S8B

Cars test so far (I believe they're posting up more cars by the day).

2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: 1:34.43
Ferrari 458 Italia: 1:36.22
2012 Nissan GT-R 1:36.35
2012 Lexus LFA: 1:36.39
2012 Audi R8 GT: 1:36.39
2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: 1:36.77
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: 1:38.82
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: 1:41.06
2011 Lotus Evora S: 1:42.49
2011 Porsche Cayman R: 1:41.64
2011 BMW 1M: 1:43.31

Videos in order of their respective track times as shown above. (Couldn't embed? )
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../3/wheEOSdDi9w
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../1/KMRmLDZXRRI
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../0/lY6z0nzgb3o
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre...11/eKuoOtUsJxA
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../2/3V7vYhDQDzY
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../5/_P9er4aaViU
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../4/qXwJpVhAMtM
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre...10/rCMxgoWaq9Q
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../9/5uvbt2vbzIo
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../8/WPo6OGB2VcY
http://www.youtube.com/user/motortre.../6/qWSNUBEzG6o

I was hoping they tried out the new Porsche GT3 4.0. I think it could have probably toppled the Z06.

mmarshall

If, by the term "Drivers' Car", you mean sheer tactile driving-feel and the enjoyment of simply driving for driving's sake, I'd have to say the BMW 3-series, particularly the 335i. The M3 is more responsive, but has a much harsher, noisier ride that takes away from the pleasant driving experience......and the 335i, though losing to the M3's peak HP, beats it in peak torque. I'm also impressed with the BMW 5-series as a Drivers' Car, particularly the 550i.

I'd also have to rate the Mazda Miata and the now-discontinued Honda S2000 as outsanding Drivers' sports cars, but they are not in the same league as BMWs.

S8B

Looks like they're limiting this to "supercars".

As far as the 3-series goes, I love the 335i. I've driven my brother's 2011 335i Coupe 6MT enough to say it's a fantastic car. But I disagree with the 335i being more of a driver's car than the M3. The M3 isn't very harsh in my opinion, and the noises involved in the M3 only add to the experience of a high-performance car.

Comfort would be the last category in my mind if I were looking for a 'drivers car'. My definition of a driver's car is something like the Porsche 997 GT3. I've never driven one, but from all the feedback out there, the car makes the driver involve practically all his senses and abilities and the driving experience is second to none.

mmarshall

I did a full-length review on both a few years ago, and found the M3 substantially noisier and more-harsh than the 335i, which offered almost the same level of response but noticeably more comfort, even with the Sport-Package option and the low-profile 35-series tires. Of course, opinions do differ, and I respect yours.

Yes, I agree that response from driver input is important in a "Drivers' Car"...but why would you actually want to bounce around on bumps/bad pavement and have your ears assaulted by loud engine/road noise if you didn't have to?

BMW's, traditionally, (with a few exceptions), have excelled in combining both.....driver-response with a reasonable amount of comfort. That is why the brand is so highly-regarded today. (too bad that electronics-reliability and some build-quality has suffered)