The Consumer Guide Best Buy program is now more than 40 years old. For 2015 Consumer Guide divvied up the new-vehicle market into 19 categories. Back in 1974, 10 segments got the job done. Here we present all 10 of CG’s ’74 picks, plus the second-choice picks presented for some categories.
All the text below is extracted directly from our 1974 magazine without editing. For fun, take note of how often the words “roadhandling” and “roadability” are used. It’s a little amusing now to think of the Plymouth Fury III as a class leader in handling prowess, but apparently that was the case.
Subcompacts
Best Buy: Ford Pinto
Base Price: $2292
Base Engine: 80-horsepower 122-inch four
“In the three years the Pinto has been in production, it has built a good record for reliability and a low repair incidence rate. The car has not been involved in any serious callback campaigns.”
Second Choice: Fiat 124 Special
Base Price: $3026
Base Engine: 90-horsepower 1600cc four
“The Fiat 124 has been in production since 1966, so Fiat has had ample time to work the bugs out.”
Compacts
Plymouth Valiant Sedan
Base Price: $3819
Base Engine: 105-horsepower 225-inch six
“With the 225-cubic inch slant six, the Valiant offers a unique combination of performance and economy. This engine also is renown for long life and trouble-free operation.”
Second Choice: AMC Hornet Hatchback
Base Price:$2499
Base Engine: 100-horsepower 232-inch six
“For those who want a 2-door compact, CONSUMER GUIDE recommends the smart-looking but practical hatchback model in the Hornet line. It has first-class economy of operation and is known as a quality product.”
Our Apologies: The Personal Luxury Cars of 1975
Sporty Compacts
Best Buy: Chevrolet Camaro
Base Price: $3366
Base Engine: 100-horsepower 250-inch six
“The right size and the right look—that’s how CONSUMER GUIDE views the Camaro. The GM entry also offers sensible powertrain combinations and an exceptionally good compromise of ride comfort and road-holding.”
Second Choice: Pontiac Firebird
Base Price: $3335
Base Engine: 100-horsepower 250-inch six
“Essentially the same car as the Chevrolet Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird has a certain style distinction, a positive Pontiac identity, and its own list of options. Price level is usually higher than the Camaro, but trade-in values usually come out even.”
Intermediates
Best Buy: Oldsmobile Cutlass (All)
Base Price: $3793 (coupe)
Base Engine: 180-horsepower 350-inch V8
“The Cutlass has superb ride comfort—right up there with the big cars. Roadholding and stability are among the Cutlass’s strong points, too. Olds engines have a strong pull and will run with above average fuel efficiency.”
Standards
Best Buy: Plymouth Fury III
Base Price: $4268
Base Engine: 180-horsepower 360-inch V8
“The suspension system, and brakes are improved for 1974, with results that give the Plymouth a great advantage over its competitors in roadholding and stability without giving up any significant degree of ride comfort.”
Review Flashback! 1975 Ford Granada
Medium Standards
Best Buy: Chrysler Newport
Base Price: $4677
Base Engine: 185-horsepower 400-inch V8
“The Chrysler Airtemp air-conditioning installation with eight higher-level outlets is possibly the best in the industry. Steel-belted radial tires are optional and strongly recommended.”
Second Choice: Oldsmobile Nighty-Eight Regency
Base Price: $5776
Base Engine: 210-horsepower 455-inch V8
“The Olds V8 has positive valve rotators on both intake and exhaust valves. This gives longer valve life, as well as improved valve seating for better engine efficiency.”
Luxury
Best Buy: Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL
Base Price: $17,400
Base Engine: 220-horsepower 450-inch V8
“There is genuine luxury in the 450 SEL. Seats are contoured for comfort, and front bucket-seat backs recline. The seat cushions may seem hard at first, but they produce less fatigue than soft American-type seats on a long trip.”
Specialty
Best Buy: Buick Riviera
Base Price: $5678
Base Engine: 210-horsepower 455-inch V8
“If you only have a small family and are going on a long trip, the Buick Riviera is your first-class ticket.”
Second Choice: Citroen SM
Base Price: $13,350
Base Engine: 185-horsepower 2965cc six
“Ride comfort is unequaled, except by other Citroen models. The SM has no metal springs, but rides on air-filled containers dampened by oil. The power steering works on a new principle, with power assist variable according to car speed.”
Low-Priced sports
Best Buy: Audi Fox
Base Price: $4110
Base Engine: 75-horsepower 1471cc four
“The interior of the Fox is well appointed, roomy, and practical; and the trunk is surprisingly spacious. The Fox has front-wheel drive, giving a flat, low floor, and excellent down-the-road stability.”
Second Choice: Fiat X 1/9
Base Price: $3920
Base Engine: 75-horsepower 1290cc four
“Small and light, the Fiat X 1/9 has soft springs and a remarkably well-cushioned ride for a car that can go around corners as it does. The engine is not noisy, either; it gives great economy, and gives the car a top speed over 90 mph.”
High-Priced Sports
Best Buy: Datsun 240Z
Base Price: $5364
Base Engine: 151-horsepower 2393cc six
“The 240/Z has advanced, but not radical, engineering. The engine has a single overhead camshaft—it is not a twin-cam job. It has independent rear suspension but uses regular coil springs all around.”
NOVA(S): The General Motors Compacts of 1975
