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Subject: 2002-2003 Entry-Level Luxury Sport Sedans Comparison Test
From: Anonymous

First, I must say that I really like your site and have used it successfully to get a great deal on several vehicles. In addition, I really like some of the reviews I have read, and generally find the information provided to be reasonably on target.

However, I have just skimmed through your luxury sport sedans test, and have found it to contain numerous errors of fact.

A few of those errors are as follows:

The Acura does not come standard with the navigation system. The Cadillac is not a German-derived Opel, in fact it was designed in North America. Cadillac does have tilt steering as standard equipment. Cadillac does have express down on all windows standard. Cadillac does have a CD player standard.

I am sure once I fully read your article I will continue to find more errors. This article clearly reflects a lack of focus and thought. In addition, the article is not factual as I exhibited above. This article should be viewed as an embarrassment to Edmunds by its author.

It's evident that all you did was skim through the piece. The author of the comparison test, Road Test Editor John DiPietro, points out that:

1) The Acura TL Type-S (as well as the standard TL) is actually marketed as two models, one with the navigation system and one without, as opposed to showing the nav system as an option. Six of one, half a dozen of the other, but that's how Acura does it so that's what we present.

2) We referred to the Cadillac CTS' precursor, the Catera, as being derived from the German Opel, which it was.

3) Yes, the Caddy does have tilt steering, but our features chart clearly indicates tilt/telescoping steering as the feature we were looking for.

4) The Caddy doesn't have express down for all windows; its window sticker clearly states "Pwr. windows with express front."

5) A single disc CD player is indeed standard; we never claimed it wasn't. We do, however, show in our features chart that a CD changer isn't which, once again, is true. — Ed.


Subject: 2002-2003 Entry-Level Luxury Sport Sedans Comparison Test
From: Jeff

Just curious, does BMW USA write the checks directly to the reviewers or does it at least try to hide the fact you are influenced by the BMW propaganda machine? Let's face it, Germany excels at propaganda and building machines.

Anyway, here is my list of issues with your review:

1) No Lexus IS 300 five-speed? In the 2001 Entry-Level Sport Sedans Comparison you complained that the Lexus was an excellent driving experience but lacked a manual gearbox and interior materials were sub par. So for 2002 Lexus added a five-speed manual and full leather interior with higher quality plastics. So how did this car get left off the list?

2) Changing the rules? Last year the BMW lost to the Acura. So this year you've invented a new comparison test where only the driving experience is considered. No value equation. So thanks for making a test slanted towards the BMW.

Here is the deal. I have owned BMWs, Lexus and Acuras. I will most likely never own a BMW again (never say never). For one reason, everybody and their sister has a 3 Series here in Southern California. Secondly, the interior and instrumentation in the BMW never made me feel like I was in a luxury car (very spartan). BMW still doesn't come with a decent nav system! Thirdly, I don't drive on a racetrack to work every day. I use the freeway. And finally value, value, value. I can't justify spending 5, 6 or 7K more for a propeller on my hood (please use TMV instead of sticker to compare price).

Congratulations on justifying why a BMW isn't right for you. We applaud your powers of self-persuasion.

As stated in the introduction of the comparison test, "We have the winner of the last comparo defend its title by going up against the newest rivals, which can either be a new model or a redesigned existing model." In light of the large number of vehicles in a given category, we feel this is the most logical and fair way to approach the heady task of a full-blown comparison test.

There is no question the IS 300 is a great car. But because the IS 300 was neither redesigned nor a new model, it was left out. Yes, an argument can be made that the manual transmission and interior upgrades make it more worthy as a sport sedan, but if you read our last comparison test, you'll find that we really didn't ding it for a lack of a manual gearbox. Instead, we were disappointed by its small storage capacity and cramped rear seat.

So why was the 330i included? Because it finished just a half point behind the winner last time and the two chief factors that hurt it, the loss of the trademark steering feel and a skimpy standard features list, were both addressed for 2002.

We didn't change the test to favor the BMW; we felt it would be more beneficial to our readers to divide this murky class into sport sedans and luxury sedans. We have also done a comparison on the entry-level luxury sedans which we posted recently.

