An irreverent auto website, Jalopnik.com, recently commented that only 23% of car consumers regard a car as “more than just something to get around in.”  Only 20 years ago, about twice as large a percentage felt “involved” with their car.  If you’re part of that 23%, read on because we’re looking at three cars that might be on your consideration list.  You already have the practical sedan or station wagon.  Now you want a personal car that has some real character.

Porsche Cayman

A Porsche Cayman is one of the handsomest coupes ever made.  It references Porsches of the 1950’s, while coming off as a very contemporary design.  It’s that rare, exotic car that even pleases the car testers at Consumer Reports.  Reviewers at magazines like Road & Track marvel that such a focused car can still be practical as an everyday driver.

Porsches score well in J.D. Power customer surveys because they are trouble-free, durable and highly functional.  For example, unlike some sports models of the past, the air conditioning and heating are excellent.  The body structure is tight and silent over indifferent pavements, and wind or mechanical noises at speed are very low.

Even the base model, at about $50,000, is plenty fast with the ability to exceed 150 mph, and make sinuous roads a pleasure.  For those who take pride in their driving skills, the Porsche will reward your every move.

Maserati Gran Turismo

The Porsche only carries two passengers.  If you want four-passenger capacity, and an even sexier example of an automotive sculpture, look over the Maserati Gran Turismo.  After a long history of producing exciting cars of indifferent quality, Maserati got serious a few years ago.  They realized that everyday cars are now virtually defect-free, and expensive cars needed to achieve the same level of reliability.  Maserati, with this latest Gran Turismo, has finally produced a car suitable for everyday use, and is a relative bargain at around $125,000.  Ferrari models using similar mechanicals cost a lot more, and the Alfa Romeo 8c, also using closely related components, costs around $300,000.

For this Maserati, Pininfarina has created a four-passenger shape that is graceful, lean and striking.  But when you slip into the driver’s seat, the car’s next level of appeal is revealed.  No one does leather like the Italians.  That skill, combined with rich, unique paint and leather colors, tell you you’re at the wheel of a special car.  And finally, when you start the engine, slip into gear, and begin to drive, you realize that this is a spirited, characterful and civilized car.

It’s NOT quiet like a Lexus, nor would you want it to be.  The Italians figured out, a long time ago, that quality-sounding mechanical noises, not-too-loud, enhance your experience with the car.  A Maserati really does talk to you.

If you bought a Maserati Gran Turismo, you might go out to the garage after dinner just to look at it.  Or on Sunday morning, you might get up extra early and drive to a Starbucks 30 or 40 miles away on some challenging road.  And while you’re inside drinking your espresso, you’ll be looking out to the parking lot and feeling good.

Audi S-5

Walter de Silva was the chief designer, in Italy, for Alfa Romeo.  He did a series of new cars over the last decade that put Alfa on the map again.  He attracted the attention of the Volkswagen group, who wanted to breathe more emotion into their cars, especially Audi.  When the Audi S-5 Coupe came out, de Silva stated that he considered it his masterpiece.  As you study the design, you’ll see why.  It’s a practical four-seater coupe, not so different from the Audi sedans.  But the subtlety of the overall coupe shape, and the accent line down each side, set the coupe apart from Audi sedans.

The S-5 comes with a 364 hp, 4.2 liter V8, so it can hold its own on the performance front.  And with Quattro all-wheel drive, it’s super secure on the road.  At around $55,000, depending on options, you could consider this car a true bargain.  Audis are noted for their interiors – some of the best in the entire spectrum of automobiles.  So after you’ve admired the exterior shape of the Audi S-5, entering the car provides a second, very positive reaction.  One might say this interior is not bettered by any production car, regardless of price.

Audi’s rise has been a remarkable 25-year demonstration of strategic thinking, year-by-year applications of the latest technology.  If you look at a 1984 Audi, it still looks contemporary today.  If you are driving a ten-year-old Audi, you don’t feel out of date.  Try the same in a 1984 or 1994 Cadillac or Lincoln.  The difference in strategic long-term thinking becomes painfully obvious.

So, if you are not one of the 77% who are content with a Ford, Toyota or Honda, you may find one of this trio to be the answer to your automotive dream.