2006 should be an interesting model year. There are some cars being released for the first that I really want to see on the roads and possibly one day drive. There are also new re-designed vehicles re-introducing themselves in 2006. So I ask you which of these new or re-designed cars do you think will have the best shot of being car of the year for 2006?

2006 Lexus IS350- Toyota will be introducing a brand new updated IS Series Lexus called the IS350 in 2006. The IS350 will now utilize a 3.5L 6-Cylinder that is rumored to make atleast 300HP (RWD). The transmission will be a new sequential-shift 6-speed-automatic (standard).
http://fast-autos.net/lexus/lexusis350.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Chevrolet Impala SS/Monte Carlo SS- The Impala is not just a regular grocery getter anymore. In 2006 the Impala and the Monte Carlo will receive a much needed power upgrade with the use of a 5.3L 8-Cylinder making 303HP and 323TQ. The Muscle is back, and the new Mustang GT may want to watch out for these cars.
http://fast-autos.net/chevrolet/che...ntecarloss.html (For pictures and more info)
http://fast-autos.net/chevrolet/06c...etimpalass.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06- 500HP and 475TQ turns the new Z06 into a bonafide exotic killer. Weighing in at 3130Lbs, Chevrolet expects this car to hit the 1/4 Mile in less 12 seconds and reach speeds above 190MPH. This car will be able to beat and hang with Lamborghinis for less than half the price.
http://fast-autos.net/chevrolet/chevroletc6z06.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT- We all miss the 1st and 2nd generation Eclipse, but the 4th generation should help us get over that last generation (3rd generation). The new Eclipse will sport a 3.8L 6-Cylinder making 263HP and 260TQ. This car should be a blast to drive and will click of low to mid 14 second 1/4 Mile times. The Eclipse will wear a new body, that took a lot of styling inspiration from the 1st and 2nd generation Eclipses.
http://fast-autos.net/mitsubishi/mi...ieclipsegt.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX- This EVO should be one of the best EVOs ever. Power is up by 10HP and torque is also raised to 289TQ. Expect 0-60 times of 4.4-4.5 Seconds and 1/4 Mile times in the way low 13s and possibly high 12s. The new EVO IX is also helped by a re-design which gets rid of Pontiac style grill. The interior is also updated, and may have the most comfortable and best looking seats of any EVO. The EVO IX will still be available in the GSR and RS 5-Speed models and the 6-Speed MR model.
http://fast-autos.net/mitsubishi/mitsubishievoixmr.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed 6- A Japanese Turbocharged 4-Cylinder making 270HP+ and utilizing AWD, nope this is no EVO or STi, but a Mazda. This car will offer a nice combination between the all out dedicated performance of the EVO and STi and the style comfortability of a BMW 330I or Nissam Maxima. Of to 60 times should dip under 6 Seconds and the interior of the this car is very nice.
http://fast-autos.net/mazda/mazdaspeed6.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Pontiac Solstice- GM introduces this very nice two seat affordable RWD roadster for the 2006 model season. The Solstice will hope to grab customers away from competition such as the Mazda Miata (also re-designed for 2006) and the Toyota MR2 Spyder. The Solstice will be powered at first by a NA 2.4L 4-Cylinder making 170HP and 170TQ (a more powerful supercharged version is expected soon after release) which should give this 2800Lb coupe some good scoot. The interior is also a big improvement for GM designers.
http://fast-autos.net/pontiac/pontiacsolstice.html (For pictures and more info)

2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8- This 425HP and 420TQ bad boy is due to be released in 2006 model year. Based of the wagon Magnum, the Charger hopes to live up to it's namesake by being one bad ass car. O-60 should blow by in 5.0 Seconds and this car will pull even stronger wants it gets going. The Charger will have a race inspired interior, that will comfortably fit 4 people.
http://fast-autos.net/dodge/dodgechargersrt8.html (For pictures and more info)

the impala and monte carlo are going to suck, i mean gm could have done better like for instance, rwd instead of a 303 hp/323 lb ft tq.....hmm torque steer?

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Ya those are some pretty nice cars, but I don't think the Mustang GTs will have to watch out for the Monte Carlo SS and Impala SS. While they are putting V8s in them is nice. Aren't they still front wheel drive? I think the car should launch hard but once it throse the wieght back to the rear wheel were the power should be the tires are just going to spin or the TAC will kick in and down the power. Plus those car wiegh a bit more than the Mustang and they have almost identical numbers 300hp and 320ft-lbs for the Mustang

other than the charger and vette, i'm not too impressed. the mazda's pretty cool. the lexus is nice, but it's gonna cost like $40K, for the performance it's gonna offer you could get something cheaper and better, like a 350Z. the evo looks exactly the same, the eclipse and solstice are ass ugly.

