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(Enlarge photo)
A lineup that made onlookers drool whether they were sixteen or sixty.
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Road Test: Comparison Test
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2002 Luxury Convertibles Over $55,000 Comparison Test
Keeping Up With the Rockefellers
By
Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
Date posted: 06-11-2002
The cars assembled for this comparison represent the pinnacle of automotive design
and technology. Their collective sticker prices total nearly $350,000, and we're
talking about just four cars here. Any one of the four could be considered a dream
car, but that doesn't mean they're perfect, by any means. With widely varying
personalities, the cars each have their own unique appeal, so although we chose
a winner, any one of the four could be the ideal car for you.
Our quartet of cars included two German legends (the Mercedes-Benz
SL500 and the Porsche 911 Cabriolet),
a head-turning Brit (the Jaguar
XKR) and a Japanese newcomer (the Lexus
SC 430). Each was loaded with every conceivable feature. From massaging seats
to an $8,700 set of wheels, these cars are designed with no expense spared to
provide the most unforgettable driving experience possible.
In order to assess the merits of our contestants properly, we did what any automotive
hack with an on-loan convertible would do — we put the top down and hit Pacific
Coast Highway. Warm, cloudless days made every car feel like a 10, so we tempered
our opinions with tedious slogs through Los Angeles traffic just to make sure
we didn't end up with a four-way tie for first.
When we returned, we submitted our evaluations and a winner was chosen, but to
call the other three losers doesn't do them justice. When you're dealing
with cars of this caliber, intangibles like image and reputation count almost
as much as horsepower and seat comfort, so let our subjective assessments merely
serve as a guide. If you're lucky enough to pilot any one of these cars on a sunny
drive up the coast, rest assured you'll love every minute.
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