On the 30th of December 2008, Nissan announced pricing for its 2009 370Z sports car, which debuted in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Starting at $29,930, the 370Z Coupe is about $1,500 more expensive than the 350Z it replaces. The base model comes with a 6-speed manual, while upgrading to a 7-speed automatic brings the total to $31,230.

Nissan knows as well as anyone the dangers in redesigning a popular car. Through the 1990s, it “improved” its Z-car until the bloated 300ZX carried virtually none of the charm (not to mention the sales volume) of the original 240Z. Nissan returned the line to its former glory with the 350Z, and has been rewarded with a brilliantly successful six-year run. And with the 2009 370Z, which is making its debut this week at the Los Angeles auto show, it has proved it has finally learned how to build on success.

Read more »

The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranks in the top half of its class because of its tight, balanced handling and zippy acceleration. What’s more, reviewers see its soft top and new power-folding hardtop as the best in their class, though the MX-5 falls short of competitors on interior room. As the highest-ranking Affordable Sports Car by US News, the Miata proves to be a smart choice for anyone in the market for a great performer at a bargain price.

With its balanced handling, quick and precise steering, and crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 is a true sports car. It virtually tied the Porsche Boxster other site’s test scoring, but at about $27,000, it’s roughly half the price. The manual top can easily be lowered or raised with one hand from the driver’s seat. 

All Mazda Miatas are powered by a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine good for 166 horsepower – not much less than the previous-generation’s turbocharged Mazdaspeed high-performance model. Depending on trim levels you’ll find this power routed to the rear wheels through a five- or six-speed manual transmission, or an available six-speed automatic for shiftless types — though with the automatic, hp drops to 158.

MSRP: $27,000

Read more »

The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coupe and the F430 Spider.The 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia is designed for those sports car enthusiasts who happily give up some comfort to obtain the ultimate driving experience. Ferrari took off 220 lbs. over the standard F430 while increasing horsepower from 483 to 510.

Superb performance both on and off the track is assured by a series of cutting-edge solutions. There is the latest software – F1 Superfast – which reduces gearchange times to just 60 milliseconds, and new traction control which, for the first time, combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system.

Vehicle dynamics, control and performance thus represent the zenith of Ferrari’s achievements in terms of developing road-certified sports cars.

Check out the unveiling of the  2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

MSRP: $262, 306

Read more »