People buy cars for many reasons. The drivers of the buying decision are almost as many as there are choices. People buy cars for family reasons, to go off road, sports cars, to look good, to appease their ego, some to save the environment.  However there are a small number of cars that are simply ‘cool’ and are bought for that reason.  

In this article we look at some cars that we reckon are just ‘way too cool for school’.  Let’s start with the ‘King of Cool’ – Chryslers’ 300C SRT8 Mopar. We also look at the blisteringly fast 2-seat BMW Z4 sDrive35i that reverts back to the halcyon days of the E-Type Jag and the awesome Lexus IS F. Generation ‘Y’ has a big say in what’s cool and they have a few here –  Mini JCW Cabriolet and Kia Soul 3, and finally for the Baby Boomers Volkswagen’s Sophisticated Passat CC.  

It’s hard to define what makes a car cool, what gives it that ‘X’ factor. Many manufacturers have tried to build it in but the public decides what is cool and what is not. These cars invoke something in people’s minds. 

I’m sure you may have other cars you would like to add to the list, but these are our top picks.

Launched in May 2009 the new generation Z4 is a visual and aural sensory delight. It has that long low look from the famous E-Type Jag all wrapped in a modern two seat Roadster. 

At first it appears long and slightly bulky which is a feeling reinforced by the fact that you sit lower and further back than most other vehicles. When you first sit in the drivers seat the huge bonnet bulge becomes apparent however after a short while driving, it becomes smaller. 

Like most BMW’s the more you drive them the more they become part of you. Technology (and there is heaps in the Z4) that simply works unobtrusively assists the driving pleasure.  

Sitting in the drivers seat you are comfortably cocooned, start the engine and you hear that muted growl, plant the right foot and the Z4 leaps to life with a loud growl and acceleration that screams FUN! 

Yes Virginia this is a driver’s car. It handles like a go kart, has power to burn, sounds fantastic and with the top down there a few more pleasurable (and legal) experiences to be had while driving. Sure it has a few shortcomings, but they are all forgiven. Did I mention that this car is all about FUN! 

The BMW Z4 has always been a dynamic open top two-seater sportscar. It delivers a mouth-watering mix of front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, close to 50/50 weight distribution, pin-sharp steering and tremendous grip. 

The bonnet, roof panels and front guards are made from aluminium, as is much of the suspension. The retractable roof stows or unfolds in 20 seconds and reveals the Z4’s sleek design. With the roof down or up there is minor scuttle shake but it is noticeable 

Absolutely chock full of goodies the standard equipment includes Kansas leather upholstery equipped with BMW SunReflective Technology, cruise control with brake function, Park Distance Control front and rear, electromechanical parking brake, electronic differential lock, Dynamic Driving Control, Bi-Xenon headlights, heated seats, through loading feature, engine stop/start button, Bluetooth handsfree technology, AUX-in connection and the handy USB interface. 

A large array of options and option packages are available reflecting the strong desire to personalise the BMW Z4 by prospective owners. The options list includes BMW Adaptive M suspension, a seven-speed sport transmission with double clutch, light alloy wheels up to 19-inches in diameter, sport seats, power seat adjustment, lumbar support, adaptive headlights, TV function, Professional Navigation, extended leather in the standard ‘Kansas’ seat trim, or the option of the Character Package ‘Design Pure White’ which includes ‘Nappa’ leather trim Ivory white, sport seats and fine-wood trim Fineline Anthracite. Some of these features are standard on some models. 

The BMW Z4 sDrive35i is powered a six-cylinder twin turbo 3.0-litre high precision injection engine generating 225 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. This motor is mated to a seven-speed sports automatic with double clutch. The combination will take the car from 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. For such a powerful motor it is surprisingly economical using just 9.0L/100km (ADR combined) and produces 210g/km of CO₂ emissions. The Green Vehicle Guide rating is 3 1/2-stars. ANCAP Saftey rating is 4 stars. 