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- 2K2 Maxima 6 Speed-Mods: Advanced Timing, H&R Springs, Tokico Illumina Adjustable Struts, Konig Theory 19" Rim's.
- 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R-636cc's

At first I was pretty alarmed that the Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS were gonna be front-wheel-drive, but then I stopped and thought about how long GM has been making FWD cars (excluding trucks, SUVs, and sports cars). Then I realized that if they were to rush themsleves to design an all-new RWD platform for the Impala/Monte Carlo, it would probably handle worse than their already very good FWD platform. That said, I should hope that they are working on some sort of RWD muscle car to compete with the 300C and the Mustang GT, but knowing GMC, it isn't likely.

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My Camry...someday.

actually, i think the only interesting cars in that list are the lexus and the solstice which run on new (and i think as of yet unseen) platforms.
everything else are just re-hashes aren't they?

the evo x is going to the real one to watch cos once again, that is going to be on a new platform and one that no one else is going to be using not to mention a new engine.

the evo is gonna be the same thign it always has been...a very impressive economy sedan with some serious power.

solstice...i dont know i kinda like the concept of it. i think it will sell BIG.

impala/monte carlo...the look like ass according to those pictures. i dont care about the performance. i wouldnt buy one for performance...

eclipse...stupid. they arent gonna boost sales that way.

mazda...i dont know really what to say about it. im kinda either way. i dont think it will sell like it should...

lexuz is350...the back end looks like poo and the front looks like the is300. not impressive...ill take a used is300.

corvette...they are trying something a little different...raising the bar and the price. should be interesting. impressive car but it is still something i see way too much of therefore it doesnt have the appeal that a sports car if its calibur should have on me.

charger: hm...can you say bandwagon??? impressive power...i think it is ugly and i dont think that it will overpower the mustang in sales, even if they cost the same. it just isnt the same. just to note: never like the new mustang before...but now that i have seen it with the 18" summer wheel package. it looks great and i think ford did an excellent job. its just the first set of wheels, those made the car ugly. i have never seen wheels make such a difference on a brand new car.

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ZedEx Crew Member #4

alfa 159 is looking interesting.

The Alfa 159 is going to be the highlight of the year for me, though I wish they had kept the hidden door hanldes.

From your list only the Solstice, Z06 Mazda6 MPS, Evo IX and IS350 sound anything good.

The Impala and Monte Carlo will handle even worse than they do now, which was pretty awful in the first place, they'll go from handling like fishing trawlers to ocean liners. Why they never used the V Body to begin with is beyond me.

The Eclipse is nice but it just pisses me off how it's going to be another Eclipse kept for the US market.

I don't like the front end styling of the Charger at all, it looks like it was modelled around the cars in GTA San Andreas.

i thought the chevelle was coming out in 06 with the LS2 in it?
am i wrong?

For a thread on the 2006 car of the year, you guys haven't even scratched the surface.
I've seen no mention of the Shelby 500 Mustang or the new Shelby Cobra.
Their's lots of cars out there, and as the old saying goes, "You ain't seen nothing yet".

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Albert
ZForce be with you



ZedEx CrewMember #7
Old Fart Crew Member#1
If it's got tit's or tires, it's gonna give ya problems

2006 Lexus IS350 (no)
2006 Chevrolet Impala SS/Monte Carlo SS (doubtful)
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (as much as I'd like it to, no)
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT (maybe)
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (no)
2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed 6 (looks good)
2006 Pontiac Solstice (maybe)
2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8 ( )

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zgringo
For a thread on the 2006 car of the year, you guys haven't even scratched the surface.
I've seen no mention of the Shelby 500 Mustang or the new Shelby Cobra.
Their's lots of cars out there, and as the old saying goes, "You ain't seen nothing yet".

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3000ways
The Shelby 500 Mustang is scheduled for the 2007 model year. As far as I know, Ford has no plans as of now on building the Shelby Cobra for production. They might eventually build it, but as of now, it's still a concept.

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3000ways is talking about the Shelby Cobra being a concept, not the GT-500