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what car should i buy?

We compare the Porsche Boxster, the Audi TT and the Mercedes-Benz SLC Roadster

I've never bought a new car in more than 30 years of driving and all my cars have been very practical. Now, I want to treat myself with an impractical two-seater. My husband has a BMW X5 as a company car, so I don't need space. I want a car I can love to drive and that will be reliable, and that I can give a name to. I like the looks of both the Porsche Boxster and the Audi TT – is one better than the other? Is there anything else you recommend? – Marie, Calgary

Richardson: I drove the 400-horsepower Audi TT RS recently and it's a marvelous sports car, but it's also close to $80,000. I don't think Marie is asking for something so brash and costly. What do you think of the base models?

Lightstone: If she is, the TT RS is a good option … but about those base models: Each has its own personality, but I'd lean more toward the base Audi TT and here's why: Not only does it come in cheaper than the Porsche 718 Boxster, I think the new exterior look is more sophisticated and the interior is more comfortable than the Porsche to live with on a daily basis. Bet you're shocked because it's got less horsepower, eh?

Audi TT.

Richardson: It's got a lot less horsepower, at just 220 compared with the Boxster's 300, but if this is Marie's first "statement" car, I think she's more concerned for driveability than blowing away Camaros at the lights. The two of them are pretty close on price, too.

Lightstone: It looks like Marie is thinking of the convertible TT, which is a bit more costly than the coupe. We're talking cars in the mid-sixties here. She's comparing it to the Boxster, which is the convertible version of the Porsche Cayman. And nothing makes a statement like a convertible, huh?

Richardson: True that. And with the top down, you feel like you're driving a lot more swiftly than you really are. Actual performance isn't so much of an issue.

Porsche Boxster.

Lightstone: Both the TT and the 718 Boxster are a couple of years into their current production run and it really comes down to sitting in them and making a personal choice. Is there a third choice you'd recommend, Mark?

Richardson: Well, the Benz, obviously.

Lightstone: Ah, yes, the SLC Roadster. It's got a little more oomph than the Audi with 240 horsepower (but still less than the Porsche) and it falls in just under the $60k mark starting price. But Marie said she wants to love to drive her new drop-top, not just be comfortable sitting in it, and I'm not sure the Merc will have enough personality for her.

Richardson: The best thing about the Benz is that it's a hard-top convertible, so it's just like a coupe in the winter, but open air in the summer. That's worth a lot in my books.

Mercedes-Benz SLC 300.

Lightstone: True, but Marie mentioned her hubby drives an X5, which I'm going to assume becomes the go-to winter ride, so hard or soft top seems like a moot point. Speaking of BMW, I'm going to throw out one more idea here, just because they're already in the family: the BMW M240i Cabriolet. She gets room for four (if needed), 340 horsepower, the driving dynamics and personality she's looking for – all under that $60k mark at $56,000 to start, and perhaps even a better deal since they already own a Bimmer.

Richardson: That's not really the two-seater roadster style Marie was going for with the TT and Boxster though.

Lightstone: So then, back to the original question: TT or 718 Boxster? It'll come down to her driving both, back to back, on the same day. She'll notice each one's personality immediately.

Richardson: Agreed – one isn't really better than the other, they're just different. But don't forget to take a drive in the Mercedes SLC, too.

What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Miranda at globedrive@globeandmail.com.

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