The BMW Z4 sDrive35i has an overall length of 4239mm, wheelbase of 2496mm, width of 1790mm and height of 1291mm. The Tare mass is 1580kg 

With a MLP of $116,900, it has stunning performance, (I am still smiling), sensual styling, cramped interior and boot space and BMW’s 2yr unlimited km warranty with 3 years 24/7 roadside assist.

What you say ...A Lexus in the list of ‘Cool Cars’ we must be nuts. Well the IS F is no ordinary car. The story behind the IS F is a testament to one man’s passion for performance. For 30 years, Yukihiko Yaguchi the Chief Engineer for IS F,  has been a man on a mission - to build a vehicle he would want to drive, love to own and would stir the emotions of all that experienced it.  

Yaguchi is an enthusiast, a performance hard-case who loves to drive fine, responsive equipment. During this time Yaguchi pitched several ideas for a performance-inspired vehicle, with little success.
So in 2002, tired of waiting, Yaguchi decided he'd bypass official channels and figure out a way to build it. 

The overall result is an engineering marvel, with an outstanding engine, excellent aerodynamics, Brembo brakes that feature huge, 360mm cross-drilled discs and six pistons per calliper up front, 19-inch wheels, a specially tuned suspension system, an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifters and its own special performance profile. 

The IS F has a compact 5.0L Quad Cam V8 power unit, developing over 311kW of power at 6600rpm and 505Nm of torque at 5200rpm, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) gearbox, offering up-shifts of just 0.1 second. The sedan sits on specially developed 10-spoke 19-inch forged alloy wheels. The BBS-developed directional wheels measure 19 x 8J front, with 225/40R19 Bridgestone Potenza tyres and 19 x 9J at the rear, with 255/35R19 Bridgestone Potenza tyres.

This combination will propel the IS F from 0-100kmh in around 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 270kmh. All the while drinking fuel at a rate of 11.4 L/100km. The new IS F has introduced another Lexus first, a switchable Sport mode, to further enhance the sports driving experience. The car is awesome in normal mode, switch to sport and it becomes positively scary and can test the limits of your abilities.

The Sport mode provides a synthesis of engine, transmission, electric power steering and Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) control which helps drivers of all levels of ability to find the optimum line, helping increase driving performance.

Interior comfort is as you would expect from Lexus - flawless. The front seats are eight-way electrically adjustable with power lumbar support and memory settings, and also feature heating. In front of the driver is a 3 spoke leather steering wheel which frames the backlit instruments and blue needles for the Speedo and tacho.  

The rear seats have a two-seat configuration with central armrest and F logos on the side bolsters to ensure that rear passengers are supported in all driving conditions.  

Catering for entertainment is a Mark Levinson system featuring an in-dash DVD/CD player and MP3/WMA compatibility with built-in seven-inch widescreen touch panel LCD (liquid crystal display) screen and 14 speakers. The multi-display seven-inch touch screen allows users to navigate between GPS, DVD, audio and air conditioner systems, and is capable of 800 x 480 resolution.
The Mark Levinson System also features Bluetooth^TM hands-free function, controlled through the dash-mounted touch screen allowing the phone to be used hands-free, with no cables or connectors. 

IS F has a comprehensive package of passive safety features, including eight SRS airbags, the Lexus Pre-Collision safety System (PCS), Active Cruise Control and a highly rigid cabin. The VDIM seamlessly blends Vehicle Swerve Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), ABS anti-skid brakes and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). In addition it has four-channel, four-sensor ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Lexus Brake Assist (BA) as standard equipment.                        

The IS F is agile and subtle. It allows the driver to push as far as they feel comfortable, yet still maintaining control. Where the 300C SRT8 can be an iron fist the IS F is a silken glove. For a driver to find its limits they must be slightly insane.  

The Lexus ISF measures 4660 mm in length, A wheelbase of 2730mm and a width of 1,815 mm. Combine this with a roofline of 1,415 mm in height and you have a vehicle that has a low menacing stance. The Tare mass is 1700kg. The Green Vehicle Guide rating is 3 stars.  

