Nice acceleration for the 170 horsepower you're working with. More fun to drive in the sun/curvy roads than most four wheeled vehicles under $40,000. "Sweet Car" factor; This car gets many compliments and many admiring looks. Incredible Traction Control, I've done things in this car in the rain that would send others sliding sideways.

May not be the most powerful car for the money, but then again, people who buy these cars aren't after the 300+ horsepower musclecars that can be had for less money. Having driven both, I assure you a Bright Red Z3 gets more looks than a SVT Cobra Convertible, not to mention the fact, I know which one is much more fun in the corners. It's true your average kid in a Camaro could beat you, but then again, why would you race a car like this? As a 17 year old driver, it may seem like a strange thing to say, but I appreciate the sophistication of a car like this, and in addition, there's something to be said for having something unique.

In one word, sweet. Driving this car never seems boring. The styling is understated and stylish, and in Bright Red, this car gets many looks, and many second looks. Before you complain about the radio, ask yourself what you're doing listening to the radio in a car like this. There are no better roadsters for under $40,000 and in the two weeks I've owned this car, about a dozen people have engaged in lengthy discussions regarding this gorgeous car, in addition I love the looks it recieves from the opposite sex.

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Honda S2000- Honda is faster, but then again, the average S2000 driver doesn't have the nerve to strangle their $30,000 car to get the low 0-60 time.
Mazda Miata- HA! Most fun I've had in this car yet was destroying some guy in a Miata who made the mistake of racing the Z. It may be cheaper, but nobody who knows cars will mistake a Miata for a sports car.
Porsche Boxster- Nice Car, but apparently it doesn't feel nearly as smooth or half the fun.
Audi TT Roadster- My Arch Enemy...Styling is different, but I love it. Can't go wrong with Quattro, especially if you live in Michigan and drive all winter. Similar performance...only problems are possible quality issues.

A fantastic sports car at a realistic price.Superb European styling knocks
the blocks off the Boxster and Miata. Superb handling and an absolute pleasure to drive. My HK sound system is excellent - radio or cd.I have a silver metallic with a superb paint job.Do not upgrade the wheels - the standards are superb.

Plastic rear window difficult to keep clean.

If it turns you on , Go buy one. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

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Boxster and cheap Miata - no comparison for style and taste

Sexy car, awsome engine, extreme comfort

The radio sucks my a$% and the plastic mirror is cheap.

The car is great but the stereo is a problem. The roof goes down easily. Its a very powerful car for its size. It doesn't go all that fast, though.
Very cool, dude. Sweet nusty beep.

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Honda S2000, Miata

The engine is terrific; very strong with a huge torque band (excellent pull even as low as 2000rpm and it's near impossible to bog it down). Brakes are spectacular. I can't believe how tight the turning radius is. Stock seats are comfortable (even after several hours) and supportive. Lined softtop does a decent job of keeping things quiet. The hardtop is pretty easy to put on and take off (though you absolutely need two people) and seals tightly. The car has spectacular looks, it's a real attention-getter.

The HK stereo isn't that great (though it is definitely better than the one in my Toyota), and it eats up the only other lockable storage area other than the glove box. Plastic cup holders are only OK, and the change holder simply sucks -- put coins in, and they don't come out. Plastic rear window is mediocre and the felt protector is a pain in the neck to install with the new lined top. Softtop boot cover is a royal pain to put on and take off due to latches that must be accessed from underneath the cover. Steering feels notchy over uneven roads and tends to follow ruts (though this road feel can be an advantage given a more agressive driving style). Shifter throw from 2 to 3 is narrow enough that I've been going 2-5 occasionally. I've never had that happen on any other gearbox. It's irritatingly difficult to lock the doors while in the car, the door release lever is too far back. The armrest is too low to be supportive; you really want to rest your arm on the sill, which isn't possible with the windows up.

I'm all smiles driving this thing around. It's FAST even though I'm short-shifting during the break-in period, but it's fun to drive sedately as well. I'm mixed on the steering; it's precise as hell, but it really tracks along ruts in the road. The clutch is getting smoother as the car breaks in, and once the brakes bedded in they got super powerful.

