THE GOOD 12 - Part II

BMW 3-SERIES Convertible

Many critics were fearful when BMW revealed that the convertible version of their famous 3-series sport sedan would switch from soft-top to hard-top. Thankfully, most fears were undone when pictures failed to show a massive hind end, and when test drives bore out BMW's claims of a stiff structure and a not-too-terribly heavy hardtop. The fact that BMW includes six smooth cylinders and a handsome body (while the hardtop aids security and all-weather usability) simply places the strawberry and chocolate sauce on top of a wonderful sundae.

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Engines: 230 or 300 horsepower, 200 or 300 lb-ft of torque from 3.0L inline-6 or twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-6.

Mileage: City high = 17 mpg. City low = 18 mpg.

Base USD Price: $43,200

Anything else? Save up to $8,000 if you want your two-door 3-series with a permanently secured roof, and if you want AWD with your all-weather convertible, head elsewhere.