Sports Compact Car magazine
October 2004 #13) 1990-'96 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Fiendishly complex, heavier than a Corvette and one of the best cars to ever come out of Japan. I don't really see what's compact about the Z32 but I guess it's the thought that counts. Here's the Top 15: #1 2003-present Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
The best driving sport compact yet devised and the vanguard of small car performance into the 21st century. Never has voiding a warranty been so much fun. #2 1992-'95 Honda Civic
Not the quickest, best-handling or best looking sport compact, but definitely the most popular. Easy to make it go fast, this Civic was the standard platform upon which the sport compact phenomenon was built. This car has been butchered more ways than prime rib. #3 2002-present Subaru WRX
Proved to the American auto industry that turbo cars and fast sedans are what the kids want. It's success is why we can buy #1. (the Evo). #4 1997-01 Acura Integra Type-R
The best handling front-drive car ever built powered by one of the greatest naturally aspirated four cylinder engines.
#5 1971-'85 VolksWagon GTI
The first modern "hot hatches" was supposed to be limited to 5,000 units. VW sold more than a couple million despite the fact the GTI didn't make it over here until 1983.
#6 1994-'98 Toyota Supra Turbo
The car that has been the back-bone of import drag racing. Apparently capable of withstanding infinite turbo boost and launches so hard, they could crack open a bank vault. #7 1990-1994 Nissan Skyline GTR (R32)
With all-wheel drive and a turbo-charged 2.6 liter DOCH straight six, this is still one of the most utterly capable performance cars ever built. Various flavors available included NISMO, N1, V-Spec, and V-Spec II. A;; were delicious. #8 1962-'03 Austin Mini Cooper
The original Mini Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally for four straight years, frtom 1964 to 1967. Suddenly, it seemed a car didn't have to be as expensive as a Ferrari to be quick, as nasty as a Shelby to win races, or as primative as a Mustang to be cheap. #9 1968-'73 Datsun 510
The first Japanese car to hit America that was worth being enthusiastic about. The first to race successfully. The first to rally successfully. And the first to develop a significant aftermarket support system. More than three decades after the last 510 was built, it's still the standard by which all sport compacts are judged. #10 1985-87 Toyota Corolla GT-S
Almost forgotten, the AE86 has slid back to prominence as the preferred car for the new drifting culture. Cheap, light and easier to toss than a mixed green salad. 11. 2003 - present 350Z
12. 2003-present WRX STi
13. 1990-96 300ZX Twin Turbo
14. 1970-73 Datsun 240Z
15. 1990-present Acura NSX
------sig quotes from "The Man"------
"1. Be nice. Is that so hard?" - Greg (Dallas) on August 13, 2002 at 3:44 PM
"1. Be nice to people, it generally doesn't cost anything." - Dallas DamonZ on February 14, 2004 at 1:45 AM
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23:23:41 08/20/04
