I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of the doom and gloom surrounding the auto industry -- especially since there are some really excellent cars that made their debut for the 2008 model year. And I rub my hands together in anticipation at the thought of all those shiny new 2009 and 2010 models that are starting to make headlines.

So, as we say goodbye to 2008 and hello to 2009, I figured I’d do a quick recap of some of my favs … for 2008 and beyond.

» Click to enlarge image

2008 Lexus IS F

New for 2008

Cadillac CTS – When the first CTS made its debut in 2003, I have to admit I wasn’t a huge fan. The edgy design was a little too much, and the driving position was decidedly uncomfortable for a petite driver such as myself. However, I was immediately wowed from the first moment I turned the key in the 2008 model. And that was before I took it out for a glee-filled ride on the racetrack. During a weeklong test it only got better. Cadillac nailed the design inside and out, cabin comfort is sublime and this entry into the Caddy lineup far outshines every other model. Base price: $43,135.

Lexus IS F -- Lexus redesigned the IS for 2006, and it was a huge improvement over the low-lux, tunerlike previous generation. So, when Lexus took a vehicle I liked a lot and added a 5.0-liter, 416-horsepower V-8 engine, I was practically salivating. Heck, no practically about it. The “back seat” may be a joke in this sedan, but it drives like a dream and turned out to be one of those cars I hated to turn in. The “F” designates Lexus’ performance lineup, and though the IS F is currently the only model available under this designation, I wholeheartedly look forward to more. The one big downside to the IS F is that it demands a $25K premium over the regular IS model. Base price: $56,765.

Dodge Challenger SRT8-- Hello. Hey. Excuse me. I heard that a lot during my time in the retro-styled Challenger. Every single time I drove the car, people wanted to ask me questions, take pictures and/or simply gawk. I even got a few date requests. Aside from being a hands-down attention getter, the Challenger drives really well and sounds even better. Plus, for 2008 there were only 6,400 made. So, if you got your hands on one of these babies, you’re looking at a collector’s item. For 2008, the only model available is the SRT8, but 2009 expands to include a base SE model that starts at just more than $20K. Base price: $40,095.

smart fortwo -- Obviously, this little tyke is not going to be a grand tourer, but it is a phenomenal city car. It boasts city/highway mileage of 33/40 mpg and has 7.8 cubic-feet of cargo volume in the trunk, which is plenty for your commute to work, short trips around the city or a trek to the grocery store. You do have to get used to the herky-jerky automatic transmission, but the overall ride is pretty comfortable. And I’ve even seen someone who’s 6-foot, 7-inches drive it, so don’t assume it’s only for shorter drivers. Base price: $11,590.

Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrid -- All I have to say is: It’s about damn time someone thought to put a hybrid application in the gas guzzlingest of the vehicles on the road. Kudos to General Motors for doing it first. This two-mode system allows the vehicle to operate in electric-only mode, gasoline-only mode and everything in between. Thus, the vehicles get city/highway mileages of 20/20 mpg for the AWD model and 21/20 mpg for the 2WD model. Compare that to the gasoline-only mileage of 14/19 mpg for the base 4.8-liter V-8 engine in the 2WD model. Base price: $50,490 (Tahoe Hybrid); $50,945 (GMC Yukon Hybrid).

Saturn Astra -- Cashing in on the current Euro styling trend, GM brought it’s Opel Astra to the U.S. under the guise of the Saturn Astra. Not much changed between the two models except the badging, which makes the Astra a bit of a departure from the run-of-the-mill GM lineup … And I liked it. Available as three- and five-door models, the Astra is compact, affordable, functional and fuel efficient. It also happens to be peppy, attractive and fun-to-drive. I like the Euro styling on the outside but could have done without the Euro styling on the center stack. The complicated controls were a bit of a downer. Base price: $15,995.

Chevrolet Malibu -- This car is a true surprise – one that will make you rethink buying American. Passengers during the test week were constantly stunned that this was a GM product. Fit and finish is exceptional, and the interior design is truly enlightened. Ride and handling and interior quietness are also worth noting. Because Chevrolet did such a great job with this car, other manufacturers – foreign and domestic – are actually using it as a benchmark for new product. Base price: $19,995.

BMW X6 -- This is one of those vehicles you either love or hate on site because of it’s odd-duck styling. Is it an SUV? Is it a hatchback? Is it a sedan? Yes … ish. A first of its kind, this sport activity vehicle has much of the utility and functionality of a regular midsize SUV, yet it can handle the racetrack almost as well as a sports car. I thought it was strange that the X6 only seats four, but the driving comfort and unique styling almost make up for it. Base price: $54,050.

