If put to a real-world test, which of these cars would get the best fuel mileage? That's the question we intended to answer with our test of a 2008 Ford Focus, 2005 (certified used) Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2008 Toyota Prius and 2008 Smart Fourtwo.

So we ran each of them through an identical test loop of close to 1,000 miles. The loop included everything from highway travel and constant speeds to stop-and-go driving in one of the most congested towns on the planet (not L.A.) to medium speeds on deserted two-lanes. When you put a diesel (Jetta) up against a hybrid (Prius) up against a traditional economy car (Focus) up against a...a -- well, whatever the Smart car is -- what do you get in terms of fuel mileage and fuel costs?

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As one of the oldest existing vehicle nameplates in the automotive universe it seems only fitting to ask the inevitable question: When (if ever) did the Ford Mustang jump the shark?

I'm going to take the suspense out of this discussion and tell you up front when I think the Mustang topped out: 1969. That's actually one year after my favorite Mustang of all time -- 1968 Shelby GT500KR -- but there were enough exciting models in 1969 to validate the model's sustained health. The Boss Mustangs (302 and 429) both hit showrooms that year, as did the Mach 1. The 428 Super Cobra Jet was going strong, and Shelby still had a couple models in the line-up (though I don't like them as much as the '68 versions).

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The immediate answer is, "I don't know for sure" because I didn't instrument test these vehicles or carefully analyze every aspect (cargo capacity, price/value, audio system, etc.). But I did hijack a couple staffers and we took both cars on a driving loop through Mulholland.

Beileve it or not, there's some kind of embargo on Dodge Challenger driving impressions. Seems impossible, considering I've read several First Drives about the car, including our own, and they all include driving impressions. Don't get me started on the stupidity of road test embargos in 2008, that's a discussion for another day (maybe next Tuesday...). Anyway, I can't believe it's "against the rules" to reiterate what our First Drive already says, so here goes.

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I spent most of yesterday at Willow Springs driving the Ford GT at "The GT School."

It was quite the experience and one that justifies an in-depth blog -- though I'll just throw out this teaser for now. Look for more information in an upcoming Ford GT long-term blog, and suffice to say I'm more impressed with Ford's supercar than I was 48 hours ago. I drove it 100 miles to the track, drove it (very fast) on the track, and then drove it 100 miles home. No mechanical complications, just shrinking lap times and lots of fun.

Not sure you could do that with every modern supercar...

"Why doesn't Ford bring back the Zephyr?"

I can't believe anyone ever actually said this, but lo and behold that paragon of 1970s Mercury style and performance did return in 2006 -- as a Lincoln. Actually, the Zephyr was originally a 1930s-era Lincoln before it was a '70s Mercury, but how many people know (or care) about that? Should Ford have revived this nameplate? I guess its staying power (Lincoln changed that model's name to MKZ after one year) is answer enough.

I was recently thinking about dead nameplates that should not come back after someone brought up Edsel in conversation. I'm assuming Ford will never revive that nameplate, and I don't expect to see the words "Aztek," "Chevette" or "Volare" on a future model, either. But then again, who would have predicted the rise of "Aspen" from the automotive underworld. Which brings up today's burning question:

What dead vehicle nameplates do you most fear the return of? In my opinion there are two reasons for a nameplate to never come back: (A) it's associated with a horrendous vehicle (Aztek) or (B) it was a horrendous name itself, regardless of the vehicle it was affixed to (Probe).

Here are my Top 5:

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The 2008 Ford Fusion has plenty going for it. It rides on the Mazda 6 platform. It looks as good or better than anything in the family sedan segment. And it offers all-wheel drive, a feature few sedans priced in the mid-20s offer.

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I'm going to admit it -- my interest in professional football is at an all-time low. Growing up in Denver it was impossible not to be a fan of the Broncos, which ultimately paid off several years ago. But I don't live in football-crazed Denver anymore. Hell, I don't live in football anywhere anymore. Gotta love the second-largest city in the nation not having a pro team. Regardless, the Broncos have been mediocre at best for several years, and honestly I've got other ways to spend my Sundays. What, you think those old Triumph motocycles stay in tune by themselves?

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Of course nobody is still buying Chistmas gifts on December 24th, right?

But, in theory, if you still have to buy something for that car geek on your list you might stop by the local Radio Shack. They've got $8 remote control cars that range from Enzo Ferraris to Porsche Carrera GTs to Hummer H2s. I bought two of these toys in Ford GT form a couple months ago when I couldn't pass up the low price. Last week I saw some more, and because those first two were bubble-wrapped for future posterity it made sense to snag a couple more for the kiddies.

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After 100 miles in Ford's "new" 2008 Focus I've got a strong sense of where this car feels "new" and where it feels "old" -- and where it feels "expired" for that matter.

The Sync system feels quite new, as it should. There's a definite learning curve to figuring Sync out, but on a system this advanced that's probably unavoidable. I also like the updated switchgear for the climate control, and the overall design/lighting of the dashboard looks, feels -- and for all intents and purposes is -- "all new." My test car was an SES coupe with several options, including ABS, the upgraded "Audiophile" sound system with MP3 capability and the Ambient Interior Lighting package. That last option provides soothing console and floorboard lighting at night, giving the cabin a more upscale demeanor. MSRP for this vehicle is $19,030, but dealers are already dealing on the "new" Focus.

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I can't believe I'm going to say this -- but the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 is too much of a muscle car for me. Maybe I should add, "...old-world muscle car..." to that statement for better clarity. I just had possession of a GT500 convertible for a couple days, and I was fully ready to hand the keys off when my allotted time was up.

A comparison between this car and a 1971 Hemi 'Cuda can not be avoided. Both cars make approximately 500 horsepower. Both cars weigh approximately 4,000 pounds. Both cars use a live-axle rear end. And both cars are about as subtle as 50 Cent lyrics when their engines rev past 5,000 rpm.

Problem is, I don't have much interest in driving a 1971 'Cuda convertible these days, and the same holds true for the most radical version of Ford's new Mustang. In both instances, a more balanced version of each car is available (AAR 'Cuda in one case, Bullitt or Shelby GT in the other).