Drive this, not that: 10 expensive cars and their cheaper substitutes
The reality is that exotic and luxury cars are horrendously expensive. These 10 imitators provide some serious bang for your buck.
The reality is that exotic and luxury cars
are horrendously expensive. These 10 imitators
provide some serious bang for your buck.
The dream is to park a new Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, or Range
Rover in the family garage. The reality is that exotic and luxury cars
are horrendously expensive. But there are reasonably priced cars that
ape the spirit of the higher-priced ones, and come surprisingly close in
performance, luxury, or design (but not all three.) These ten imitators
provide some serious bang for your buck.
So You Can't Afford: Porsche Carrera 911 S
400-hp 3.8-liter flat six
Price: $98,300
The inexpensive imitator: Chevy Corvette
Chevrolet's Corvette has been competing with the Porsche 911 since it
first landed on our shores in 1964. Back in the 1960s, the Vette would
smoke the Porsche on any road—as long as that road didn't twist. Today
the sports car icons are much more evenly matched.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Chevrolet Corvette
430-hp, 5900-rpm 6.3-liter V-8
Price: $49,600
Both should hit 60 mph in just a tick over 4 seconds. The Porsche, with
its endless new technology like the Dynamic Chassis Control, which
replaces the traditional antiroll bars with active ones to get you
around corners faster, would probably squeak out a quicker lap time on
the track.
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But is the Chevy less fun? No way. In fact some would argue
that with fewer driver technologies, the Vette might be the purer
experience.
We're not expecting to convert any lifelong 911 fans here. Behind the
wheel, the Porsche is like a luxury coupe—the interior is gorgeous.
The
Corvette is as it's always been: a bit down-market by comparison,
especially with its thinly padded thrones. But if what you want is
muscle and you don't care much about the name on the back of the car,
you could get the Vette and buy some very nice seats with the $48,700
you'll save. In fact, you could almost buy another brand new Corvette.
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* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Audi A7
300-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6
Price: $59,250
The inexpensive imitator: Volkswagen CC
Mercedes-Benz invented the slinky four-door coupe when it introduced the
original CLS in 2004. But VW wasn't too far behind when it took that
same idea and applied it to a far less expensive car with the 2008
Passat CC. Now this group of cars has grown to include the Porsche
Panamera and the new Audi A7.
But Maybe You Can Afford: VW CC
200-hp, 2.0-liter inline-four turbo
Price: $30,250
Although the CC is front-wheel drive and has 100 fewer horsepower than
the Audi, drivers can buy it with the optional 3.6-liter V-6 and
all-wheel drive, so it lines up even more closely with the A7. The V-6
CC sells for $37,403, but that's still 20 grand less than the Audi. The
CC is certainly smaller, yet it still provides a comfy 37 inches of rear
legroom, the same as the Audi.
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The biggest difference in terms of usability is that the VW uses a
traditional trunk with 13.0 cubic feet of luggage space while the Audi
is a hatchback with a whopping 24.5 cubic feet of room even before the
rear seats are folded down. And, since it's an Audi, it outclasses the
VW on the inside. But that $30,000 price gap between the two makes a
compelling argument for the CC. It's still the only reasonably priced
four-door coupe on the market.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
429-hp, 4.6-liter twin turbo V8
Price: $94,550
The inexpensive imitator: Hyundai Equus
It appears that Hyundai's mission is to beat the luxury-car brands at
their own game. And it's having some serious success doing so. The
Genesis Coupe is the perfect low-buck foil to the Infiniti G37. The
Genesis sedan arrived ready to take on the mid-level luxury sedans like
the BMW 5 Series. The Korean automaker had to have some serious
confidence to take on the large luxury sedans—like the Mercedes-Benz
S-Class—with its new Equus. After all, since the 1970s the S-Class has
been the car world's benchmark for what a large sedan should be.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Hyundai Equus
429-hp 4.6-liter V-8
Price: $59,000
On paper the Equus packs a serious punch. It matches the big Benz in
horsepower, but produces it with a much smaller engine. The Equus is
about the same size too, with a larger trunk than the Mercedes. The
Equus packs the same level of luxury features, from its reclining rear
seats to the smart cruise control and lane-departure warning.
So where's the extra $35,500 worth of car you'll get with a
Mercedes-Benz? It's largely in the details. The leather is more
sumptuous. The wood, buttons, and switches are higher quality. And when
it comes to the drive, you can think of the Hyundai as Buick-level
engagement. The Mercedes-Benz feels tauter and more responsive in the
corners. And, of course, buying a big Mercedes-Benz doesn't require any
explanation. It's an S-Class. You might have to explain to people why
you bought a $60,000 Hyundai.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Fisker Karma
402-hp (drive motors), 260-hp 2.0-liter turbo generator
Price: $102,000
The inexpensive imitator: Chevy Volt
Despite advancements in technology and a rebirth of the electric car,
plug-in hybrids are still rare machinery on the streets today. There are
only a mere handful for sale by large-scale manufacturers. The Chevy
Volt may have been the one to break that ice, but it's the Fisker Karma
that wants to command the room. The Karma's proportions are sensual and
gorgeous, to be sure. And its powertrain will propel the sexy four-door
to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Chevrolet Volt
149-hp (drive motors), 84-hp 1.4-liter generator
Price: $39,145
Both cars are plug-in hybrids. The Volt might be cool and techy on the
inside, but it's no luxury car. It is more efficient, though. The Karma
was certified by the EPA for a 52-mpg equivalent. It has an electric
range of 32 miles and returns 20 mpg when running on gas.
