If not a classic Mini, or a Miata I have to nominate the current-gen base Mini Cooper. I've driven the S of both new gens, and the base. The current regular mini cooper is such a little riot it actually induces grins. The S? Awesome car, but its in a different class. Yet I don't think I've had as much fun behind the…

I regret getting a 2001 GTI over one of these back in the day. The GTI had the better interior, and paint... and that was it. True it had a lot of turbocharged horses, but I wish I had chosen handling over horsepower. I had a WRX bugeye too, and that highly-strung engine really needed the Protege5's handling chops.

Or my car lol.

LA is the only place I've seen AMG Black cars being driven - and usually on shiny chrome aftermarket wheels. I was in West Hollywood at a friend's house and his neighbor's lady friend had just curbed some expensive looking chrome wheels on her CLK Black. She was apologetic that she was blocking my car in though while…

Plan ahead.

I'd hit it.

Get a used Saab 9-3. The 4 cyl versions get 33mpg+ (I've seen as high as 37 on some road trips), they come in wagon and convertible shapes and you can get low milers for the price of a loaded Civic EX. Sure the reliability won't be quite as good but at least it has character, room, decent dynamics and a unique image.

Nice call on Jeep! Totally forgot that the brand name came from a nick, well chosen #1.

All of them IppoJ, all of them.

Honda couldn't have missed the mark so badly unintentionally.

I hate posting two entries but I'll leave this right here...

RUF CTR - "Yellowbird"

Actually this is an inspired choice! A buddy had one back in the day on some 19s and a silly coilover suspension. With a CAI, full exhaust and a reflash it was massively amusing and surprisingly fast! So underrated!

My best friend in highschool had one of these, just as pictured. Fantastically entertaining family hatch. Who knew Honda would throw it all away? Sad.

Oohhh good call, almost forgot about this one! If you have the Galant VR-4 then you have to include its competitor on the rally stage, the 91-93 Subaru Legacy Turbo.

While its far from a hoon, there's a serious cult following for the first-gen Honda Insight. While the current Insight is a bit of a turd, this first one was frisky and fun despite modest tires and a low power drivetrain. It's telling that Harry Metcalfe, of Evo Magazine fame - who owns a Zonda, a Countach, Lotus 340R…

I've seen a Diablo Roadster, and plenty of 911s at coin-ops over the years. Not really surprising. Maybe the owner just wanted to get some bird poo off and wasnt worried about water spots? Or maybe he was savoring the delicious irony of having a hypercar in a pedestrian spray booth? Either way, more power to those who…

That burgundy might be the prettiest color I've ever seen a Daytona in, pictures or in person. Stunner!

86-89 Aston Martin V8 Zagato.

NP if you were considering a much nicer Elise or possibly a 996 GT3 for a trackday toy. CP if you wanted this as your road/track/weekend plaything.