Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2007

Convertible Under $45,000

Winner: 2007 Lotus Elise

If you want an absolutely dedicated bare-bones sports car, with great grip, laser-point steering and powerful brakes, then the 2007 Lotus Elise is your baby. It's a yard closer to the ground than an Escalade and weighs less than 2000 pounds, yet still seats two. It's an exotic that strips away all pretense of doing anything but going fast. With its loud interior and punishing suspension, the Elise never lets you forget you're in a single-minded sporting convertible. It's very stiff and thus predictably rough over broken pavement and railroad tracks, but for a sunny day on canyons, and at this price there's nothing we'd want more.

Honorable Mention: 2007 Volvo C70

Completely redesigned for 2007, the Volvo C70 is now an excellent all-around convertible thanks to a more modern chassis, cleanly designed interior and a retractable hardtop. While it's not terribly quick or agile, it's competitive in its class and we like its European styling. The hardtop, while a bit slow in operation, is quiet and involves little more than pushing a button: no latches to unhook or windows to roll down. Volvo prides itself on safety, and the C70 is packed with extra measures for top-down motoring, including whiplash-reducing seats and pop-up roll hoops. With its eye-catching styling and entry-luxury comfort, it's no surprise the 2007 Volvo C70 made the cut.