Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cylinder hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.

Our Best Buys include the Mazda MX-5 and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Mustang and Mini Cooper. New this year is the Mini Cooper Clubman.

The fully redesigned Tiburon expected for 2009 could be very different from the current model. Hyundai is apparently considering a rear-wheel drive car a la Infiniti's G35 coupe. However, sources caution this idea hasn't been green-lighted, and other proposals are surely being explored, so stay tuned. Earlier reports had the next new Tiburon as a spinoff of Hyundai's redesigned 2007 Elantra, with a hardtop-convertible joining the usual front-drive coupe. That may still be the plan, but only time will tell.