2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R

Just two months in, the Sentra SE-R has amassed over 4000 miles, thanks in large part to a couple of long road trips. Vance, on a trek to Bishop, California, for a weeklong hiking trip on the John Muir Trail, snatched the SE-R for the 600-mile round trip. He found the 2.5-liter four-cylinder "not as sweet or refined as the Civic Si's 2.0-liter," noting that the Nissan's 3112-pound curb weight "slightly overwhelms the engine."

Stone reiterated Vance's sentiment following a weekend adventure at Pebble Beach, but was pleased by the Sentra's "nice, everyday ride/handling balance," adding that it seemed "sportier than a pure econobox, yet not as committed or expensive as the Evo and STI rally rockets." It likely won't be as pricey at the service department, either-at 3750 miles, the Sentra underwent its first scheduled maintenance, a $29.17 oil change.