With a MLP of $126,900, it is the most expensive car here and the most refined. It is simply superb with capabilities way beyond most drivers.  

This is an exemplary ‘Q’ car. It looks for all purposes like a muscular IS200 however start the engine, listen to the tuned exhaust and be prepared to be blown away. Oh and by the way I am guilty of just sitting and listening to the burble of the exhaust.

Yes my friends this is a Lexus that absolutely deserves its place in the list of ‘Cool Cars’ as it has PERSONALITY that brings a broad grin to your face. Throw in Lexus 4 year / 10000Km warranty with 24/7 roadside assist. And you have a car that is on the wanted list.

Make no mistake about it; Kia’s new SOUL is seriously cool and redefines the concept of freedom and individuality, creating a new category for the young and young-at-heart. It is an odd looking car but it really works and is incredibly popular wherever we drive it.  

Whilst customisation is the key with 30 customisable accessories it is available in three different grades - SOUL, SOUL2 and SOUL3 no two SOULs seen in the street are likely to be the same, thus expressing the individuality of their owners. The new Kia SOUL can be whatever you want it to be! 

Options range from alloy wheels; body-kits; audio upgrades; red 'street demon' or beige 'retro chic' interiors; body accents and many other options, all designed to offer customers almost infinite possibilities to customise and individualise their own SOUL. 

Lots of cars aspire to be 'fashionable' and 'different' with their exterior styling, but fail to carry that through to the interior - the area where owners actually spend time. Kia has not fallen into the same trap with SOUL. From the colour schemes and trim choices to the personalisation options, audio systems - and even safety features - SOUL ensures that what is promised on the outside is delivered inside. 

The pick for us is the SOUL 3 automatic diesel with a MLP OF $30,890.  

This top of the range model includes heaps of passive and active safety features along with an exceptionally functional MP3 iPodR compatible audio system with USB + Aux audio inputs and mood speakers. The SOUL, with it’s unusually upright styling along with a higher than usual sitting position has something of an SUV's commanding seating position.  

The SOUL 3 is equipped as standard with dual SRS front airbags; side front SRS airbags and full-length curtain SRS airbags; active headrests and seatbelt pre-tensioners for front seats; and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) and Brake Assist, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and TCS (Traction Control System). 

With 260 Nm of torque peaking at just 1900 rpm and peak power of 94kW at 4000rpm, the 1.6L CRDi engine ensures excellent flexibility and open-road performance. The six-speed automatic uses just 5.9 l/100km, which gives the diesel Soul a potential combined cycle range of up to 923kms from a single tank of diesel. Its CO₂ emissions are just 155g/km with the optional four-speed automatic. The automatic has a 3 1/2 star Green Vehicle Guide rating.  ANCAP safety rating is 4 stars. 

The Kia Soul 3 has an overall length of 4100mm, wheelbase of 2550mm and height of 1610mm. The Tare mass is 1254kg.  

Combine all this with a Kia's 5-year/unlimited km warranty for private buyers, a $ 20,990 MLP entry price and you have a car that is purpose built for Generation ‘Y’.

The MINI brand resurgence seemingly continues unabridged. Adding to the impressive list is the JCW Cabriolet on the back of high demand for the JCW performance brand. It was an automatic inclusion into the list of cool cars.  

The JCW Cabriolet is all about performance and fun. It is the fastest MINI Cabriolet ever sold in Australia, with funky design and a host of personalisation options the JCW Cabriolet seems unique for the market. However it is the well heeled that seem to be buying it, reliving halcyon days of their youth.  

Its looks fabulous, has heaps of personality, goes like it has been shot in the bum, stops just as quickly and turns on a 5 cent piece. Park it almost anywhere, in front of your favourite inner city café or at that country weekend away and alight with a smile on your face. 

The MINI JCW Cabriolet has all the usual safety features and importantly rollover protection. I’m pretty keen on that bit. Lets see if I can get all the abbreviations right. It has ABS, EBD, CBC, ASC+T, DSC, DTC, and EDLC. Now to try and explain these! Actually it is probably better if you check out the MINI website for the explanations. Oh yes it also has the obligatory air bags as well. 

