This class features an interesting mix of hard-core performance models and more luxurious touring convertibles. Our Best Buys give you a little of both worlds. The Chevrolet Corvette is fast, comfortable, and reasonably affordable. Unlike previous models it doesn't beat you up with a hard ride, and it will cruise quietly at highway speeds. Our other Best Buy, the Mazda Miata, is a bare-bones roadster with few frills and average acceleration, but for weekend fun on a twisty back road it's hard to beat.

If you don't mind spending a few more bucks, we recommend you take a look at the BMW Z3 and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Both are two-seat convertibles. The BMW is more sporty and the Mercedes is more luxurious.

If you are interested in bang-for-the-buck our Budget Buys include the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. At any given price or equipment level the Camaro is a faster car, but the Mustang might be a little more user-friendly as a daily driver.

Though U.S. sales are now running well below 400 per year, the NSX definitely has a future, Honda's upscale division regarding it as an important "halo" car casting a high-tech, high-performance image over the rest of the line. As a result, the NSX will see the first major modifications to its 10-year-old design for the 2001 model year. According to industry sources, the NSX will get a heavy facelift featuring exposed headlights (versus hidden), a shorter nose and tail for more purposeful-looking proportions, sharp bodyside creaselines leading to a prominent rear spoiler, slightly lower ride height, and a redone instrument panel, steering wheel and seats. The V6 powertrains will be little, if any affected. The same should apply to price, though the less expensive fixed-roof coupe could be dropped.

Even bigger changes are rumored for 2004, when the NSX will be completely redesigned around a new V8 engine shared with the upcoming replacement for Acura's flagship RL sedan. The engine will doubtless be more highly tuned for the mid-engine sports car, and could well link to a standard computer-controlled clutchless manual transmission shifted from the steering wheel. A shift from mostly aluminum construction to a less-expensive unitized steel structure will allow a price reduction of over $20,000 to the $50,000-$60,000 region, according to well placed sources.