The term “sporty” means different things to different people. At Rolls, it means a V12, 624-horsepower engine in a 5,500-pound, 17-foot-long car. That seems like much, but believe it: The Wraith hits 60mph in 4.4 seconds, which beats a Porsche 911. And, inside, it has ambient lighting; jet-liner reading lights and Deco-inspired roof lights; wood-paneled reverse- opening doors; and a headliner made (they say) of stars. This is neither your typical sports car nor your typical Rolls. It’s the blessed best of both worlds, in one. Bentley makes good coupes, too, but for feeling (and being treated) like pure modern day royalty, there’s only one Rolls.
Best Old Collectable: Porsche 911
Recent auction numbers indicate an uptick in Porsche 911 and 356 values that isn’t about to change. Vintage German-made car values climbed from $150,000 in 2007 to $625,000 today; the 1974-1977 Porsche 911 increased the most in average sale price of any classic car this year, with a jump of 154 percent over 2014 values. That beats anything from Aston Martin, Ferrari, or Lamborghini. (And even models as late as early 2000 Carrera GTs have been hitting near the million-dollar mark.) Yes the popularity has been growing for some time, but it’s not too late to get in on it. And I suggest you do.
Best New Collectable: Superformance Cobra
The glamorous little roadster is built by Superformance and comes with official licensing from Shelby allowing it emulate the 1960s Cobra 289 racers down to the smallest detail. The California-based company has made roughly 4,000 of the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car—each customized to its owner. They come with a 375-horsepower Ford V8 engine, classic Tojeiro- styled round-tube chassis, and a light body perfect for after- hours jaunts and weekend thrills. This is the perfect vehicle to drive if you love the look of vintage cars but don’t want all of the worry and strain associated with breakdown-prone mechanics.
Best Motorcycle: TieDucati Scrambler
You could compare this new Ducati Scrambler to the older Triumph Scrambler ($9,099) and the Honda CB1100 ($10,399) or to the Royal Enfield Continental GT ($5,999). But this one is more stylish and powerful than those, while being the lightest (375 pounds) and least expensive ($8,495) Ducati on the market. With an oil-cooled 803-cc engine taken directly from the Monster 796, it’s easy enough to ride for novices, but interesting enough around turns and over terrain for the more-advanced rider. Consider it the best all-around value for the segment.
Ural
The Ural with sidecar is a perfect all-around motorcycle: they go in the snow, go over sand and mud, and can carry your best friend, be they human or canine. Ural’s CT model has a 749cc 41 horsepower engine with a 4-speed clutch transmission. It has a slow top speed (70 mph) but the amount of fun it provides more than makes up for the fact that you’re not popping wheelies at 100mph. It’s a good plaything for dates and outings with non-riding friends and a good tool for backwoods chores and inclement-weather. My guess is that if you get one, you’ll find you ride it more often than your two-wheeled motorcycle.