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Porsche 911 Carrera

For decades now, buying a brand-spanking-new Carrera has been the ultimate sign that you're an upper-middle-class male and proud of it. As a bonus, 911s are also legendarily real-world-friendly supercars (though Audi's new R8 is providing some tough competition). Acceleration, braking, cornering, even a trip to the grocery store—the 911 does everything well (okay, maybe not a trip home from the grocery store). Despite an inherently unbalanced, ass-backwards configuration—Porsche insists on sticking its flat-sixes way out over the rear axle—no car has sharper steering, quicker handling, or a more satisfying shifter. And while luxophiles may find its appointments a tad ascetic, to enthusiasts the 911's austere interior only emphasizes its true purpose—pure performance (plus the occasional trip to the market for a quart of milk).
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Base price: $73,195
Configuration: two-door, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe
Engine: 3.6-liter DOHC 24-valve flat-6
Power and torque: 325 hp at 6800 rpm, 273 lb-ft at 4250 rpm
Curb weight: 3,075–3,164 lb