MotorTrend: Is this their new thing?

[a_Username]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/results.html

1ST PLACE: PORSCHE BOXSTER S
Absolutely crushes the competition at the test track, but the gap is even greater on a canyon road. In a different league -- of one.
2ND PLACE: AUDI TTS
Impressive grip and overall execution, but more power and steering feel are necessary before it can even begin to compete with our winner.
3RD PLACE: BMW Z4 sDRIVE35i
Shockingly unrefined ride and disconnected chassis nearly put it in last place. Sensual styling and engine note are its only saving graces.
4TH PLACE: NISSAN 370Z ROADSTER
Pleases the pocketbook and power hungry, but a proper roadster needs to satisfy the eyes and ears as well.

Do they just flip a coin for who wins a comparison test? The 370z outperforms the Audi in almost every category, and it also outperforms the BMW on the skipad, figure-eight, etc. The Z4 does take the 1/4 mile over the 370z, but they give the Z4 a win because of its styling and sound note? Not to mention the 370z cuts its nearest competitor by ~$8,000.

[AlSuwaidi]

i wonder if porsche has lots of ads running in that issue...

[FenwickHockey65]

Motortrend also ran a comparison between the Camaro/Mustang/Challenger/Genesis Coupe and put the Genesis Coupe in first place even though every single one of the Mustang's numbers beat it.

[JJ#48Racing]

Roadsters are about the look and the driving experience, not ultimate performance numbers. If they were, people would buy the coupe.

[derklug]

Motortrends motto " We are as fair as our advertisors will allow."

[bigearl]

Maybe there's just more to it than numbers?

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by bigearl

Maybe there's just more to it than numbers?

While there is, the area on which you are talking about is highly subjective to the individual. People preach magazine times, but refuse to see they are just as opinionated as mine and your comparisons.

[2010-1SS-IBM]

Originally Posted by bigearl

Maybe there's just more to it than numbers?

I think the point people are making about these comparisons is why bother to run the numbers if the numbers are not going to be used to determine the winner?

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by 2010-1SS-IBM

I think the point people are making about these comparisons is why bother to run the numbers if the numbers are not going to be used to determine the winner?

they said they were not going to use the numbers, and that the test was completely subjective on the very first page............... cmon people. at least it wasn't posing as a performance test like the V6 pony car comparison.....

[Rtoups]

Originally Posted by JJ#48Racing

Roadsters are about the look and the driving experience, not ultimate performance numbers. If they were, people would buy the coupe.

This guy is right. It's a ROAD test, not a track test, which means they are looking at the overall driving experience. ANYBODY can make a car have impressive figure-8 statistics with some fat tires and some suspension modification, but it doesn't mean that the car will feel like a true sports car on the road where it matters.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by lil_chef

they said they were not going to use the numbers, and that the test was completely subjective on the very first page............... cmon people. at least it wasn't posing as a performance test like the V6 pony car comparison.....

But in this contest of speed, style, and top-down dominance, it wasn't even close... We put aside the stopwatches and calculators in favor of softer data collected by ours hands, feet, eyes, and ears. How can such a heart-and-soul approach so accurately and positively identify the Boxster S as the roadster that best fulfills the mission profile? See for yourself.

I don't know how you can seriously sit there and say this car is better than another based solely on "softer data." It's entirely subjective, and entirely pointless when it comes to racing. However, I found it interesting that the test was a contest of speed, but yet they weren't going to use the stopwatches or calculators. Perhaps they simply need a better editor.

[Morepwr]

I never put too much into what they say is better. If I read that mag, its just for the hard numbers. I am confident the winners simply paid for the win.

Get the car that you like best, not what some editor thinks is best.

[guiLT]

I agree. I think it has to do with their sponsors..

[wavrun2000]

It must be like how the BMW always win the car and driver comparison tests.