sounds good, good luck

Cadillac CTS - practicality to match your style.

But they are all BA.

Actually, AWD in the SS is taken from the Escalade....just modified for the vehicle itself. It's about 80% most of the time with the ability to transfer 35% of that power to the front when needed. There are only two companies that continually feature REAL AWD systems....Audi/VW and Subaru.

Thanks B3. I sure love the new style of new CTS. I priced out a nicely equipped one on the US website and they come out in the mid-40's. If I could find a US dealer willing and able to sell to a Canadian, it would be very hard not to pull the trigger. The pop-up nav, the ambient lighting system, and the huge sunroof are all cool options that make the CTS a real force to be reckoned with. I'm not used to having to make choices. Why can't cars be the same price as sunglasses?

I'm gonna have to go with the Black SRT-8 Charger as well...no fun in the winter though...

i think you'll look good in the caddy sts-V. both of you have a refined look but with fire under the belly !!!!

Haha! Fire in my belly...I like that! One more vote for the SRT8 Charger and one for the STS-V (probably the most expensive on the list). Thanks dudes.

BY the way, legally...the only way to buy a new car from the U.S. and take it to Canada is to register it in the U.S. for 90 days and then work out the transfer papers. However, a used can just requires some extra signatures and no waiting period.

I'm sure the Doc will find a way. Worst case, you could always ask BMCAPS to help you cheat the system :)

The next thing he'll need to do is work out how to drive round a corner. Apart from the GTO, the only way to safely get the other cars on that list round a corner is to stop, lift up the front end, point it in the direction you want to go, put it down and then drive off again.

I love the look of the new Charger, that R/T is awesome. In my opinion the H3 is a no go...but actually I'm not a friend of these kind of vehicles at all. A good thing between the big offroaders and the 1/4-mile-cars may be a BMW M5 Touring or a Audi S6 Touring... or a Porsche Panamera... or the offroad-coupe X6 (personally not nice imo).

Mhm is there version of the challenger with awd?

Harry, you need to come to Alberta and help me find a corner! It ain't Bavaria, take my word for it. I've had many friends import new cars to Canada without any hassle whatsoever. In fact, my buddy Anton, just had two '08 Toyotas shipped up from Vegas with no 90-day waiting period, so I don't know where you are getting that from David. Chances are, I end up buying something with a couple thousand miles on it anyway.

BMW M5 Touring or a Audi S6 Touring... or a Porsche Panamera... or the offroad-coupe X6

Let me just call up the bank and see if they can double my bank balance!

(shaking head)...

How can you compare a Cadillac to a dodge anything??? I'm certain it will be a simple exercise of driving both and the choice will be clear....

Haha! Listen, if all things were equal and I had the choice of a sweet Caddy for the same price as a SRT8 we might have a problem. But people like what they like Nik, you know this. The Dodge Charger SRT8 evokes emotion that a Caddy just can't. Is the Caddy better built? Yeah. But people go with their hearts sometimes, right?

No doubt... There is just a huge quality diffrerence in the two - but I have no idea what the dodge costs...

I read a statement in a car mag a few years ago that I liked. They did a comparison between the big 3 Diesel trucks...

"The Chevrolet is the best and the "Cadillac" of the 3, the Ford is best for construction, work and jobsites, and the Dodge is for people that can't afford the other 2."

You hate Dodge. I got it. I love Dodge. I love Chrysler, I love Cadillacs too. I ain't saying any of them are the best, because I think it's stupid when people say a car is the best. Best for who? It's like when people say their country is the best. Best for who? You? Each of the cars in my list have things going for them in my mind. If I end up going with a Caddy STS and a Black 300SRT8 pulls up beside me at the light and gives me the nod, I will want a 300SRT8. He will then proceed to rock me off the launch. That will hurt.

