Wired's SuperCar Run Down
Lambo and Viper make too many compromises. You can't look like a doof getting in and out of the vehicle are key criteria
Wild Horses The definition of supercar varies widely, but three elements remain constant: speed in the neighborhood of 200 mph, cornering like the light cycles in Tron, and the ability to attract a parade of local law enforcement. You should buy a couple.
1 // Ferrari F430
$186,925, ferrariusa.com
While there really is no such thing as an entry-level car from the famed scuderia, Ferrari's bottom-of-the-line F430 is a great choice for hedge-fund jockeys itching to blow their first bonus. Its remarkable balance makes even nervous novices feel like experienced racers, but if you should accelerate beyond your pay grade and find yourself sideways, the F430 snaps back into line when you blip the throttle.
Wired: One of the best-handling cars ever made. Slick-shifting clutchless automated manual transmission (optional) saves you from stalling out in front of your date. Sweet exhaust note will quickly become your favorite song but isn't loud enough to necessitate cockpit yelling.
Tired: A measly 4 mph shy of joining the 200 club.
Tricked-Out Treats
Time to cut the begging and go 21st century on your confection-acquisition with some performance-enhancing Halloween gear.—Rick Broida
ATN Night Scout Night-vision specs will help you find the Smarties at the bottom of your stash—and complete your Rainbow Six costume.
$649, atncorp.com
Skorpion Multi Terrain Skates Strap these on and glide effortlessly over anything from grass to gravel to goblins.
$160, skorpionusa.com
SureFire E2D LED Defender Turn the darkest Halloween night into day with this weaponized flashlight's 120 lumens of blinding fury.
$136, surefire.com
Verizon Chaperone Keep tabs on your ground troops while you guard the base with a handset that tracks their coordinates.
$10 monthly, chaperone.vzw.com
2 // Dodge Viper SRT10
$88,875, dodge.com
The engineering brief for the Viper must have gone something like this: "Affix enormous engine to wheels." The car didn't even have ABS brakes until 2001, and it still lacks traction control. Speaking of which, with 600 horsepower and no electronic nannies, it's not a car for the uninitiated. But at least you'll die smiling.
Wired: If you know how to steer with the throttle, you can accomplish wondrous things, from hairpins to straight-line bursts of speed up to 202 mph. We got 20 mpg hauling ass on the highway—pretty decent for a 10-cylinder, 8.4-liter (!) engine. Supercar bargain of the century.
Tired: More rattles than a maternity ward. Exhaust note is disappointingly meek. Egress requires finesse—and possibly a spotter
3 // Bentley Continental GT Speed
$203,600, bentleymotors.com
If you delight in comfort as well as velocity, might we suggest the GT Speed? By supercar standards, its looks are modest, but its performance is not: 202 mph in what feels like a rolling day spa. The machine is a civilized dream to drive—until you mash the Mr. Hyde pedal, and the Speed's monstrous W-12 engine terrifies with feats of frightening velocity.
Wired: Britishly composed, even while performing Americanly dumb maneuvers. The deepest, richest, most gorgeous paint job you've ever seen. Enough trunk space to stow all your cricket kit.
Tired: At 6,000 pounds, the car is not exactly nimble. No sunroof available.
$339,400, lamborghini.com
The Murciélago was designed to let you go very fast (211 mph) without getting killed, and the intention comes through. Its all-wheel drive and massive ceramic brakes (optional) are as adept at getting you out of trouble as the 640-hp V-12 is at causing it.
Wired: Scissor doors like the Countach poster in your childhood bedroom. Incredible engine roar makes you look forward to overpasses. Attracts exactly the kind of girl (or guy) you'd expect.
Tired: Yes, we are. The ever-present engine howl, granite-like seats, and Jameson-stiff suspension made us feel beat up after a couple of hours. Couldn't even fit a helmet in the front compartment, so we wore it instead. Seemed like a good idea.
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