FORBES: Best Cars 2005

[Just_me]

New Car That Most Lived Up To The Hype: BMW M5
Base price: $81,200

Unbelievably sophisticated technology (the bolsters on the sides of the driver's seat change their grip on you in corners) meets luxury and power in the M5 sedan. No new model introduced in 2005 surpassed the M5, which we instantly considered one of our all-time favorite cars upon our first test drive. Such regal marques as Aston Martin and Bentley make the only other 500-hp cars on the market with levels of elegance, comfort and convenience that compare with those of the M5.

Greatest Driver's Car (1): Ferrari F430
Base price: $163,845

The F430 screeches and howls and delivers terrifying results, such as zero-to-60 mph acceleration in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph. It looks beautiful, and the level of precision attained by its steering and suspension settings make for the most engaging driving experience you can have in a street-legal car. But the F430 is also civilized, thanks to nice leather on the inside, stability control (it's only the second Ferrari ever to have it) and an automatic-shifting mode on the sequential manual transmission.

Greatest Driver's Car (2): Aston Martin DB9
Base price: $155,000

Aston Martin makes another one of the world's greatest coupes, the V-12 Vanquish, which is faster than the DB9. But we chose the DB9 for our list because it, like the Vanquish, has a V-12 engine and plenty of horsepower--450 to be exact (the Vanquish does have a bit more, with 520)--but it still costs $100,000 less than the Vanquish. The Vanquish is one of the world's most beautiful cars, but so is the DB9, which has a flawless interior and exterior design. It features zero-to-60 mph acceleration in 4.7 seconds, a top speed of 186 mph and immediately delivered power and torque as well as forceful, meaty brakes, precise steering, amazing traction and--best of all--the deepest and nastiest exhaust noise in the auto business.

Most Outrageous Car Ever: Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Base price: $1,200,000

The Veyron, a million-dollar car with a 16-cylinder engine and a top speed of over 248 mph, recently went into production in France--and it's coming to the United States. In a recent phone interview, a spokesman for parent-company Volkswagen said one American dealership is talking about selling the car and that Bugatti is planning to send 20 Veyrons to the States each year. The spokesman could not provide an estimate of when the model would be available here

Best Reason To Buy American: Ford GT
Base price: $141,245

Ford's GT flagship competes against cars that cost $300,000 to $400,000 more, such as Mercedes-Benz's SLR McLaren and Saleen's S7--and compares favorably. No, it is nowhere near as civilized as the SLR, but it is a bona fide supercar, and in terms of recent developments, it is one of the achievements of which Detroit should be the most proud. The GT uses a supercharged, 5.4-liter V-8 with 550 hp.

Best Way To Blend In With Celebrities: Bentley Continental GT
Base price: $171,285

The Continental GT has become as much a status symbol for the rich and famous as Birkin bags. Paris Hilton reportedly drives one. But we must say, considering the frequently garish tastes of celebrities, this stately British car with 552 hp and interior wood trim everywhere you look is a pretty classy choice. It's the celebs' aftermarket modifications that make their Continental GTs look gaudy.

Best Way To Make Celebrities Jealous: Lamborghini Murciélago
Base price: $285,000

The Continental GT says, "I'm rich and pretty tasteful." The Murciélago says, "For fun, I light hundred-dollar bills on fire in front of poor people." Well, that may be a bit of an overstatement. But it at least says, "I have fantasized about cars since I was a kid, and now I want my car to make you drool." As well as, "I am comfortable driving a car that is bright yellow or lime green in order to achieve that end." The severe design isn't the Murciélago's only attention-grabbing feature: With a 6.2-liter V-12 engine and a top speed of 205 mph, the Lamborghini is one of the world's ten fastest cars.

Fastest Car: SSC Ultimate Aero
Base price: $654,500

Faster than even the Veyron, the Ultimate Aero by small American manufacturer SSC has a top speed of 260 to 273 mph, according to Langley wind-tunnel calculations. It achieves such ridiculous performance with a 1,046-horsepower V-8 engine (yes, you read that hp figure correctly), which is shoehorned into a car that weighs as much as a Dodge Neon.

All-New But Still The Sub-$40,000 Gold Standard: BMW 3 Series
Base price: $30,900

In January, I test drove the new 3 Series in Spain. A writer from AutoWeek heard me raise a minor complaint about the new tail design or something and replied, "Kid, you haven't been in this business long enough; this is as good as these cars get." He was right. It's ridiculous how much sportier the 3 Series is than the average luxury sedan. And its interior is nicer than those of several cars costing twice as much. The car is all-new and looks better than ever, and it has remained a sales machine: The 3 Series has been the second best-selling luxury car in America in 2005.

The Ultimate Executive Ride: Maybach 62
Base price: $385,250

The most expensive sedan on the market is the ultimate vehicle in which to be driven. And for adventurous executives, the Maybach 62's 543-hp V-12 also makes it one of the ultimate vehicles to drive. Every superluxury feature imaginable is included, such as nearly two dozen speakers, champagne flutes and what seems like miles of rear-seat legroom. And if there's anything else you want added, Maybach can probably accommodate you.

Best All-Around Wagon: Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Base price: $83,375

Mercedes-Benz's E55 AMG wagon is the best of both worlds. As an AMG hot rod with a supercharged, 469-hp V-8, it is a screamer on the road, and it will eat the dust of no other wagon. But as a Mercedes E-Class, it is also the ultimate luxury wagon, able to transport your family in the highest of style. Then, after you drop them off, you can use it to kick a Porsche's butt.

Source: FORBES

[Centurion]

Wow I'm really suprised that the list isn't dominated by Cadillacs, Infinitys, Toyotas and Lexus cars.

[SDNR]

This list is garbage - in my opinion..of course.

I agree with some of the winners but these "lists" are just annoying now.

[Merc1]

Originally Posted by Luwalira

Wow I'm really suprised that the list isn't dominated by Cadillacs, Infinitys, Toyotas and Lexus cars.

Oh no Forbes is a rich-folks thing, they'd never go for Cadillacs and the such.

M

[Merc1]

Originally Posted by Roberto

This list is garbage - in my opinion..of course.

I agree with some of the winners but these "lists" are just annoying now.

I agree, these list really don't mean anything because they usually aren't compiled by automotive publications. Just a timewaster IMO.

M

[Just_me]

whatever Merc and Roberto say, M5 belong were it is. Also seeing F430 there is correct.

[Yannis]

I would agree with the list 100% if there was RR Phantom there instead of Maybach and Gallardo instead of F430.

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by Just_me

whatever Merc and Roberto say, M5 belong were it is. Also seeing F430 there is correct.

I said I agree with some of the winners - actually the ones you named are the only ones I have not got any problems with. Unfortunately the Mercedes W221 probably wasn't quite as earth-shattering as many of us hoped it would be.

[MikeJ]

Not that bad a list, although I'd like to see the SSC do a high-speed run to see if those claims are justified.

[The Artist]

whats wrong with the list.. its allright imo