This diverse segment offers the widest price range. It covers everything from the $34,000 Saab 9-5 to the $130,000 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Obviously our Best Buys are somewhere in between. We think that the Acura RL is a steal at $42,000 fully equipped. Though it is a front-drive V6 in a field of V8 rear-drive models, it has a great ride, plenty of power, and is quite luxurious. Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though a bit long in the tooth, also continues to impress with its impeccable road manners and luxurious comfort.

If you are looking for something a bit more sporting we recommend the BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the Cadillac DeVille or Lexus GS 300.

Continental suffered another year-to-year sales drop in calendar 2000, down some 14 percent to some 22,600. That's on top of a 25-percent decline in calendar '99.

A major freshening was set for 2002, but that was before Ford Motor Company formed the Premier Automotive Group to coordinate its upscale brands, which include Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin, as well as Lincoln and Mercury. PAG has been looking to economize by building appropriate models among these brands using fewer platforms. The Lincoln LS/Jaguar-S-Type sedan is a current example. Planning calls for Lincoln to sell only rear-wheel drive cars in the future, leaving Continental out in the cold. Indeed, Conti doesn't show up at all on Lincoln's near-term to-do list.

So what will happen? Late word is that Continental will simply be dropped, with timing yet to be determined. In its sted, Lincoln will reportedly field a small rear-drive sedan. The fate of the Continental name is unknown. Inside sources say this car will not be related to Jaguar's new 2002 X-Type compact, but will also compete in the near-luxury segment. In size and market position it aims at the popular BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class. This entry-level model is part of PAG's plan to expanded the Lincoln lineup over the next few years so as to create a forceful American player in the world luxury market, particularly in Europe.