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.

Porsche is almost finished updating the 911 line from the 996 generation to the 997 series that kicked off two years ago with Carrera and Carrera S coupes. "Wide-body" Carrera 4S and Turbo Cabriolets are next on list as '07 models. Also expected soon are new Targa coupes with retractable glass sunroof in Carrera, Carrera S and Carrera 4 trim. For weekend racers, there's a new 997-based version of the track-oriented GT3 coupe. It uses a 415-hp 3.6-liter naturally aspirated engine to drive the rear wheels through a specially calibrated (and mandatory) 6-speed manual transmission. Porsche claims just 4.1 sec for the 0-60 sprint. A first-time GT3 standard is the Porsche Active Suspension Management System (PASM) with variable firmness to suit different driving situations. Also standard are a new electronic traction-control system, 19-inch wheels with "sports" tires, and mechanical limited-slip differential. The 2007 GT3 begins sale this summer at a base price of $106,000. The 997 series is still pretty young, so the 911's next redesign won't occur until well into the next decade.