With their finger on the pulse of the good life, the people at duPont REGISTRY have released their 2006 Exotic Car Buyers Guide, and its contents are finding their way into more than a few holiday wish lists. According to Tom duPont, publisher of the guide, the REGISTRY editors made their top picks by seeking out those rides that represented "the very best in technology, performance and handling, with the ultimate in styling and luxury."
duPont also commented, "Today's market for exotics continues to expand as manufacturers answer enthusiasts' demands for horsepower, cutting-edge innovation and dramatic designs," and that the REGISTRY team's seven picks "pace the market as the pinnacle of today's supercars."
We are always impressed with the duPont REGISTRY and highly respect their expertise. And as we peruse the guide, it's tough to argue with their choices. Nonetheless, using the same criteria, we respectfully differ in a few categories. After all, good taste is subjective. Rolex or Breitling? Cristal or Dom Perignon?
There are no "wrong" choices, but a multitude of great options. Now it's your turn. Let's take a look at the duPont picks alongside our own, and you can decide.
Best New Convertible
duPont REGISTRY: Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
AskMen.com: Ferrari F430 Spider
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In theory, the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron will accelerate from a standstill to well over 100 mph in the time it takes to read this sentence. In theory. Well, to be fair, that's what Bugatti assures us. But while photos and manufacturer's test claims are fine to arouse our appetites, the main course has yet to hit the table. After countless delays, we're told that the Veyron will finally be available soon. We don't want to appear dismissive, but we'll believe it when we see it.
In the meantime, those firmly grounded in reality can unburden themselves of just over half a mil and drive home the Swedish Koenigsegg CCR. While it doesn't bear the name of a road and race legend (like the Veyron does), the CCR has just about everything else going for it. Its 800-horsepower V8 will send you to 60 in just over three seconds. Keep the pressure on and blast your way to its record-setting 242 mph top end -- if you dare. Actually, the Koenigsegg engineers did their homework on Italy's Nardo test track to ensure this can be done without any undue drama. And you thought the hottest Swede was a bikini-team member.
Best New Exotic
duPont REGISTRY: Spyker C8 Spyder
AskMen.com: Spyker C8 Spyder
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When BMW launches new models, we're generally pleased. Even still, When's the M version due? is always in the backs of our minds. When the 6-Series coupe arrived, there was no question that it was a fine car in its own right. But if good performance is good, great performance is greater.
So why do we disagree with duPont in Best Performance Coupe honors? Because Aston Martin followed through with their promise to enthusiasts (or threat to competitors) to offer a leaner, less stratospherically-priced model. In fact, there is serious talk of the V8 Vantage being a strong alternative to the venerable Porsche 911. The V8 Vantage fits within the footprint of the 911 (and well within that of the M6) and dishes comparable performance. In terms of appearance, it carries the cues of its bigger brothers, but in slimmer, fighting trim. For us, that's a huge part of its appeal. While we applaud the technology Aston Martin packs into the DB9 and Vanquish, there's a little luddite in all of us that likes to shift gears... manually... using a clutch in the process, along with all the other do-it-yourself aspects of active driving. The V8 Vantage indulges those urges and, at around $110,000, it's fiscally satisfying as well.
Best Luxury Coupe
duPont REGISTRY: Bentley Continental GT MDS
AskMen.com: Jaguar XK
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We thought we were happy. We thought 400 horsepower was enough. We thought $45,000 was a bargain. In other words, we thought the garden-variety Corvette was satisfying on all levels.
And then the Corvette Z06 appeared.
No matter how straight-laced you think you are, the prospect of owning a Z06 can seduce you into committing all seven deadly sins. Thankfully, the worst you'll have to do is raid your kid's college fund (and let's face it: He was only going to buy beer with the money anyway). If you can scrape together about $66 thousand, you can own a car that shames just about anything short of a jet: 3.7 seconds from 0 to 60, with a terminal velocity of 198 mph.
If you possess the self-control, the Z06 is willing to comply with posted speed limits and won't fuss with being driven serenely in traffic. The extra style elements are tasteful and won't attract the wrong kind of attention. Plus you won't suffer the heartbreak of living with a cantankerous engine, serviceable only by a grumpy European in a lab coat -- this baby can go down the block and see Mr. Goodwrench if the need arises. And again, you can have all this for about 66 grand. Don't feel guilty about the college fund. Your kid may hate you for it, but that's better than having him beg for the keys.
a question of taste
We applaud the editors of the duPont REGISTRY 2006 Exotic Car Buyers Guide for a job well done. And while there are really no "wrong" choices, good taste is subjective. We agree with some of their selections and respectfully differ with others. Chances are, you have favorite picks of your own. That's the beauty of enthusiasm for the world's best cars.The duPont REGISTRYs Exotic Car Buyers Guide, the annual special issue that distills the essence of exotic vehicles from the top manufacturers in the world, is produced by duPont Publishing, the experts on the luxury marketplace and affluent lifestyle. Available online at http://www.askmen.com/intermediate/toys/cars_138_dupont.html and on newsstands now through the first part of 2006, this special issue rates each exotic car on the market on a wide range of categories including price, horsepower, torque, 0-60 times, and top speeds.
Resources:
http://www.edmunds.com/
http://money.cnn.com/popups/2005/autos/exotic_cars2/frameset_cnn.exclude.html
http://autos.msn.com/
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