X2 on R/TOMMY/B comments, very thoughtful post!

A couple of additional thoughts. I traded a MiniCooper S, which I had loved.
BUT, I really was taken with the styling of the XFire roadster. We bought the car ( 06 base roadster with SE pkg) and have loved it. 8 months later I have not had a single problem, I like driving the car as well as I had liked the Mini, it's different not better or worse.

I think the bottom line is that you have to drive the car, see if you like it. It's your car payment not the kibitzers...