Among the foundational differences between modern Homo sapiens and the less advantaged beasts of the world is the ability, however infrequently employed, to delay our gratification for the promise of something better. In exchange for not wielding sweet bone-crushing pincers, we can plan for the future in a way that lobsters find perplexing. This is why we don’t just storm the doctor’s office for our drugs. No, we wait, mostly patiently, listening to Burt Bacharach and leafing through a copy of Highlights or a brochure for teeth whitening. Or we glare at DMV employees while shifting uncomfortably on rock-hard surplus schoolhouse chairs. And we hold on to our used-up or otherwise unsatisfying vehicles as carmakers trudge through the process of designing, engineering, testing, and producing the automobiles that hold enough promise to make another year in the Tercel worthwhile. What we have gathered here are promissory notes on the 25 cars that make extended stays in the vehicular waiting room bearable, arranged in order of desirability. Let the information we’ve gleaned from various inside sources set your expectations for future joy. For now, though, you still have some time to kill, so read at your own leisure. Your number will come up, eventually.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2017 Bugatti Chiron 2018 Jeep Wrangler 2017 Porsche 911 R 2019 Mazda RX-9 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster 2018 Jaguar XE SVR 2020 Porsche EV Sedan 2018 Kia GT 2018 Tesla Model 3 2018 Audi A6/A7 2017 Aston Martin DB11 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 2019 Cadillac CT8 2018 Audi A8 2019 Ford Ranger 2017 Volvo S90 2020 Apple iMaybe 2018 Audi SQ7 TDI 2017 Lincoln Continental 2018 Ford Expedition / Lincoln Navigator 2017 Infiniti Q60 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 BMW X7

From the May 2016 issue

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io