At the heart of the JCW Cabriolet is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit, complete with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection that propels this dynamic open-air machine from 0-100km/h in just 6.9 seconds. Maximum output is 155 kW all the way from 1,850–5,600 rpm, with peak torque of 260 Newton-metres, increasing in Overboost mode to 280 Newton-metres. 

All this works through a smooth precise 6 speed manual transmission to provide crisp clean performance. 

You get the feeling you are driving a road going version of the racecars. All the features combine beautifully. Torque steer under hard acceleration is a problem though and can be quite disconcerting.

Overall the MINI JCW Cabriolet is a blast and at just under $60,000 it is pricey but worth every cent. It is really unique as well in that I really can’t think of any direct comparison as a high performance cabriolet in that size.  

It’s not the raw performance figures that count with the MINI but rather the way it performs. It’s literally a road going go-cart. Everything is designed for the purpose of fun. It has an abundance of personality. 

As an everyday driver you would tire easily with its limitations but as a weekend escape machine, top down heading away for the weekend on a sunny day to the country there is not much better. Just don’t take too much luggage with you. 

The MINI JCW Cabriolet has an overall length of 3714mm, wheelbase of 2467mm, width of 1683mm and height of 1414mm. The Tare mass is 1230kg. The warranty is 3 yr, 100,000 km, with full roadside assistance.

The all-new Passat CC is designed to blend the boundaries between a stylish sedan and a dynamic coupe’.  It has a flowing design that is similar to the Mercedes Benz CLS Class.  

The roof sweeps toward the rear with a very flat curve radius that gives the flowing lines, along with the frameless coupe’ doors. A strong waistline and muscular wheel arches housing 18-inch alloy wheels.  

Inside the Passat CC it is all comfort and Volkswagen offers the CC in one level of luxury. The front heated leather seats are 12-way electronically adjustable with memory settings. Combined with the leather multi functional steering wheel that is both reach and height adjustable you are able to find your perfect driving position.  

There is everything you would expect in terms of luxury features. Rear passengers are treated to individually sculptured seats that are extremely comfortable. Centre console again provides plenty of storage for goodies and drinks. Legroom and headroom is restricted and tall passengers will feel cramped. 

As with all Volkswagens, safety features as a plus. The Passat CC is no exception.  

The driver and passenger are protected by front and side airbags. There are outer rear side airbags and curtain airbags front and rear. There is ABS, EBD, BA and an electromechanical parking brake with an auto hold function. In addition there is ASR, ESP, and Adaptive Cruise Control and BiXenon headlights with active cornering facility. 

The 2.0L TDi diesel engine produces 125kw and 350Nm between 1750 & 2500 rpm. This is mated to VW’s 6sp DSG transmission. The combination provides spirited performance and outstanding economy. We averaged 8.0L /100k around town and this dropped to 5.4L/100k on the freeway.  

The torque of the TDi means that turbo lag is minimal and you never seem to be in the wrong gear. In its rev range the motor is sweet. While noticeable below 1750 it is has a linear feel to it. 

Volkswagen does its small diesels about as good as anyone in the world. They truly are gems and I always struggle to see reasons why you would choose a petrol motor over them. 

Overall the Passat CC is one out of the box. Great looks, powerful, smooth and frugal 2.0L TDi motor mated to the 6sp DSG and balanced handling make this appeal to the driver in you. This is a car that you can convince yourself, or whoever needs to be convinced, that you are buying a sporty coupe’. It’s almost a Claytons mid life crisis.  

VW has packed heaps of standard features into the CC and it has a subtle luxurious feel to it. It has some limitations as a result of the design, but these are minor compared to the benefits. 

The four-door coupé measures 4,799 mm in length and a width of 1,855 mm. Combine this with a roofline of 1,417 mm in height and you have a vehicle that has a sleek low stance. The Tare mass is 1526kg. The Green Vehicle Guide rating is 3 ½ stars. The ANCAP Safety rating is 5 stars. 

