Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 1999

Sports Car $25,001 - $40,000

Winner: Chevrolet Corvette

Bet you wish you had a nickel for every time you read some auto editor write, ``This is the best `Vette yet.'' Us, too. It seems each time this classic American sports car has gone in for a remake over the last few decades, reviewers come back with that same old saw. But, like the boy who cried wolf, we're here to tell you that this time, it is really true. Without out getting into a discussion of age, let's just say that we're including our experience with big blocks, LT1 small blocks, pace cars, LT5-powered ZR-1s, anniversary editions, second-generation LT1s - you name 'em. And toss in countless hours sampling rides at Bloomington Gold and Corvettes at Carlisle. Granted, the new, 345-horsepower LS1 V8 is not the most awe-inspiring `Vette powerplant ever made. But its smoothness almost belies its pushrod architecture. And its delivery of power - when experienced in concert with this car's improved shift action, steering, brakes, suspension, rigidity, comfort, ergonomics and features - positions the new Corvette as well-thought-out performance package that has obviously benefited from its own market experience. It may look a lot like the old `Vette, but one drive will convince you there's never been a more capable Corvette built than the C5.