Here, we complete the staff's personal insights into the October-issue sporty car test group that included the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Subaru WRX, and Nissan 370Z. (Links go to model overview pages where online subscribers can find the full road tests, specs, Ratings, and videos.)

Read the first, second, and third installments for other perspectives from our auto editors and engineers.

Jon Linkov: Maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy, or because my wife is expecting our first child, but I find myself leaning farther and farther away from the sports-car daily driver than in years past. A quick, comfortable sedan that flies under the radar of the local revenue-enhancement officer is what I look for nowadays.

So while all of these sporty cars may deliver visceral fun, they just don’t do it for me as daily drivers. The coupes were either too large and awkward (Camaro and Challenger) or too harsh and full of compromises (370Z, Genesis, Mustang). This point was made clear on a recent 30-mile drive on grooved roadway in the 370Z, which was accompanied by a cacophony of tones I never want to experience again. But at the same time, I believe the Z and Mustang would feel really at home on a racetrack, and that I would enjoy greatly.
 
The cars that could potentially pry my money from my white-knuckled fist would include the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi. I like the Subies for their standard all-wheel drive and hatchback body style, though the five-speed manual in the WRX is short one cog for highway travel.
 
But all things being equal, finances and mileage would lead me to the well of the four-door Volkswagen GTI, where I could drink deeply in its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, hatchback versatility, 25-mpg overall fuel economy, and relatively affordable price. With the cost savings I could always visit the tuner world for a little more performance and still have money left over for taxes, insurance, and diapers.
 
Jim Travers: Add me to the list of my colleagues who like the Mustang GT best. Boring, I know, but what can I say. Those colleagues are right.
 
It’s far less boat-like than the Challenger. It has, in my opinion, an even better-sounding V8. And it’s easier to see out of than the Camaro. I know the others have independent rear suspensions and are newer designs, but I simply find the Mustang is more fun to drive.
 
Like the Camaro, it’s not very nice to offer friends a ride in the Mustang’s backseat, but unlike that Chevy, at least I can bring along my own head.
 
And speaking of my own head, I’ve always had a soft spot in it for convertibles, and therein lies another part of the Mustang GT’s appeal. It’s available as a ragtop, even if you have to give up some body stiffness to enjoy it. As a bonus, there’s plenty of room for everybody’s heads, big hair and all.