Not only do we get to drive the world's finest cars, travel and dine in some of the best places on earth but we also get the excruciating task of picking the 2005 Car of the year.
That means driving cars, visiting car dealers, talking to customers and generally just goofing off...We mean working our fingers to the bone! ;)
We consider the Auto Spies 'Car of the year' award the MOST prestigious award a car manufacturer can win from the media because it is the ONLY one that is not influenced by ad dollars or political correctness.
We tell it like it is and we don't care WHO doesn't like it.
So with no further ado, Auto Spies names the ‘2005 Car of the year’
What we like about the 997(Regular and 'S' version)-
Porsche goes back in time and resurrects the look of the best looking 911 ever (993) and improves it significantly. The design is timeless yet modern even though the average Joe probably couldn’t tell the difference between it and the 996. Open the door and enjoy interior design, quality and finish you would expect in a car of that price. But the most important thing on any Porsche, or any fine car for that matter, is how it drives. And WHAT a difference! You can drive it and find something to like about it every single time you turn the key! Very few compromises here. For the money, it’s the best daily driver sports car (non four-door sport sedan) on the planet. It’s just right in EVERY gear and you don’t have to mortgage your house to get it fixed. In the words of Billy Joel…’I love you just the way you are’.
What we would improve-
Not much to improve but at these prices we’re allowed to be nitpickers
1. Where’s the integrated satellite radio option?
2. Keyless go option would be nice.
3. Integrated plug-in for iPod.
4. More new wheel style choices.
5. Better integrated phone solution choices.
6. Bose stereo still not the best
Customer opinion:
Just blagged a test drive in the new 997 from the dealer I am buying mine from and in final production form (as apposed to my recent test track drive), it's hard to believe that Porsche could have made the car any better.
The engine is super-smooth, throttle response equally so, handling breathtaking, steering was sharp and the ride over the crummy UK roads was like a Bentley not a go kart, as I expected. Brakes were terrific and the leather lined interior was a well put together as Porkers of old, indeed the door clunked shut, not clicked shut like the 996. Importantly this was a stock 997 Carrera (not an S) with no fancy options.
I am waiting with anticipation for mine, due in March. Some will disagree, but the Germans seem to have made a great car even better and in the UK at least, £58,000 doesn't by much fancy stuff (half a Ferrari 430 for example). Don't knock it until you've tried it as Julius Caesar once said.
LD
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We’ve also included the list of cars that made the short list for the award.
All the cars on the list had their own special merits and we were impressed with all of the list makers.
Anyone who is on this list should not feel slighted and be extremely proud. When you’re talking about cars this good you’re splitting hairs!
The runners-up (not in order of preference):
Ford GT
Corvette
Cadillac STS
New Audi A6
Mercedes-Benz SLK350
Mercedes-Benz SLR
Aston DB9
Bentley Continental
Ferrari Scaglietti
Maserati Quattroporte
Lotus Elise