Detroit wrote the book on cars with attitude. Cases in point: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Viper, and the Chevrolet Corvette – all- American, all kings of cool. When the top comes down, even better. They’re kind of like the cast of The Great Escape. Legendary. Immortal. Everything their competitors wish they could be.
2008 Chevrolet Corvette
The venerable Vette should be called “The Godfather” of the lineup. Introduced in 1953, it’s been in production nearly as long as both the Mustang and Viper combined. It’s always been one of the easiest cars to recognize, and with the most recent iteration, it’s become one of the best performance bargains ever, starting at $55,435.
The new Vette has some notable improvements over its predecessors, including a top that actually seals well and keeps occupants safe from the elements and a good deal of road and wind noise. Its body is also notably stiffer than previous Vette ragtops. Inside, the Vette is a tremendous host, featuring supportive, comfortable seats and ample room for the overall size of the car. New metal and carbon fiber appointments spruce up the interior and detailing, and a host of optional personalized extras brings the level of Vetting even higher.
Drivers will adore the aggressive yet silkysmooth 430-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8, known as the LS3. A 6-speed manual or automatic transmission sends the power to the largish rear tires, and the Vette can see 60 miles per hour in about four seconds and top out somewhere around 170 miles per hour. The balance, poise and control of the Vette are astonishing. Chevrolet has created a truly premium vehicle. Performance Chevrolet, 4811 Madison Avenue, Sacramento. 888-346-3117, performancechevy.com.
Dodge Viper SRT10
Like fine wine, the Viper has only gotten better with age. The most expensive convertible in this lineup, hovering at $87,040, it’s oddly less expensive than its coupe brethren and even Vipers of previous years. Considering the investments Dodge made in refining the chassis and engine, the
price is amazing.
Under the hood is an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V10 linked to a 6-speed manual transmission. It’s capable of rocketing to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds and will top out somewhere in the 200 mile per- hour neighborhood. It can even find 60 miles per hour in first gear. Whereas driving a Viper used to be something of a handful, the 2008s are a whole new ballgame. The newly-developed engine features a host of engineering changes that make it more powerful, smoother, and even more efficient and cleaner than previous Vipers. Although still not a car for larger drivers, the new chassis makes it more of a joy to drive for those who don’t mind close quarters. Easygoing, stable, compliant and taut sum up the experience. Again, qualities that couldn’t be said about the Vipers of yore. Swift Dodge Sacramento, 2301 Arden Way, Sacramento. 916-920-0110, swiftdodge.com.
2008 Ford Mustang
In April of 1964, the debut of the Mustang suddenly shifted how auto manufacturers would design, build, and market automobiles. Although a lot has changed since the first Mustang rolled off the
showroom floor, much remains the same.
The 2008 GT convertible boasts a healthy 300-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 linked to either a 5-speed manual or an automatic transmission. Able to sprint to 60 miles per hour in a little over five seconds and boasting a top gallop of about 145 miles per hour, it’s one of the quickest and fastest Mustang GTs in the model’s 40-plus year history. Compared to the Viper and Corvette, the Mustang is basic, which helps keep the costs down. But, it’s also one of the most fun cars you can own.
Available in two GT specifications, GT Deluxe and GT Premium, the latter boasts leather seats and a higher-end Shaker 500 sound system among other features. However, like all Mustangs, the strength is in the optional extras. It’s a car you can pretty much create as your very own, and your wallet is the limit. The GT convertible base price is a touch over $31,000, which for the styling, performance, and build quality is very reasonable.
The free-revving V8, comfortable interior, and superb chassis and body construction make it one of the best cars Ford has ever built, bolstering its fun-to-drive status. Since the beginning, Mustang convertibles have been enjoyable to drive, but plagued with body twist, rattles, leaks, shaking cowls, and so on. When the 1994 models emerged, many of these issues were addressed, which set the stage for the current generation car. While previous ‘Stangs were difficult to handle in high-speed situations, the 2008 cars are worlds away from what they used to be. Handling is much more predictable, braking steady, and the body is stiff. Ford has worked hard to create more of an upscale feel with the Mustang, and it’s paying off in spades. While it’s no BMW or Lexus, for a Mustang it’s a breath of fresh air, and for the price, it’s hard to go wrong. Harrold Ford, 1535 Howe Avenue, Sacramento. 800-773-0885, harroldford.com.•