Bottom line, the IS 300 came in third place last year and we don't feel the inclusion of a manual gearbox (which again didn't really hurt it in the last comparison) and very slightly improved interior were enough to warrant inclusion in this comparison. — Ed.


Subject: Ridiculous — ranking Acura TL Type-S above Infiniti G35
From: Tirthankar

Your recent entry-level luxury sport sedans review is rife with contradictions. Apart from your ranking of the 330i at the top — which is understandable — the rest of your rankings make little sense. As a respected member of the automotive reporting community, you're expected to maintain a higher set of standards.

By your own admission, your purpose was to place more emphasis on driving enjoyment than on luxury. By your own admission, you ranked the Infiniti G35 second to the BMW 330i in terms of being fun to drive. Also, by your own admission, the Audi A4 ranked last in performance testing. In my book, performance plays an important role in making a car fun to drive.

Yet the Audi came in at number two, and the Acura TL, which one of you also said "is a very, very good car but not a sport sedan" also shares number-two honors.

Contradictions galore, there seems to be disagreement even between your own editors.

On more specific issues, I find it hilarious for instance that you believe the FWD Acura TL's fuzzy steering is superior to that of the G35. Yes, the G35's steering is on the lighter side at lower speeds, but so is the TL's — at all speeds. The G35's steering tightens up at higher speeds and the car can be steered with laserlike precision, but the TL's steering needs continuous correction.

There was probably something wrong with the G35's tires or some other mechanical problem for you to get the stopping distances and acceleration times you did. They're a lot higher than in every other review on the car, including your own previous review.


Subject: 2002-2003 Entry-Level Luxury Sport Sedans Comparison Test
From: Mike

Three comments on your sedan comparison:

1) Why is it that every on-line and paper car enthusiast group continues to compare the $40,000 BMW 330i with so many $30K to $35K machines? You never compare the 325i, which is much closer in price comparison to the new competitors. I'm talking about the Infiniti and Acura challengers which always price out $5K to $7K less. And every article always ends with something along the lines of "sure the BMW was $8K more, but we really felt it was worth it." Sorry, but in the real world that's rarely the case. If I am out looking to spend around $30k I am not going to consider a $40K BMW 330i. But I will consider the 325i model. Please compare this in a future test as it's much more competitive on price but holds a lower performance ratio. Will the handling and other factors be enough to offset its power disadvantage? Dying to know!

2) I'm a bit tired of everyone praising the ergonomics of the 3 Series. Has anyone noticed that the 3 Series has the exact same power window set up as the Saturn L-Series? It's spread out in the center around the shifter. It's a horrible arrangement. And every article on the L-Series trashes the layout, but the 3 is always praised for its wonderful ergonomics. Not to mention the radio and climate controls, which are far from intuitive.

When we conduct a comparison test, our primary mission is to collect cars that have similar characteristics and performance. We assume consumers are shopping for a type of car, and then we set out to discover what the best car is in that particular segment. Price is still an issue and we factor it in for the test. But if we had included a BMW 325i, no doubt we would have gotten just as many (or more) letters complaining about our inclusion of a 325i and its relative power deficiency. As for the 3 Series' controls, we didn't praise them in the article. We merely stated that they were "functional." — Ed.


Subject: 2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet First Drive
From: Andre

I just wanted to let you know that I read the recent Edmunds test drive review for the 2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet.

This is a vehicle which I was anticipating for over three years, but your review sure changed my mind about buying this car.

I had been working with Audi to be on its waiting list a long time now and thought the car was going to be the right choice for me.

Your review said that this car was being marketed mainly to women (I'm a man). This turned me off in a big way. Audi never informed me of this. Also, I'm thankful that your test drivers were disappointed with the cars "off-the-line" acceleration performance, hinting that the engine was underpowered for the car's weight. Additionally, you folks discovered that the rag top bows significantly at speeds of 70 mph and above. A major flaw in the design. Final synopsis from Edmunds: a mediocre ride at best…a tame vehicle for all-around driving.

