Luckily, in spite of the need to be practical, in spite of a surfeit of look-alike cars, every year, there’s a brand new batch of beauties that inspire the romance of four wheels and the open road. Or maybe the thrill of the shortest time from one stoplight to the next.

With the 2005 models come a half-dozen reasons to start drooling:

• Dodge Magnum
• Porsche 911
• C6 Corvette
• Lexus SC
• Mercedes CLK DTM
• Toyota Prius

The Family Car
Will Dodge build its ME Four-Twelve? Named for its mid-engine design, four turbochargers and an 850-horsepower, 12-cylinder engine, the two-seat coupe was a concept vehicle. Its engineers say that it will hit 60 mph in under three seconds, making it the fastest street car in the world.

Hardly practical. But there is hope for the family guy (or gal) who wants some sports car in their station wagon — the Magnum RT. With a 5.7L HEMI® multi-displacement V8 engine with 340 horses, it will leave the kids pasted to the back of their car seats all the way to the nearest fast food joint.

The Classics
Sure it’s been around for years. But the 911 Porsche just keeps getting better. The current 911 has all-wheel drive with 415hp engine and can reach a speed of 189 mph (if you can find a place to open it up), all while looking beautiful. If you’re patriotic and need to buy American, there’s always the Corvette. In it’s sixth generation, it’s faster than ever. But if you’re going to get a car this hot, it has to be a ragtop. Avoid the coupe; get the 2005 convertible.

Really Conspicuous Consumption
Lexus vehicles are often touted by their owners to be “the best car I’ve ever driven.” Engineered to perfection, the SC may not be the wildest car, but you can spend more and never have a more reliable car that’s this exciting. High praise for something with a retractable hardtop that costs less than the 911.

If you feel a need to burn a hole in your wallet along with some rubber, try the Mercedes CLK DTM. Claims are 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Production commences this fall and is limited to a 100 units (none of which are headed to the U.S.). As such, Mercedes has priced the ultimate iteration of its little coupe at a cool 200,000 euros (currently about $245,000), and you’ll have to go to Europe to get it.

The Smart Car
Ok, its performance won’t set any records, except in one category: when everyone else is moaning about the price of gas, your Toyota Prius will be cruising along at 55 miles per gallon. While its looks aren’t designed to excite, with the money you save over the life of the car, you can at least buy yourself an extravagant vacation. And what’s sexier than a superior mind?

Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline.