Most Popular Sports Cars on MSN
The sports cars that shoppers on MSN are researching most.
Most Popular Sports Cars on MSN
The sports cars that shoppers on MSN are researching most.
By Perry Stern of MSN autos
The words performance, handling and fun go hand-in-hand when talking sports cars. Many would argue these speedsters should seat only two passengers and sport rear-wheel drive, but automotive thrills can arrive in many forms. And with affordability often playing a major role in broad appeal, it comes as no surprise that the Ford Mustang continues to be the most popular sports car on MSN Autos.
Ford's pony car — available in a variety of body styles and performance variants — has reigned as number one on this list for several years. Right behind the 'stang in second place is the Kentucky-built Chevrolet Corvette, which has held this spot for seven consecutive quarters.
A newcomer to this list of popular sports cars is the much-anticipated Dodge Challenger. The modern-day muscle car's retro styling is appealing to those buyers who grew up with the original, while its bold looks and impressive performance are a draw to younger buyers.
The remaining seven vehicles in the list represent the wide range that makes up sports cars, from the sporty Mazda MX-5 (Miata) to the exotic Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, which rounds out the list in the 10th spot. Of course, such venerable entries as the Porsche 911, Nissan Z-Car and the powerful BMW M3 continue to be favorites of MSN Autos shoppers.
The list of the 10 most popular sports cars on MSN Autos is based on visits to the site's vehicle research pages during months April through June, 2008:
1. Ford Mustang
Click picture to enlarge When the latest Mustang debuted in 2005, its flashback styling tapped into a deep well of American automotive lust. Its retro design — plainly displayed via round headlights, triangular windows, three-element taillights, and galloping-pony grille — only added appeal to one of the last affordable American sports cars. The Mustang continues to be one of the most popular cars in the Ford lineup, offering a variety of performance options, including a 300-horsepower V8 engine.
2. Chevrolet Corvette
Click picture to enlarge Chevrolet Corvette
Long an American icon, the current Corvette is also a world-class, high-performance sports car. For the 2008 model year, a new LS3 6.2-liter V8 gives the Corvette an extra 30 horsepower and 24 lb-ft of torque. With the new mill cranking out 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque, it surprisingly achieves an impressive 16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. For a bit more punch, there’s the limited-edition Corvette Z06 that boasts a 7.0-liter V8 producing 505 horsepower. Need more power? Later this year Chevrolet will bring out the Corvette ZR1 with 638 horsepower and a top speed in excess of 200 mph.
3. Dodge Challenger
Click picture to enlarge Dodge Challenger R/T
After a 35-year hiatus, Dodge has brought back this classic muscle car in thoroughly modern form. Anticipation has been growing for this HEMI-powered blast from the past ever since it debuted in 2006 as a concept vehicle in Detroit. Available in three different trims, the flagship version is the SRT8 which boasts a 6.1-liter V8 engine pumping 425 horses to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. And unlike that original model from decades ago, this new Challenger is available with such high-tech features as the MyGIG music storage system, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, Keyless Go and remote start.
4. Porsche 911
Click picture to enlarge Porsche 911 GT2
The legendary rear-engine sports car, the 911 has managed to retain its trademark silhouette since its inception over 40 years ago. A number of different versions are available, with the range-topping 911 Turbo cranking out 480 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-Six. With a high-tech all-wheel-drive system, the Turbo can lunge to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and hit 100 mph in 8.4 seconds using the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Opt for the 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and acceleration times improve to 3.4 and 7.8 seconds. Porsche’s most powerful 911 to date, the GT2, became available in the U.S. earlier this year.
5. Nissan 350Z
Click picture to enlarge Nissan brought back the legendary Z car in 2003 after being absent from the market for seven years. Available in coupe or a convertible, the Z is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 306-horsepower. Added for 2007 is the NISMO 350Z, which features a more aerodynamic look, a specially tuned suspension, Brembo brakes and lightweight forged-alloy wheels. NISMO is Nissan's performance products division. This fall, look for the next-generation of Z car to arrive with a larger motor and more power.
6. Mitsubishi Eclipse
Click picture to enlarge The Eclipse is Mitsubishi’s sporty coupe and convertible that received updated styling for 2009 to tie it closer to the look of its high-performance sibling, the Lancer Evolution. Since it was introduced almost 20 years ago, the Eclipse has changed its shape and style several times. The current version is available as an ES or GT, the latter getting the benefit of a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 265 horsepower driving the front wheels.
7. BMW M3
Click picture to enlarge The M3 is the high-performance version of the BMW 3-Series and is completely redesigned for 2008, powered for the first time by a V8 engine. Offered in coupe, sedan and convertible versions, the M3 is even more aggressive than its predecessor with a power dome in the middle of the aluminum hood, a rear diffuser, and gills in the front fenders that include the blue/purple/red M3 logo. The 4.0-liter V8 puts out 414 horsepower at a high-revving 8300 rpm and is teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission or a new 7-speed M Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic, specifically designed for the M3’s high-revving engine.
8. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Click picture to enlarge Introduced in the summer of 1989 as a 1990 model, the MX-5's quick steering, go-kart-like handling and sporty styling have helped the roadster land a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling two-seater sports car in the world. Following the trend of retractable hardtop convertibles, Mazda has added one to the MX-5 lineup. The retractable top adds only 75 pounds without reducing cargo room. Prices start under $21,000 for a 2008 Miata.
9. Saturn Sky
Click picture to enlarge The Sky may be the first Saturn ever to be referred to as sexy, but the new roadster certainly turns heads. Sharing a platform with the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky's suspension is tuned differently to provide a more compliant ride. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 173-horsepower 4-cylinder, while the Sky Red Line's powerplant is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder producing 260-horsepower. Starting price for a 2008 Sky is around $26,000.
10. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Click picture to enlarge Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Whenever a machine as exotic as the Murcielago hits the road, it can't help but turn heads. The latest iteration of this exotic sports car — the LP640 — only adds to the neck-snapping appeal. The restyled body features new bumpers front and back, larger air intakes, and rear lights designed with a single-piece lens. The LP640 is powered by a 640-horsepower 6.5-liter V12. The V12's torque peak of 486 lb-ft (at 6000 rpm) is channeled through a new 6-speed transmission, stronger rear differential and permanent all-wheel drive.
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