Your article ["Best - Handling Car for Less Than $40,000,”October 2011] lists the Pirelli P Zero tires on the 2011 Ford Mustang GT as being part of the package.”They are actually st andard on the GT and have been at least since 2005. As for ,”I replaced the ones on my 2005 GT for S140 each, installed, at the dealer. Your complaint about lack of feel in the steering is puzzling, as I can feel the seams in my driveway or pebbles on the road. Perhaps you didnset the steering to ”? Perhaps you should be checked for peripheral neuropathy. You did get it right about the P Zero Neros contributing to handling. They hang on like scared monkeys, without the screeching, on my 2012.

BOB FARNETTE

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MICHIGAN

The Mustang GT does come with Pirelli P Zeros, but they are the P Zero Nero A/S. The /S”stands for uall season”and in the 2005 Mustang GT235/55R17 size, they currently list for $141 at Tire Rack. The Brembo package brings a larger (255/40R – 19) summer – only, maximum – performance P Zero, which lists for $37$ from Tire Rack. The difference between the two is sort of like the difference between a Maserati Biturbo and a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale —Ed.

When you re conducting an individual road test on a specific vehicle, I can understand why you would accept a test car that is equipped somewhat differently than what you may have originally requested from the manufacturer. However, you conducted a test with the stated objective of evaluating handling. I believe that you should not have tested the cars equipped as they were in this feature. To be fair, in this case, you should have insisted that each car be equipped with every handling – enhancing factory option available to it or none at all. Ita way of mitigating the to oranges”thing.

MARK KUNKLER GAHANNA, OHIO We did exactly what you suggested and equipped all of the vehicles in the test with every handling – enhancing option available for $40,000 —Ed.

Great job in choosing the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR, with an as – tested price of $41,970, as the winner of – Handling Car for Less Than $40,000.”

BOB LORENZO BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA Iwrite this again real slow: All of the vehicles in the test, equipped with handling – enhancing options, can be purchased for less than $40,000. The options that raise prices beyond $40,000, if anything, probably hurt performance —Ed.

I enjoy reading your articles, reviews, and features. However, upon reading the recent handling article I was baffled as to why the Subaru Impreza WRX STI wasnincluded in the test. I believe if the Evo was included, then it is only logical the STI be tested as well. I would like to know the reason behind the decision to omit the STI.

RAMON DALLAS, TEXAS Previous experience with the WRX STI convinced us that the Evo would fat e better in this test —Ed.

TAKE NINE

John Pearley Huffmanallegation that the Scion iQ [October 2011] is looking”is preposterous. I think Mr. Huffman should stop by the LensCrafters in La Cumbre Plaza, and he will be seeing more clearly… in about an hour. His remark that the 2150 – pound curb weight of the iQ is a cheerleader more than a ton”makes me wonder if someone needs to hit Weight Watchers after practice. And why not try .P. Huffman”as a pen name; itless death row – esque.

ANDY ZION

BRADENTON, FLORIDA Zion sent us nine slightly different versio7is of this letter, and this was the best one —Ed.

FAMILY TIES

Iconfused by the results of your Class Acts”comparo [October 2011]. The VW Passatstyling is bland and unmemorable. Itthe softest car of the three, driving like, as you said, classic American land yacht.”Yet, it still won the comparison. How is that possible?

DEMETRI0 FORD INTERNET WATERS Besides the VW boasting the best interior, the most comfortable seats, and the smoothest engine, we also said the Utaut and responsivefeel that makes us love the GTI is present in the Passat but buried beneath several layers of padding”—Ed.

BACKFIRES

Maybe somebody can help me understand something. The Honda Accord V – 6 running gear looks (to my untrained eye) very similar to the powertrain of the Acura TSX V – 6 tested in your December 2010 issue. In fact, the only differences I can discern from the listed specs are a slight weight difference (the Accord is 25 pounds lighter), a slight horsepower difference (the Accord has nine fewer), and that the Acura is said to require 91 – octane gas [versus 87 for the Honda].

But the Acura put up better performance numbers —o to 60 in 6.0 seconds (versus 6.6) and the quarter – mile in 14.6 (versus 15.2) —the most questionable of which is o to 100 mph: 15.0 seconds versus 16.7. What gives?

TODD CRAVENS

ROCKVILLE, ILLINOIS We didn t really want to discuss it in this forum, Cravens, but there are times in life when you for get to remove the John Pearley Huffman – spec cheerleaders from the trunk of the car before you test it And by ”we mean Michael Austin —Ed.

