Which Of These Is The Best Driver's Car Sold In America?

The past two years, we've engulfed and entertained you with Motor Trend's "Best-Handling Car," an exhaustive multipage feature replete with in-depth analysis and qualitative data on the year's most imposing crop of high-performance machines.

We've spent hundreds of hours driving an array of curve-carvers along challenging public roads and, with a little help from pro racers Max Angelelli and Randy Pobst, around the infamous 2.3 miles of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We've not only recorded such standard MT stats as lateral g and figure eight, but also utilized a bevy of contraptions, sensors, and measuring devices to calculate such dynamics as step steer, swerve stability, and ride quality -- all in our best efforts to quantify optimal handling.

In order to narrow down the field to the Best-Handling Car, we examined, filtered, and hotly debated over all the objective and subjective bytes. While no magazine had ever attempted testing this detailed, we knew there was room for improvement.

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Htay7500 - 8/20/2009 1:04:15 PM

+4 Boost

All amazing cars, too much choice hurts my head!

MSP6 - 8/20/2009 1:05:03 PM

+1 Boost

Just looking at the pic I guessed who was the winner, and I was right

Porsche rules.

MSP6 - 8/20/2009 1:17:09 PM

0 Boost

And you think this will make your nismo a better "driver's" car ?

Yeah sure you'll win some green lights races and impressed other car tunners.

Well if you don't like driving, do whatever you want with your money.

MSP6 - 8/20/2009 1:53:23 PM

+3 Boost

It's not a question of being a badgewhore or not, the cayman has a central engine, ultra stiff chassis and a very low COG due to it's boxer engine. The Nismo ( and all car above) are all very capable sports car, but the goal here is to find wich one is the best, as tested, not after hypothetical mods.

Also, the doppelkupplung is the nicest gearbox out there, it also comes in handy to know how to spell it when playing scrabble.

Joe_Limon - 8/20/2009 1:19:32 PM

+7 Boost

I don't get it... they put all the time and effort into developing a benchmark score card... and then throw it out the window ignoring everything they recorded and set the list up according to their personal biases.

Agent001 - 8/20/2009 2:16:18 PM

+4 Boost

Hello?

It's a MOTOR TREND article!

LOL!

How is that Auto Spies bias?

001

Agent009 - 8/20/2009 1:23:32 PM

+5 Boost

Where is the GT-R in all of this?

r15mohd - 8/20/2009 3:08:03 PM

+3 Boost

i'd keep it out of my article too, if I knew it would upset the masses!

GTR is a demon, I don't think there has been a more impressive car than it to date...I mean it's broken many barriers that many said was not obtianable at the price offered.

I'd choose the Nismo Z as well, because realistically...that's the best vehicle for the money on the list.

quizz - 8/20/2009 10:10:00 PM

0 Boost

$50K is the key word

quizz - 8/20/2009 10:11:22 PM

0 Boost

Or maybe they ran out of room for the GTR

golfer38 - 8/22/2009 4:07:29 PM

+2 Boost

..but they included the Miata. I mean great car in an inexpensive "fun" car segment, but I can think of 10 other cars that deserved to be in this test over the Miata, the GTR being one of them...

1dott8 - 8/20/2009 1:32:13 PM

0 Boost

i would take every one of those cars except for the mazda. other than that, i wouldn't even want to choose.

Nostradamus - 8/20/2009 1:52:52 PM

0 Boost

That must be because you haven't really driven a Miata, because when it comes to handling and overall balance, there's really not a better roadster to be had for anywhere near the same money.

B7FAN - 8/20/2009 4:23:36 PM

+4 Boost

How can you choose 1 out of 10 cars thats not fair. Give me all of them for about a year or 2 and I will let you know when i finish my preliminary test....lol...lol... :)

1dott8 - 8/21/2009 1:24:01 AM

+3 Boost

Nostradamus - i do understand what you're saying but that is probably the only car out of the bunch that i cannot fit into. i am 6'6" so that will definitely not work for me.

