QFC19: Reviews and Final Results
One evening, Don is about to settle down for his after-work routine, when he decides to check the latest issue of Highway & Raceway for reviews on the current crop of mid-sized executive cars. Before he does so, however, his mind briefly turns to the few cars that were ineligible for consideration for one reason or another:
@shibusu - IAS Griffin Executive - Engine variant year of 1991 instead of 1994. That aside, poor reliability (stemming from the use of a turbocharged all-alloy I5) and untreated steel panels would have kneecapped what looked like a promising entry due to its well-executed styling.
@Bbestdu28 - BMA Tramontana 430 - Car techpool allocation exceeded by 3. Not only that, but this is a min-max-fest, with negative quality points in some areas, and a very poorly sorted suspension that is prone to bottoming out. Besides, its (flat-crank) V8 engine means that this car could upstage the higher-ups Don answers to.
@crwpitman1 - Canmo Kestrel Executive - Used default engine tech pool values (+5 in all areas) instead of stipulated maximum of 10 points in total. Also, although the power peak is at 6400 rpm, why on Earth is the rev limiter set at 8000 rpm? This defies all logic, and would have left Don shaking his head in disbelief at such an odd decision.
This leaves Don with 11 cars to consider, so here is what H&R thought about them.
@Jaimz68 - FM HiWay Exec - “Aesthetically, the HiWay suffers from odd proportions and a front end that appears too soft for this class of car. And with outdated components such as semi-trailing arm rear suspension and recirculating ball steering, it’s not as competitive as it seems, even considering its relatively low price.”
@Happyhungryhippo - Primus Merit 250 Elegance - “Apart from brake fade issues (due to undersized brakes and no brake cooling) and somewhat soft suspension, the Merit has a lot of, erm, merit. It has plenty of standard equipment (including stability control) and looks the part inside and out, with commensurate performance. Staggered tires could complicate servicing, though.”
@Knugcab - IP Vagant 3000 GLX - “Underneath its generic bodywork lies conservative mechanicals (an 18v SOHC V6 without VVT). Some parts of it are overbuilt, but not needlessly so; however, a luxury stereo with a cassette tape deck but no CD player leaves it behind the times somewhat.”
@Lanson - FMC Kingfisher 250 - “One of the best all-rounders in its class, and it has the presence to match thanks to crisp, modern styling. Although a passenger side airbag is not standard, everything else meets or exceeds our expectations for a premium car of this type - you should definitely put this on your shopping list.”
@nightwave - Hydrion Orinoco - “It’s hardly a looker, and is suspension is generally stiffer than it should be. Recirculating ball steering and weak, under-cooled brakes don’t help its cause, either.”
@DuceTheTruth100 - Allure G6 - “Lackluster styling, excessive oversteer, a strange choice of transmission (a non-electronically controlled 5-speed automatic?) and overly stiff damping rates are enough to make anyone turn away.”
@GetWrekt01 and @vouge - Siegert Chelson LSi - “It looks the part, but like the Allure, it suffers from the oversteer bug - we suspect it’s because its tires are too wide and/or its engine is mounted too far aft. A huge shame, considering how well it scores across the board otherwise.”
@S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T - Baumhauer 318t - “Cleanly styled for the Nineties, but that sleek body conceals an unusual mechanical package - that longitudinally-mounted turbocharged 20v straight four drives the front wheels instead of the rears, leading to improved drivability and, sadly, higher than average servicing costs. Anyone who buys these things should therefore do so with caution.”
@conan - DSM Everlast VR - “This is too easily mistaken for a scaled-up Camry given its price, and for something at the top of our price range, it’s not the most exciting car to drive, thanks to high body roll. Even considering its comfortable ride, we think it’s generally too dull to cut any ice among image-conscious buyers.”
@mart1n2005 and @xsneakyxsimx - Jager D300 - “It has the pace to back up its panache, which helps justify its top-dollar pricing. Apart from a few oddities, such as a very soft suspension and long gearing with individual ratios that are as closely spaced as possible, this is one of the most competitive cars in its class.”
@Ludvig - Swanson 225 NP - “Another victim of chronic oversteer syndrome, presumably because its flat-six engine sits too far aft. Ignoring that for a moment, it has a menacing beak nose, but its body has truly bizarre proportions, with a very short front overhang and a very long rear overhang. You’d need to be out of your mind and at your wits’ end to even consider driving, let alone buying, one of these.”
Results
After a brief period of deliberation, Don settled on the FMC Kingfisher 250 as his next car. Using the money earned from trading in his previous ride, he was able to specify a few desirable options, such as a passenger airbag and traction control, in addition to the Kingfisher’s standard features, and he drove off the dealer lot feeling as contented as ever.
Top 5:
1st: @Lanson
2nd: @mart1n2005 and @xsneakyxsimx
3rd: @Happyhungryhippo
4th: @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T
5th: @conan
Many thanks to everyone who entered! I hope you enjoyed entering this QFC as much as I did hosting it.