FAHRVERGNOOGIES

I identify completely with your assessment of VWdecline to the ordinary [EditorLetter, October 2011]. From my 1973 Beetle through three Sciroccos, one Quantum Synchro wagon, and two Passat wagons —all with manual transmissions —I came to value the relative low cost of high-quality German engineering, European handling and economy, and the ability to feel the road through the seat of my pants. Your Editor s Letter explains why I now drive a BMW 328i manual. My other car is, and always has been, a Porsche 911. Many thanks for expressing so very well the feelings of those of us who bought and enjoyed VWs for many years because of how unique they truly were.

JOHNT. SQUIRE ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND

I am finding it hard to ignore you and many others saying that the new VW Beetle is more .”I like the new look but also drove a 2000 New Beetle for a few years. Seems to me, if youreally a man, you drive whatever the f —you wa nt. Those ”who worry about what others might think about what they drive need to get some testicles.

B. AUCONE

DENVER, COLORADO

LOOSE DEFINITION OF LITERATURE

Mercedes – Benz G55 AMG interview”[October 2011]: priceless. Hands down the most entertaining bit of automobile literature IVe read in years.

CHRIS HAYNES

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

THE STATE VS. BUICK

As a former resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin, I can wholeheartedly say that your observations of this small Wisconsi n city in the October edition of C/D [of the Midwest Heavyweights”] are absolutely correct. The town has not changed at all in the past 6oyears. Looking back on my 20 years of living in La Crosse, it was a great place to grow up and learn the Midwestern values of hard work and dedication to friends and family. Thanks for the excellent report on my hometown.

BRUCE STROMSTAD CHAING MAI, THAILAND Couldn t get far enough away, could you, Stromstad? —Ed.

I enjoyed your carefully and thoroughly researched comparison between the Buick LaCrosse and La Crosse, Wisconsin. I think that consumers too often casually acquire a car without considering a community. The Buick is no doubt a nice vehicle, but the city, either in its base or fully optioned form, is definitely worth consideration.

CHRIS KERBAUGH

LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

My wife and I were all excited when we came across your October 2011 feature, of the Midwest Heavyweights.were hoping to read up on the car my wife and I are contemplating purchasing —the Buick LaCrosse —only to find that the article really didnsay anything much about the car. In fact, aside from a few statistics about both the LaCrosse and La Crosse, the article —although funny —really didnsay anything. Guys, a little bit of artsy – fartsy verbiage is fine here or there, but this is getting ridiculous. This was almost as bad as the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet story a few months back. Come back to Earth, please.

THOMAS ZARBO JR.

MILLVILLE, NEW JERSEY

Your usage of uartsy – fa7 tsy ” indicates to us that you ll love the Buick LaCrosse —Ed.

BIDEN TIME

I just wanted to thank you for featuring Vice-President Joe Biden in your October issue [IDo Differently”]. My favorite part of that feature was where you mentioned his middle name is Robinette. My mothermaiden name is Robinette, and in her research we have learned that the vice-president is a distant cousin to us.

RYAN LANE AND LAVAKA ” GARVER PLAIN CITY, OHIO

Car and Driver is an automotive magazine. Joe Biden owns a Corvette. Therefore C/D publishes Bidensocialist economy opinions. Who is next? Maxine Waters, Al Sharpton, Charlie Sheen? I assume each of them owns, or has been in, an automobile.

RICHARD T. REGAN SLIDELL, LOUISIANA

You guys delivered a magazine with a John Travolta ad in the front and a Joe Biden interview in the back. You completely suck out loud. You suck so bad the National Weather Service may name you.

DOUG MINTZ POQUOSON, VIRGINIA

MAKING IT RAIN

I have been reading —and episodically subscribing —to C/D going on 30 years now. There have been great periods and times of serious drought. Havingjust finished reading the October issue, I just wanted to pipe up and say that you guys are really on cam”right now —the writing has the standard dose of irreverence but with a level of confidence that makes it a great read. Keep up the great work, and thanks.

NOAH SHUBE

ONLINE TRAFFIC JAM

SUNSTROKE

This is a greeting and a hug from the sunny Costa Rica, this email itto give you support to all you guys, in addition, to say THANK YOU, for your articles are objet of discussion with my family and they are the subject of reunion, keep the faith my friends many of us read every month. Sorry by my bad english, with this you can understand that I have to traduce all your magazines.

ALEXANDER CORDERO

SOMEWHERE IN COSTA RICA

Cordero, la realidad es que su ingles es mejor que muchos de los que escriben a la revista. Now go see if your license plate is on your government s speed – camera hit list —Ed.