I guess I could roll down the window at the next light and tell him my car is better built. (My point being that each car has something else to offer - making it hard to say one car is better than the other)

In the end, it will come down to which car I feel the best sitting in the driver's seat. Performance, fit and finish, features, they all count, but nothing counts more than that happy feeling you get when you sit in the seat.

hey rick, just curious, what about a european car? a jetta perhaps?? and are you willing to drive your new car during the winters in Calgary or do you have a beater car for that season??

A Jetta? Are you serious? Am I a 26-year-old female Yoga instructor! J/K On the topic of European cars, I am not a big fan. No particular reason, but they don't do much for me. It's a bias I have had all my life. I do not apologize for it. Apart from me, no one in my family has EVER owned a non-North American car. I drove a Hyundai while in Korea and I don't think my father has ever gotten over it. You know what they say about honoring thy father...I take that quite literally. Especially when it comes to cars. I want to buy something that he would like too.

I have told Heather that I will drive whatever car she allows me to buy in the winter so that is a concern. Although, I want to eventually turn her Jeep into our third car and get her something later down the road. But, for all intents and purposes this car will need to get me around all 12 months of the year.

If all you want is performance and 4WD, might I suggest a Tiger Racing Z100WR? It's similar to a Lotus Seven but has twin GSXR 1000 Suzuki engines and four wheel drive. 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds and the all-wheel drive you need in Canada.

Unfortunately production has now ceased but if you're buying used anyway....


edit Nearly forgot, as it has no windscreen, you MUST wear Oakleys at all times when driving!

Dammit Rick... You are taking all the fun out of this by applying logic.

Testing the cars you are describing would (will) be a lot of fun.

I guess, from a logical standpoint, I would question the fun of a 400+ HP car in a place that has winter 8 months out of the year. It's tough to carve mountain roads on ice. Plus, I'm all for big HP - believe me. But what's the point when the speed limit is 70?

Based on your no fear of gas mileage and openess to HP, combined with your environment, I would encourage to seriously encourage you to consider a Lancer.

While I was never a Mitsu fan back in the day - these damn things are just badass. They have conquered just about every venue... Offroad, mountains, straightline drags, cruising... They are now known worldwide as a badass car that works in every situation.

I know, I know - not on your list....

Sorry Nik but I'm a Mopar guy too. Rick, I present these 2 valid arguments for the SRT8 Magnum (besides the ones already given) 1) Because they didn't sell very well they're being disco in 08 so having a car like everyone elses is not going to happen & 2) Having a longer wheelbase allows you slightly more reaction time when the back end breaks loose. I got to drive one & I can tell you from personal experience that it is capable of reaching 0-60 from the market to the post office...that's right. Not McDonalds...the post office. Bam! Plus you can haul stuff in it too

TopGear says: Rubbish!

Hands up if you love Nik. I do man. I am going to totally buy a Dodge now. As soon as you said TopGear hated it, you closed the deal for me! I hate those guys.

I wish you could have been there when I widdled this list down. I thought about the Lancer. But, all that kept coming to mind was standing outside a 7/11 with a bunch of 20-something's talking about what kind of muffler system and cold-air intake I was running. I have a pretty car-loving posse I hang out with at home and they would laugh their asses off if I rolled up in an EVO. I'd lose all the street cred I have built up over the years! LOL

"Look, it's Fawcett in a ricer!" Never happen.

Tick, thanks for the vote my friend. The Magnum is quite a statement and that's why it tops my list along with the Charger and 300. My Grandpa and father have been long-time Mopar fans so they obviously hold a place in my heart. The '08 model year is the last for the Magnum so you are right, this is not going to be a very common car. Makes me think it might be better to buy one and keep it as a display-only model!

If all you want is performance and 4WD

I want a lot of things, but above all I want a car that is fun and looks good on me. That's all. Doesn't have to be the best car on the road. Just a helluva lot of fun.

But what's the point when the speed limit is 70?

The point is, there is no point. If I wanted a point I'd buy a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry!

I'm certain you'll get the right one for you.

A Jetta? Are you serious? Am I a 26-year-old female Yoga instructor!

LOL. That made me laugh. Well done, doctor. Well done.