The BMW 1-series, available as a coupe and a convertible, seems poised to be a very exciting addition to the company’s lineup. The 1-series uses the same, highly regarded mechanicals as the benchmark 3-series, but wraps them in a smaller, lighter, and less expensive package. From a driving standpoint, one can hardly argue with the results. But what is open to debate is whether the cost and weight savings of the 1-series are significant or does the car too closely overlap to the 3-series.

Like the 3-series, the 135i convertible’s handling is sublime; the car eats up curves and begs for more. The steering - without the curse of the 3-series’ optional active steering - is pure and true. It was a pleasure threading the 135i along narrow winding parkways that can be a white-knuckle affair in other cars. And its nimble size was a source of pleasure as well. But the larger, eighteen-inch wheels mean that bumps are sometimes fairly pronounced.

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Need a very fuel efficient and affordable car? Check out the 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid. The 2008 Toyota Prius is a full-featured midsize car that just so happens to be the most fuel-efficient car on the market. The fact that it now starts at less than $21,000 is icing on the green-colored cake.

MSRP: $21,500 - $23,770

Invoice: $20,210 - $21,816

MPG: 48 City / 45 Hwy

The Prius is first and foremost a hybrid — and the benchmark upon which all others are based. Capable of running on electricity alone or in concert with the small gasoline four-cylinder engine, the Prius is capable of fuel economy that no current mainstream car can match — even with the lower, revised 2008 EPA estimates. Like most hybrids, the 2008 Toyota Prius is best suited to drivers whose travels rarely take them farther than the city limits. Around town and in stop-and-go traffic, the Prius’ electric motors and regenerative braking are optimized to provide superior fuel economy and optimal power delivery. It’s OK on the freeway, but without consistent braking or coasting, the battery runs down, forcing the anemic four-cylinder engine to carry most of the load.

One disadvantage of the Prius and all other hybrids is their winter performance. Cold temperatures decrease battery capacity, just as they do for the average 12-volt battery. As a result, the engine must run at first to top off the battery and then more often throughout use to keep it charged. The mileage hit is not small. We’re talking several mpg on average. Chicago’s maddening weather actually came in useful in this test because I drove for days in temperatures below freezing and at times near 0 degrees. The trip computer said I was getting between 30 and 40 mpg in mixed driving. Then the temp shot up close to 60 degrees, and suddenly I was getting more than 50 mpg without even trying.

But all in all the Toyota is like any other car but somehow more fuel efficient and comes with in a very low price.

The Corvette team aren’t giving up.  They relentlessly chipping away at every reasonable argument a rational buyer can articulate for choosing some big-name, bucks-up, blue-blooded bahn-stormer over the crossed-flag cruise missile that Zora launched. This C6-1/2-generation Vette boasts more refinements and detail enhancements than one expects from a mid-cycle refresh of a supercar, but are they enough to steer the Porsche/BMW/Benz/Jag buyers into a Chevy store? To find out, we spirited a manual coupe and an automatic convertible away from the General’s Milford Proving Ground for a romp across rural southeast Michigan.

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