Ron Kiino: Hi I am Ron Kiino Senior Editor on Motor Trend Magazine I am here with 8 sporty cars that epitomized the phrase bank for the buck. So the contenders in this comparison test are the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, the Subaru WRX, the Honda Civic SI and Mitsubishi Ralliart, the MINI Clubman S the Dodge Caliber SRT4 the Volkswagen GTI and the Mazda's P3. Each features a high-powered four-cylinder engine, a sport tuned suspension and a price tag of around $25,000. Round one for this comparison test starts with instrument testing which includes 0-60 Toleration Quarter Mile, Braking and Figure 8. So at the test track to vehicles that really surprised us with the new WRX and the new Chevrolet Cobalt.

WRX was the quickest from 0-60 and in the Quarter Mile to record a times of 4.8 seconds to 60 at 13.5 seconds at 101.1 miles per hour in the Quarter Mile. Well, the Cobalt was the best in Figure 8 and on Skidpad, recording a Figure 8 time of 25.4 seconds and skidpad number of 0.91G.At the other end of the spectrum was the MINI Clubman and the Dodge Caliber, with less than impressive numbers and have a lot to prove in our next round. For the next round, we are heading to the Streets of Willow Race Track in Rosemont, California to put down some hard laps and see how these cars handle at the limit. So stay tuned