Best Cars of September 2008

No changes in the current rankings, so you might as well check the previous entries for Best Cars of August 2008:

Best Light Cars of August 2008
Best Compact Cars of August 2008
Best Medium Cars of August 2008
Best Large Cars of August 2008
Best Compact SUVs of August 2008

However some news this month:

- Version 2 of the Honda Jazz has been released. Changes are cosmetic (functionally and aesthetically) and it consumes 0.1L/100km extra fuel. Australians will apparently still receive them from Thailand.

- Renault Megane's sale is over and its price is back up to $25,490 RRP.

- The Subaru Impreza sedan is now available in Australia. It appears to be the same price and almost identical in terms of specs (although it's apparently heavier with the same performance characteristics as the hatch, go figure :)).

- The base model Holden Epica now has a diesel variant that is exactly the same price as the petrol variant which is interesting since usually diesel options are more expensive than petrol ones.

- Ford Escape has a reduced price of $29,990 - still doesn't get it in the top 3 of SUVs though (due to its 4 star ANCAP rating)

- Peugeot have decided to offer an extra 3 years to their standard 3 year car warranties this month. This still didn't get the Peugeot 207 into the top 3 Light cars (since it was still the most expensive 5 star ANCAP rating car in its class).

Best Medium Cars of August 2008

#1 Kia Magentis

Base Model RRP: $22,990

Pros:

• Ridiculously low price


• Alloy wheels standard


• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value


• Metallic paint extra

#2 Mazda 6

Base Model RRP: $27,990

Pros:

• Same price as a Sonata, but...


• Made in Japan


• ESP standard


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Premium unleaded recommended


• Alloy wheels extra

#3 Ford Mondeo

Base Model RRP: $29,990

Pros:

• Safest in class


• Alloy wheels standard


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Bit pricey


• Bit thirsty with fuel


• Space saver spare

Best Light Cars of August 2008

#1 Toyota Yaris

Base Model RRP: $16,390

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan


• Petrol miser


• Full size spare

Cons:

• No ESP option


• Metallic paint extra

#2 Mazda 2

Base Model RRP: $16,500

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan

Cons:

• ESP extra


• Space saver spare

#3 Fiat Punto

Base Model RRP: $19,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Metallic paint extra


• ESP not available option on 5 door model


• A bit pricey

Best Large Cars of August 2008

#1 Honda Accord

Base Model RRP: $29,990

Pros:

• Only large car under $32,000


• Comes with bunch of extras standard

Cons:

• Made in Thailand

Best Compact SUVs of August 2008

#1 Mitsubishi Outlander

Base Model RRP: $29,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan


• Alloy wheel standard


• Alarm standard


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Metallic paint extra

#2 Subaru Forester

Base Model RRP: $30,490

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan


• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Alloy wheels extra

#3 Nissan Dualis

Base Model RRP: $28,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Metallic paint extra


• ESP extra


• Alloy wheels extra

Best Compact Cars of August 2008

#1 Mitsubishi Lancer

Base Model RRP: $20,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#2 Subaru Impreza

Base Model RRP: $24,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan


• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• A bit pricey


• Poor fuel economy

#3 Toyota Corolla

Base Model RRP: $20,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Made in Japan


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Metallic paint extra


• No ESP option