The sports cars that shoppers on MSN are researching most.

By MSN Autos Editors
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 have rear-wheel drive, but automotive thrills can arrive in many forms.
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 six consecutive quarters.
The remaining eight vehicles on the list represent the wide range that makes up sports cars, from the exotic Audi R8 in fourth position to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which rounds out the list in the tenth spot.
View Pictures: Popular Sports Cars
The list of the ten most popular sports cars on MSN Autos is based on visits to the site's vehicle research pages during months January through March of 2008.



1. Ford Mustang

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Ford Mustang



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.



NewUsed
Make:AcuraAston MartinAudiBentleyBMWBuickCadillacChevroletChrysler DodgeFerrariFordGMCHondaHummerHyundaiInfinitiIsuzu JaguarJeepKiaLamborghiniLand RoverLexusLincolnLotusMaseratiMaybachMazdaMercedes-BenzMercuryMINIMitsubishiNissanPontiacPorscheRolls-RoyceSaabSaturnScionSmartSubaruSuzukiToyotaVolkswa genVolvo
Model:
Category:Passenger CarsLuxury CarsSports CarsSport UtilitiesVans & MinivansPickup TrucksHybrid Vehicles


Related Content

First Drive: '08 Chevrolet Cobalt SSChevy’s new coupe has brute power and innovations aplenty.

Read more sports-car related articles


advertisement





2. Chevrolet Corvette

</IMG> 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 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 still? Later this year Chevrolet will bring out the Corvette ZR1, expected to put out more than 620 horsepower.



3. Nissan 350Z

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Nissan 350Z


Nissan brought back the legendary Z car in 2003 after being absent from the market for seven years. Available as a coupe or convertible, the 350Z is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 306 horsepower. The NISMO 350Z was added for 2007, featuring a more aerodynamic look, a specially tuned suspension, Brembo brakes and lightweight forged-alloy wheels. NISMO is Nissan's performance products division.



4. Audi R8

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Audi R8


The R8 is Audi's new two-seat, mid-engine sports car that incorporates racing technology from Audi's Le Mans-winning R8 race car. With the classic wide, low stance of a mid-engine exotic, the R8 shows off its 420-horsepower 4.2-liter aluminum V8 through a clear engine cover. The power is delivered to all four wheels through either a 6-speed manual or the R-tronic sequential manual gearbox. The R-tronic uses the same transmission and clutch as the 6-speed, but can operate the clutch and changes gears automatically.



5. Saturn Sky

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Saturn Sky


The Sky may be the first Saturn ever referred to as sexy, and 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 four cylinder, while the Sky Red Line's powerplant is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four producing 260 horsepower. Starting price for a 2008 Sky is around $25,000.

Audi TT

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Audi TT


The TT is Audi's iconic, sporty two-door coupe or roadster, named for the Tourist Trophy, a European motorsports event first run in 1905. Although still recognizable as a TT, the 2008 model has been completely redesigned from the ground up. Sleeker, stiffer, roomier, more powerful — Audi has taken everything that the TT was and built on it. Available with either a turbocharged four cylinder or more powerful V6, the TT features Audi's trademark quattro all-wheel drive as well as a choice of transmissions. The fully automatic top (standard on the TT 3.2, optional on TT 2.0T) retracts or rises in about 12 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 25 mph.


7. Porsche 911

</IMG> 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 versions are available, with the range-topping 911 Turbo cranking out 480 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-Six engine. 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 added its most powerful 911 to date, the 530-horsepower GT2, earlier in 2008.



NewUsed
Make:AcuraAston MartinAudiBentleyBMWBuickCadillacChevroletChrysler DodgeFerrariFordGMCHondaHummerHyundaiInfinitiIsuzu JaguarJeepKiaLamborghiniLand RoverLexusLincolnLotusMaseratiMaybachMazdaMercedes-BenzMercuryMINIMitsubishiNissanPontiacPorscheRolls-RoyceSaabSaturnScionSmartSubaruSuzukiToyotaVolkswa genVolvo
Model:
Category:Passenger CarsLuxury CarsSports CarsSport UtilitiesVans & MinivansPickup TrucksHybrid Vehicles


Related Content

First Drive: '08 Chevrolet Cobalt SSChevy’s new coupe has brute power and innovations aplenty.
Read more sports-car related articles


advertisement





8. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

</IMG> 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 engine. The V12's torque peak of 486 lb-ft (at 6000 rpm) is channeled through a new 6-speed transmission, a stronger rear differential and permanent all-wheel drive.



9. Ford Shelby GT500

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Ford Shelby GT500


The most muscular of Mustangs, the GT500 is motivated by a supercharged 500-horsepower V8, which shares components with the discontinued Ford GT. It is easily the lowest cost 500-horsepower car on the road today, with an MSRP just shy of $43,000. This hot Mustang is the result of Carroll Shelby and the Ford Special Vehicle Team joining forces to produce a successor to the Shelby GT500 of the late 1960s. With classic Shelby design cues including dual stripes, aerodynamic body parts and 18-inch wheels, the GT500 is the most powerful factory-produced Mustang ever built.



10. Mazda MX-5 Miata

</IMG> Click picture to enlarge Mazda MX-5 Miata


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.

I Copy it from MSN