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In this report
Highlight product mentions:
  • 2009 BMW M3 coupe and convertible
  • 2009 Dodge Viper
  • 2009 Lotus Elise roadster
  • 2009 Lotus Exige coupe
  • 2009 Nissan 370Z
  • 2009 Pontiac Solstice coupe
  • 2009 Porsche 911
  • 2009 Porsche Boxster
  • 2009 Porsche Cayman
  • 2009 Tesla Roadster
  • 2010 Audi R8
  • 2010 Audi TT/TTS
  • 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
  • 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
  • 2010 Ford Shelby GT500
  • 2010 Nissan GT-R
  • 2010 Porsche 911
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See Also

Sports Cars: Ratings of Sources
Total of 27 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Car and Driver
Jan. 2009
2009 10Best Cars
by Tony Swan
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Every year, Car and Driver picks the 10 best cars. For this award, editors consider all new or significantly upgraded cars for the current model year, and they retest previous winners to ensure they remain… worthy. The Porsche Cayman and Chevrolet Corvette repeat their appearances on the list, and the BMW M3 makes it as well. Car and Driver tests just about every car on the market, so the frame of reference for these picks is excellent.

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2. Edmunds.com
As of Aug. 2009
Road Tests: Comparison Tests
by Editors of Edmunds.com
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Edmunds.com conducts comparison tests regularly, and you'll find several sports-car comparisons here. Writers do a good job describing what it's like to drive each car. Two winners -- the Nissan 370Z and… Chevrolet Corvette -- are also among the Consumers' Top Rated cars for 2009, and the 370Z wins a Lowest True Cost to Own award from Edmunds.com. Like Car and Driver, Edmunds.com thoroughly tests and reviews just about every car on the market.

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3. Edmunds.com
As of Aug. 2009
2009 Buying Guide
by Editors of Edmunds.com
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEdmunds.com picks the best vehicles at each price point in several categories. You'll find sports cars among the top recommended convertibles and coupes, but sports cars aren't broken out into their own section. Each car gets its own write-up based on hands-on testing, and picks are made by Edmunds.com's editorial panel.
4. Road & Track
As of Aug. 2009
Comparison Test Index
by Editors of Road & Track
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRoad & Track concentrates on performance cars -- especially head-to-head tests of the latest sports cars -- making it a rich source of reviews. Tests are expert and critical, and no matter which car you're interested in, chances are they've covered it. Road & Track also keeps a stable of long-term test cars, including a 2009 Nissan 370Z.
5. Motor Trend
Nov. 17, 2008
2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year Winner: Nissan GT-R
by Ron Kiino
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

The Nissan GT-R is quicker than a Lamborghini and surprisingly fuel-efficient -- two "astonishing" stats that help earn it Motor Trend's 2009 Car of the Year award. Editors consider only new or… significantly upgraded cars, testing them for a week on both road and track. Motor Trend has also added a 2010 GT-R and a BMW M3 to its long-term test fleet, to see how these two sports cars compare over time.

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6. Motor Trend
As of Aug. 2009
Car Reviews
by Editors of Motor Trend
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMotor Trend publishes a wealth of single-car reviews and head-to-head tests. The Chevy Corvette ZR1 wins two of Motor Trend's most recent sports-car shootouts, beating the Ferrari 599, Porsche GT2 and Motor Trend's Car of the Year, the Nissan GT-R. In another comparison test, the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 beats the Chevy Camaro SS and is crowned "king of the modern ponycar hill."
7. Automobile Magazine
Dec. 5, 2008
2009 Automobile All-Stars
by Editors of Automobile Magazine
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn a straightforward and entertaining style, Automobile Magazine names two sports cars to its annual All-Star list: the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (whose "brutal force" shocks mild-mannered staffers into cursing like sailors) and the always-satisfying Porsche 911. Picks are based on thorough testing by editors.
8. ConsumerGuide.com
Not Dated
2009 Best Buy and Recommended Awards
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

While we are sometimes critical of ConsumerGuide.com's reporting in other product categories, it does a terrific job evaluating automobiles. Testers rate each car on 11 criteria ranging from acceleration to… value, and editors put those ratings into context by comparing them to the average score of competing cars. The Chevy Corvette is the Best Buy premium sporty/performance car, and editors also recommend the Porsche Cayman.