Ratings:

Value-wise it's a pretty expensive toy with a few elements (plastic rear window, really cheesy change-holder, mediocre upgrade stereo) that are hard to forgive at this price point. I give it a three for value.

But when it comes to an overall rating I think it's a knockout. It's such a pleasure to drive that I can forgive some shortcomings.

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2000 Z3 2.8. Maybe it's because the 3.0 isn't broken in yet, but the 2.8 definitely felt smoother all around (but also noticably less powerful).

Enough Power for the amount it weighs. Good tune and volume for the exhaust noise. Cheap, and worth it.

Stero sucks while listening to the radio, but good to listen to the cds.

Good overall value! Great handling and descent power. Very quick car, but not great for top speed. If you wanted a car of this value go for the Z3 not the Porsche Boxster or Miata.

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Boxster, Miata.

Extremely powerful engine, nice standard rim and tire setup, aggressive look. The acceleration is awesome.

pitiful stereo (even the upgraded H&K), poor paint quality and the plastic rear window. Build quality on mine is just ok. My drivers door is not aligned properly.

The vehicle is beautiful to look at. It handles like a dream and the acceleration is breathtaking. The interior on mine is very nice and was assembled without flaw. Everthing is aligned perfectly. The exterior on mine is assembled with one flaw, the drivers door is out of alignment. Other than this one defect it is perfect.

If it wasn't such a fun car to drive I would have knocked off points for the door but it is truely a loveable car.

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Miata wonderful car but needs more power. Boxter: wonderful car needs more power(for the cost).

Superb engine, amazing handling, and an absolute blast to drive.

Incredibly poor AC, ridiculous stereo, lack of dealer support.

Moved on up from a 1998 2.8L to a 1998 M roadster. I've driven more than 45,000 miles among the two and absolutely love them. The cars are a blast to drive, and have a fantastic engine, however if you looking at one out of warranty avoid it. Little annoyances abound and generally, dealer assistance is poor and overpriced. The AC will keep you sweating and the radio will question your hearing ability, but if you can live with that, and can appreciate one of the best engineered roadsters out there, you will love the Z3 as much as I do.

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None

Classic styling. Gets looks everywhere it goes.

Obviously not a lot of space, but then if you wanted space a roadster is not your choice.

4 months of ownership so far and absolutely no problems. The car is peppy and seems to be getting more powerful everyday. Lots of fun to drive. If you are looking for a fun car that is a blast to joy, get one!

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Miata - more power, better looks

Fast and Fun to Drive. Looks great!!!

Plastic Back Window??? Please, the Miata has a glass one, you would think BMW could do better. AC is weak, but, it is a convertable so, hey, what do you want, your top should be down anyway....

Paid $27,000 for it, so overall a great deal. Would I reccomend it? Not as your only car, but as a fun car for the weekends, this is the ultimate. Checked them all out Mercedes Kompressor (overpriced), Porsche Boxter (feel was terrible, also overpriced), and the Miata (better price, but just didn't do it in the performance and appearance department.) Overall, very satisfied... Don't understand all the griping about the radio, this car is for driving. I don't recall BMW ever selling me a TV or stereo, but they make a hell of a car!!!

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Mazda Miata...Much slower, nice overall, but the BMW blows it away in appearance (external) and handling.

FAST Smoooooooth. Fun. Handling. Fun. Great looks. Comfy. Fun. 24 mpg avg, low insurance cost(surprise)Fun. Gobs of torque. Still get stares and wishful looks. Did I say FUN?

The audio system blows. Plain & simple. Get as little or few audio options you can and have a proffesional install a great one for $100. Or put in a Blau Toronto and new spkrs yourself for $500 and enjoy. Easily scratched rear window

$27k with 19k milesfor 9/98 production date in April 2000. Highly recommend. Almost cult like reverence from the owners groups.

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Miata, Boxster. More solid, roomier, better handling, and MUCH faster and than a Miata, for 10G more. Couldn't get as comfortable in Boxster (kind of strange driving position) and was 12G less. Boxster was faster and more storage room, better roof (top) design, like looks of BMW better. Handling was a toss up, ride was better in BMW.