Scion tC Supercharged: Fourth Place Pick
As I have gotten older, I have learned to look past superficial good looks and really dig for qualities that make the overall package something you can live with. Unfortunately, there is always a process of give and take and the 2006 Scion tC Supercharged is a perfect example of such compromise. In my book, the tC scored best on looks but comes in last with regards to handling. The tC just couldn’t hold its own against the other competitors. Inside, I feel the aftermarket shifter needs four inches cut from its height, the throws need to be shorter, and the silly knob needs to be replaced with something that is actually functional. How about a sixth gear while we’re at it? The seats need additional bolstering and I also would need more readable gauges for a daily driver. From a performance standpoint, I couldn’t live with the Scion’s buzzy engine at freeway speeds and the lack of low-end torque. The tC runs best in the high revs but that is where it gets buzzy, so as a possible daily driver it ranked lowest on my list. In the car world, good looks might get you noticed but if you don’t have other qualities to offer you might just find yourself getting traded in on a new model. Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged: Third Place Pick
Had you told me before we left on our drive that I would find the Cobalt SS the most fun car of this group to drive, I would have scoffed and taken the keys to one of the other cars. Not being a fan of American cars in general, especially the ones on the lower end of the price spectrum, I was shocked at how well the Cobalt SS handled every turn we threw at it. It just kept begging to be pushed harder. Unfortunately, from a daily driver, I need more than just handling and performance. The engine lacks the smooth refinement of the GTI or the Civic and the fact that it has only a five-speed transmission really led to its downfall on my list. However, the Cobalt’s biggest downfall is the cheap materials that make up the interior. The Cobalt just feels like a rental car compared to the likes of the Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI. Comfort is a critical issue, too, especially considering the amount of time people spend in their cars these days. The Cobalt’s seats do offer comfort but need additional bolstering. The Cobalt’s styling is okay but the street-racer wing is passé and I don’t feel the Cobalt’s looks will hold up well over time. Residual value is also a consideration for me when buying a car and the Cobalt can’t hold a candle to the other competitors. When you look at the Cobalt as a package it lacks more than it has to offer and the good just doesn’t outweigh the bad. Volkswagen GTI: Second Place Pick
Once you look past the plaid interior – it looks like a bad pair of golf pants was used to make the seats – the 2007 Volkswagen GTI is a car that has a lot to offer. The GTI’s seats are comfortable with decent bolstering, performance is as amazing as it is smooth, and the looks, though not supermodel status, are not bad. The GTI’s handling shined both on the street and at the track, falling second only to the Cobalt SS (I can sense the PR guys at VW shuddering right now). My biggest issue with the GTI is that I can’t find a driving position that feels comfortable to me. I like to sit low and finding a position where the GTI’s seat is low and the steering wheel height is correct just doesn’t work for me. I give praise to the engineers for the drivetrain, though. The GTI pulled the fastest speed for me into turn one at the Streets of Willow and the torque at every point on the rev range made driving the GTI a blast to drive. The engine pulls hard and smooth all the way to redline and the six-speed transmission is easy to shift. Plus, the GTI’s engine offers minimal buzz at freeway speeds. One negative is the amount of body roll the GTI exhibits in tight turns, but otherwise this car is a delight to drive. All in all, the GTI is a great car but the comfort factor keeps it in second place for me. Honda Civic Si – First Place Pick
Okay, the 2006 Honda Civic Si doesn’t offer up (in my opinion) the best looks, the best performance, or the best handling – so why did it make the top spot on my list? Because as package I feel it is the car that is most livable as a daily driver. Remember the give-and-take philosophy from my Scion write-up? Well, I’m willing to settle for what performance the Si has to offer because it isn’t that far off the mark. The Civic Si isn’t the best looking either, but is still a handsome design. Handling isn’t a top prerequisite for me so it slides by because it has so much to offer where it really matters, comfort! The Civic Si has the best interior of the group and the seats are heads and tails above the other competitors. Toss in the smooth, short-throw six-speed transmission and interior surroundings that have a look and feel of quality, and you have a car that you can be comfortable in whether sitting in traffic or traversing favorite back roads. Throw in traditional Honda reliability and the Civic’s reputation for great resale values, and you have an unbeatable ride. Honda knows how to package a car and even with the Civic’s shortcomings, it still comes out on top in my book.
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