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JarHed
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1. Ford Mustang
The All-American pony car has always been a favorite among shoppers on MSN Autos. Available in a coupe or convertible, the rear-wheel-drive Mustang is one of the most affordable sports cars today with a starting price of under $20,000. The GT is neck-snapping fast with its 4.6-liter 300-horsepower V8, but the 4.0-liter 210-horsepower V6 version is no slouch either. As in most coupes, the rear seats are not recommended for adults but the trunk is decently sized. For power-hungry enthusiasts, opt for the 500-horsepower Shelby GT500.
2. Chevrolet Corvette
It was just one year ago that Chevrolet added the fastest Corvette ever with the Z06. Not to be confused with the regular 'Vette, the Z06 is a 505-horsepower demon with a top speed of 196 mph. But such a powerful sports car still gets impressive fuel economy at an estimated 16/26 mpg for city/hwy. The Z06 is a blast to drive with excellent handling but the ride can get a bit bumpy.
3. Nissan 350Z
The "Z" car has been a hit ever since its return in 2003 with racy styling and high performance. Nissan is giving enthusiasts another reason to drool over this sports car with the introduction of the NISMO 350Z for 2007. NISMO is Nissan's performance products division and it is giving the Z special enhancements including a racier-sounding exhaust, NISMO-tuned independent multilink suspension, Brembo brakes and lightweight RAYS wheels. Price for the NISMO 350Z will start under $40,000.
4. BMW M3
The high-performance version of the popular 3-Series is an enthusiasts' favorite and is due for an update in 2008. Expected to be unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the fourth-generation 2008 M3 is redesigned to maximize performance with its lightweight construction. Based on the 3-Series coupe, the 2008 M3 will have the most powerful M3 engine ever—a 420-horsepower 3.0-liter V8 that delivers 295 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes about 4.8 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
5. Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi gave the Eclipse a new look two years ago and then added a convertible version, called the Spyder, for 2007. The soft-top takes about 20 seconds to lower with a pushbutton operation. Under the hood is a 2.4-liter 162-horsepower 4-cylinder engine in the GS and a 3.8-liter 263-horsepower V6 in the GT. With so much power in the V6, there is considerable torque steer—unwanted pulling of the front end to the side during hard acceleration. Inside, drivers may find the motorcycle-style gauges hard to see but its ice blue backlighting looks futuristic during nighttime driving.
Compare the current Mitsubishi Eclipse and the previous-generation Eclipse
6. Saturn Sky
Sporty and racy are not words that people would usually associate with Saturn, but the all-new Sky roadster may be changing that. A sibling of the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky looks larger, more solid and a touch wider; however, the two do not share any body panels. The Sky has great handling ability with virtually no body lean on tight curves or during swift lane changes. Braking is strong and the ride is more comfortable than the Solstice. If the base 177-horsepower engine isn't powerful enough, opt for the turbocharged 260-horsepower Sky Red Line.
7. Porsche 911
The regular 911 is already plenty fast with 325 - 355 horsepower, so how much faster are the new additions for 2007: the GT3 and 911 Turbo? Powered by a 415-horsepower 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine, the GT3 is a track-focused car so it won't be as comfortable as the 911 Turbo. On the contrary, the Porsche Turbo is twin-turbocharged and has an output of 480 horsepower. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and can hit 100 mph in 8.4 seconds with the standard 6-speed transmission. But the acceleration is even faster with the automatic transmission—a first for Porsche—and can be shifted manually via small rocker type switches on the steering wheel.
8. Mazda MX-5 Miata
With more retractable hardtop convertibles around the $30,000 mark now available, such as the Volkswagen Eos and Pontiac G6, Mazda decided to give one to the popular MX-5 Miata for 2007. The power retractable top is available for all versions except the entry-level SV trim. Regardless of the type of top it has, the MX-5 is always a kick to drive and has good fuel economy. Weighing under 2,700 pounds, it has lively acceleration but a downshift from sixth gear to fifth or four gear is necessary for fast 65-75 mph passing.
9. Ford Shelby GT500
Based on the Ford Mustang, the Shelby GT500 was developed by legendary racer/car builder Carroll Shelby and Ford's Special Vehicle Team. This modern muscle car is powered by an Eaton-supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine that delivers a neck-snapping 460 lb-ft of torque. The GT500 is quite heavy at 3,920 pounds for the coupe and 4,040 pounds for the convertible, but it still can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and 0 to 100 mph in 10.3 seconds. As a member of the 500-horsepower club, the Shelby is also the lowest cost 500-horsepower car offered by any automaker, with a starting price of under $41,000.
10. Pontiac Solstice
To give more appeal to the Solstice, Pontiac added a new turbocharged GXP version for 2007. It is GM's first gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine and it pumps out 260 horsepower with no turbo lag. To put it in perspective, the Solstice does 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and reaches 100 mph in 14.3 seconds. Other enhancements over the base version include better-gripping tires, a sport suspension, a special black grille, a small "chin" spoiler and polished dual exhaust outlets. For under $27,000, the GXP is arguably a better buy because of the superior engine and optional equipment not available on the base version.
