Top Italian Sports Cars Italian sports cars have long been the envy of car enthusiasts around the world.  With a history spanning nearly a century, Italian sports cars are at the pinnacle of their development.  Italian sports car manufacturers combine the latest in aerodynamics, engine power, and longevity, making them among the best buys in the world sports car market.  What To Look For When considering the purchase of an Italian sports car, a buyer should always research all the available options.  Because not all models are available for export to foreign countries, reading sports cars articles and researching on the Internet is a great place to start.  The websites of each manufacturer list the countries where their cars can be sold legally, and act as a great resource for finding information about each car in their lineup.  Generally, when purchasing a sports car, fuel efficiency and safety aren’t the top concern, but many sports cars articles include the information about emissions standards and requirements for their target audience.  Because the laws of each country differ, it’s important to read such sports cars articles to ensure that a car can be legally driven on the street after purchase.  Newer Isn’t Always Better One of the best things about Italian sports cars is that they last a very long time.  It’s not uncommon to see cars still on the road for decades after their purchase.  Many sports cars, such as the Ferrari models, remain timeless and extremely popular more than 20 years later.  Manufacturers And Models Once the decision to purchase an Italian sports car has been made, what remains is to choose the one that’s right for you.  Any number of models may suit your desires, and picking the right one can be difficult.  Maserati GranTourismo The GranTourismo is one of the most popular models available from car-maker Maserati.  Brought to the public in 2007, the GranTourismo is poised to become the most sought-after automobile in the Maserati line.  The GranTourismo is offered only in a 2-door configuration, with most models having a solid top, or coupe configuration.  A 4.2-liter V-8 engine drives the car from 0-60 miles per hour in just under 5 seconds, and the precision suspension components keep the car’s wheels in constant contact with the road to ensure maximum stability. Maserati QuattroPorte While the QuattroPorte isn’t a traditional sports car by any means, this 4-door luxury sports sedan is at the head of the class when discussing performance and features.  The 4.1-liter V-8 engine and advanced aerodynamics allow the car to achieve a top speed of nearly 150 miles per hour with no aftermarket modifications.  The car will seat a family comfortably, and is considered one of the most exclusive sedans in Europe.  Ferrari Enzo Of course, no list of top Italian sports cars would be complete without the Enzo Ferrari.  The Enzo is one of the most sought after of all Italian sports cars, since only 400 were built.  The cars were named after the founder of the Ferrari line, and offer a quarter-mile time of just over 10 seconds at speeds in excess of 135 miles per hour.  The Enzo has a top speed of more than 225 miles per hour.  Despite these impressive numbers, though, nothing will impress like the price tag.  Enzo Ferraris typically sell at auction for prices well in excess of 1 million US dollars.  Ferrari Testarossa The Testarossa is arguably the most well known of all Ferrari’s automobiles, and for good reason.  During its 12-year run, thousands were produced and sold around the world.  This makes the Testarossa one of the easiest Ferrari automobiles to find of all used Italian sports cars.  The Testarossa, when properly tuned and cared for, can easily reach speeds in excess of 190 miles per hour.  The Testarossa was offered with all custom options and luxury interiors, and many were built to order for specific clients.  The Testarossa should definitely be considered when shopping for used Italian sports cars, as it will be far easier to find than most others.  Ferrari Scaglietti The 612 Scaglietti, from Ferrari, is one of the most surprising cars to be developed by Ferrari in decades.  While many find its austere appearance off-putting, others see it as a way to enjoy the car for what it was meant to do, go extremely fast and handle exceedingly well.  The Scaglietti was unveiled in 2004, and sports a V-12 engine offering either manual or automatic shifting.  While very few of these cars are on the used Italian sports car market, some can be found by reading sports cars articles and periodicals.  The Scaglietti handles very well both on the highway and on back-country roads, and drivers may find it very difficult to exceed the performance specifications of the car.  Lamborghini Countach When one thinks of a Lamborghini, typically the picture that will come to mind is that of the Lamborghini Countach.  The Countach was among the first of the Italian sports cars to use the futuristic angular design favored by many still today, and the silhouette is so iconic that even if the viewer doesn’t know that it’s the Countach, they’ll likely be able to tell what company made this work of art.  Originally released in 1974, Lamborghini produced more than 2,000 of these in the 15 production years that the car was given.  Lamborghini Murcielago The Murcielago is a recent introduction to the Lamborghini line of automobiles.  The Murcielago is less than a decade old, and has quickly become one of the most sought after of all Lamborghini automobiles.  The Murcielago can run the quarter-mile in less than 12 seconds, and do it at nearly 120 miles per hour.  With a top speed of over 200 miles per hour, it is also one of the fastest production cars on the road.  The futuristic angular styling of the Murcielago is considered too austere by many, while others find that bold styling to be one of the primary reasons to choose to Murcielago over competitors.  Lancia Stratos The Lancia Stratos was a short-run production car, and saw considerable success during the late 1970s and early 1980s as a professional rally car.  Because the car handles extremely well and is highly adaptable, rally teams were able to quickly adapt the car’s performance specifications to best handle whatever conditions arose.  Fewer than 500 were produced during the original 2-year run of the car. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione The 8C Competizione, by Alfa Romeo, is one of the newest production cars to hit the market from an Italian automaker.  The Competizione is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 190 miles per hour and will run the quarter mile in just over 12 seconds.  This puts the Alfa Romeo Competizione within range of the top contenders for the top Italian sports car from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Alfa Romeo Brera Spider While the Brera may not have the raw power of its rivals, it makes up for that with a lower price tag and more avant-garde styling.  The Brera can be effectively used as a family car, and unlike most of its competition, it comes in a convertible model.  This allows for long drives in the country to be especially enjoyable.