BMW M3

BrakingThis test is as straightforward as it sounds. And with sophisticated ABS fitted to each of these cars, it really is just a question of stabbing the pedal and steering. Interestingly, however, the BMW's anti-lock system seemed quite sensitive to the (very) slight undulations in our braking surface and was in ABS mode more often than were the other two cars on exactly the same patch of blacktop. The M3's ABS system also produced more mechanical noise than expected, which would corroborate its more-active condition. Sixty-to-zero-mph braking for the BMW was nonetheless a strong 111 ft, beating the Porsche by 2 ft, but losing to the Vette by 6 ft. On the two ends of the noise spectrum, the Boxster S performed with excellent ABS isolation (very little audible hint that it was even operating), while the Corvette's anti-lock system mechanicals sounded as crude as a wood chipper in comparison. But when stopping counts most, it's the Vette all the way, with wins in 60-0 mph (105 ft) and 100-0 (a stellar 303 ft). The M3's and Boxster's best 100-0-mph stops were 321 and 324 ft, respectively.

Slalom & SKIDPADOur 600-ft slalom tells a lot about a car's overall balance in a series of left-right-left maneuvers around cones placed exactly 100 ft apart; each run is timed electronically then converted to an average speed (in mph) through the cones. Perhaps surprisingly, the more performance-oriented a car is, often the trickier it is to drive fast. That's because its limits are so much higher than those of a normal car; not only are you going faster between the cones (giving you more to do in less time), but when the bigger tires do finally break loose, you often can't catch it and continue on. Thus, because the quickest times are always generated with a vehicle's traction control turned off, big spins are often a part of this test.

Our skidpad test measures handling grip in another fashion: by timing how quickly a car can drive around a 200-ft circle. This is a usually better arbiter of tire science and sizing, weight distribution, and low-speed understeer/oversteer tendencies than is the slalom test. Every lap is electronically timed and calculated into a lateral-g rating.

Each of these three cars displayed a wholly different personality on the slalom. The Boxster handles like it's on rails, with lightning-quick steering, precise turn-in, and a super-stiff body structure that lets you coax a bit of tail out at will. The mid-engine layout is made for this work, allowing the little car to pirouette around the cones with ease. Very quick, light, and maneuverable-it's really easy to go super fast through the cones in this machine. Buy it if you want to look the hero, without the requisite talent. Best average speed: 67.51 mph.

The M3, by comparison, feels taller and a bit softer. Its higher roll centers make it a bit trickier in fast transitions, and the rear end will break loose sooner, but it's entirely catchable and is a pure hoot to drive. Awe-inspiring chassis/suspension/steering feel combine with big rubber and the torquey engine to make slaloming one of this car's favorite tricks. Best average speed: 68.99 mph.