Motor World Review, August 1999
Model Year-In-Review Edition
Best Entry-level Car – 1999
Vermillion SpaceStar V6
Relative Rating: 100.00
It seems at every turn we’re talking about a Vermillion car at the top of our lists. Well, they’ve done it again this year with the SpaceStar minivan.
The 3.0 liter “DFH” V6 under the hood puts out a decent 170 HP, enough to move this suburban mover with decent vigor. While the engine is an older design, it is still relevant today. Its proven track record continues to make it a viable option to this day.
Exterior design is clean and modern. There are dual sliding side doors, allowing easy access from both sides.
The interior includes standard full cloth seating, power windows, mirrors, and locks, and a 6-speaker AM/FM/Cassette deck. Air conditioning, power steering, and 4-wheel antilock disc brakes also come on every SpaceStar.
Our test model was passed around the entire staff, and pulled duty on everything from road trips for the younger writers, to soccer shuttle duty for the more senior editors. Everyone remarked on how comfortable and smooth the ride was, how easy access was, and how much cargo the SpaceStar could carry, both with the rear seats upright and folded down.
We must caution that this is one of the most expensive cars in the class to buy and keep up. But if you have the need for lots of seats, cargo room, or a smooth ride, this is the best choice this year.
Best Upscale Car – 1999
Erin Tauga Lex 2.8
Relative Rating: 100.00
With the trend of luxury sport sedans taking over corporate parking lots like disco fever in the 70’s, it was inevitable that one would land at the top of our list sooner or later.
The Tauga Lex 2.8 from Erin is now ready to make its mark on our pages.
226 horsepower from a smooth 2.8 liter straight-6? Yes, please. A 5-speed manual transmission with viscous rear LSD? Ohh yeah. Getting up to 60 in a class-best 7 seconds? Check. What else is there?
Erin is glad you asked. Because they’ve added taut, precise cornering to the package as well. Is it as comfortable as an Ardent Chancellor? No, but it’s a lot more fun to drive. Just have a little awareness when you are blasting it around town, or you’re sure to get a ticket. Just ask our senior editor.
In any case, the Erin Tauga Lex also includes most of the luxury goodies you’d expect from an upscale sport sedan. Power windows, locks, mirrors, and steering are all there, as is a remote locking system. The leatherette seats have a good range of adjustment, and the driver’s seat even has 8-way electric adjustment. A CD player is also standard, but its 100 watt rating and 4 speaker system is easily outclassed by other competitors. Not so easily outclassed in other areas, the Tauga Lex includes 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control, and driver and passenger airbags with side impact bags as well.
The Erin Tauga is the clear-cut winner for being an overall great premium sport sedan. So if you’re looking to make a statement as you pull in to work, make sure your boss sees you in one of these.
Best Sport Car – 1999
LMC Maladus M200
Relative Rating: 100.00
Get out your checkbooks, ladies and gentlemen. The new Maladus M200 is here, and it’s hot.
A 4.6 liter, all-aluminum V8 lurks under the hood, waiting to unleash 343 horses to the rear, via a 5-speed manual and limited slip diff. How does 5.5 seconds to 60 sound? Sounds like fun to us. And if you’re lucky enough to have a track to be able to bomb down, you should expect a good 165 or so miles per hour. Though our favorite was the slalom test, which was just an absolute gas.
And unlike some sports cars, the LMC will not break your back. Though it does come with standard 4-point harnesses in low-slung bucket seats, they are well-supportive and surprisingly adjustable. Plus having creature comfort features like power steering, air conditioning, and a sunroof are also bonuses.
As long as you have the budget to get a no-compromises sports car, you should be heading to a LMC dealership.
Best Utility – 1999
Takemi Theta W-spec
Relative Rating: 100.00
Light duty trucks have been seeing some changes in recent years. Many have been eschewing their straight utilitarian images in an attempt to cater to a wider market. One such example has caught our attention this year.
The Theta W-spec from Takemi wraps a little bit of comfort into a sturdy four-wheel drive workhorse. Standard cloth seating and full-carpet flooring greet the occupants when they hop in, but those fancier floors are protected by a set of all-weather floor mats. Air conditioning, a host of power bits, and a pair of air bags also round out the interior.
What set the Theta apart from competitors is that they don’t just slap an engine and transmission in and call it good. There is a definite focus on making sure you can get to your job as well as complete it, regardless of the conditions.
Four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, and even electronic stability control are standard on this model. The 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission changes from rear to four wheel drive at the flick of a switch.
With 214 horses, the Takemi Theta has the grunt to get it done. It has certainly earned our seal of approval.
Best Engine – 1999
Deer and Hunt 4 Liter V6
(+5 Relative Rating bonus)
Sometimes newer isn’t better. Deer and Hunt is proving that this year with an engine that was first released when Reagan was still in office. What makes their 4 liter V6 so special is that it’s simply reliable. And though it may not be the most efficient motor available these days, there’s something to be said for being able to get in your car and have faith that it’s going to be running today. And tomorrow. And for the next 20 years. For that, Deer and Hunt wins our Engine of the Year award.
