October 2006
Fantasy sports: Ultra-performance and luxury sports cars
For the price of a condo, you can buy a dream machine. But is it worth the price in reality?
Owning a high-end sports car is an aspiration for many people. They dream about buying one for years, and when they reach the point when they can afford it, they splurge. But the choice is too often based on dreams rather than real-world performance. So, here’s our wake-up call.
Is the Mercedes-Benz SL $52,000 more car than the SLK? Would you rather have a Porsche Boxster and $40,000 in the bank than a Porsche 911 Carrera S? At prices ranging from $67,084 to $105,855, do these cars deliver enough performance and excitement to justify the price?
Our test cars fall into two groups, ultra-performance cars and luxury coupes. The first group consists of the 911, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and Dodge Viper SRT. Each car is thrilling to drive with extremely high levels of acceleration, cornering grip, and braking. In many categories they set new performance records in our testing. While they’re built for speed, the 911 and Z06 are civilized enough for everyday driving. Driving the Viper, however, can be punishing.
The 911 wowed us enough with its acceleration, handling, and braking for us to rate it our top sports car. It is also easy to drive, but its much less expensive Boxster sibling performed almost as well.
In S trim, the 911 has a bigger engine than the base Carrera, as well as upgraded suspension, wheels, and tires. Starting out at $81,400, our 911 has sport seats and a built-in stopwatch on top of the dashboard, which costs a ridiculous $920. In total, we paid $87,520. We don’t have reliability data for this Porsche.
The Corvette Z06 was very impressive with super acceleration coming from its 7.0-liter engine and excellent handling. It ranks just below the 911 in our Ratings. Several functional air scoops and flared wheel arches help distinguish it from the regular Vette. The Z06 comes only with a six-speed manual transmission and starts at $69,175. List price on ours with satellite radio, a navigation system, and a power telescoping steering wheel was $76,730, a relative bargain for this performance level. Corvette reliability has been much worse than average so we do not recommend it.
The Viper SRT is the fastest car we’ve ever tested with staggering power and grip, but its lack of creature comforts cost it dearly in our tests. It comes in roadster or coupe versions and is powered by a monstrous 8.3-liter V10 engine. Our coupe had a base price of $83,415. Options such as leather trim, dual white stripes, and polished wheels brought the sticker up to $91,990, including a $3,000 gas-guzzler tax. We don’t have reliability data on the Viper.
Our luxury sports cars trade ultimate grip and performance for civility and refinement. Each has a plush interior and features to pamper its occupants. The Mercedes-Benz SL550, BMW 650i, and Jaguar XK outperform most sports cars, but the Cadillac XLR and Lexus SC are neither as comfortable nor as agile.
The Mercedes, Cadillac, and Lexus each have a folding metal top that retracts into the trunk, while the Jaguar XK has a padded fabric top. All retract at the push of a button. The BMW has a large glass sunroof; a convertible is also available. While the BMW, Jaguar, and Lexus each technically have four seats, only the BMW has rear seating meant for humans.
The 2007 SL is the most expensive car Consumer Reports has ever tested, with a base price of $94,800. Options such as massaging seats, keyless starting, special wheels and tires, and steering-wheel shift paddles, as well as a $1,700 gas-guzzler tax, brought the total to $105,855, about the cost of four years of college.
The SL scored only a bit higher than the much less expensive SLK we tested in October 2005, with more room and power. But because of its poor reliability, we cannot recommend it.
The 650i is a coupe version of the 5 Series sedan. It has a terrific powertrain and excellent handling, but the frustrating iDrive electronic control system is a deal-breaker. On top of the $71,800 base price we added options such as sports seats and 19-inch wheels, which ran the total up to $77,440. We do not have enough reliability data to recommend the BMW.
The 2007 Jaguar XK puts the emphasis on luxury and comfort but was surprisingly sporty. It has an all-aluminum body and is impressively flex-free for a convertible. It starts at $80,835 and options such as a leather-covered instrument panel, 19-inch wheels, full-power driver and passenger seats, and an audio upgrade brought it to $86,300. A coupe is also available. We don’t have reliability data for this new vehicle.
The Lexus SC is the boulevard cruiser of the bunch. It has an impeccable interior and has demonstrated excellent reliability in our survey, allowing us to recommend it. But the SC isn’t game for driving with enthusiasm. A harsh ride doesn’t befit a luxury car. With a base price of $65,355 it is the least expensive car of the group. Run-flat tires, a rear spoiler, and a few other odds and ends brought the price up to $67,084.
The Cadillac XLR shares its platform with the Corvette, but uses the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine instead of a Corvette engine. It comes well equipped for $77,290. The XLR is quick and looks elegant, but at this price you would expect better ride, handling, and interior fit and finish. We do not have enough reliability data to recommend the XLR.