At a manufacturer advised RRP of $54, 990 this is a bargain. There is almost nothing else within Cooee of it that combines the same levels of style, luxury and pizzazz as the CC. 

VW has gone one up on its European rivals.

Now to the ‘King of Cool’. Presenting Chryslers 300C SRT8 with Mopar suspension tuning. This has so much street cred that it is unbelievable. Whether it is the sweet burble of the Mopar exhaust or the lowered suspension, everywhere you drive this vehicle it attracts attention. 

The SRT stands for Street Racing Technology and it allows the Chrysler to play with its vehicles in the same way as FPV enhances Fords and HSV enhances Holdens.  

The 300C tends to polarise people about its looks. They tend to love it or hate it, The SRT8 with its 6.1L V8 further polarises.  

Me… well I LOVE IT!!!! 

I took my teenage daughter and some of her friends to their year-end formal. As I drove up I cranked up the sound system and gave the throttle some blips. Well it was like bees to the honey pot. I was suddenly inundated by hordes of teenagers, both guys and girls who all wanted to have a look.  

Jump inside the 300C SRT8 and plant yourself in the electric adjustable heated leather and suede insert seats and you just feel good. The leather height adjustable steering wheel is larger than most and gives you excellent visibility of the full instrumentation including the SRT-exclusive Reconfigurable Display in the instrument cluster providing performance data.  

Other features include, Adaptive Cruise Control, automatic temperature-control system with dual-zone controls and infrared temperature sensing, and an EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Centre) with 128 customer-programmable features.

To enjoy the driving experience there is MyGIG, which is a completely integrated Harman/Kardon touch-screen audio, entertainment and hands-free communication system playing its music through a Boston Acoustics eight-speaker 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system.  

I love the analogue clock in the centre dash position; it’s a throwback and just seems to fit.

Safety features include the usual ABS, ESP, TCS, BA, rear park assist, heaps of airbags, ACC (which works brilliantly) plus more. 

The 300C SRT8 has a throbbing 6.1-litre HEMI V8 power unit, driving the rear wheels through a 5 speed auto, riding on P245/45ZR20 & P255/452R20 Goodyear Eagle F 1 Supercar tyres and 20inch alloy wheels and with a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution it handles like a car half its size.  The V8 produces a spine tingling 317Kw @ 6000rpm and a hefty 569Nm @ 4600rpm. This combination will propel this monster from 0-100kmh in a little over 5 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 250kmh.                         

The faster it goes through corners the tighter it becomes. It just hunkers down and grips like superglue through corners. At times you can’t believe you are driving such a behemoth. It does have its limits but honestly I wouldn’t like to find them on normal roads. 

Of course there is a price for this other than losing your license in a blink, and that is it can drink fuel at more than 20L/100Km around town. However the cruising characteristics of the torquey V8 will see that drop to as low a 9.0L/100KM on a trip. 

Chassis set-up for the Chrysler 300C SRT8 is aimed at all-round performance, including SRT-tuned dampers, specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings, and large-diameter anti-sway bars. Revised front and rear suspension knuckles contribute to a ride height that is lowered 13mm from the 300C. Lowered coil over springs from Mopar tuning lowers the car even more. In addition, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) has been tuned for the 300C SRT8’s Adaptive Cruise Control.  

Given that the 300C is blisteringly fast and heavy you like to know that it will stop when asked to, Well I can tell you it does with help from a four-wheel, disc-brake system featuring performance callipers developed by Brembo, each equipped with four pistons for even clamping. Up front, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 has 360 x 32mm vented rotors, and 350 x 28mm vented rotors in the rear.  

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 measures 5015 mm in length, A wheelbase of 3050 and a width of 1,880 mm. Combine this with a roofline of 1,462 mm in height and you have a vehicle that has a low menacing stance. The Tare mass is 1920kg. The Green Vehicle Guide rating is 3 stars.  

At a MLP of $73,990 it can be considered a bargain. All please hail the ‘King of Cool’