Hummer H3T
Care more about good times than gas prices? Throw your gear in the bed of the H3T and hit the beach. Though Hummer’s first pickup still has the brutish styling of its battle-ready Humvee cousins, it’s actually smaller than a full size pickup. Hummer engineers can’t bend time and space, so that means the bed is a relatively modest five feet long. But still, that’s enough room for your surfboard, sand castle molds, and water wings for all your closest friends.
SPEC CHECK
Price: $32,000 (est.)
Engine: 3.7-liter, 242 hp I-5
Torque: 242 lb.-ft.
0–60 mph: Not available
Top speed: 99 mph
Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet
Forget the Smart’s superthrifty gas mileage—the snub-faced minicar’s most valuable asset, like a cute little tiny puppy’s, is its ability to attract the curiosity of the ladies. After they hop in, reassure your female admirers that the Smart is plenty safe thanks to its NASCAR-inspired cabin construction, then offer to demonstrate how much fun it is to deploy the fully automatic soft top at any speed. The best part? There’s no room for that hot girl’s boyfriend.
SPEC CHECK
Price: $16,600
Engine: 1.0-liter, 71 hp 3-cylinder
Torque: 68 lb.-ft.
0–60 mph: 13.3 seconds
Top speed: 92 mph
Ford Flex
Before station wagons became soccer-brat mobiles, they were the preferred mode of transport for the guys who invented surfing (uh, not counting all the native Hawaiians). Some of that DNA now resides in the nearly 17-foot-long Ford Flex, which can haul seven people while keeping them entertained with amenities like a chilled storage compartment, four skylights, and the Microsoft-powered Sync communication system. Surf’s up! (As are shark attacks, fyi).
SPEC CHECK
Price: $28,300
Engine: 3.5-liter, 262 hp V-6
Torque: 248 lb.-ft.
0–60 mph: 9.o seconds
Top speed: 109 mph
Jaguar XKR Portfolio
Drop the top and cruise through traffic in the new Jaguar XKR Portfolio convertible and one thing’s for certain: Other drivers will hate your stupid rich face. Upgrades from the lowly XKR include bigger, badder brakes and a lusher interior and, if you’re looking to drown out your broker’s tedious yammering, a 5.1 surround-sound system mated to Bowers & Wilkins speakers. Is it all worth an extra 12 grand? If you had to ask, you can’t afford it anyway.
PEC CHECK
Price: $102,000
Engine: 4.2-liter, 416 hp V-8
Torque: 413 lb.-ft.
0–60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 55 mph (limited)