2006 Honda Civic Si

Even though the Si sports a manual trans and two doors like the MX-5, it's amassed over 6000 miles more in the same amount of time, proof that one can never underestimate the convenience of a back seat and a sizeable trunk.

Much of the Civic's popularity can be attributed to its adrenalin-pumping fun-to-drive factor. "Driving stick isn't much fun in traffic," notes associate editor Allyson Harwood, "but the Civic sure makes it a blast, practically encouraging you to whiz around pokey drivers. I even zipped through a line of staggered minivans like they were cones in a slalom." Honda fixed the Si's problem of sustained revs off throttle via an update to the electronic throttle software, which has been implemented in all 2007 Si coupes and sedans.