I'm going to write a letter to Len Hunt (president of Audi America) and let him know that your article on the 2003 Cabriolet, giving it a mediocre rating, swayed me to change my decision to purchase (and I'm sure a lot more people as well!). I'll probably help you guys get the bad word out as well on several of the bulletin boards I frequent for Audi enthusiasts. I will direct everyone to the article for the definitive word.

It's too bad, because I thought this would be my dream car…I will now have to wait a few more years to see if they correct the flaws which Edmunds has uncovered and reported on.

Thanks for uncovering the bad aspects of Audi.

While we're glad that you found our article useful for your future automotive purchase, it seems that you read things into it that you shouldn't have. We never said the car was being marketed mainly to women. We never said the car was mediocre. The article finishes with, "Our impression is that Audi has covered its bases in terms of content, safety, style and value. We're not 100 percent convinced on the performance aspect, but maybe we don't have to be. Company spokesman Doug Clark told us the A4 Cabriolet is supposed to be 'a four-season, four-seat convertible for people who want to experience life.' The company obviously wasn't trying to unseat the king of driving passion, BMW's 3 Series, nor did it want a softer alternative to Ford's boulevard-cruising Thunderbird. It appears Audi wanted to land somewhere in between the two. If that was indeed the goal, the A4 Cabriolet hit its mark."

Before sending off letters and dismissing the car, perhaps you should take it for a test drive and make a final decision yourself. That's the only way for you to know for sure. — Ed.


Subject: 2002 Volkswagen Jetta TDI GLS Road Test Follow-Up
From: Dante

How can you possibly get 32 mpg or even 36.5 mpg in a TDI? Are you revving it to 4,000 rpm on every shift? Peak torque is around 2,000 rpm. If you were driving an automatic, you should have made that clear to avoid misleading readers.

I know a lot of people with TDIs and no one gets fuel economy as bad as yours. Ninety percent of my driving in my 2000 Golf GLS TDI five-speed is in a city/stop-and-go commute and I have still averaged over 43 mpg over the 25,000-mile life of my car. Not only that, but I can cruise over Snoqualmie Pass East of Seattle with four people plus luggage on board and the cruise control set at 80 mph — I defy you to do that in a Prius, Insight or even a Hybrid Civic.

I know I'm biased, but you guys just lost a lot of credibility with me.

We can only report the mileage we recorded (without driving it at a constant 4,000 rpm). — Ed.


Subject: Whitmore Review — Outstanding!
From: S. Minehart

Thanks to B. Grant Whitmore and his 1999 Isuzu Vehicross road test. Not only is his writing style easy to read and entertaining, but his review is right on! I bought a Vehicross in May 2001 after reading quite a few professional reviews. Now that I'm an owner, I enjoy revisiting those reviews and finding new ones to see if they reflect my own assessment 15,000 miles into the vehicle.

I have to say that Mr. Whitmore's review stands out. He wrote the article with surprising insight. He captured the many plusses and few minuses of the Vehicross. I realized I was smiling and shaking my head in agreement as I read his words. I'm going to print his review to share it with those who ask me how I like this unique machine — it pretty much says it all, and better than I can.

Please send him my compliments, and let him know I am not a fit and active young woman but I still like being stared at in this serious and sporty off-road vehicle.


Subject: Long-Term Test Vehicles
From: Eric

Hey, Edmunds editors, first I just have to say that your Web site is the best car-truck site on the Web, and you obviously put a lot of hard work into it, which may explain some of your less-than-perfect long-term car choices, but I bet you've heard enough about that already.

My question is, why do you order your long-term cars in such generic colors? Of the 13 cars you currently have, eight of them are either white, gray or black. Come on, but in the recent months I've seen you may have somewhat decided to drop that, and ordered the Mini in "Electric Blue" and the Vue in a vibrant red. Good choices, but remember those ill-fated long-term SUVs (the Mercedes-Benz ML320 and the Toyota RAV4) that were both gray?

I understand this may seem like a minor complaint, but I was just wondering if you had noticed this boring color palate on your great fleet of Long-Term Cars.

It turns out that our editor in chief, Karl Brauer, is color-blind and he had no idea what colors he was picking when he ordered the cars. Hopefully, we'll have this rectified in the future. — Ed.