Do numbers really matter in a comparison test? Maybe, but we’ve all read comparisons where the fastest and best handling car loses because of more subjective matters. Sure, die-hard numbers guys may stomp and whine, but if a fast car is unbearable to live with, why should it win?

That’s part of the reason I do my comparison tests a little differently. Rather than generate a slew of track numbers, I concentrate on subjective criteria. If you want to know how fast something gets to 60, or how well it sticks to the road, then go to the Car Track & Driver Inside Trend Motor & Road Lines of the world. They do a great job discovering how many tenths of a second faster the Teutoniberg X7000 is than the Gemelli Torchietti SPF50. The numbers they get are great for bench racing, but let’s face it, they’re often useless in the real world.

I call mine the Right Brain Comparison Test. It’s simple. First, the cars being compared get their own review. Then, I compare them according to seven criteria that, to me at least, are more important in the real world than the numbers. Whichever car wins more categories wins the comparison, and since there’s an odd number of categories, there will always be a winner…none of this wishy-washy tie stuff for me. If you disagree with the results or criteria, there’s a poll at the bottom of each matchup, and you’re free to sound off in the comments as well.

Exactly what are the comparison criteria? It depends on the cars. For example, compare two sport coupes and you’ll have a different mindset than when comparing two minivans. Does that mean I’m making it up as I go along? No, because different cars have different buyers, and using one standard for everything doesn’t make much sense. Minivan drivers are more likely to be interested in how easy it is for toddlers to get in and out than they are about burnouts and impressing friends. Conversely, practicality isn’t much of a consideration when it comes to sporty cars.

So read up, enjoy the comparisons, and if you think I’m crazy or just way off base, tell me!