2007 Sports Car Best Bets

The pool of Cars.com Best Bets is larger this year because we've cited all the models that meet our set of minimum standards. This list includes not only Best Bet models, but conditional picks that require further test data, plus models that have proved popular and worthy, despite a few flaws. To understand how we choose our selections, and how they fit with the Cars.com Lifestyle New-Car Buying Guide, read the Best Bet methodology.

Cars.com Best Bets for 2007 Sports Cars
Here, Cars.com staff reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder picks his favorite sports cars, which are ordered according to base manufacturer's suggested retail price, from lowest to highest. The destination charge is not included.
	Mazda MX-5	$20,435 - $26,360
	The term sports car evokes ideas of power and speed — something the regular MX-5 Miata has never offered. Yet its steering, handling and rear-wheel drive with perfect weight distribution make it a blast to drive. It lets you go sideways all you want without ever becoming unmanageable. Best of all, it's affordable, even if you choose the optional retractable-hardtop roof in place of the regular soft-top — with no sacrifice in trunk space. It might not be pure sports car, but it is pure fun.
	Honda Civic Si	$21,290
	One of the original "pocket rocket" sport compacts, the Civic Si offers the same formula as always: a higher-output engine, six-speed manual and chassis elements optimized for performance driving. Where the newest Si generation differs is in its bodystyles. No longer a hatchback that looks like an offbeat cousin to the Civic coupe and sedan, the handsome 2007 coupe and sedan receive the Si treatment directly. The Si engine is a high-revving four-cylinder whose 197 horsepower peak is realized at 7,800 rpm. Its comparatively low torque of 139 pounds-feet also comes with the engine wrung out to 6,100 rpm. In this regard it's the antithesis of the Volkswagen GTI, another sports car Best Bet, but it's endlessly satisfying for drivers who don't mind keeping the engine buzzing and who want the Civic's storied reliability and exemplary crash-test performance.
	Volkswagen GTI	$22,220 - $22,720
	Possibly our favorite sport compact, the GTI — now in four- as well as two-door versions — benefits from a drivetrain we just can't get enough of. A bump from 1.8 to 2.0 liters and the incorporation of direct fuel injection have given the VW's turbocharged four-cylinder the low-rev torque that's missing from so many cars of this type, including the Honda Civic Si, another sports car Best Bet. Combined with a competent six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic Direct Shift Gearbox — a well-executed and fast-acting automated manual — the 2.0T engine gives you plenty of boost at any speed with virtually no turbo lag. Everything from its ultra-rigid structure to its best-in-class steering wheel make the GTI a blast to drive. We can't imagine ever tiring of it.
	Mazdaspeed3	$22,240 - $23,955
	The Mazdaspeed3 has at least one thing going for it: You can't get a faster, more fun-to-drive car for the price. The front-wheel-drive layout may not be the most logical for a sports car, but the high-powered, 268-hp turbo four-cylinder, shared with the larger Mazdaspeed6, is a thrill to open up. Our only concern would be when inexperienced drivers get behind the wheel of this affordable sportster; while fun for those who know what they're doing, the Mazdaspeed3 could simply be too much car in the wrong hands.
	Mitsubishi Eclipse GT	$23,399 - $28,269
	After a period of relative lameness, the Eclipse came back last year as a new, sportier model worthy of the name once borne by a spirited, turbocharged compact from an era when turbos were still rare. Only the GT trim level with its 3.8-liter V-6 qualifies as a sports car, but people who want to save the money or fuel can still get the standout styling with a four-cylinder version. The V-6's low-rev torque makes the Eclipse fun even in everyday driving. Of course, it also makes for torque steer, but that's all but unavoidable in a powerful front-drive car. The backseat isn't viable for most people or child seats, but the hatchback gives more storage space than you might expect. Sunworshipers will want to check out the convertible. The top-down look loses some of the styling magic, but it makes an already fun car even more so.
	Mazdaspeed6	$27,995 - $29,925
	Mazda's aging midsize sedan receives a special upgrade courtesy of a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine teamed with road-hugging all-wheel drive. Mazda was smart not to go overboard on the styling, and it didn't make the ride overly harsh to wring even more handling prowess out of the chassis. It's a family sedan for the driver who needs some "me" time, without making any sacrifices on either the speed or comfort fronts.
	Subaru Impreza WRX STi	$33,495
	The STi version of the compact Impreza WRX is the highest-performing car Subaru sells. It's also one of the highest-performing cars you can buy. With 300 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque driving all four wheels, the STi blasts to 60 mph in well under 5 seconds and cheats tight turns with gluelike road grip. You can get this kind of performance in other cars, but you'll pay much, much more. Though it came to the U.S. after the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — its archrival in this market as well as in international rally racing — the STi has boasted some advantages, most notably a 2.5-liter versus a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (both turbocharged), which gives the Subaru a stronger launch off the line. The Evolution is more affordable, but Mitsubishi is skipping the 2007 model year and bringing out a new generation for 2008 that could change the game. If you act soon enough, you can be one of 800 buyers in the U.S. to get a WRX STi Limited, which features more grown-up exterior and interior styling.
	Honda S2000	$34,250
