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The Age

Saturday December 6, 2008

Readers have delivered their judgement on Drive's choice of the Honda Accord V6 as our Car of the Year for 2008. Here's what you said online.

It's a no-brainer

The first time I saw and sat in the new Accord, I was amazed at the space and value-for-money equation. The $38,000 for a V6 version is a no-brainer against an entry-level Falcon XT or Commodore Omega. Thumbs up from me.

Jaguar XF a better choice

As for the car of the year, I disagree. The Jaguar XF should have taken this out as it is a spectacular car and an unbelieveable turnaround for Jaguar, let alone any car company.

A wake-up call for Ford and Holden

Congratulations to Honda. A well-deserved win. I applaud Drive for its well-informed decision. This was a realistic win - the Accord V6 represents great value, excellent build quality and looks far better than any Falcon or Commodore, in my opinion. If anything, this is a wake-up call for Ford and Holden to start lifting their game.

What about the looks?

Yes, it has a clever engine with regards to fuel economy. Yes, it has many safety features and, certainly, would have typically good Honda build quality. But you couldn't, in all honesty, call it a driver's car. Historically, Hondas have been expensive to repair and maintain. And even if you could live with it, could you bring yourself to look at it?

Value for money

What an amazing car. Sure it has some faults, but the knockers are failing to consider the value for money. It is a beautiful car.

The fuel efficiency is indeed a gimmick; this car is no more fuel-efficient than any of the other big six-cylinders. But it hits the mark on most every other aspect.

Support the locals

Personally, I think the Falcon should have won, not because it is a better car. It's not, but we need to support the Australian industry. I know the Falcon is an average car and that the Passat diesel will do the same job but better, but my friends don't. As such, we should tell them to buy Falcons, Omegas and Aurions.

Dress up the Falcon

Aside from the marginally better interior, the Falcon lost due to cheap tyres and charging $300 for curtain airbags, but is $2000 cheaper. Buy the airbags, spend a few hundred on a tyre upgrade and boom - award winner. The award is limited by rigid criteria like the starting list price (who buys at list price?).

WRITE TO US

To submit letters online directly to the Drive Editor, go to theage.com.au/letters/submit and choose "Letters to Drive - Age" from the drop-down list. Alternatively, write to Drive Editor, The Age, POBox 257C, City Mail Processing Centre, Victoria, 8001. Your full name, address and phone number are required for verification. Or you can join the blogs at drive.com.au/blogs.

© 2008 The Age

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