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The Volt
returns 93 mpg-e, has a 35-mile electric range, and returns a fuel
economy of 37 mpg on gas.
The Fisker will certainly be the more compelling vehicle to drive, and
the one that draws the larger crowd. But the Volt is backed by one of
the world's largest and oldest auto companies—GM. And that's comforting
when so much of this technology is so very new.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Land Rover Range Rover
375-hp 5.0-liter V-8
Price: $78,835
The inexpensive imitator: Jeep Grand Cherokee
For more than 60 years, the four-wheel-drive world has been dominated by
two brands—Jeep and Land Rover. Yet neither is stuck in the past. Oh
no. All Land Rovers use intelligent 4WD systems, and Jeep's brand
stretches wildly from the rugged Wrangler to the compact Compass. But
can the top models of each brand be compared fairly, despite a price gap
of nearly $50,000? That's why we're here.
The Range Rover is more luxurious than the Grand Cherokee by far. The
level of craftsmanship and materials on the inside of this British
machine rival that of Bentley. The Jeep has moved a large leap forward
in this department but, still, you can see where Land Rover's money
went.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Jeep Grand Cherokee
290-hp 3.6-liter
Price: $27,195
When it comes down to hard mechanicals, though, the two 4WDs move
closer. Both ride on an independent suspension system. And the Grand
Cherokee uses an optional advanced air suspension that mimics the
pioneering multiheight system that Range Rover has used since the 1990s.
Both vehicles use a 4WD system that can be tailored to suit particular
terrains as well.
When it comes to towing, a properly equipped Grand Cherokee can move a
7400-pound trailer.
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The Range Rover beats that, but by just 316 pounds.
Under the hood, the Rover's V-8 matches up well with the optional Hemi
V-8 in the Jeep. But while the $100,000, 510-hp Supercharged Range Rover
is still geared for off-road use, the 465-hp SRT8 Grand Cherokee is the
closest a driver could come to a Jeep hot rod. And it does so at just
$54,670. So for the cost of one Range Rover, you could have one Grand
Cherokee for off-roading and another one for the street.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder
562-hp 4.5-liter V-8 at 9000 rpm
Price: $230,275
The inexpensive imitator: Lotus Elise SC
How could a four-cylinder Lotus with just a tick over 200 hp compete
with a 562-hp Ferrari? Well, on hard numbers, it can't. The Ferrari is a
supercar that would demolish it in any speed contest. When it comes to
pure driving pleasure, however, the Lotus is like a junior-league
Ferrari.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Lotus Elise SC
217-hp, 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder
Price: $54,990
The Elise has reflexes like a shifter kart. Its steering is
extraordinarily sharp, direct, and precise. Its featherweight
construction delivers a power-to-weight ratio and handling dynamics that
rival the world's best sports cars.
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The Ferrari is all of these things too, of course. And the 458 Italia,
particularly the convertible Spyder version, may deliver the most
bewitching engine sound of any car—period. But to hear those wonderful
noises and to feel the prodigious thrust from that V-8, you must be
traveling at speeds far greater than any speed limit on any U.S. road.
The Elise on the other hand, provides a similar adrenaline rush at far
saner speeds. And of course, opting for an Elise means you can keep that
$200,000 price difference locked safely in your bank accounts.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: BMW M5
560-hp 4.4-liter twin turbo V-8
Price: $90,000 (est)
The inexpensive imitator: Subaru WRX STI
The top sport sedans have progressed so far that they are just about as
quick as the last generation of supercars. A Cadillac CTS-V, for
instance, will hit 60 mph in about 4 seconds flat. And now, with a the
new twin-turbo 560-hp V-8, the BMW M5 could be even quicker, and reach
190 mph. Wow.
Yet, selling at an estimated $90,000 when it arrives in the U.S. next
year, the 2013 BMW M5 will be far too pricey for many of the enthusiasts
who would appreciate it most. But, going for less than $40,000, the
Subaru WRX STI is a bargain-priced super sedan that won't break the
bank.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Subaru WRX STI
305-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged flat four
Price: $34,095
An all-wheel-drive Japanese four-door with a Subaru badge doesn't have
the wow factor of a BMW. But its 0-to-60 time of just over 5 seconds
isn't exactly slow. The Subaru's beauty is in the holistic approach to
its equipment. The suspension, steering, big brakes, and wide tires all
come together in a package that feels seriously capable and engaging
when you bend it into a turn—just like the BMW, albeit at a less
ferocious level.
