LONG-TERM FLEET STREET.(NEWS)(automobile industry)

1 Subaru Forester

GRITZINGER: Among my first uses of our long-term Forester was to strap kayaks to its roof and fill its cargo hold with gear for a day at the lake. Note to self: Next time, fill the cargo area first, because once kayaks are tied to the roof, the giant rear wind deflector makes it nearly impossible to open the rear hatch. Still, I appreciate the Forester's hauling capacity inside and out. I also like a car with roof rails and crossbars so you can actually put something on the roof (instead of looking "sporty or "cool or "taller or "SUV-like).

2 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

WONG: My enthusiasm for this dual-clutch transmission is beginning to wane. In sport and "sport sharp mode, it offers shifts that are quick and crisp. Rev matching is there for downshifts, but a couple of times in automatic mode, it crashed into gear halfway through a corner. That jolted the entire car.

I will say the chassis got a decent workout on my watch. A couple of rough roads I frequently travel proved that our long-term Evo does not like potholes. No, it is not nearly as jarring as the Evo IX, but it remains something the average driver might carp about.

3 Audi R8

MORRISON: No doubt, our long-term R8 is a really, really good car. But ...