Editors' Choice for Fun under 50k: 2004 Mazda RX-8

You get one day on an open road course. Which car do you choose?

It's not a convertible. And it's not German. For 2004, our "most fun" vote goes to the 2004 Mazda RX-8. It is quite possibly the most daring 'new' car in awhile: quite different from it's RX leagcy as a sports car with little practicality, the RX-8 has four doors, four seats, a rotary engine and a 5-star crash rating. This new version defies the stereotypical qualities of a sports car, and we think that's a daring gamble on the part of Mazda -- and worth your time to look into. Practicality aside, the RX-8 is fast and fearless-this is a car built for speed and tight corners. Its four doors and double wishbone front suspension make the vehicle more comfortable than its progenitors, and its next-generation RENESIS rotary engine, mid-ship engine layout and all-new Freestyle chassis keep the ride from being sports sedan-typical. Fun, because it can run, but with the added practically of a backseat makes it a top vote-getter for fun, well under 50k: pricing starts at $25k.