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It wasn't so long ago when the choice of roadsters, at least here in the UK was just spectacular. From the 90s to the 2000s, we had a huge amount of choice - Mazda MX-5, BMW Z3, Toyota MR-2, Alpha Spider, Lotus Elise, MG F, Vauxhall VX220, Porsche Boxster, Mercedes SLK, TVR Tamora, Chrysler Crossfire, Honda S2000, Suzuki Cappuccino, Fiat Barchetta, Renault Spider, Audi TT, and probably more I have forgotten.
What do we have now? The Boxster is hanging in there until its inevitably hugely expensive replacement arrives next year, the MX-5 is also due for replacement in a year or two. And the Z4, still there, but not for much longer. There's the new MG Cyberster, which I've driven a few times and loved, so fingers crossed it finds some success and can keep the roadster alive. So weve gone from a choice of 16... to 4. Soon to be 3.
As someone who basically lives life as a mixture of teenager and pensioner (I have no kids and can afford silly cars (although I sadly do still need to go to work), I've had three MX-5s, a Lotus Elise, and now I have a Z4. I love Roadsters. I love doing epic road trips across Europe. Honestly driving roads like the Furka Pass in Switzerland in an open top sports car is one of life's highlights. That so few ever get to enjoy this now, stuck as they are in bloated, house sized SUVs is sad.
If only there was a Z5 on the horizon, but I guess BMW have no interest in roadsters anymore. Got to keep making those SUVs even bigger.
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