The All-American pony car has always been a favorite among shoppers on MSN Autos. Available in a coupe or convertible, the rear-wheel-drive Mustang is one of the most affordable sports cars today with a starting price of under $20,000. The GT is neck-snapping fast with its 4.6-liter 300-horsepower V8, but the 4.0-liter 210-horsepower V6 version is no slouch either. As in most coupes, the rear seats are not recommended for adults but the trunk is decently sized. For power-hungry enthusiasts, opt for the 500-horsepower Shelby GT500.
2. Chevrolet Corvette
It was just one year ago that Chevrolet added the fastest Corvette ever with the Z06. Not to be confused with the regular 'Vette, the Z06 is a 505-horsepower demon with a top speed of 196 mph. But such a powerful sports car still gets impressive fuel economy at an estimated 16/26 mpg for city/hwy. The Z06 is a blast to drive with excellent handling but the ride can get a bit bumpy.
3. Nissan 350Z
The "Z" car has been a hit ever since its return in 2003 with racy styling and high performance. Nissan is giving enthusiasts another reason to drool over this sports car with the introduction of the NISMO 350Z for 2007. NISMO is Nissan's performance products division and it is giving the Z special enhancements including a racier-sounding exhaust, NISMO-tuned independent multilink suspension, Brembo brakes and lightweight RAYS wheels. Price for the NISMO 350Z will start under $40,000.
4. BMW M3
The high-performance version of the popular 3-Series is an enthusiasts' favorite and is due for an update in 2008. Expected to be unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the fourth-generation 2008 M3 is redesigned to maximize performance with its lightweight construction. Based on the 3-Series coupe, the 2008 M3 will have the most powerful M3 engine ever—a 420-horsepower 3.0-liter V8 that delivers 295 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes about 4.8 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
5. Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi gave the Eclipse a new look two years ago and then added a convertible version, called the Spyder, for 2007. The soft-top takes about 20 seconds to lower with a pushbutton operation. Under the hood is a 2.4-liter 162-horsepower 4-cylinder engine in the GS and a 3.8-liter 263-horsepower V6 in the GT. With so much power in the V6, there is considerable torque steer—unwanted pulling of the front end to the side during hard acceleration. Inside, drivers may find the motorcycle-style gauges hard to see but its ice blue backlighting looks futuristic during nighttime driving.
Compare the current Mitsubishi Eclipse and the previous-generation Eclipse
6. Saturn Sky
Sporty and racy are not words that people would usually associate with Saturn, but the all-new Sky roadster may be changing that. A sibling of the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky looks larger, more solid and a touch wider; however, the two do not share any body panels. The Sky has great handling ability with virtually no body lean on tight curves or during swift lane changes. Braking is strong and the ride is more comfortable than the Solstice. If the base 177-horsepower engine isn't powerful enough, opt for the turbocharged 260-horsepower Sky Red Line.
7. Porsche 911
The regular 911 is already plenty fast with 325 - 355 horsepower, so how much faster are the new additions for 2007: the GT3 and 911 Turbo? Powered by a 415-horsepower 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine, the GT3 is a track-focused car so it won't be as comfortable as the 911 Turbo. On the contrary, the Porsche Turbo is twin-turbocharged and has an output of 480 horsepower. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and can hit 100 mph in 8.4 seconds with the standard 6-speed transmission. But the acceleration is even faster with the automatic transmission—a first for Porsche—and can be shifted manually via small rocker type switches on the steering wheel.
8. Mazda MX-5 Miata
With more retractable hardtop convertibles around the $30,000 mark now available, such as the Volkswagen Eos and Pontiac G6, Mazda decided to give one to the popular MX-5 Miata for 2007. The power retractable top is available for all versions except the entry-level SV trim. Regardless of the type of top it has, the MX-5 is always a kick to drive and has good fuel economy. Weighing under 2,700 pounds, it has lively acceleration but a downshift from sixth gear to fifth or four gear is necessary for fast 65-75 mph passing.
9. Ford Shelby GT500
Based on the Ford Mustang, the Shelby GT500 was developed by legendary racer/car builder Carroll Shelby and Ford's Special Vehicle Team. This modern muscle car is powered by an Eaton-supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine that delivers a neck-snapping 460 lb-ft of torque. The GT500 is quite heavy at 3,920 pounds for the coupe and 4,040 pounds for the convertible, but it still can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and 0 to 100 mph in 10.3 seconds. As a member of the 500-horsepower club, the Shelby is also the lowest cost 500-horsepower car offered by any automaker, with a starting price of under $41,000.
10. Pontiac Solstice
To give more appeal to the Solstice, Pontiac added a new turbocharged GXP version for 2007. It is GM's first gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine and it pumps out 260 horsepower with no turbo lag. To put it in perspective, the Solstice does 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and reaches 100 mph in 14.3 seconds. Other enhancements over the base version include better-gripping tires, a sport suspension, a special black grille, a small "chin" spoiler and polished dual exhaust outlets. For under $27,000, the GXP is arguably a better buy because of the superior engine and optional equipment not available on the base version.
