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.

Introduced for model-year 1997, the Boxster should continue with few changes for the next two years or so. After that, a "significantly restyled" model is due, according to one well placed industry source. We take that to mean new outer-body sheetmetal on the existing mid-engine platform. Look for Porsche to standardize the 6-speed manual transmission for the base model as well as the S.
Though closing in on its 5th birthday, the Boxster remains on an upward sales curve. Year-to-year orders were up nearly 31 percent for calendar 1999 and 18 percent in the first four months of 2000. Worldwide demand remains strong as well, so the Boxster is "capacity constrained," meaning Porsche could sell more here if it could get them.