Sports Car Buyer's Guide

Sports Cars We Recommend

by STEPHAN WILKINSON, ForbesAutos.com
Sports Car Buyer's Guide
Are You a Sports Car Person?
      To Drop a Top or Not
      Absolute Power
      Shifty or Shiftless
      Rim Shot
Hottest Sports Cars of 2008
      The Hot List
Hottest Sports Cars of 2007
Sports Cars We Recommend
Hidden Costs
Mad Mods
Hot Car, Cold Road
Sports Car 101
Glossary

More so than raw numbers — zero-to-60-mph times, g loads on a skid pad, horsepower and torque — intangibles such as style, comfort, value, emotional appeal and utility determine much of the ownership experience.

With few exceptions, the cars we've recommended, both here and in the Hottest Sports Cars for 2007 section, have been driven extensively by ForbesAutos writers. They not only have some of the best specs in their respective classes, but they are highly rated by staffers on subjective appeal. And in the case of the new entrants that we have yet to drive, all are similar enough to or represent marked improvements over existing models we already love that we're confident our choices will be affirmed.

 

2007 Ferrari F430 Spider
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Best High-End

Ferrari F430

Ferrari's smallest sports car keeps it real with stunning styling and heart-pounding performance.      read more

• Read Review (2006)
• View Photo Gallery
 


Porsche 911
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Best High-End

Porsche 911

The sixth-generation 911 offers near supercar performance and real-world  comfort.      read more

• Read Review
• View Photo Gallery


 
2007 Porsche Cayman
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Best Mid-Range

Porsche Cayman

An ideal blend of handling, performance, sex appeal and everday practicality.  read more

• Read Review (2006)
• View Photo Gallery



 

Mazda MX-5 Miata
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Best Economy

Mazda MX-5 Miata

No budget sports car offers more fun or style per dollar than the timeless MX-5.  read more

• Read Review
• View Photo Gallery



 

Chevrolet Corvette
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Best Value

Chevrolet Corvette

The 400-hp Corvette is unmatched in terms of performance and looks per dollar.  read more

• Read Review (2006)
• View Photo Gallery



 
Mazda RX-8
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Best for Families

Mazda RX-8

Small rear "suicide" doors make the RX-8 as practical as it is fun to drive.  read more

• Read Review
• View Photo Gallery



 
 
Mercedes Benz SLK350
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Best for Weekends

Mercedes Benz SLK350

This is the car you want when its 72 degrees and sunny.    read more

• Read Review (2006)
• View Photo Gallery



 
 
2007 Saturn Sky Red Line
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Best First Impression

Pontiac Solstice GXP/Saturn Sky Red Line

GM's little gems are stylish, fun and affordable — an impressive combo.  read more

• Read Review
• View Photo Gallery



 
Aston Martin DB9
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Best Looks

Aston Martin DB9

No one does the classic long-hood, short-deck coupe like the British.  read more

• Read Review
• View Photo Gallery



 
Lotus Elise
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Best Fun Factor

Lotus Elise/Exige

It's impractical, but for yee-hah driving fun, the Elise/Exige can't be beat.  read more

• Read Review (2006)
• View Photo Gallery



 
2007 Jaguar XKR
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Best Comfort/Performance Combo

Jaguar XKR

Sumptuous and silky smooth, but still sporty, the Jag XKR does it all.   read more

• Read Review
• View Photo Gallery



 

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