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9. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Sporty Cars
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org editors test most new cars as they come to market. The reports, while reasonably complete, are not as detailed as those from some reviewers we rate more highly. On the other hand, ConsumerReports.org's information on reliability and resale value isn't often matched elsewhere, and those factors, along with safety, play a large role in the editors' recommendations.
10. The Truth About Cars
As of Aug. 2009
Car Reviews and Ratings
by Editors of TheTruthAboutCars.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentReviews at this enthusiast website are provocative, opinionated and insightful. Staffers review a lot of cars at all price points, and sometimes two staffers publish dueling reviews of the same car. Among the sports cars reviewed here recently, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the only one to merit a perfect five-star rating.
11. Autoblog.com
As of Aug. 2009
Car Reviews
by Editors of Autoblog.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Autoblog.com doesn't rank cars from best to worst, but testers tackle a wide range of cars -- including sports cars -- and the single-car reviews are well written, with plenty of photos. First Drive reviews… are just what they sound like, and you'll find reviews based on longer tests under the Review and In the Autoblog Garage tags. This is a good cross-reference site once you narrow down your choice.

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12. LeftLaneNews.com
As of Aug. 2009
Reviews
by Editors of LeftLaneNews.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLeftLaneNews.com doesn't rank or compare cars, but you'll find reviews here for many of the latest sports cars on the market. Reviews are critical and well organized, and reviewers judge practical matters (such as fuel economy and cargo room) as well as performance.
13. Jalopnik.com
As of Aug. 2009
Jalopnik Reviews
by Editors of Jalopnik.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentJalopnik.com reviewers aren't shy about their opinions. For example, one review here is titled "2010 Shelby GT500: Why the Convertible Sucks." But the reviews are usually balanced (testers do like the Shelby coupe.) Although reviewers don't rate or rank cars, no sports car gets more unabashed praise than the Chevy Corvette ZR1, which the tester says is "the best car ever made."
14. Inside Line
Nov. 10, 2008
2009 Edmunds' Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Awards
by Scott Oldham
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEditors here choose their favorite cars from among hundreds tested. Picks are purely subjective. The Chevy Corvette ZR1 gets the nod for speed, after breaking several Inside Line records. Editors' Instant Classic pick is the Nissan GT-R.
15. Edmunds Inside Line
As of Aug. 2009
Long-Term Tests
by Editors of Edmunds Inside Line
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEdmunds.com's Inside Line maintains a fleet of long-term test vehicles, including three 2009 sports cars: the Nissan 370Z, Nissan GT-R and BMW M3. Over the course of a year, staffers drive the cars in all kinds of real-life situations and blog about their experiences, giving readers a great idea of what it would be like to own each car.
16. Car and Driver
July 2009
2009 Porsche Boxster S vs. BMW Z4 sDrive35i, Audi TTS, Chevy Corvette -- Comparison Tests
by Michael Austin
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn this comparison test, the Audi TTS and Chevy Corvette convertibles fall behind the first-place Porsche Boxster S and runner-up BMW Z4. The convertible Corvette goes fast in a straight line but suffers from too much body flex, and the opposite is true for the Audi. Each car gets its own thorough write-up, and you can download the test result charts.
17. Road & Track
As of Aug. 2009
5 to Drive
by Editors of Road & Track
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRoad & Track names 5 to Drive cars in each of several categories, such as fantasy cars, convertibles and future classics -- all of which include current sports cars. Each car gets a short write-up, and Road & Track backs up its picks with an extensive testing program.
18. Kelley Blue Book
As of Aug, 2009
Car Reviews and News
by Editors of Kelley Blue Book
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Though Kelley Blue Book is better known as a source for car values, editors also test most cars on the market. These single-car reviews are concise, balanced and easy to read. Editors make recommendations… and awards in several categories. For example, the Audi TT makes the Recommended Shopping List for convertibles, the Nissan GT-R enjoys the best resale value of any high-performance car, and the Chevy Corvette Z06 and Porsche Cayman S are among Kelley Blue Book's best road-trip vehicles.

