2011 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards: Sports Car

AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) are based on 73,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2011.

Sports Cars consist of vehicles with a tendency to go fast and/or have terrific handling.  A Mazda MX-5 or a Porsche 911 both fall into this category.  These are two seaters or four seaters with almost unusable rear seats.  An emphasis is paid to driving dynamics which may not result in the best comfort or utility for passengers.

This year's AutoPacific IVA Sports Car winner is the 2011 Porsche 911.

Read on to see the entire list of category candidates and how they scored.

*NOTE: Results for 2010 Model Year Vehicles are Included in the 2011 Model Year Research Because of Availability. Scores Are Shown Where Sample Sizes Allow

#1 Sports Car: 2011 Porsche 911

Rank: #1

Score: 1322

The owners of the 2011 Porsche 911 rate the car so highly in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research that the car wins the IVA for the Sports Car Class and is also the top rated vehicle overall.  As the overall and class winner, owners of the 911 do not want much changed.  When pressed, about 20% say they want more cargo room, easier ingress/egress and more infotainment technology.  They most like the seat comfort, ride and interior roominess.   The Porsche Boxster/Cayman were in second place in the class.  It was a Porsche sweep.

#2 Sports Car: 2011 Porsche Boxster/Cayman

Rank: #2

Score: 1245

Top down, or top up? The answer to this important question serve as your guide when attempting to choose between the 2011 Porsche Boxster roadster and its platform-mate, the 2011 Porsche Cayman. If it helps your decision, the Cayman offers close to the same performance as its pricier Porsche 911 cousin, at a much lower price.

#3 Sports Car: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette

Rank: #3

Score: 1197

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car bargain. World-class performance is available even from the Corvette’s affordable base model (coupe or convertible), but consider upgrading to the track-ready Corvette Z06 or the Corvette ZR1 supercar if you want to play with Italian exotics and German performance cars at triple-digit speeds. The Corvette continues to get faster and easier to drive with each passing year, making it perhaps the most livable high end sports car on the market.

#4 Sports Car: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Rank: #4

Score: 1150

The 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata is proof that lightweight, open-top roadsters offer the purest driving experience around. Without overwhelming power to use as a crutch, and lacking the luxuries found in some of its European competitors, the Miata puts drivers directly in touch with the road and delivers a thrilling experience behind the wheel.

#5 Sports Car: Nissan 370Z (2010)

Rank: #5

Score: 1090

The 2010 Nissan 370Z puts some of the bite back into Nissan’s cherished Z car formula. More powerful than in year’s past, and available as both a fixed-roof coupe and an open-air convertible, the Nissan 370Z puts the pleasure of sports car driving within reach of those with more modest automotive budgets.