MotorMouths

The Charger has seen big changes in the last few years, with a tweaked exterior, far better interior and refined driving behavior. Those who love a great tide of torque will find the big Hemi engine worthwhile.

If I had to choose a convertible to travel across the country, the Maserati GranTurismo would top my list. It’s best suited for a talented Mr. Ripley wearing a natty fedora while prowling the Amalfi coast.

The Aston Martin Vantage V-8 roadster is not the fastest car, but quick enough. And it’s nicely balanced, great to look at, and wonderful to sit inside. What more can you ask from an impractical, two-seat convertible, anyhow?

Just the right side of cute with a good dose of practicality, this two-door hatchback makes for a great city car. To get your adrenaline into the act, opt for the 500 Abarth model. The car was so simple, so cute and so much fun that I was utterly won over.

In the sports car world, the SL has always been a bit of an anomaly. You own an SL to project a sense of well-being and being well off. But as a true-blue sports car, it falls short. Don’t expect a supreme road carver — it would ruffle your coiffed hair.

The GT-R cares only for immoderate, shameless speed. While it doesn’t look like a high-dollar supercar, it’s actually one of the most shameless examples I’ve ever driven.

With its toylike body, the Lotus Evora is light and easy to maneuver. On the road it will spank an expensive, high-horsepower sports car.

I’ve experienced many cars that handle better, but few that lend such a sense of place and well-being as the 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost. So this is what it feels to be like the idling rich.

The Porsche 911 hasn’t lost its soul. I was among the first to actually drive the new generation Carrera S and — collective exhale — it is still a great car.

While the Mercedes-Benz SLK350 convertible makes no promises of practicality, good times are almost guaranteed. It begs for you to call in sick for a final dash to the Hamptons or an impromptu charge up the Maine coast.

By nature convertibles are exercises in compromise. Either they’re small and fun but have no space, or are too big and lumbering. The 2012 BMW 650i is an exception. First, it’s sexy. Honed and a tad bit dangerous, its lines are long and flaunting, undeniably special.

The Tesla is stupidly, mouthwateringly fast. If this is the future, it seems pretty good indeed. Tesla did it and did it first. Nobody can take that away from them. And that’s very much worth all the fuss.