CONVERTIBLES
Open air magic
Nobody needs a convertible. But what we need and what we want are two different things, and that's the point of convertibles. Clichéd as it is, there is just something amazing about driving with the roof down, wind in your hair, nothing between you and the sky above.
BUYING USED
More exciting than the average Toyota
Attractively styled but still fairly unadventurous, Solara was aimed at drivers who wanted a slightly more interesting driving experience, but didn't want to get too carried away.
MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 63 AMG
The sound of a first-rate hot rod
This speed demon will get to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds in second gear. By 160 km/h, you'll be shifting into fourth gear. For safety reasons, the engine software limits tops out at 250 km/h but if you could let it fly, it would reach 320 km/h.
BUYING USED
Go-kart handling and a stiff but fairly civilized ride
The Mini Cooper has always had a huge driveability factor that many other makers can only envy; even when you're not driving particularly fast, it feels like you're going like stink.
What car?
Bigger is not always best
Cato and Vaughan help a reader pick the best little car on the market today.
PORSCHE BOXSTER
She says it's not a chick car
Boxster intrigues and intimidates "it just oozes testosterone and taunts me"
CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Go with the "You're busted" red paint job
Still as large as life and twice as fast
SMART FORTWO
Easy on the eyes and the gas
With fuel prices rising, the fortwo makes you look pretty Smart
FORD MUSTANG GT
Feels like a '60s muscle car
Mustang's 2005 retro redesign a hit for Ford













