I have been leasing cars short-time and long-term for years now, but I am going to be heading back to Canada this summer so it's time to buy one and hold on to it. I will be heading down to the States to buy whatever vehicle I end up choosing. I may buy new, or used depending on mileage and price difference. No way I'm paying the inflated Cdn retail prices when our dollars are pretty much on par. I have months of research ahead of me, but I have widdled the choices down to these ten finalists. Have a look at my list and feel free to offer any relevant feedback. Looking forward to your thoughts.

1. 06-08 SRT8 (300C 2 VOTES, Magnum 3 VOTES, or Charger 6 VOTES) - worried how they will handle the Canadian winter roads - 425 bhp RWD!


1a. 08 300C 1 VOTE or Charger R/T (I've leased a few 300's and love them)


2. 07-08 Cadillac STS (4.6 V8 AWD) or the STS-V 1 VOTE (469 bhp supercharged V8)


3. 08 Cadillac CTS 6 VOTES (3.6L Direct Injection V6 with available AWD - quite pricey new but love the new look for '08)


4. 08 Hummer H3 Alpha (has V8 now)


5. 08 Ford Explorer Limited


6. 08 Dodge Nitro R/T AWD 1 VOTE


7. 06-08 Chevy Trailblazer SS


8. 05-06 Pontiac GTO 1 VOTE (discontinued but 400 bhp 6.0L, but they aren't available with sunroofs or heated seats since they are based on the Australian Holden Monaro and Aussies don't go for sunroofs or heated seats!)


9. 06-08 Infiniti FX35 (V6) or FX45 (V8) - might offer best of both worlds in terms of practicality and performance


10. Thanks to Nik and Mike I am expanding my Top 10 to include the upcoming Pontiac G8. The thing looks like a wild ride:


It has taken me months to widdle this list down, so I'm not really interested in what other vehicles you think should be added to the list, I just want to hear what you have to say about the 10 listed here.

Thanks,
Rick

If I'm not wrong, road speed limitation are harder in Canada than in France. And with one of those big horse power cars, I would loose my license in less than a month in France !

For me, the Dodge Nitro is the best for the style.
I've never drive one of those ugly trucks you're looking for so I'm only looking the style.

I agree with you that the highly powered that the SRT8 must be a nightmare on the snow.

Just my though, and that's only engaging me but the European (German) SUV looks far better. I know that you don't care about this ^_^.

Thanks for your vote Francois. Importing a non-American car adds 6% duty and I have a penchant for obnoxious American beasts, so no German automobiles cracked my final ten.

The Nitro is pretty cool.

Ugh... No Dodge if you intend on it lasting...

Is it just you and the wife Rick? Do you plan on kids? If so, how soon? How much friends family do you have in CN?

I appreciate your choices - but some factors have to be taken into effect... With the random choices you have laid out, I would suggest something between the Caddy and the Trailblazer depending on use and geography,,,

If it's just gonna be you and the wife - I might have a couple others for you to consider as well...

But I would look at the Trailblazer and the CTS.... Just based on your choices.

I know the Dodge looks cool - I give them that. And I know it's cheaper... But drive both brands - you'll quickly understand why....

This will primarily be my car, we are getting a Jeep Cherokee from my sister for Heather to drive. I don't anticipate anyone even using the backseat so that may help you make your final choice. Consider it my toy.

Now, as for you Dodge bashing, I'd put my current 300C up against anything on the road in terms of performance, equipment, and style. Some models now come with lifetime powertrain warranties (only for Americans though!) I don't have an allegiance to any one company, I would be happy with any of these ten I have listed. I want this to be a fun car that will help me enjoy living in a pretty boring city!

I am interested to see which one you choose Nik. I know you have a deep love and appreciation for the Chevy's and I urge you to follow your heart and mind when making this most auspicious of decisions!

Good info Boss... Yes, I am a Chevy/Toyota kinda guy. I just bought the wife a G6 - I would say at least check it out. They have some GTP versions out that are just downright killer. Depending on the winters there - a 4WD may be better - I'm not sure. From a car perspective - I would urge you to look hard at the CTS or GTP versions of the Cheyv/Pontiacs....