DaHarder - 8/20/2009 1:45:05 PM

+6 Boost

As the very happy owner of a 2008 Lotus Exige S240, I find its omission a serious over site, especially since it's easily the better driver/handler of this group... Maybe any group - IMO.

LexSucks - 8/20/2009 1:52:06 PM

-6 Boost

The 2008 Lotus Exige S240 isn't really a mainstream car. And I'm willing to bet that a Cateram or a Gumpert would easily beat the exige around any track.

Htay7500 - 8/20/2009 9:20:26 PM

+1 Boost

I wanna see pics of your lotus plz!!!!

Epik - 8/21/2009 3:48:44 AM

+2 Boost

Driver's car, not track car.

The Lotus are race cars but are unforgiving on anything but a smooth surface. Driver's car are for drivers and race cars are for racers.

LexSucks - 8/20/2009 1:47:38 PM

-8 Boost

No STI or EVO? The Evo will post better track times than the Mazda, Jaguar, Camaro, 370z, Mustang and the BMW. That's half the cars in the test. And where's the GT-R?

LexSucks - 8/20/2009 4:14:52 PM

-5 Boost

To the losers that de-boosted me. Can you explain why you deboosted me? Is what I said not true?

sizquik - 8/20/2009 4:51:25 PM

-1 Boost

agree. where's the evo?

rigid - 8/20/2009 1:48:28 PM

+2 Boost

I would take the Miata every time. All these other cars if you get close to the limit and mess up you will be in serious trouble the Miata you can test the limits at sane speeds. Some people want to go really fast and more power to them, but give me a car I can actually enjoy without having to worry about jail time or a hospital stay.

For the record I drive a Mini Cooper (not even an S) and there is nothing I enjoy more than being able to keep up with people in much more powerfull cars down a twisty road.

Joe_Limon - 8/20/2009 2:02:07 PM

+1 Boost

I agree :)

Last local autocross I attended I was 0.015s slower then a C5 corvette in my 02 grand prix :P

MSP6 - 8/20/2009 1:55:33 PM

+1 Boost

+ 1000000 votes
Totally agree with you rigid. Power and fun aren't always synonyms.

PerformanceGuy - 8/20/2009 2:13:22 PM

-1 Boost

Nismo 370Z gets my vote as the best out of the bunch. It is just an all around perfect performance car.

t_bone - 8/20/2009 7:38:49 PM

+2 Boost

Because they aren't Consumer Reports. Seriously, unless you've had wheel time with a Porsche I can understand your frustration...it is a very special telepathic steering (and overall) feel impossible to explain, and can't be measured.

rxh8me9000 - 8/20/2009 3:31:46 PM

+1 Boost

Cool article. He bashed the Camaro and 135 pretty bad. I wanted to see what he said about the nismo and miata but the videos werent there. Anyone got them?Why was the 135 tested instead of the M3 or M5? Having driven a Miata i can say it is a fun car to drive. The only reason i chose my rx-8 over the miata was that the 8 is more practical and i have experience with rotarys because of my rx-7. The 8 as well is a excellent handling car with its 50/50 weight distribution it is really predictable.

theoptimisticpessimist - 8/20/2009 3:33:20 PM

-2 Boost

SC430, oh wait I'm channeling Mitchell.

Agent009 - 8/20/2009 4:29:53 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus and "driver" typically aren't in the sentence, more often Lexus and "rider".

JRobUSC - 8/20/2009 4:21:06 PM

+2 Boost

no M3, CTS-V, GT-R, etc... Not sure how you can have a legit "best driver's car" competition without those.

JRobUSC - 8/20/2009 4:34:04 PM

+2 Boost

ah, just noticed the CTS-V was in there. There still should've been an M3 or M5, and a GT-R.

JRobUSC - 8/20/2009 4:41:07 PM

+1 Boost

and a 911 GT3.

