DriveTech

2005 Top Five Favorites

The top five cars from 2005!
Today I'm writing about the top five favorite vehicles I tested this year.
These are either vehicles that caught my eye, are a great deal for the money or ones that I just had a blast driving! So sit back, have another cup of coffee and ride with me through 2005.

The vehicle that impressed me the most this year is the 2005 Cadillac CTS-V.
The 400-horse, six-speed manual has all the comforts of Cadillac, plus great mileage to boot. (You may not understand the 400 horses and six-speed manual
if you're not a motorhead.)

Next on my list is the Sprinter from Dodge, a diesel-powered, full-utility van that can become a flat bed utility truck. It looks a little top heavy, but it rides surprisingly well - steady and very maneuverable. It also gets
freeway fuel mileage in the mid 20s, which isn't bad for a real work truck!

The next vehicle I drove that made me sit back and say "hmmmm" was the 2005 Saab Linear. I drove the base model, but what a kick to drive. It is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Add the six-speed manual and going to
work may be fun again. I still get a kick out of the fact that the ignition is in the center console and you can turn off 80 percent of the gauges at night.

I drove a few motorhomes and they do what they're designed to do, but Bounder really stood out. You seem to get more with Bounder than the competition. Bounder meets just about everybody's budget and what a great
place to put visiting relatives, just throw out an extension cord and they're set.

I could have purchased the Mini Cooper. Don't let the size fool you with this car. Not only is it chock full of BMW safety, it harkens back to a time long ago when big wasn't always the best, but driving fun little cars was. This car can take you to and from work, hit the slalom course with the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), then head out to a big mall and find a parking place. Plus, there's enough room for five!

That's it for 2005. I hope you take time out of your busy schedule to come on down to the San Diego International Auto Show, "where the cars are truly the stars." It runs through Sunday. For more information, go to
www.motortrendautoshows.com/sandiego. If you can't make the show, tune into KCEO AM 1000 from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday as the "You Auto Know Show" will broadcast live from the show, interviewing builders and manufacturers. You can also listen on the Internet at KCEOradio.com. The call-in number is (800) 292-5236. I'll also be broadcasting from the show Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. on ESPN Radio. You can call in at (866) ESPN-800.

I had the opportunity to road test more than 52 vehicles in 2005. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did. And for all who sent me car questions, I hope I have answered you well.

With 2006 upon us, try to concentrate on driving your vehicles, not multitasking. Slow down, enjoy the scenery and do something different thiweekend. Take the family out for a Sunday ride and maybe I'll see you in the
back roads of San Diego. Stay tuned for another year of road tests.