1999 BMW Z3...Continued

I had noted that the rear suspension of this car was selected with a compromise -- that of allowing more baggage space in the trunk, and during this eight-day trip, it was a welcome choice. Now the coupe offers extra space, a welcome addition to those gift laden trips home for the holidays. Any lack of handling was more than compensated by the additional power, and well-chosen tires.

The first time I got to drive the Z3 it was a cold and overcast day. Even so, I was only able to resist a dozen miles before the top came down. This is a car that begs for the open air, and workers manning the construction stop signs agreed with broad smiles and hearty waves. Hey, that's what these cars are all about!

Now the coupe bodies will offer style as well as comfort, and still keep that sporty look.

The coupe is not everyoneâs choice, and to many the addition of a square back on a small car seems misplaced. Remember the spacious MGB-GT? Then there are the dozens of European gentlemen who modified their Jaguar XK-Es and Ferraris to accommodate a brace of shotguns -- this format became known as a Îshooting brake.â It would do just as well for a couple bags of golf clubs. Then there are those ski weekends with lots of bulky clothes. The new opportunities are endless.

The coupe versions are the same price as their roadster siblings. All have decided that the $30s to low $40s are the proper place in the market, and BMW was the first with the South Carolina-built Z3, followed by the Porsche Boxster, the Mercedes SLK and soon Audi's TT within the year.

The Bavarian engineers used a wheelbase over 7 inches longer than the Miata to get a more comfortable ride for the Z3, and the extra 400 pounds create a plusher and quieter ride. Ride quality has been thoroughly researched as the platform is pretty much the same as used on the 318ti.

Trailing arm suspension is used in the rear for the same reason as on that car -- to buy extra room in the trunk. BMW is eager to point out that a similar system was used in the first versions of the fully prepared M3s.