There are a lot of cool cars that rotate through our test lot here at Edmunds. For the most part, I get to get at least a little seat time in them before we have to give them back. There are a few that I haven't seen parked in our garage, nor have I had the opportunity to partake of outside of work. Here are my top three.
Maserati GranTurismo - This is, in my humble opinion, the sexiest car being made today. I mean, just look at those curves. Of all the designs to come out of Pininfarina, this is easily one of my favorites. That aggressive shark-faced nose, long graceful hood and short tail with a hint of a spoiler flip up make my heart sing with rapture. The wheels? Not so much, but in darker finishes it's OK. The thought of driving a GranTurismo from here to Monterey via the coast route make me weak in the knees.
Tesla Roadster - I was given a ride in one when they unveiled it a few years back, but they wouldn't let me behind the wheel. Given that I already own Lotus Elise, the Tesla's donor chassis, I'm quite curious to see what all that torque combined with a lower center of gravity would feel like. The driver took a few turns with moderate aggression, and I was struck by a zen-like sensation of "feeling" what each tire's contact patch was doing. In the absence of engine noise, you can hear the scrubbing in each corner, as if it were in 5.1 Dolby Digital. I want that feeling again.
Bugatti Veyron - Yes, I know, everyone and their dog has this on their list. That doesn't change the fact that I want -- no, need -- to pilot this beast. And I don't mean cruising down Sunset Boulevard at legal speeds just to be seen. I need to drive this machine on a closed course -- maybe on the Beartooth Highway, or Bonneville -- a stretch where I can get it past 200 mph. C'mon, my sister got to drive one before I did -- no joke. How is that fair?
What three cars would you most like to drive?
By deagle13
on April 9, 2010
08:47 AM
Maclaren F1 - my all-time favorite object of automotive lust
Porsche Carrera GT - I got to ride shotgun in a Carrera GT for a very brief ride and the sound of that engine at full boil is forever etched in my memory (a Ferrari V8 at 8500 RPM sounds tame by comparison).
Any 1970's Can Am race car - Insane horsepower with questionable handling and aerodynamics - I might kill myself, but what a way to go...
By brn
on April 9, 2010
08:59 AM
Good list Mark. I'd have to slide the Ford GT in place of the Maserati, but you've probably driven one of those.
By mtakahashi
on April 9, 2010
09:28 AM
There are a whole lotta older cars/classics I'd love to drive too: BMW Z1, Porsche 550 Spyder, Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari 250 GTO, pretty much ANY Formula One Car
By bromans
on April 9, 2010
09:59 AM
Glad you asked. Assuming we're sticking with cars that are currently in production: Ferrari 599, Audi R8 5.2, Pagani Zonda.
By deagle13
on April 9, 2010
10:15 AM
If you're going to limit me to current production cars then I'll have to go with: Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, KTM X-Bow.
Brent - the Audi R8 5.2 is sublime. I suggest you drop everything and go drive one. Now.
By editor_karl
on April 9, 2010
04:34 PM
Ferrari 458
Koenigsegg CCX
Bugatti Veyron
By wrinklebump
on April 11, 2010
09:06 AM
Alfa Romeo 8C
Nissan GT-R
Aston Martin DBS
By moparbad
on April 11, 2010
04:15 PM
I'm thinking of something different.
Cars in Edmunds long term test fleet that I don't want to drive.
Honda Crosstour.
Chevrolet Traverse.
GMC Terrain
Ford Flex
Mini E
Volvo XC60
Ram 1500
By wrinklebump
on April 12, 2010
07:38 AM
Ive driven a Traverse, Equinox, Flex, and Ram. They're nice cars. The the hateorade?
By sharpend
on April 18, 2010
02:43 PM
Ariel Atom 3
Pagani Zonda F
McLaren MP4-12C