	There are a lot of roadsters (two-seat convertibles) priced between $30,000 and $40,000. Many of them are desirable on several levels, but when the sole criterion is performance, the Honda S2000 is tough to beat. Even though the high-revving 2.2-liter four-cylinder delivers peak power close to its 8,000 rpm redline, torque is good enough in the low rpm range to satisfy in regular driving. The quick-flick shifter is a thing of beauty. The utterly rigid body makes you forget it's a convertible and ensures excellent dynamics and tractability. There are quicker roadsters in this class, but the S2000 has the whole package.
	BMW Z4 and related Z4 M Roadster	$36,400 - $52,100
	The current-generation Z4 made its 2003 debut to jeers. The new styling turned many people off, and the base model lacked power. Since then, the styling has found its fan base and converted some of its detractors. More important, the weakling disappeared, leaving 215- and 255-hp versions of the smooth-running 3.0-liter inline-6. The additional power transforms this car, balancing out the dynamics as well as providing more of an acceleration rush. The ultimate expression of the model is the Z4 M roadster, which dials up every aspect, from the 330-hp 3.2-liter I-6 to the enlarged tires and effortless brakes. Once you're driving the Z4, how it looks suddenly seems unimportant.
	Audi S4	$47,500 - $55,700
	There's a divide among sport enthusiasts along drivelines, due to the difference in their handling characteristics. Rear-wheel drive probably has the most devotees, and all-wheel drive is a likely second. Comparing the two types in a straight-line drag race is like comparing apples and oranges; the two can have the same diameter, but they still taste totally different. For acceleration that's virtually free of wheelspin, the surefooted S4 is tough to beat. Quattro — Audi's refined all-wheel-drive system — ensures that all the engine power goes to the road. However, the new RS 4 and recently redesigned S6 and S8 have moved to Quattro with a rear-wheel bias, which gives the best of all worlds and is likely to appear in a future S4. Still, the 2007 V-8-powered S4 exhibits impressive balance and predictability, especially in its Avant (wagon) and Cabriolet (convertible) variants.
	Porsche Cayman and Cayman S	$49,400 - $58,900
	The Cayman S is what you get when you take an exceptional rear-wheel-drive roadster, the Boxster, and give it a fixed hard top. It's only 11 pounds lighter than the Boxster S, but Porsche claims the Cayman S is a tenth of a second faster to 60 mph, at 5.1 seconds. For 2007, there's now a base Cayman claimed to do it in 5.8 seconds. The Cayman is much more than speed: It's a prime example of every component working in harmony with the others — and the driver. The gearshift is just where you want it. The ratios always seem to be just right. The mid-engine design makes for excellent dynamics and controllability. The brakes are always up to the task and consistent, and the clutch is forgiving without being numb. The S version's 295-hp, horizontally opposed six-cylinder sounds as good as it performs. The Cayman is a thrill to drive. Bravo.
	Cadillac CTS-V	$51,325
	Cadillac didn't mess around when it introduced the first of its V-line performance cars, the 2005 CTS-V. Having studied the competition — such as Audi's S variants, BMW's M and Mercedes-Benz's AMG — the American luxury brand decided anything less than dropping a Chevy Corvette's V-8 powertrain in its successful CTS wouldn't do. In 2006, the 5.7-liter was replaced by the current Vette's 6.0-liter. Both engines have produced 400 hp in the Caddy. Following the established formula, Cadillac upgraded the CTS-V's power, suspension, braking, exterior and interior. A redesigned CTS is coming for the 2008 model year, but it's likely the next-generation V-Series variant will come well after the regular one goes on sale.
	Audi RS 4	$66,000
	Now faced with more competition for its S variants, Audi is expanding its even more exclusive RS line, with the RS 4 representing the ultimate expression of the A4 sedan. Where the S4 has always been a sleeper, distinguished from the A4 by subtle exterior cues, the RS 4 looks ready to rumble, with more aggressive and arguably younger-looking mods, including a lot of aluminum rather than steel sheet metal for lighter weight and better front/rear balance. The RS 4 bests the S4's 340-hp V-8 with a 420-hp version of the same, cutting the more modest model's 5.3-second 0-60 mph time down to 4.8 seconds, according to Audi. Aside from the obvious specs, the RS benefits from a rear-biased version of Quattro all-wheel drive, which combines the feel and balance of rear-drive with the traction and surefootedness of all-wheel drive. (The current S4 splits its torque 50/50 between the front and rear wheels.) The RS is still more expensive than the S, but then, at what price performance?
	Cadillac STS-V	$74,870
	Having stuffed a Corvette powertrain into its first V-Series model, the CTS-V, Cadillac took a more sophisticated approach in its second, the STS-V. This souped-up version of the larger STS sedan introduced a 4.4-liter V-8 engine with a liquid-cooled supercharger integrated directly into its intake manifold. Duly impressed by this 469-hp plant, our reviewers were simply knocked out by how livable the STS-V is in day-to-day driving. Poor gas mileage and a small fuel tank make for a short range, which underscores just how comfortable the car is despite substantial suspension and other sport enhancements. If stopping for fuel after a few hours in a performance sedan is a greater problem than the condition of your spine, it's a keeper.
	BMW M5	$82,500
	With the addition of a six-speed manual transmission option for 2007, the M5 becomes an enthusiastic Cars.com Best Bet. Why not last year? Because the redesigned 2006 came only with BMW's catastrophic Sequential Manual Gearbox, an automatic transmission that's more like an automated manual gearbox than a conventional automatic. (For further explanation, see the M6's dishonorable mention.) To be clear, we have not driven the manual M5 yet, but the transmission was the only problem with last year's model, and it's unlikely that the stick could do anything but re-elevate the M5 to its rightful position as one of the best-performing sedans you can buy. From the second you unleash the 500-hp V-10 to the last time you activate the enormous brakes, you won't forget that you're in a car of exceptional capabilities — and a sedan, no less! Cheap it's not, but cheap thrills just don't measure up.

