Choosing the 100 best sport compact cars of all time wasn't easy. In fact, it sucked. Then we had to put them in order from the 100th greatest to the absolute greatest. Holstein's hair is falling out from the stress of it all.
Let's get one thing straight right now. These are not the best driving cars of all time, or the most influential, or the fastest. They're all those things. Some made the list because of their sheer speed. Some through historical significance. Some because we just think they're cool. In a sentence, these are the 100 production cars that moved the movement and continue to influence it.
Is there a car missing? Think our logic is dopey? Let us know about it. After all, we'll be publishing this magazine next month, too.
#1001975-'76 Chevrolet Cosworth VegaDOHC, 16 valves and electronic fuel injection on a small Chevrolet in 1975.
#991984-'97 Peugeot 205 GTIMany consider this French machine the standard by which all other hot hatchbacks must be judged.
#981999-present Mazda Miata MX-5Mazda's second-generation Miata started off good, and is now great in turbocharged Mazdaspeed form.
#971992-'93 Dodge Daytona IROC R/TThe IROC featured a version of Chrysler's 2.2-liter four capped by a Lotus-designed DOHC 16-valve head making 224 hp.
#961987 Dodge Charger GLH-SRacing legend Carroll Shelby boosts output of the Chrysler's turbo 2.2-liter four up to 175 hp. By the standards of 1987, that's almost too much power.
#951978-'81 Toyota CelicaThe second-generation and still rear-wheel drive Celica was the first to be designed in the United States by Toyota's Calty studio.
#941992-'96 Ford Escort RS CosworthFor sheer audacity, nothing beats Ford gutting the front-drive Escort shell and installing the running gear (longitudinal turbo four and all-wheel drive) from the larger (usually rear drive) Sierra into it.
#931994-'97 Toyota Celica GT-FourYet another all-wheel-drive turbo wonder never imported into the United States.
#921994-'00 Mitsubishi FTOAs the Eclipse grew fatter in the United States, the cool-but unusual looking-FTO took up the performance mantle in Japan. The best versions had 200-hp, tiny 2.0-liter V6s with MIVEC variable valve timing powering the front wheels.
#911992-'94 Mazda Familia GT-RSuccessor to the 323 GTX packing, naturally, all-wheel drive and 210-turbocharged hp.
#901980-'86 Renault R5 TurboWide body, mid-engine, big hairdryer and wicked oversteer.
#891992-'01 Subaru Impreza WRXFor a full decade we knew this car was out there winning rallies and we couldn't get one in the States.
#882002-present Honda Civic Type-RIt's the JDM Civic we all want (200-hp K20/six-speed transmission) and Honda refuses to send it to America. Why?
#872000-present Toyota Celica GT-SVVTL-i on a 1.8-liter four is like feeding crystal meth to a hyena.
#861986-'91 Mazda RX-7 TurboThe second-generation RX-7 still has its adherents and they're now dirt cheap.
#851967-'72 Mazda Cosmo SportMazda's first rotary rocket never made it to these shores. The two-seater was powered by the "10A" twin-rotor.
#841973-'74 Toyota Corolla SR5The start of Toyota selling sportier versions of its basic cars.
#831954-'64 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint CoupeBefore the Giulietta there was no such thing as a small, affordable sport coupe. And there haven't been many prettier cars.
#821986-'89 Dodge Conquest TurboEverything that goes for the Mitsubishi Starion goes for its clone.
#811986-'89 Mitsubishi Starion TurboRear-drive with a turbocharged 2.6-liter four making up to 188 hp way back in the '80s. Deep-dish wheels standard.
#801990-'94 Eagle Talon TsiBecause it was the other Diamond Star car with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine.
#791998-'01 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RSAs good a Subaru as America was allowed until the WRX came in 2002.
#782000-present Toyota MR2 SpyderThe mid-engine Toyota returns. Poor man's Boxster.
#772003-present Hyundai TiburonSo good in so many ways, it's hard to believe it's a Hyundai.
#762001-present Lexus IS300Based on the Altezza, but with the old Supra six in its nose.
#752002-present Acura RSX Type-SA solid successor to the Integra, but we still await the Type-R.
#741984-'86 Dodge Omni GLHCarroll Shelby shoves Chrysler's "big" 2.2-liter four making 110 hp into the yawn-inducing Omni and creates a surprisingly sweet car. A turbo version swelled output to 146 hp in 1986. GLH stood for, according to Shelby, "Goes Like Hell."
#731987 Dodge Omni GLH-SShelby grabs a few GLH Turbos, tweaks them to 175 hp and fits better tires. "Goes Like Hell Some More," he says.
#721992-'95 Honda Civic SiSure it looked like a shoe, but this 125-hp midget is still great raw material for going fast.
#712002-present Honda NSX Type-RThe ultimate JDM NSX stripped to its bare bones for ultimate performance.
#702002-present Honda Integra Type-RWe get the RSX Type-S. They get this 220-hp Type-R.
#691971-'73 Ford Escort MexicoThe first in Ford's long line of rally-ready, English-made Escorts. It led to the RS2000 or, on a direct line, to today's Focus RS.
#681985 Ford RS200Once upon a time, Ford made a mid-engine, all-wheel-drive, turbocharged, Group B rally car ... then stopped after the 200th was built.
#671986-'94 Lancia Delta IntegraleThe mania for all-wheel-drive, turbocharged rally cars started with this Italian. Winner of an astonishing six WRC season titles.
#661996-'01 Audi A4The car that reignited passion for Audi and led to the S4.
#651972-'78 Mazda RX-3 Bigger than an R100, smaller than an RX-2, maybe the best home for the rotary engine until the RX-7 arrived.
#641990-'99 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4So big the Navy could land an F14 on its fantail, but the 3000GT VR4 brought 300-turbocharged hp and all-wheel drive to the party and was loved for it.
#631991-'96 Dodge Stealth R/T TurboSwap the badges off the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the result is a Dodge Stealth.
#621985-'88 Volkswagen Scirocco 16VVolkswagen's Golf-based coupe didn't come into its own until the arrival of the 123-hp, 16-valve version.
#611991-'93 Toyota Celica All-TracThe second generation of the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Celica.
#601995-'99 BMW M3The E36 M3, with its perfect 50/50 weight distribution and 240-hp, 3.2-liter straight six, established the M3 as a performance icon. It was available as a coupe, sedan and droptop.
#591995-'98 Nissan 240SXJust as overlooked as all of Nissan's previous Silvias in America, the rear-drive S14's reputation has rebounded with the growth of drifting.
#581963-'66 Ford Cortina Lotus Mark IColin Chapman adds the twin-cam engine from his Lotus Elan to the ordinary Ford Cortina, modifies the suspension and creates one of the first tuner cars.
#571992 Mitsubishi Galant VR4Basically a four-door Eclipse GSX, complete with turbo power and all-wheel drive. A one-year-only model.
#561995-'01 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33)Nissan gives it a reskin and an active LSD. Proves faster than its predecessor, but not as sexy.
#551999-'00 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIMulti-element rear wing added downforce and a titanium turbo decreased spool time.
#542000-present Renault Clio V6Mid-engine box. Modern interpretation of the R5 Turbo.
#531996-'97 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IVA redesigned Lancer brought a new EVO with tricks like Active Yaw Control and a twin-scroll turbo. Mitsu moved the engine to the other side of the engine bay for a more rally-proof drivetrain.
#521992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IThe first all-wheel-drive turbo Lancers. Never came to America.