Performance cars encompass everything from luxury vehicles and sports cars to upper level trims of everyday drivers. While some motorists prefer a vehicle that gets them from A to B, others want one that is fun and exhilarating to drive. There are so many different options when it comes to performance, the choice can be a hard one to make for a driving enthusiast looking to buy a car. TotalCarScore recently compiled a list of the top 10 picks from 2012 based on the website's vehicle scores that encompass ratings by leading industry authorities.

"High-performance cars still matter," said Karl Braur, CEO of TotalCarScore. "Performance models sell in relatively low volumes, so automakers can justify the boost they provide against the small hit they cause to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy statistics. There's also a technology play here. Performance cars are often on the leading edge of vehicle research and development work, and this work benefits the entire model line."

The top ranked performance vehicles were the Infiniti IPL G Coupe, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Cadillac CTS-V. The Ford Taurus SHO, with an EcoBoost V6 engine and excellent handling came in fourth and the Chrysler 300 SRT8 took the fifth spot thanks to a 470-horsepower Hemi V8 under the hood.

Every trim level above the standard option results in a price hike, which can make purchasing a new performance vehicle an expensive decision. Drivers shopping with a more modest budget who still want bang for their buck can head to New Jersey State Auto. The dealer carries a variety of models with all sorts of fun and sporty features. Many experts recommend purchasing a used car loaded with features is a far less expensive venture than adding all the amenities and upgrades to a new vehicle.