ThierryHenry14 - 8/21/2009 10:51:13 AM

+2 Boost

wonder why you were deboosted for saying a GT3...

That's exactly what I am thinking. That is perhaps the ultimate Driver's car, according to what they are looking for.

Joe_Limon - 8/20/2009 7:53:00 PM

+1 Boost

After spending more time and reading some of the reviews, the thing that killed the ZR1 in their mind was the power. If someone put a restrictor on the engine so it would only get 300hp, without a doubt this car would have placed 1st just by looking at it's score card. Oh well, my definition of a drivers car is substantially different from theirs. Mine is a drivers car is a car that needs a driver, not a car that needs a passenger.

theman440 - 8/21/2009 1:35:42 AM

0 Boost

I see a Mustang and a Camaro, but where is the Challenger ? I wonder what the excuse is ?

JRobUSC - 8/21/2009 9:35:39 AM

+2 Boost

maybe that the handling sucks and the Challenger has come in last place in every comparison between the three?

bfghemicuda - 8/21/2009 11:08:24 PM

0 Boost

The Challenger would definately add some class to the lineup, All the comparisons have been on paper. Dont care about paper specs. The Challenger has the most potential of the three. Just like the old days.

Obliv - 8/22/2009 4:54:53 PM

+1 Boost

Challenger? Class? What, with its state of the art chrysler interior?

Most potential? How so? It not only weighs the most (by alot), but also has the least amount of aftermarket compared with the Mustang and Camaro.

bfghemicuda - 8/23/2009 2:03:02 AM

+2 Boost

Obliv, if you new anything about engines and for that matter cars, The block design lends itself for the least amount of flex under high cylinder preasures[ forced induction, and also the chevy LS blocks are a copy of the 1964 Chrysler Hemi which is where this all came from] the cylinder head [Hemi] is very forgiving with octane rating along with loving [ again forced induction]. Weight can always be removed, to a certain point for sure. The interior is way better than the cartoonish appointments of the camaro and has a proven suspension that has already done well in the racing world. The aftermarket has gobs of suspension accessories and also engine mods. You need to get out more. Ive been a Chrysler Fan for over 40 years and I know Chrysler. I like the stang so no comment there. And yes CLASS!!!!!!!

theman440 - 8/21/2009 10:47:05 AM

+4 Boost

What a perfect opportunity to "expose" the Challenger's failings,and they didn't do it, hmm - imagine that !

pennfootball - 8/21/2009 10:51:38 AM

+1 Boost

Lotus Elise if you can fit in one.

investor27 - 8/21/2009 12:35:30 PM

-1 Boost

I agree with the top 3. The Cayman S in its original 18" wheels or 19" with PASM is very comfortable. You can't beat the Miata in its price range, though. There's a reason why it's the best selling roaster in the world. Mazda has been fine-tuning it for the past 2 decades. What we need now is the Mazdaspeed Miata. Come on?

Type707 - 8/22/2009 5:18:21 AM

+1 Boost

Let me test drive each one first...ALL of them are HOT

2ndbimmer - 8/22/2009 5:07:17 PM

+2 Boost

Im surprised they are hating on the 135 so hard. every article I have ever read said its one of the most fun cars there is to drive. It may not be the most fun, that comes down to personal preference, but no one has bashed it.
I am very surprised by the camaro! Most articles dont say the handling and vision is good.

2ndbimmer - 8/22/2009 5:10:39 PM

+2 Boost

my bad, i was looking at the last picture that shows it was the most fun to drive in the circular diagram, but ranked it last? weird....

kablaam - 8/23/2009 1:47:33 AM

0 Boost

Mazda Miata by FAR. While very underpowered, the thing handles and drives like a dream. Anyone who doubts that, go to Englishtown raceway and see how that car keeps up with ALL the big boys, even with a 300+hp deficit. To me, a good track car is a good drivers car, they go hand-in-hand.