2007 Pontiac Solstice

The Solstice is Pontiac's two-seat roadster, a rear-drive convertible that turned heads when it arrived. It handles with real enthusiasm, and the wide tires give it a planted feel through corners. The cabin is snug, and the trunk is tiny, so you'll learn to pack light. Owners note the blind spots can be scary at first, and some have had to replace door handles or a radiator fan. If you want a two-seat convertible that's all about the drive and not the frills, this Solstice skips the G6's back seat and sedan practicality entirely. Its 2.4L I4 makes 260 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, routed through a five-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and you'll feel every bit of that power on a winding road. The five-speed automatic is smooth, but the manual transmission is the one that really lets you wring out the engine's character.