Miles: 19,500
Months in Fleet: Eight
It's not unusual for a Four Seasons vehicle to fall from the top of the car sign-out list as it passes the six-month mark in its test. What is unusual is for people to get so upset about it.
The kerfuffle started when senior web editor Phil Floraday innocently pointed out that the GTI -- our reigning Automobile of the Year, it must be noted -- had failed to find a home one warm summer weekend.
"This great car was relegated to two days of waiting at the airport for me instead of exploring fun new roads," he lamented.
That evidence of neglect did not sit well with associate web editor Evan McCausland.
"Wait, this car sat around on a weekend? I gladly would have jumped behind the wheel. I think it's driven more than some here suggest -- I rarely see it left on the nightly sign-out list, and I assure you I would permanently adopt it if I could."
Within days, several more indignant editors weighed in, the hand-wringing persisting even after copy editor Rusty Blackwell had gently pointed out that with nearly 20,000 miles on the odometer and five months left in the fleet, everyone's favorite Vee-Dub is hardly gathering cobwebs.
In any event, all the time spent cycling through fresh metal has only confirmed in the minds of most that the GTI remains a connoisseur's choice in its price range -- or in any price range. For instance, one editor climbed into the GTI after a long day conducting a comparison test of the Ford Mustang V-6 and the Honda Accord Coupe V-6. His findings? "The little hatchback has superior steering, a more refined powertrain, and a ritzier interior than either $30,000 two-door."
In similar fashion, McCausland declared the GTI one of his favorite rides after taking turns in it and several other cars on a recent staff trip through Michigan's back roads. "That's high praise, as the convoy also consisted of a Porsche Boxster Spyder and a BMW 135i," he added.
It is thus safe to say that the GTI still ranks at the top of our list of favorite rides -- even when it doesn't get signed out for one summer weekend. ...next page >>