The four-door sports car is a loveable anachronism. The phrase was really made popular by the third-generation Nissan Maxima and its '4DSC' window stickers, but that was then. Now, legitimate sports cars with four points of entry are completely mainstream. Here's the cream of the crop.
1. Subaru WRX
The 2015 Subaru WRX is a silk purse of a high-performance car made from the sow's ear that is the everyday Impreza. The WRX rumbles and whooshes with personality as it puts the crackle of 265 hp to the ground through all four wheels. This new one is easily the best yet, with a stiff structure, better power delivery, and a six-speed manual still standard. The interior sees higher-quality materials (though the radio is crap), and all the upgrades that have been made to garden-variety Imprezas pay off for the WRX, too. Best of all, it starts at US$26,295. You can blow more cash on a weekend in Vegas, but you'll have way less fun.
2. Aston Martin Rapide
Do we really need to make the case for a V12 Aston Martin? It speaks for itself with a lanky wheelbase and sensual bodywork that makes everyone stop and stare. It may even be the best Aston, because you can easily share it with more than just one other person. The only way you won't be moved by the 550 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque is if you're dead. Being an Aston Martin, the interior is exquisite, too. This is is the classic formula, boys and girls, in family size.
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3. Porsche Panamera
Porsche will tell you that its mission is to build the best sports car in every segment it competes. That's how a long-wheelbase four-door designed to hold a quartet of very tall Germans, with a base V6 engine and automatic transmission, can credibly be described as a sports car. The standard Panamera has just 310 hp, but Porsche has always done more with less. There are also 11 variations on the theme, up to the thrilling turbocharged all-wheel-drive V8 in the certifiably nutty Turbo S. You can have a Panamera exactly how you'd like, as long as you pay to play. And remember, buying a Panamera helps Porsche build more and better Boxters, Caymans, and 911s.
4. Cadillac CTS-V
Remember when the CTS-V was Jesus on wheels? How time flies. What made this car the toast of the town in 2009 still stokes the enthusiast fire today. What's more, it's only going to get better. There will be a new V soon, but this one is still brash, ballsy, and brilliant. The styling has aged well - it's blocky and muscled up. Get one with the optional Recaro seats and enjoy the fact that the interior controls all predate the hellishly terrible CUE touch interface. Then work the loud pedal and revel in the 556-hp supercharged V8 with Hammer-of-the-Gods thrust and sublime blower whine. I mean, you can even get it with a manual. And as a wagon. How can you NOT adore this car?
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5. Ford Fiesta ST
The Ford Fiesta ST has all the refinement of the Beastie Boys' first tour. It's both visually loud and makes plenty of noise. The loudest thing that happens when you drive one might be your hoots of enjoyment. It's a little ball of energy, and the best part is that you can enjoy its performance and excellent chassis tuning every minute of every drive, every day. You feel it doing its thing at all times; a little rotation here, a little turbo whoosh there, and a big grin on your face forms. This is another case where you should spring for the optional Recaros, but because it starts at just US$21,400, there will be plenty of room left in your budget. This is how you spend Camry money for Boxster thrills.
6. Volkswagen GTI
The GTI may have made its name with just a pair of doors, but having four of them makes it easier to share the fun. The GTI's thing has always been its holistic package of thrills. Volkswagen builds balance into the GTI so it does everything well, instead of other cars that peg the meter in one or two categories but fall flat in other areas. The 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder doesn't breathe the most fire, but it's amazingly flexible, feeling stronger than the numbers suggest. The chassis tuning feels expensive, soaking up bumps and cutting crisp lines. The interior, too, is refined, with throwback Interlagos seat upholstery standard and an environment free of gimmicks. Being a sports car for responsible grown-ups isn't a bad thing.
7. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
You could make a case for the newer CLA 45 AMG instead, and it is entertaining, but there are so many more antisocial thrills to be had in the C63 AMG. Here's the formula: Small car gets big engine. The numbers are awesome. The all-motor 6.2-liter V8 is good for 451 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque (get the Edition 507 Package for 507 hp.) The big hand-built V8 may not be around for much longer, so this is your chance to get a large-displacement ticket to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Mercedes does luxury as well as anyone, but the C63 reminds you that Benz isn't above walking up to the competition and punching it in the mouth.
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