Not really a sport-utility or minivan, the PT has been well received by our staff. It offers versatility and eye-catching styling not found among compact cars. Its only drawback is tepid acceleration. Also getting the nod as a Best Buy is the Nissan Altima. It is the best all-around performer offering room for four large adults, a comfortable but sporty ride, above average acceleration, and good fuel economy.

Recommended choices include the sporty Mitsubishi Galant, the vanilla Mazda 626, and the refined Volkswagen Passat. Hyundai's Sonata is a viable alternative if cash is tight. Though just an average performer on the road, Sonata's below average price and quality construction help it stand out.

Though still the most popular Pontiac by a wide margin, Grand Am slipped 8.5 percent in calendar-2000 sales to just under 215,000. That compares with a sharp 30-percent year-to-year gain in 1999.

Industry tipsters say Grand Am will get a freshening for 2002, then be redesigned for 2004 on General Motors' new Episilon platform along with the Chevy Malibu and a second-generation Saturn L-Series. The '04 is said to be wider but little longer than the current Grand Am and have a roomier interior. It's also likely to get a new GM powerplant as base equipment--the 2.2-liter "L850" 4-cyl introduced with the L-Series.