the 300 is a 2004 car, but it wasn't included in the MT test last year. They say at the beginning of the article that the vehicle has to be made available to the magazine in time for the COTY test, and that it has to be available to consumers by like january 1st or something. My guess is the 300 didn't make it for one of those reasons, i don't think i saw any on the road till this summer.
In the 2004 COTY, there were a couple 2003 cars as well. So i'm pretty sure the 300 will be up against the mustang this year. I agree, its gonna be down to these two, and i really can't say which i think will win.
I also think the mazda3 will do pretty well, although i doubt it'll win. According to MT's test pages, the 3 went through the slalom at 68.1mph, that's faster than anything from lambo or masseratti. Its also a very attractive car, in my opinion, too bad the american focus doesn't get that platform.
What about the magnum, its got pretty much everything the 300 has to offer plus cargo space right?

 

oh ya, i forgot to ask. Does anybody know what the deal is on crazy expensive cars in that contest? Is there a cut off at like $100K? I wanna know whether the GT40 is gonna be considered. I know the viper was there either last year or the year before.
They didn't mention anything about a price cut off at the beginning of last years COTY article.

 

I've been saying that this 05' Mustang would win Car of the Year for months now...check my previous posts.

As stated above, the CofY is supposed to be a NEW model, or improvement to a current model, like the new Vette (but too pricey for the award).

Motor Trend has loved this new Mustang since they released those drawing renditions back in 2001...plus it's almost like an honor for Motor Trend to honor the Mustang (an american icon, and its retro styling IS the next motor trend!!!)

anyhow it's fun to speculate

 

I forgot to mention this: The F-150 won last year's Truck of the Year, so FORD might just know how to woooooooooo the MT guys

hint, hint
wink, wink...free GT's to all the writers

 

The Mustang will win for sure!!!!!!!! :yes:

 

On a semi-related note...

MSNBC: Fall new car forecast

(vote for the 2005 Mustang)

 

BBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZ

Try again.

The Chrysler 300 was introduced as a 2005 model in May, as was the Dodge Magnum. A few weeks later, the 2005 Focus also came out.

Make no mistake, the 300 IS a 2005 model.

 

aww poo.

 

The concept here is much the same as it was when we everybody was speculating about horsepower ratings, or when Ford would release pictures, or *insert something we don't know for sure yet here* ... speculation is just what keeps us on our tip-toes wondering what exactly there is to come. With that said, of course I hope that Motor Trend picks the Mustang as its Car of the Year. But let's put this in perspective guys. There have been some TERRIBLE cars picked as Car of the Year cars. The Thunderbird isn't included (in any of the 4 times it has won the award). But seriously, win or not win, the car is still a win for us!

 

I think the Mustang has a legitimate shot at winning. And I agree that it will come down to Mustang vs 300C. It can compete with the Chrysler in the areas they test: performance, ergonomics, value, technology, even handling (give the new rear setup a good test before we universally decry that it's not as good as IRS).

But I think the area that it will excel is "significance." The Chrysler is significant, any decent rear-drive American sedan is. It has the early buzz and sold well, but last I checked the sales were slowing down. And Mustang sales should be in full swing by the time the mags get around to testing for COTY.

And I think the Mustang is more significant. It is an icon for a reason. It has "soul." It touches people on an emotional and sometimes viceral level, the way few automobiles have. And most of ones that do touch people the same way simply do not exist anymore...they are just fond memories. I think everyone on this forum could tell a story about what a certain Mustang has meant to them, and there would probably be a strong emotional value to that story.

Ford has somehow built a car that feels like the past, but looks to the future at the same time. That, I think, is significant, and hopefully, the writers at the mags will feel the same.

I agree with most of the previous posts, that this car is winner no matter what. The things I didn't like about the previous Mustangs have been changed or significantly improved, and everything I loved about them are still there and then some. I love this car--even as it is, right out of the box, and I can't wait to get one

 

Not to mention it finally has been designed from the ground up since back in 1979.