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. TT sales were just over 12,000 units in calendar 2000 and some 12,500 in 2001. But coupe orders dropped a whopping 30.6 percent in the first half of 2002, and though we don't have comparable cabriolet figures, it's doubtful that model made up the difference.

Like its corporate sister, the VW New Beetle, the TT is a "fashion" car designed as much for raising nameplate profile as raising profits. But fashions change all too quickly--just ask Chrysler about recent PT Cruiser sales. Then too, the TT has largely accomplished its original image-polishing mission. So does Audi really need it anymore? Intriguingly, industry moles have lately voiced doubts about a "next" TT. Even if there is one, they say, it's still two years away at least. Earlier, Audi was said to be prepping two new versions of the current car: a 265-hp turbo 4-cyl "TTS" and a 300-hp V6, both with quattro all-wheel drive, upgraded suspension, and special trim. But we've heard nothing lately about either proposal--nor, come to think of it, about a TT redesign. So we'll just have to haul out an old chestnut and say, stay tuned.