Models That Require Further Data

These are models that have proved promising in our extensive tests, but for various reasons we cannot unconditionally recommend them as Best Bets.

	Ford Mustang GT and Shelby GT500	$25,695 - $45,755
	Though the V-6 is nothing to get excited about, the Mustang GT's V-8 mated to a manual transmission combines the best of old-school muscle cars with surprising overall performance. The styling catches you, but it's the performance that converts you. Critics whine about the solid rather than independent rear axle, but the roadholding is damned impressive, even on all-season tires, and the steering is far more precise than in previous generations. The responsive throttle lends balance in turns, and the slight understeer bias prevents any surprises. It's not a perfect car, but it's leaps better than what we've come to expect from an affordable muscle car. The Mustang-based Shelby GT500, which could rightly be called the Ford Mustang SVT Shelby GT500 Cobra, is a Mustang GT taken to the extreme with a 500-hp V-8 and extensive chassis and cosmetic upgrades. The Shelby GT500 is a lot of performance for the price. CONDITIONAL PICK: The current Mustang generation has been sold long enough to have a reliability history, and unfortunately it's well below average.
	Chevrolet Corvette and Corvette Z06	$44,170 - $69,175
	With a standard electronic stability system and a choice of suspension and tire packages, including Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the Corvette is as refined or as randy as you want it to be. If the standard 6.0-liter V-8's 400 hp isn't enough for you, check out the 505-hp 7.0-liter in the outrageous Z06 variant. You could pay a lot more for a car that's far less refined — the Dodge Viper SRT10 — or one that's arguably too refined — the Porsche 911. But why? You won't find a world-class sports car for less. Seemingly immune to the domestic automakers' travails, the Corvette is a car Americans can be proud of. CONDITIONAL PICK: Unfortunately, the current generation Corvette's reliability has proved poor.
	Porsche 911	$72,400 - $122,900
	With more than 10 variants offering five engines ranging from 325 hp to 480 hp, the Porsche 911 has something for everyone ... everyone who can afford to pay between $72,400 and $122,900. If this sounds steep, check out the Cayman, which is a more affordable Best Bet and excellent in its own right. Many people think it's a better-looking car, too. It also has the advantage of having a decent reliability history, something the 911 cannot claim. If that doesn't bother you, the 911 is hard to beat — literally — on the racetrack. It's one of the longest-standing world-class sports cars, and a bargain in its own right. It's difficult to express with words what makes a 911 special. You really have to drive it. CONDITIONAL PICK: As noted, the 911 has a poor reliability history.

Dishonorable Mention

The following model deserves to be mentioned, but not because it's a Best Bet.

BMW's choice of an inferior Sequential Manual Gearbox transmission for its M6 knocks the car to dishonorable-mention status.

BMW M6: Unlike the M5 sedan, the M6 performance version of BMW's midsize coupe is not a Best Bet. It earns a dishonorable mention because for 2007, as in 2006, it doesn't offer a manual transmission. That alone wouldn't disqualify it, were it not for the nature of its automatic transmission, the catastrophic Sequential Manual Gearbox. The seven-speed trans is unlike a traditional automatic; it's an automated version of a manual transmission, which has some theoretical advantages in efficiency and speed. The problem is that the SMG is not ready for prime time. Even when the driver knows how the technology works and has adapted to its different operation, it often shifts slowly — basically slowing the car down when the driver is stepping harder on the accelerator. The paddle-shifting sequential mode is only slightly better, in that one can choose when to trigger the unpredictable upshifts. Forget the notion that it's a learning curve. Audi has proven the technology's true viability in its excellent Direct Shift Gearbox. BMW's SMG is simply unacceptable, and that makes any car that offers no alternative transmission equally unacceptable.