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With that giant wing on the trunklid, the WRX STI embraces its roots as
one of the MVPs of the sport-compact-car world. The look seems a little
dated today. Still, the potent Subaru price tag is just too good. Let
loose that spoiler and dump some of that money you'll save on the long
list of aftermarket go-fast parts that are available for the STI. Oh,
and you can even get a wagon version of the Subaru.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Lexus LFA
552-hp 4.8-liter V-10
Price: $375,000
The inexpensive imitator: Nissan GT-R
In the world of high-end Japanese supercars, these two are the
benchmarks. And in this matchup, the less expensive car could actually
be the quicker machine.
The LFA is a carbon-fiber V-10 monster that screams to its 9000-rpm
redline. It's built in extremely low numbers and it's one of the most
expensive cars on the planet. But save your cash. The Nissan GT-R will
do almost everything the LFA will do, for $275,000 less.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Nissan GT-R
545-hp twin-turbo V-6
Price: $96,820
There's a reason the GT-R is nicknamed Godzilla. According to Nissan's
internal testing, the 545-hp 2013 GT-R will scorch 60 mph in 2.7
seconds. That's beyond even a motorcycle time—it's sportbike territory.
It takes the LFA over 3.5 seconds to do the same job.
Around a track, though, the LFA will be a match for the GT-R. In recent
tests, the LFA set a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:24, while
the LFA Nürburgring Package demolished the production lap record with a
blistering 7:15.
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The previous model GT-R set a best lap time of 7:24,
but Nissan says the more powerful 2013 edition will shave a little more
than 7 seconds from that time. Not quite enough to dethrone the Lexus.
Still: Is the Lexus's exclusivity, its incredible track potential, and
its ferocious V-10 enough to justify the enormous price difference? Not
to us. We'd take the GT-R and park a Ferrari 458 Italia next to it in
our garage—and still keep more than $30,000 in the bank.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560
552-hp, 5.2-liter V-10
Price: $202,000
The inexpensive imitator: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Before you start writing an angry letter, we know: There's absolutely no
similarity between a Mustang and a Lamborghini. The Mustang is a
rear-drive muscle car, with a hot V-8 up front and a (cough) live axle
at the back end. It's a ruffian that gallops along on old technology. A
Lamborghini is the very definition of Italian exotica. There's a
lightweight aluminum chassis, sophisticated all-wheel drive, and a
scalding V-10 hanging out behind your head, ready to wail. It looks more
like something developed at Area 51 than any machine Detroit could
churn out.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
650-hp 5.8-liter supercharged V-8
Price: $60,000 (est)
But the new 2013 Shelby GT 500 isn't just any Mustang. Ford has boosted
the power by a full 100 horsepower over the last one, up to a staggering
650. That's even more horsepower than Chevy's ZR1 Corvette. And though
the Shelby weighs about 500 pounds more than the Gallardo, we'd suspect
the two wouldn't be too far apart in a drag race.
Here's the most interesting part.
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The Mustang, according to Ford, will
hit a clean 200 mph. The advanced, technology-packed Italian supercar
will go only 1 mph faster. That's some serious bragging rights for
anyone who ponies up for this Mustang.
* * * * * *
So You Can't Afford: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
411-hp 6.2-liter V-8
Price: $43,055
The inexpensive imitator: Nissan Frontier PRO-4X 6MT
Ford's mighty Raptor is the
factory-engineered production incarnation of a Baja trophy truck. It's
engineered to tackle off-road terrain at speeds far greater than any
other vehicle. It wears a long-travel suspension damped by Fox remote
reservoir shocks. And under the hood is Ford's potent 411-hp Coyote V-8.
But at over $40,000, it's certainly not cheap for a truck.
But Maybe You Can Afford: Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
261-hp, 4.0-liter V-6
Price: $28,780
Quietly, Nissan has been producing a capable
and much less expensive off-road package for its midsize Frontier pickup
for years. The Pro-4X comes with larger tires, Bilstein shocks, a
locking rear differential, hill-descent control, and more. These are
really the tools of slow-speed off-roading. And with only 265 hp under
the hood, the Frontier can't even dream of catching the speedy Raptor in
the dirt.
When locked in low range, crawling over boulders, they are much more
evenly matched.
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This years' Raptor does come with a new
Torsion front differential, so it should be a better slow-speed crawler
when traction is limited. But the Frontier is much smaller and nimbler
on tight trails, some of which are simply too small for the Raptor to
fit. Remember, the Raptor is several inches wider than your neighbor's
F-150.
The Frontier certainly won't match the Raptor's thrill ride, but it
could be a good pickup for those that need serious off-road capability
in a tidier package.
Plus, with the extra $15,000 in your pocket, you could buy a Polaris Ranger RZR 900 to supply your four-wheeled adrenaline rush.
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