Rabbit hops over Yaris to top spot, Volvo C30 and Mazda3 make their debut. Pictured: The 2008 Saab 9-3 ( Photo courtesy of Saab ) and VW Eos ( Photo courtesy of VW ) .
COURTESY OF www.gaywheels.com
Nashville, TN—Gaywheels.com, a source of information specifically targeted to and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) car-shoppers, has announced its list of the Top 10 Most-Researched Vehicles during the first quarter of 2008. The Volkswagen Rabbit took over the top spot from the Toyota Yaris after a 12-month run. The Volvo C30 and the Mazda Mazda3 made their debuts in the 9th and 10th spots, respectively.
'It seems price and fuel economy concerns are important to the Gaywheels.com consumer,' said Gaywheels.com founder Joe LaMuraglia. 'Sixty percent of the vehicles on the most-researched list are hatchbacks and four of those six have a MSRP starting at under $16K.'
The most-researched vehicles were as follows:
1. Volkswagen Rabbit: Model strengths include a convenient hatchback design; standard safety equipment; and low price ( range: $15,000-$18,000 )
2. Volkswagen Eos: The four-cylinder 2008 VW Eos ranks as one of the best bargains among all convertibles, offering a very upscale interior for about the same price as its cruise-oriented competitors. The V6 Eos boasts a host of luxury features that matches premium brand competitors while costing substantially less.
3. Toyota Yaris: A sporty liftback S model, featuring front and rear color-keyed spoilers, sport seat fabric, amber gauge illumination, and other extras, joins the Toyota Yaris lineup for 2008.
4. Mazda MX-5 Miata: The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata, or just Miata, as it's more commonly known, comes with a 166-horsepower, 2.0L four-cylinder engine, matched with a standard five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. It continues to have a loyal, cult-like following for its sports-car simplicity and reputation for reliability and longevity.
5. Audi A3: In addition to an eager engine and one of the best interiors in its class, this five-door hatchback is a marvelous choice for those who want a car that combines the nimbleness of a sports car with the cargo capabilities of a mini-wagon.
6. Volkswagen Jetta: The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta comes well-equipped and value-priced for those who want a small but roomy sedan or wagon.
7. Saab 9-3: The Saab 9-3 has long been a sportier looking, sportier driving alternative to other European luxury sedans, and the convertible model remains one of the most practical choices among drop-tops for day-to-day utility. The 2008 9-3 already stands out for its tight, crisp handling; the expected availability of all-wheel drive should make the 9-3 more appealing in its class for those in snowy climes.
8. Dodge Caliber: Now in its second year of production, Dodge's 2008 Caliber retains its low price and high mpg reputation, but also adds the oomph of the company's performance division with a new $22,435 SRT4 model.
9. Volvo C30: The 2008 Volvo C30 is an all-new sporty two-door hatchback model. It's closely related mechanically to the S40 sedan and V50 wagon, but is much smaller, and therefore it promises to be considerably perkier to drive.
10. Mazda Mazda3: The 2008 Mazda3 is one of the most nimble, best-handling small cars on the market, and the five-door models especially stand out among competing models for their sporty silhouette and hatchback convenience.
Although information, specifications and pricing on all new car and truck models are available on Gaywheels.com, each vehicle on the Most-Researched list is offered by a gay-friendly brand. Gaywheels.com classifies vehicle manufacturers as gay-friendly or not based on their corporate policies for offering domestic-partner benefits to their employees in the U.S.
The Top 10 Most Researched list is based on Web site statistics gathered Jan. 1-March 31 from Gaywheels.com's New Car section. Gaywheels.com publishes its Most-Researched list quarterly.
