We started with an extensive list, different wants created different categories (luxury, performance, fuel economy, convertible, etc). Then we narrowed those categories down to the best choices in each one, then we weighed them against each other. Essentially, it's easier to choose between a pear, an apple, or an orange than it is between an Envy and a Pink Lady.
But our final list was:
Tesla Model S
Jaguar F-Type
Mini JCW Roadster
Fiat 500e
Lotus Evora S
In the end, the Tesla was dropped because it was way too big for us, the Fiat dropped because it carried no excitement, the Lotus dropped because we wanted a convertible (and my wife didn't reach the pedals) and the MINI blew us away at the test drive. It should be noted that originally we test drive the Roaster S, and walked away appreciating the car, but rather underwhelmed.
Edit: just wanted to add, we would get the best reactions when the salesperson would ask which other cars we were considering. They all have their prepared responses for competitive models in the same class, but have no idea what to do when you say an entirely different class of car.
