Sport Compact Performance

Honestly, you can tell a lot about a person by what they drive.  Not necessarily their level of wealth, although it would probably be fair to assume that most people with a Maserati in the garage enjoy a higher level of financial security, but what a person drives can be very indicative of personality.  Whether it’s a minivan, truck, convertible or what-have-you, most vehicles either fairly or unfairly come with a stereotype.  Minivans, for example, are made for soccer moms, if you were to believe the stereotype, trucks for blue collar workers and convertibles for both attractive young females and middle aged men stuck in mid-life crises.  Sometimes these stereotypes hold true, while other times they couldn’t be further off-base.  Still, not only does the type of car you drive project an image, it can truly reflect what you value in your possessions.  All of this raises the question, “what kind of person does it take to drive a sports car, compact car or sports compact car?”

Sports cars feed into a need for speed and top performance, even if at times putting safety or practicality on the backburner.  This is can at times be an effort to add to a reputation, though most sports car owners have a genuine interest in the more technical aspects of driving and car operation/maintenance.  Read More »

While the inherent advantage of driving a smaller car is apparent, at times there can be a stigma surrounding smaller compact cars as opposed to full-sized sedans.  Certainly there are a lot of great cars out there with a big more room to maneuver for passengers, but a small car gives you more room to maneuver on the road.  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying a full-size; however, it should be equally acceptable to purchase a smaller car by choice, not as a means of fiscal responsibility.  Here is a look at a few higher end small cars that will leave onlookers too busy gawking in envy to size up your car.

1. BMW 1-Series (MSRP base: $29,250) – The 1-Series is, after all, a BMW, so nothing less than superior quality should be expected.  Where else can you find such a small car capable of 300 horsepower while still wrapped in impressively presented package?  The 1-series is an exquisite mix of driving capability and a flair for the finer things in life.  It won’t blow you away with bells and whistles, but this car stays true to the BMW name it that it is clean cut, elegant and drives like a dream.
2. Audi A3 Hatchback (MSRP base: Read More »

Even if you can’t afford to live in the lap of luxury, which let’s face it, most simply cannot, it’s hard to match the awe-inspiring feel that comes from driving a luxury sports car.  Despite what financial advisors and forecasters may recommend, thousands of Americans spend top dollar on some of the finest sports vehicles manufacturers have to offer, raising the bar each year with a heightened levels of reliability, performance and aesthetic appeal.  Here is a look at smartest buys on the market, assuming you fathom that spending such vast sums of money on a car can indeed be a wise investment. Read More »

From a minimalist’s point of view, compact cars offer the most efficient use of space, not to mention a highly reduced price from say, larger sedan models.  After all, unless you have kids to haul around, who really needs all that extra space?  The compact car offers the perfect solution for many drivers, easier to park, easier to drive, easier to keep clean, overall just easier.  Compact cars also generally get better gas mileage than their larger counterparts.  Such a laundry list of advantages has led to a trend of drivers worldwide opting to go smaller.  Here are a few financially friendly compact options that will make flipping the size switch seem like an even smarter idea.

1. Ford Fiesta Hatchback (MSRP base: $13, 320) – The Ford Fiesta could not be more aptly name, after all it’s a party on the road and an all-night celebration in your wallet, throw in the 37 miles per gallon highway and the good times will be raging year round.  Despite its small size, the Fiesta offers an upgrade in the cockpit as compared to most other cars in its class.  In some sort of Pen and Teller worthy illusion, once you get inside the interior suddenly seems much more spacious and roomy than the car’s humble exterior might suggest.  With heated seats, knee high airbags and technology friendly sync system, you’ll be hard pressed to find comparable amenities in such a small package and at a low price. Read More »

Sports cars can be an expensive fascination.  Of course, almost every young man wants a sports car when he turns 16, however few can find the funding such a young age, amid parental concerns of safety and speeding.  Though not quite the cash for clunker type deal you might find down at Joe’s Used Car Shack, there is still value in a certain number of sports cars that are very affordable considering what’s under the hood and their performance on the street.  Here’s a look at the upper echelon of this year’s sports cars that may indeed meet a young professional’s budget, combining quality and affordability. Read More »