Originally Posted by Mike-in-Orange

See my comments in red above. As for comparing it to the other cars mentioned, allow me to add this: I used to own a Miata and loved it. Great little car. Very different from a Crossfire, however, as is the MR2, S2000 and WRX. When all these cars were new I can't imagine anyone cross shopping a Crossfire with a WRX and the MR2. Or cross shopping just the WRX and MR2 - very, very different cars. Of all those, the 350Z is closest, and the Crossfire is a superior car in my opinion. The interior of the 350Z is crap, they don't ride as well, they are no faster and you see them everywhere.

But here's the bottom line - you are spending your own hard earned money on a car. That's a pretty major purchase, and for a car guy, it's a very emotional puchase too. Drive a bunch of different cars and see which one fits you best, fits your needs, wants and desires the best. If that's the Crossfire, cool. If it's not, so be it. We all like different things, and for different reasons. All the cars you mentioned are terrific cars in their own right, and for different reasons. If you need a back seat, then the M3 and WRX are the only ones of that group to consider (unless you're friends don't mind being stuffed in the back of the RX8). But whatever you do, never ever ever bash another car just because it isn't the right car for you.