Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and 4-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buy is Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks include BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz CLK.

A reliable Detroit source says Viper will skip the '07 model year, but will fill-in with tuned '06s packing 650 hp, maybe more. The tuning is the work of parent Mercedes' UK-based McLaren Performance Group, which builds the exotic Mercedes SLR. Engineering is said to be all but complete, giving credence to a "super snake." No word on an introduction date, however. Aside from this prospect, Viper should see no basic change until Chrysler Group redesigns it again, which we don't see happening before 2010.