Used 2010 Nissan 370Z NISMO

Oddly enough, it wasn't while we were cruising up Pacific Coast Highway in the 2010 Nissan 370Z Touring Roadster -- top down, warm wind slapping our hair around -- that we realized the convertible version of Nissan's sports car might be the way to go. Like the 370Z coupe, the roadster has no problem kicking in its fast-twitch muscles when its jockey has the urge to attack some asphalt. And yet it's when you're not putting the crop to this Z's ample hindquarters that you realize why it'd be a better choice as a daily driver.

This theoretical decision was made during the less glamorous drive back to L.A. on the freeway, where we discovered the roadster's quieter strength. Our biggest gripe with the 370Z coupe concerns the amount of road noise that invades the cockpit at higher speeds. The roadster (with the top up, of course) isn't as aurally annoying on long trips. It's quieter, not by a lot but by enough to give the roadster the edge over the coupe.

And the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster also has an edge over most rivals. It certainly has the holy trinity required of a proper sports car -- it's fast, it handles and it looks the part of an automotive thoroughbred. The latest Z car is also nicely trimmed (the cockpit is much improved over the overly plastic 350Z) and offers a lot of performance for the price.

Other choices in this segment include the speedy but unsophisticated Ford Mustang GT convertible, the more polished but pricier Porsche Boxster and the more elemental but less comfortable Honda S2000. There's also the well-rounded BMW 135i convertible, though for many sports car enthusiasts the Bimmer is too upright and blocky to be considered alongside these sleek roadsters. Those looking for a pure sports car would be hard-pressed to find a greater all-around value than that offered by the 370Z roadster.