Casting all caution to the wind, we present here the first installment of our Top
50 rankings. Our intent is to regularly give you our admittedly iconoclastic view of
the best 50 cars currently sold in these United States. This first installment covers
cars ranked 50 through 41. Each of our next issues will cover 10 additional cars
until we’ve wound our way down (up?) to the Top 10.

Why have a Top 50? Oh, grasshopper, many reasons. First of all, we wanted to
do it. We had the feeling that there were really only about 50 good driver’s cars on
sale. And, after working assiduously through most of the cars on sale, we have to
say that 50 is about right. As you get above that number, you start running into
cars that are pretty much hands-down inferior to those already on the list. Some
examples of what didn’t make the cut: Mercedes S500, Porsche Cayenne S,
Cadillac XLR, Chrysler Crossfire, and many more cars that are too big, too soft, too
tall, too heavy, too dispassionate, or too pointless.

The second big reason is that by comparing cars overall, not by category, you get
some really interesting results. When you look at some of the rankings, you’ll
probably say “What the X%#$?.” We say “drive them.”

Our rankings are based mainly on our view of just two questions – is this a good
driver’s car and is it a good value? Recognizing that practical factors are a reality
for most if not all, we throw in some thoughts about stuff like fuel economy,
passenger comfort, and specialized capabilities as tie-breakers.

We hope you enjoy the list. Send your accolades, comments, and hate mail to
editor@windingroad.com.