Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2006

Most Wanted Coupe Under $25,000
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Winner: Ford Mustang

Last year's ground-up redesign saw the Mustang gain a retro body that will be a topic of conversation for years to come. But this car is so much more than a styling exercise. It's a fun-loving coupe that's refined enough for commuter duty, yet fast and nimble enough to get the juices flowing during Saturday morning runs on your favorite back roads. Buyers have their choice of a spirited 210-hp V6 or a vigorous 4.6-liter V8 that delivers 300 hp and an intoxicating exhaust note. Inside, the vintage dash design, steering wheel and instrumentation set an old-school mood, while simple controls and supportive seats put you in the proper position to drive. Add in a healthy standard equipment list and an affordable price tag, and this is one muscle car you won't want to miss.

Honorable Mention: Mini Cooper

Although completely different in personality from the Mustang, the Mini Cooper is nonetheless one of the most entertaining cars on the planet. The current 1.6-liter engine is light on torque, but the Cooper's BMW-engineered suspension, steering and brakes give it some of the liveliest reflexes in this price range. This combined with its half-pint size allows it to slip into tight spaces off limits to larger, less nimble cars. Inside, a space-saving design makes room for two adults and two children, or two adults and a week's worth of luggage. Materials quality is only so-so, but a generous feature list and 3 years/36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance make that easy to overlook.

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