2002 Chevrolet Corvette Base

The Corvette is Chevrolet's flagship sports car, a two-seat coupe or convertible that goes up against the Porsche 911 and Dodge Viper. It's a genuine performance machine, with sharp steering and grip that lets you carry serious speed through corners. The ride is firm, especially in the Z06, so long highway trips can get a bit tiring, but that's the trade for how well it handles. Cabin space is tight for a big person, and the coupe's hatch gives you a surprising amount of cargo room for a sports car. The Base Corvette is the one to get if you want the classic experience without the Z06's stiffer suspension and higher price. Its 5.7L V8 makes 350 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic, and it returns 19 mpg combined. The removable roof panel lets you open the cabin to the sky, and the coupe's hatch gives you 24.8 cubic feet of cargo space.