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19. Cars.com
Not Dated
Top Picks for Sun Lovers
by Editors of Cars.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Chevy Corvette is the only true sports car to makes this list of the best convertibles. However, you'll find single-car reviews by Cars.com testers for many sports cars, plus helpful links to reviews from other sources.
20. CNET
As of Aug. 2009
Car Tech
by Editors of CNET
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

CNET might be best known for its reviews of consumer and computer technology products, but it also features a surprisingly strong section of auto reviews. The reviews emphasize technology -- perhaps too… much. It's an interesting approach that covers a unique niche, but it works for expensive cars better than for budget wheels. The 2009 Nissan GT-R earns a perfect five-star rating and a spot on CNET's list of five best tech cars; editors say it has "awesome power," too. The 2008 BMW M3 coupe and convertible (largely unchanged for 2009) also earn Editor's Choice ratings, with "ferocious" performance and great cabin tech.

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21. U.S. News & World Report
As of Aug. 2009
U.S. News Rankings: Sports Cars
by Editors of USNews.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentU.S. News ratings are based on the testing of third parties. Editors boil down their research into easy-to-read one-page reports that culminate in numerical ratings for each vehicle. Sports cars are categorized by price. Winners include the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911. However, it's hard to determine why some models score higher than others.
22. PopularMechanics.com
Oct. 29, 2008
Popular Mechanics 2009 Automotive Excellence Awards
by Editors of Popular Mechanics
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEach year, the editors of Popular Mechanics choose the best cars, after testing "just about every new model on race tracks, two-lane roads and muddy trails around the world." The performance award goes to the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
23. Which? magazine
Not Dated
Best Sports Cars
by Editors of Which? magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? magazine is the U.K. equivalent of Consumer Reports. Editors test many cars to pick the best. Two roadsters and one coupe make this list of best-buy sports cars, but you must be a subscriber to access the report.
24. FuelEconomy.gov
Not Dated
2009 Most and Least Fuel Efficient Vehicles
by Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Pontiac Solstice is one of the most fuel-efficient cars you can buy, according to this U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website. Exotic sports cars dominate the least-fuel-efficient list. The EPA lists official fuel-economy estimates for most cars here, searchable by car or by category.
25. The Wall Street Journal
As of Aug. 2009
Auto Reviews and Ratings
by Editors of The Wall Street Journal
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCar reviews here are very thorough, critical and well written. However, The Wall Street Journal doesn't pick favorites, and only two current sports cars are covered here: the Chevy Corvette ZR1 and Nissan GT-R. A search also turns up a full review of the 2009 Tesla Roadster electric sports car.
26. The New York Times
July 2, 2009
The Last Pontiac
by Jerry Garrett
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe New York Times produces excellent, critical car reviews, but it has tackled only one sports car recently: the Pontiac Solstice coupe. This interesting epitaph for the last Pontiac also conveys a lot of nuts-and-bolts information.
27. Kiplinger.com
March 2009
The Best Cars for 2009
by Mark Solheim and Jessica L. Anderson
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Each year, Kiplinger.com picks the best cars, based both on road testing and on a clearly stated methodology that takes fuel economy, safety and value into account. Editors also note the long-term costs of… each car, including insurance, repairs and resale value. Slide shows reveal the best cars in several categories (best new cars, best resale value, etc.) and a top-25 chart shows the best sports cars at a glance. Models included this year are the Chevy Corvette, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 and Audi TTS.

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This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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