.

All five cars are rated for four passengers, as distinct from the two-plus-two designation (claustrophobes need not apply). Just what level of comfort those rear seats might actually provide—all day? tolerable for a quick cantina run? torture by the end of the driveway?—is something we set out to quantify.

One other something, of a linguistic nature. Ragtop, a uniquely American term that emerged in the early ’50s—probably from the world of hot rods, and predating Henry Gregor Felsen’s 1954 novel—is on its way to becoming anachronistic. Since the launch of Mazda’s folding-hardtop MX-5 Miata, which proved these devices needn’t diminish trunk space or cost a fortune, clothtops are going the way of the Klaxon and carburetor." more

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