Nissan Altima Coupe -- The Alitma Coupe sheds its stodgy sheetmetal for 2008 and is H-O-T! And when you look at a base price around $20K, it gets even better. Exterior styling is part Nissan 350Z and part Infiniti G37, and the driving experience is both fun and nimble. The test vehicle was packed with goodies and still only topped out at about $30K, which I didn’t think was bad for everything you could want … and more. With both I-4 and V-6 engines available, and tech features galore, there’s something for everyone here. Base price: $21,115.

BMW 1-Series -- This is the new entry into the BMW brand and opens up the BMW experience to a whole new crop of drivers with a price point just below $30K. The 1-Series comes as both coupe and convertible models, and has two 3.0-liter inline 6 engine options – one is turbocharged (135i) and the other isn’t (128i). It’s petite, peppy and quite close to perfect. Base price: $29,425.

Watchlist for 2009 ... and beyond

Hyundai Genesis -- A luxury car. From Hyundai. This might just be the biggest surprise of 2009. It beats a BMW 7-Series in a drag race, and it handles better than a Mercedes E-Class on a slalom course. The styling is a bit nondescript, but the interior is sublime. If you didn’t know it was a Hyundai, you wouldn’t know it was a Hyundai. Base price: $32,250.

Cadillac CTS-V -- Simply put: I love this vehicle. It builds on the beautiful styling of the all-new 2008 CTS, yet it adds this phenomenal 6.2-liter 556-horsepower, V-8 engine. Its zero-to-60-mph time is 3.9 seconds. Yee-haw! Previously the CTS-V only had a manual transmission option, but for 2009 you’ll see both a short-throw six-speed manual and a really nice six-speed automatic with a sport mode. Base price: $60,335.

Lincoln MKS -- Built right here in Chicago, the MKS is the new flagship for Lincoln. This large sedan has nice exterior styling and luxurious ride and handling. It’s comfortable for long trips, and I’m a huge fan of the Sirius Travel Link, which debuted in this vehicle. Base price: $38,500.

Nissan Maxima -- With this 2009 model, Nissan heralds the return of the 4-Door Sports Car. This seventh-generation Maxima gets a sleeker design and has a pleasantly sporty ride. It’s got some excellent get-up-and-go, yet the ride comfort is bordering on luxurious. Interior appointments get a huge lift, and cabin quietness is absolutely stellar. Base price: $30,885.

Audi A4 -- Though I haven’t had the chance to drive this car yet, it looks like it’s worth a million bucks. Taking a huge cue from the R8, the lines are long and sleek, and the headlights are a particular favorite. Audi adds about $2K worth of standard features, yet keeps the pricing relatively close to the previous generation. Base price: $32,700.

Kia Borrego -- Similar to the Genesis, much of what I like about the Borrego is that it doesn’t fall under the Kia stereotype. Fit and finish is exceptional, and the ride is really nice for a seven-passenger SUV. The really nice part? All the standard features you’ll get for your money. Base price: $26,995.

Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen Hybrid -- Building on a partnership with GM and BMW, this is the Chrysler version of the two-mode hybrid. These vehicles are pretty well-stocked models and come equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi engine. The hybrid info screen is visual eye candy, and allows you to see all modes of motivation from electric-only to deactivated cylinders. Base price: $45,890 (Durango), $46,120 (Aspen)

2010 Ford Fusion -- Though this is a 2010 model, this new midsize sedan will be in dealerships this spring. This refreshed Fusion gets significant styling changes, but most importantly, it adds a hybrid model to the lineup. This model maintains its fun-to-drive status and adds interesting tech options. Base price: $19, 995

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK -- All-new for 2009 as a 2010 model, the GLK is now the most compact SUV that Mercedes offers. As you would expect, lux amenities abound, and ride and handling are on the sporty side. Plus, backed by the 4MATIC all-wheel drive, it handles beautifully in ice and snow. Base Price: $36,775

2010 Chevrolet Volt -- The production model of the Volt was launched at the GM centennial in September. It is an electric-powered vehicle that can go up to 40 miles on a single charge. The small gasoline tank does not provide any motivation for the vehicle, it simply charges the battery that powers the car if the vehicle needs to travel beyond 40 miles. The Volt is expected to launch in late 2009 as a 2010 model and should be the first commercially available electric powered vehicle. Base price: TBA