The results of the second-round are in!
The editors and the readers differed almost 40 percent of the time. Some harder choices as we move to choose the final four. You pick yours; we pick ours. The editors’ choice is ultimately the winner in each matchup and clearly, even in some cases, a point of contention amongst ourselves.
Here’s how they fared, and our explanations and reader polls are below …
Matchup #17: Ford Mustang Fox Body vs. Ferrari 599
Tom Stahler: As previously mentioned, the Fox Body never really jibed with me, but a front-engine Ferrari? Well, yes. That’s a winner!
Larry Edsall: Ferrari 599 — I actually hop-scotched around the bracket for this round’s selections. I voted for the Ferrari primarily because I thought at least one Prancing Horse should win this round.
Bob Golfen: Awesome front-engine Ferrari easily runs away from Fox-body Mustang.
Readers’ Pick
Ferrari 599 (67.83%) vs. Ford Mustang Fox Body (32.17%)
Winner
Ferrari 599
Matchup #18: Porsche 964 vs. Ford Taurus SHO
Tom Stahler: When this car was new, I was working in Detroit doing PR work for Special Vehicle Operations at Ford – Remember Michael Kranefuss? I loved driving that car.
Larry Edsall: Taurus SHO — Since I didn’t pick the Fox Body Mustang in Matchup #17, and already had picked a Porsche in Matchup #22, I took the SHO here.
Bob Golfen: The last of the air-cooled 911s stands as the pinnacle refinement of the original.
Readers’ Pick
Porsche 964 (62.28%) vs. Ford Taurus SHO (37.72%)
Winner
Ford Taurus SHO
Matchup #19: Dodge Demon vs. R35 GTR
Tom Stahler: When I pulled the Demon back into the pits after a few laps at Willow Springs International Raceway, I commented to the Chrysler PR guy, “This is the most well-mannered Can-Am car I have ever driven.”
Larry Edsall: GTR — Sorry, but I’ll take handling over horsepower almost every time.
Bob Golfen: The top-drawer Japanese production muscle car. GTR.
Readers’ Pick
Dodge Demon (61.74%) vs. R35 GTR (38.26%)
Winner
R35 GTR
Matchup #20: Ferrari 458 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Tom Stahler: Once again, going back to the first generation of the Miata, is there possibly a purer sports car?
Larry Edsall: See my answer for Matchup #17, and as I said in my first-round selections, pound-for-pound, dollar-for-dollar, the Mazda roadster is about as good as it’s ever gotten.
Bob Golfen: The roadster that revived classic sports cars continues its historic run.
Readers’ Pick
Ferrari 458 (67.26%) vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata (32.74%)
Winner
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Matchup #21: Mazda RX-7 vs. Porsche GT2 RS
Tom Stahler: the 993 with the GT2 package continues to make it one of the best 911s ever!
Larry Edsall: Porsche GT2 RS — When I used to speak to school groups — or to Detroit engineers — the first question from the audience was always about my favorite cars. I usually offered 3 favorites — any Porsche, the Mazda Miata, and 3 Series BMWs. I had to have a Porsche advancing to the next round in my brackets.
Bob Golfen: The Porsche GT2 RS is a terrific supercar and a high-tech gem.
Readers’ Pick
Porsche GT2 RS (71.68%) vs. Mazda RX-7 (28.32%)
Winner
Porsche GT2 RS
Matchup #22: Porsche GT3 RS vs. McLaren 620R
Tom Stahler: This was a tough one. But opted for the McLaren.
Larry Edsall: McLaren 620R — I’d already voted for the GT2 RS and opted for the McLaren to balance my ballot.
Bob Golfen: The limited-edition McLaren 620R track car is a dynamic masterpiece.
Readers’ Pick
McLaren 620R (50.44%) vs. Porsche GT3 RS (49.56%)
Winner
McLaren 620R
Matchup #23: Corvette ZR-1 vs. Porsche Carrera GT
Tom Stahler: The 1990 ZR-1 was the first genuine supercar I got to drive – at over 150 mph no less — at the grand old age of 22. When I got out of the car, my legs felt like rubber. Despite being a C4, it still was just amazing!
Larry Edsall: ZR-1 — Again, I’d already picked a Porsche, and this Corvette is fabulous.
Bob Golfen: The insanely fast Porsche Carrera GT is like a Le Mans racer for the street.
Readers’ Pick
Corvette ZR-1 (64.35%) vs. Porsche Carrera GT (35.65%)
Winner
Corvette ZR-1
Matchup #24: Cadillac CTS-V vs. Nissan R34 Skyline
Tom Stahler: Driven both. After a few laps at Willow Springs in the Caddy with a six-speed manual, I decided that it was perhaps one of the finest sports sedans ever created.
Larry Edsall: CTS-V — My vote came down to my experiences in both cars, and while the Skyline was fun on the track, the CTS-V wagon I drove was pure highway happiness.
Bob Golfen: The classic Japanese Nissan R34 Skyline performance coupe boasts a strong cadre of fans.
Readers’ Pick
Cadillac CTS-V (64.96%) vs. Nissan R34 Skyline (35.04%)
Winner
Cadillac CTS-V
Here are your third-round matchups …
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Check back on Monday, March 23rd, for the results of the third-round!
Can’t wait for my SHO to make the Final Four!
Wish we could see the reader’s choices, to compare with the editorial overrules.
CTS-V manual wagon possibly the craziest thing GM ever sold- does it have a chance against the best C4 ever?
Some strange picks that I think should not matter or even be considered as we all know that the Ferrari’s, Mclarens, and other super cars will continue to be collectible And that very few could afford to begin with. How about keeping it to what the average person bought in the 90’s and up that will be tomorrow’s collectible like was done in the 60’s and 70’s when the average Joe bought a Cuda or Chevy SS for fun and today they are mega bucks. Consider the Ford T bird, the Cadillac Allante, Toyota Supra etc.