Entry Class Reviews
Maesima Avellca Xz Liftback
Relative Rating: 93.53
“…decent, competent car for a low price. It’s reliable and cheap to maintain, though other competitors are cheaper to fuel and feel better to drive…”
Pros: Low purchase price, low maintenance cost, high reliability
Cons: Low comfort, poor drivability, poor economy vs. Competitors
Bogliq Mutineer Entrance
Relative Rating: 97.88
“…fantastic package in this low-cost model. It’s easy to drive, comfortable, and sips gas…”
Pros: Low purchase price, great fuel economy, good drivability
Cons: Mediocre reliability, relatively high maintenance cost
Everette Vancouver GLR8
Relative Rating: 95:70
“…near-premium driving experience without the up front price. On the back end, it may get you in maintenance and fuel costs…”
Pros: Premium level comfort and safety without the cost, good drivability
Cons: Low reliability, worst in class fuel economy, haigh maintenance cost
Grehet Reviva
Relative Rating: 93.53
“…pint-sized fuel sipper. This makes for a great commuter car or possibly a starter car for a teenager…”
Pros: Best in round fuel economy, lowest in round purchase price, good reliability
Cons: Poor drivability, poor safety, poor comfort
Upscale Class Reviews
Ardent Chancellor LS
Relative Rating: 93.63
“…next-best thing to the sporting performance of the Erin Tauga. It’s far better behaved on the roads, and receives top marks for safety, but also comes at a premium price…”
Pros: High comfort, high drivability, best in round safety, prestigious model
Cons: High purchase price, highest in class maintenance cost, poor reliability
IP Icarus Mk IV 3600
Relative Rating: 76.60
“…poor driving dynamics, and uninspired engine definitely don’t help. The Icarus seems to miss nearly every benchmark expected…”
Pros: Low maintenance cost, good comfort
Cons: Poor reliabilty, poor drivability, worst in class economy, poor value for the price
Mont Royal MV EP
Relative Rating: 95.75
“…sublime ride and superior cabin comfort are among the perk of this model, and a thoroughly modern 3.4 liter V6 helps as well…”
Pros: Best in round drivability, prestigious model, great safety, superb comfort
Cons: High purchase price, high maintenance cost, poor fuel economy
Birmingham Altaya
Relative Rating: 85.12
“…premium sports sedan that does well, but not well enough. It carves corners like a dream, but beyond that and its low cost, there’s just not enough to distinguish it…”
Pros: Great handling, good drivability, lowest in class purchase price
Cons: Poor reliability, high maintenance cost, low comfort, lackluster performance
Sport Class Reviews
Keika Katana 2400
Relative Rating: 90.48
“…a little long in the tooth, but we still love it for its low cost thrills…”
Pros: Lowest in class purchase price, good performance, great fuel economy
Cons: Barely met crash standards, very poor comfort, poor drivability
Epoch M10 Ansom RSA
Relative Rating: 92.86
“…a decently sporty car that’s reasonable to drive every day. It shouldn’t hit the wallet too hard…”
Pros: Good comfort, reasonable purchase price, low maintenance cost, good safety, high practicality
Cons: Poor drivability, relatively low reliability, poor lateral handling
Sinistra Serenade GT 2.0
Relative Rating: 92.86
“…performance that’s well below average for this category. Even for a cheap thrill, we prefer others like the Keika. But it still would make a decent daily car for those looking for a little adrenaline…”
Pros: Low purchase price, good fuel economy, practical, good drivability
Cons: Tepid performance, poor comfort
Sakura Deva EX
Banned by EPA – Failed to get Emissions Certification
Relative Rating: 0.00
“…unfortunately were not able to get our hands on one to test before they were sent back to Japan due to an emissions debacle…”
Pros: N/A
Cons: Emissions exceeded maximum allowed
Caliban Type SC TO
Relative Rating: 95.24
“…blistering performance on a budget. That should allow you to buy a used Ardent or Bogliq to commute in to save your spine…”
Pros: Fantastic performance, modest price, great reliability
Cons: Questionable safety, insane maintenance cost, poor economy, bad comfort
Utility Class Reviews
Deer and Hunt Hawg
Relative Rating: 95.91 (including bonus)
“…modest rear-wheel drive ute with surprising off-road capability. We’re sure the four-wheel drive version is even better…”
Pros: Fantastic offroad, good comfort, modest purchase price, good safety
Cons: Poor handling, poor drivability, poor reliability, poor fuel economy
Rado Adventure 2.4 Base
Relative Rating: 96.97
“…for those who like to find adventure afield, but don’t like the traditional SUV concept. We found this to be exceptionally capable and durable…”
Pros: High reliability, low purchase price, low maintenance cost, great fuel economy, good off-road
Cons: Poor drivability, poor comfort, poor image
So, I’m severely struggling with my schedule shift. I could put this on hiatus for a while, but I also heard feedback from several people that they were out of lore and/or burned out, so I think we’ll just call this the end of the competition. I’d like to thank all of you who participated, brought the lore, and had fun playing off of each other. It was a big experiment, and I think you all made it successful. So here are the final standings:
Overall Relative Ratings (FINAL After 12 Rounds)
kmBlaine - 95.71
Kubboz - 94.88
Private_Miros - 93.85
DeusExMackia - 93.78
undercoverhardwarema - 93.41
Chickenbiscuit - 93.04
HighOctaneLove - 92.39
koolkei - 92.31
VicVictory - 92.20
Rk38 - 91.86
Madrias - 91.84
TheCarLover - 91.81
titleguy1 - 91.38
DukeOFhazards - 91.04
Mikonp7 - 90.87
BoostandEthanol - 90.50
NormanVauxhall - 90.49
machalel - 89.30
Mr.Computah - 88.88
Nicholander - 88.26
Knugcab - 86.30
Dorifto_Dorito - 85.98
Aaron.W - 78.96
Vri404 - 76.25
nerd – 75.50
CONGRATULATIONS to our podium winners:
@kmBlaine
@Kubboz
@Private_Miros
And a personal special thank you to @HighOctaneLove for giving me a run for my money as usual, as well as the usual ahem… friendly… rivalry between Bogliq and Ardent. You literally pulled it out over me in that last round there.