Illustrated Buyer's Guide: Modern Sports & GT Cars Under 20k

If you're in the market for an affordable sports car, this is an invaluable guide. Read complete background information on popular sports and GT cars, including quotes from auto magazine tests, "for" and "against" comments, and a report card rating system for everything from performance and reliability to resale value. Showcased cars include the Mazda RX-7 and Miata; Toyota MR-2 and Supra; Pontiac Firebird; Ford Mustang; Honda CRX and Prelude; Alfa Romeo Spider; BMW 3-series, and more.

Review:
I am constantly dabbling in the idea of getting myself a sporty car that I can have some fun with but like most of us, I don't happen to have a large disposable income to blow on the hot new Ferrari 575. That is why this book is most fabulous for even the most fund-deficient of car enthusiasts that just want to have a pedal stomping, gear shifting good time.

There is a large collection of moderately priced sports cars that have been rated for various attributes. Each car has a few pages dedicated to the pros, cons and specs of the car, along with pictures and some history behind the car. I felt that this book covered a very nice variety of domestic and imported sports cars and offered almost all the basic information anyone would want in narrowing down their search for a new toy. I still haven't gotten myself a car yet, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Originally uploaded by Cars dot com

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen looks so nice. What people say about this type of car is necessary for whoever is interested in cars. The following is presented the review of 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Review: Jett-ing Around in the New Wagon quoted from carreview.com

Pros

* Steering
* Indirect a/c cooling
* Lots of useful storage/loading features

Cons

* Interior noise
* Horsepower and torque
* Chrome section on front bumper

Introduction

The last Jetta I drove was a 2001 (who’s engine had been replaced by VW under warranty due to an issue with the timing belt that broke). Volkswagen has come a long way in producing a vehicle that feels structurally more sound, has an engine that’s smoother, and with many of the quality issues reduced compared to 4-8 years ago. In addition, it’s wrapped in a more elegant body with an interior to match.
Driving Impressions

The inline, 5-cylinder is smooth and provides adequate acceleration. It’s not a large engine (at 2.5 liters of displacement), but is responsive to throttle inputs. I was a bit surprised by the interior noise, but realize it’s a big resonating box when moving on the road. The utility value of the SportWagen is amazing. The second row seats have a similar feature to the Honda Fit in the seat cushions ability to lift and pivot forward providing a deeper floor for taller objects. With the cushions removed, the seatbacks will pivot completely forward providing a completely flat loading floor. The 6-speed Tiptronic transmission shifts smoothly and drops down to the right gears under hard acceleration. Overall, it’s an easy car to drive and park with excellent visibility all around compared to other taller CUVs or SUVs.

Pros

* Steering
* Indirect a/c cooling
* Lots of useful storage/loading features

Cons

* Interior noise
* Horsepower and torque
* Chrome section on front bumper

Introduction

The last Jetta I drove was a 2001 (who’s engine had been replaced by VW under warranty due to an issue with the timing belt that broke). Volkswagen has come a long way in producing a vehicle that feels structurally more sound, has an engine that’s smoother, and with many of the quality issues reduced compared to 4-8 years ago. In addition, it’s wrapped in a more elegant body with an interior to match.
Driving Impressions

The inline, 5-cylinder is smooth and provides adequate acceleration. It’s not a large engine (at 2.5 liters of displacement), but is responsive to throttle inputs. I was a bit surprised by the interior noise, but realize it’s a big resonating box when moving on the road. The utility value of the SportWagen is amazing. The second row seats have a similar feature to the Honda Fit in the seat cushions ability to lift and pivot forward providing a deeper floor for taller objects. With the cushions removed, the seatbacks will pivot completely forward providing a completely flat loading floor. The 6-speed Tiptronic transmission shifts smoothly and drops down to the right gears under hard acceleration. Overall, it’s an easy car to drive and park with excellent visibility all around compared to other taller CUVs or SUVs.