Buckle Up, We're Picking our Favorite Sports Cars for 2016
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
Spring is just around the corner, beckoning us to sunnier days and saying farewell to treacherous snow-covered roads. It’s the perfect time of year to satisfy your need for speed. Here are our favorite road rockets to fit any budget.
Scion FR-S
It’s fun, fast and sexy. The low-slung, rear-wheel drive makes it agile and a blast whipping around corners. Start shifting the manual six-speed at high RPMs (via a 2.0L, 4-cylinder Boxer engine making 200 hp) and enjoy the sensation of a pricier, exotic ride. Bonus: a standard back-up camera and 7-inch touch screen display. We should mention that although the plug was pulled on the Scion brand, the FR-S is still alive and kicking, and will display a Toyota badge in 2017.
0-60mph: 6.5 seconds
Top Speed: 136 mph
Cost: $26,100
Lexus RC 350 F Sport
It’s like Jekyll and Hyde, thanks to an aggressive, rocket-ship exterior and gorgeous interior details (wood trim, perforated leather seats). The nearly silent interior, heated/cooled seats, and smooth suspension is indicative of Lexus’ luxury roots, while the healthy 306-hp V6, high-speed cornering, and responsive paddle shifters make it a savage.
0-60mph: 5.6 seconds
Top Speed: 143 mph
Cost: $46,885
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Porsche Cayman Black Edition
The sweet-looking, black on black Cayman Black isn’t all show. It boasts significant upgrades to the $53,595 Cayman base model, including bixenon dynamic headlamps, park assist, upgraded audio, navigation and climate control, plus a sport steering wheel. The 2.7L flat-six engine puts out 275hp and tops out at 165mph, just like the base model, but the Black Edition offers about $11,000 of upgrades for $6,000 more. The only downside? It’s only available in black. We can live with that.
0-60mph: 5.4 seconds
Top Speed: 165mph
Cost: $59,200
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
The 526 hp, 5.2L V8 engine is Ford’s most powerful naturally-aspirated production engine, taking this 3,655-pound monster to outrageous speeds, while continuously-controlled MangeRide dampers adjust suspension independently to keep handling on point. While its guts are all business, the interior’s suede details and 8-inch touch screen make it as comfortable on your daily commute as it is on the track.
0-60mph: 4 seconds
Top Speed: 175 mph
Cost: starting at $61,295
Mercedes AMG GT S
The GT S’s 503 horsepower, 4L twin-turbo V8 is capable of pushing this beautiful beast up to 60 mph in 3 gut-wrenching seconds, while the 4-wheel wishbone suspension keeps you in control with electronically adaptive dampers and three modes of suspension to suit your driving style. The interior is just what you’d expect from Mercedes: Nappa leather, a Burmeister Surround Sound System, and a touchpad controller.
0-60mph: 3 seconds
Top Speed: 193 mph
Cost: starting at $129,900
