Following an evaluation of more than 200 different vehicles for its AAA New Car & Truck Buying Guide, the nation's largest organization for motorists has selected 13 "Top Cars" for 2001. AAA's automotive experts rated 12 vehicles as best in their price category and, again this year, named a "Cool Car" because of its unique characteristics. AAA's Top Cars, by price category, are: Nissan Sentra (under $12,500) Ford Focus ($12,500-$15,000) Chrysler Sebring ($15,000-$20,000) Buick LeSabre ($20,000-$25,000) Acura 3.2TL ($25,000-$30,000) Nissan Xterra (SUV under $25,000) GMC Yukon Denali (SUV $25,000+) Saab 9-5 ($30,000-$35,000) Volvo Cross-Country ($35,000-$40,000) Cadillac DeVille ($40,000-$50,000) Mercedes S500 ($50,000 plus) Dodge Grand Caravan (minivan) The experts chose the Chrysler PT Cruiser as the 2001 "Cool Car" because it is retro chic on wheels and rides on an up-to-date platform for impressive stability. AAA's annual New Car & Truck Buying Guide takes the guesswork out of buying a new vehicle. Its evaluations of model-year 2001 cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs are based on such criteria as: -- ride and handling -- acceleration and braking -- fuel economy -- comfort and convenience -- storage space -- value Unlike evaluators for some other car guides, Editor Dave Van Sickle and his team of automotive experts test drove each vehicle listed in the book to see how it handled in real-world situations, on streets and highways, with passengers and cargo. "Determining which vehicles deserve the AAA Top Car Award is as difficult as the choices many consumers make when shopping for a new car," said Van Sickle. "In the end, our selections hinge on which vehicles offer the best combination of performance, design, quality, and value."