With the general disagreement with C&D's latest pics, I thought we could make our own 10 best. So you, the "editors" of S2KI, get to pick! The rules are the same as C&D: The car must be available and legal to drive in the US, and must be attainable for under $60,000 USD (base MSRP). Make arguments for or against the models picked and I'll keep a running tab.

S2KI's 10 Best:
Acura RSX
BMW 3-Series
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Accord
Honda S2000
Infiniti G35
MazdaSpeed Protege
Mini Cooper
Porsche Boxster
Subaru WRX

On the bubble:
Hyundai Tiburon
Nissan 350Z

Bumped:
BMW 5-series

 

My list:

Acura RSX
BMW 3-Series
BMW 5-series
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Accord
Honda S2000
Mini Cooper
Nissan 350Z
Porsche Boxster
Subaru WRX

Also considered:

BMW M3
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Insight
MazdaSpeed Protege
Nissan Altima

 

I like your list and have no arguments.

 

Doesn't C&D lump the M3 in with the 3-series?

 

Yes, but I consider the M3 to be a significantly different car...

 

ditto! i can't think of any other cars that would fit better than the ones you have already picked out

 

The Honda Civic Hybrid HAS to have a place. Start with a very competent compact, add advanced fuel savings of hybrid gasoline/electric technology, and you've got probably the most significant new car of 2003.

 

Barry: I agree, but what would you take off the list?

 

While I think the Accord is a great car I would drop it in favor of the new Infiniti G35 Sedan and Sport Coupe.

 

I might add:

MazdaSpeed Protege
Focus SVT
Mazda 6
Infiniti G35 coupe

and bump:

Acura RSX
Honda Accord
BMW/Mini
BMW 5

The MazdaSpeed Protege sounds like a real drivers car, and the slight horsepower deficit can likely be easily tweeked in the turbo design.

Same goes for the SVT. Only wish they would import the Focus RS.

Mazda 6 looks like a class killer, easily better than the Accord.

Infinity G35 Coupe gets the nice engineering of the 350Z without the funky looks... Great grand touring car?

The 5 series BMW is about to be retired, the Mini is just too cute and not enough sports, the RSX isn't a drivers car IMHO, and the new Accord, while very nice, is just a little too generic.