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.

Corvette's scheduled 2004-model redesign will end the current C5 series after just seven years. The predecessor C4 lasted 13. Industry snoops say the upcoming C6 will get a so-called "Gen IV" (fourth-generation) update of the classic 5.7-liter LS1 V8 with up to 425, perhaps more. No firm word yet on styling, but expect it to be recognizably Corvette and doubtless slinkier.

Meantime, the C5 continues to sell well by Corvette standards. Indeed, calendar 2000 marked the first year-to-year sales increase for Chevy's sports car in several seasons; the gain was about 4 percent from '99 to 31,200 units. Demand eased a token 2 percent in the first half of 2001, but was up nearly 3 percent (750 units) through the third quarter.

The C6 will be previewed for 2003 by Cadillac's two-seat XLR convertible, which uses the next 'Vette's basic platform. The first offshoot in 'Vette history, XLR will be far more luxury tourer than all-out sports car, with Cadillac Northstar V8 power, styling in the manner of Cadillac's much-ballyhooed Evoq concept, and numerous gizmos of the sort expected in the high-luxury class. Both the XLR and C6 will be built at the Bowling Green, Kentucky, Corvette plant.