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.

Audi's TT is solid, stylish, and loaded with features making it fit for the Recommended list. Like no other in its class, TT offers the all-weather advantage of available quattro AWD at a great price. Of course, if you don't mind spending a few more bucks, we recommend you take a look at the Mercedes-Benz SLK. The Mercedes offers an interesting mix of performance and luxury. It also has a retractable hardtop, making it more of an all-weather car.

U.S. NSX sales totaled just 182 units in calendar 2001, down from 221 the previous year and 238 in calendar '99. Despite these paltry numbers, Honda/Acura seems committed to continuing the NSX, if only as a technological showcase with great image rub-off for the rest of the lineup.

Having just received its first major changes in many a year for 2002, the NSX should continue pretty much as is for the foreseeable future. A full redesign with rumored V8 power is apparently still in the works, but sources don't expect it until model-year 2006.