At least drive one before you buy the dodge.....

I hear ya. The Pontiac G8 looks like it's going to be a killer too. That might warrant a test drive for sure. I got the Pontiac GTO on the list. The '05 and '06 have the 400 bhp LS2 Corvette engines in them and they can be had for dirt cheap! This is going to be a really tough choice. I might need to collect them all!

No doubt the Goat is a rocket = but the design was horrible... I appreciate the V8 but they just destroyed the design of the vehicle...

That being said - there is a good chance the new Camaro may be out by the time you get back. Now THAT, would be a car to have.

Or - you could go buy the new Mustang that every damn body else on the planet has....

Rick, we've talked about this before and I still would say the 300C SRT8 as your ride. But since you are considering some others I thought i might throw this one into the mix - PONTIAC G8. Now it will be released real soon over there in the US and it is essentially a Commodore SS-V Series. Massive Power not far from the SRT8. It's also a four door and it drives so bloody nice.

Check this link: http://www.leftlanenews.com/pontiac-g8.html

I have been doing some reading on the G8 as well. I have a feeling they will be awesome and probably pretty cheap comparatively speaking. I may have to add it to the list. I know I'll be flip-flopping between now and summer, but I think this list of 10 or 11 will keep me focused. Like I said, I could have fun with any of them.

Should be interesting to see if Pontiac stays true to that pic you posted Mike. Something tells me they will tone down the wheels and aggressive hood. They tend to do that. I am adding it to the list though. You are supposed to be helping me NARROW my choice! Argh! I love it.

Nik they didn't stuff up the design of the GTO, they based it on existing Australian model.
The problem was that the Heritage of the GTO didn't fit with the design of the Aussie Monaro on which it was based.

The Monaro was an awesome car it's own right, and would have sold better in the states under another name.

The GTO moniker carried to much history.

I concur. They messed that one up. They took an awesome Holden design and tried to convince the US market it was the new GTO. Doomed strategy from the start. My flatmate in NZ drove a HSV Clubsport so I have a great appreciation for what those boys at Holden are all about so the GTO is like a diamond in the rough to me. The interior in the GTO is one of their best behind the new Cadillac CTS imho.

Nik, what's your final choice? From the 11 I have posted.

Hey Mike,

The problem with my country is that we kill classic designs...

For example - I know the El Camino is still strong and bad-ass in your country.

I don't know if it is popular there but we would kill for it here.

Damn guys - wish we could talk live...

If I had to choose - I'd go CTS

You wouldn't be referring to the Maloo R8 would you?


Good thing I don't live in Aus, or I'd be adding #12 to the list!

http://www.hsv.com.au/Cars/

WE NEED TO KEEP THIS THREAD FOCUSED ON HELPING ME MAKE A DECISION THOUGH!

Exactly...

The SSR version we have is ok - but it's nothing to write home about. And it's too damn expensive....

Rick is AWD or 4WD an Important issue for you.... or since you'll have a Jeep for Heather the Wild weather could be dealt with in that.

Talking about 4WD and European cars made me remember of a car of exception ! The Panda 4x4. Enjoy !


You have to add it to your list. Even if it is discontinued !

AWD is a bonus, but all of those cars I have listed have an equal opportunity in my eyes. It just comes down to which one you guys have the strongest feeling about.

Well - weather plays a big part... FWD vs RWD vs AWD....

You never mentioned Mitsubishi which has some badass, big hp, 4wd cars ...

I'm not too concerned with the weather. All of these cars can get me around in the winter plus we'll have a 4WD Jeep if needs be. I thought about every car on the market at one time or another, but these 11 are the finalists. Not to say they are the BEST, but they are the BEST FOR ME. Know what I'm sayin'?

Guys, stop tormenting our poor Rick ! He wants your advice on which of these 11 Cars is the best ... which of these 11.

Well - What I gather is your not to concerned with gas mileage or weather....

That being said I would vote STS or G8.

And being a diesel owner myself - I truly applaud your decision criteria!

Rick, can I change my vote to the Carger SRT8. After viewing some additional pictures, I can finally say that this look way better than the Nitro.

What's the deal whith Diesel ?