2002 Ford Thunderbird
Wherever it goes, fawning followers are drawn to the new Thunderbird's dramatic looks and emotional retro appeal. Likewise, Motor Trend editors felt the T-Bird's allure, praised its reinvention, and honored it with the 2002 Car of the Year award. This decidedly modern interpretation of the 1950's classic boasts a 3.9-liter/252-horsepower DOHC V-8 capable of pulling 0-60 mph times in seven seconds flat, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and four-wheel independent suspension. The rear-wheel-drive roadster's power folding top motors down in less than 10 seconds, and it allows installation of an optional removable hard top. Even with the attractive hard top, the Thunderbird can be purchased fully loaded for less than $40K.
2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Those with a serious penchant for the great outdoors will especially appreciate Jeep's ultimate off-road soft-top, the Wrangler Rubicon. More like an aftermarket-prepped rock climber than any Wrangler before it, the Rubicon has been engineered to take on the most demanding trails, thanks to hard-core Dana 44 axles with front and rear locking differentials, a NVG241OR transfer case with 4.0:1 low-range ratio that gives the Jeep the lowest crawl ratio of any vehicle currently on the market, LT245/75R16 tires wrapped around 16-inch aluminum wheels with dished face to protect the wheel from off-road obstacles, and a 4.0-liter/190-horsepower PowerTech I-6 engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is due to hit dealerships this summer, though pricing has not yet been released. Less serious off-roaders should consider a less-enhanced Wrangler. From the affordable SE, to the well-dressed Sahara, there is a Jeep available to suit most budgets, driving needs, and appearance desires.
2003 Mazda Miata SE
Mazda has released two Special Edition versions of its popular roadster in celebration of America's 13-year love affair with the Miata. Powered by Mazda's 1.8-liter/142-hp engine with variable valve timing, the Special Editions benefit from a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, Enkei 17-inch wheels, 200-watt six-CD Bose sound system, and specially tuned Mazda exhaust. Available in two colors, Titanium Gray Metallic with Camel interior and top and Blazing Yellow Mica with black interior and top, the sporty two-seaters feature special badging, floor mats, and trim. Visit your Mazda dealer quickly, as only 1500 Titanium and 1000 Mica Yellow models began appearing in dealerships in mid-March with a suggested retail price beginning at $25,755, and Mazda predicts they will disappear soon.
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Sure to become a Beverly Hills staple, Mercedes-Benz' premium roadster offers celebrity-caliber looks, a convenient retractable hardtop (from closed to open in just 16 seconds), and armloads of bleeding-edge technology. Systems like Active Body Control, brake-by-wire Sensotronic, and Electronic Stability Program work behind the scenes to enhance both driving pleasure and safety. The SL is powered by a 5.0-liter/302-horsepower SOHC V-8, good for a claimed 6.3-second 0-60 mph time. The fifth generation of Mercedes-Benz's classic SL series, the 2003 V-8 Roadster is expected to retail for approximately $83,000, with an SL 55 AMG-tuned Roadster scheduled to list for about $110,000.
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Mitsubishi has revamped its popular Eclipse Spyder with revised front and tail designs including new halogen headlights, available integrated fog lights, a sporty Euro taillamp trio, and a distinct unique-to-Spyder finish, Alloy Green. Base power comes from a 2.4-liter/147-horsepower inline four-cylinder SOHC linked to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, though uplevel models also offer a variable induction 3.0-liter/210-hp V-6 engine choice. GS models get 16-inch wheels, and cast-aluminum 17-inchers are standard on GT and GTS models. Interior upgrades include a sportier gauge cluster, and two new interior color packages with cloth or leather trim. Available in dealerships now, the new Spyder starts at $23,817.
2002 Porsche 911 Targa
We're stretching our definitions here, but if you open up the large, power-operated sliding glass roof, the Porsche Targa gets as close to being a convertible as any sporty coupe could possibly be. The Targa truly offers all the safety, security, and noise isolation of a coupe, and most of the hair tousling pleasure of a convertible. Bonus points go the engineering marvel glass top. When closed, the tinted roof panel offers a clear view of the sky through more than 16 square feet of glass Press a button, and the panel slides under the rear hatch to reveal a five sq-ft opening. Technically labeled a 2+2 coupe (though we can't imagine any adult sitting in that back seat for any amount of time), the Porsche Targa is powered by the 3.6-liter/320-horsepower six-cylinder boxer engine, and it is available in dealerships now for a suggested retail price beginning at $75,200.