Sports Cars: Reviews

Updated May 2008

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Best "cheap" sports car

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata

(*est. $20,635 to $28,060) Compare Prices

According to reviews, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a champion roadster in every sense of the word. It delivers a fun driving experience and impressive fuel efficiency. In addition, it's one of the least expensive true sports… cars available in the &U.S., and the lineup includes the lowest priced retractable hardtop currently available. The only noteworthy issue is that the Mazda MX-5 does not deliver as much raw power as some of its sports car competition, but critics say it more than makes up for that in terms of responsiveness and sheer driving fun.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: In a well-rounded review, Edmunds editors praise the MX-5's low base price and economical operating costs, comparing it to the ...

TheCarConnection.Com: This good, descriptive review also links to a summary of how other publications rate the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Writer Marty Padgett ...

Cars.com: Cars.com includes the Mazda MX-5 Miata on its "Best Bet" list and is the "best deal for sun lovers.". The MX-5 review is more ...

ForbesAutos.com: This review on the Mazda MX-5 Miata gives some good general impressions, but has only minor criticisms: the car's small trunk and ...

Car and Driver: The 2008 best-car list at Car and Driver once again includes the Mazda MX-5 Miata, described as "irresistible." The article gives ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com rates the Mazda MX-5 Miata on a numerical scale that earns it a "Best Buy" rating. Highest points go to ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports base their updated review of the Mazda MX-5 Miata on a road test done in 2006. One unique aspect of ...

AutoWeek: Although this dated article reviews a 2007 model Mazda MX-5 Miata, it's an interesting commentary from eight AutoWeek staffers ...

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Best sports car value

2008 Chevrolet Corvette

(*est. $46,100 to $83,345) Compare Prices

When it comes to sports cars, the Chevrolet Corvette perennially ranks among the top choices in the market, and reviewers say it's actually an excellent value. In terms of performance, Critics say the Corvette holds its… own against cars costing considerably more. Styling remains striking and attractive, and handling on the track or the street is first rate. The car is also easy to live with on a day-by-day basis with fuel economy that's generous by high-powered sports car standards. At 22-cu.ft, the usable cargo area is enormous compared to the competition.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: Pund is impressed with the performance and price of the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette, but it objects to the "flimsy feel of the seats ...

Car and Driver: Car and Driver once again pits the 2008 Dodge Viper against the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. While the Viper is faster, the ...

Edmunds.com: Jacquot takes the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 and the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to the track. (The 2007 Z06 is only slightly ...

Road & Track: Road & Track pits the 2009 Nissan GT-R against the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo. The Corvette finishes ...

PopularMechanics.com: Popular Mechanics tests four of the fastest available sports cars. The 2008 Audi R8 comes out on top overall, but the Chevrolet ...

Motor Trend: Motor Trend editor Frank Markus achieves impressive cornering forces and a 0-60 mph dash in a blistering 4.1 seconds at the track ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports post two reviews: One features the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette based on a test of a 2005 base Corvette ...

TheCarConnection.Com: Roy mentions the Corvette's "spotty reliability record" but says for a high-horsepower sports car, the Corvette "simply outguns" ...

Cars.com: Cars.com reviews the 2008 Corvette's positive and negative aspects and covers what's new for 2008. A narrative review follows, ...

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Best premium sports car

2008 Audi R8

(*est. $109,000 to $118,000) Compare Prices

Audi's first supercar, the mid-engine, two-seater Audi R8, has captured a host of car-of-the-year awards and other accolades. It's not the absolute fastest or most powerful, but the 420-hp V8 and all-wheel-drive handling… give the R8 astounding overall performance that is hard to beat, even against more expensive, more exotic rivals. Reviews say that the Audi R8 sets new sports car standards for refinement, comfort, ease-of-driving and accessible performance. Aside from limited cargo space, this supercar is easy to live with, even for everyday driving.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Car and Driver: The 2008 Audi R8 takes first place in Car and Driver's comparison test against the 2007 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage and the 2007 ...

Motor Trend: Motor Trend concludes that the Audi R8 is "smoother, quieter and more refined" than the all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 Carrera 4. ...

Edmunds.com: Editors say the Audi R8 is "an intriguing exotic for those seeking more than just raw performance." The R8's "easy-to-drive ...

Automobile Magazine: The Audi R8 is Automobile magazine's 2008 Automobile of the Year and 2008 Design of the Year. Editors credit the R8 for its ...

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com takes the 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 2008 Audi R8 to a racetrack, and after extensive testing, the Porsche ...

PopularMechanics.com: Popular Mechanics takes The Audi R8, Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 Turbo and Corvette Z06 to a racetrack for an in-depth comparison. ...

WindingRoad.com: WindingRoad.com takes three German supercars -- an Audi R8, BMW M3 and Porsche GT3, each with just over 400 horsepower -- on a ...

Cars.com: Cars.com includes the 2008 Audi R8 on its "Best Bet" list. One reviewer, Joe Wiesenfelder, writes that on snow and ice, the R8 ...

Robb Report: For 2008, a panel of 20 judges narrowly chose the Audi R8 from among a fleet of 14 cars to be Robb Report's Car of the Year.

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