Drive a Z3 over real roads, with potholes and ish... Then go drive a 2nd Gen Miata over the same roads.... you'll discover all that is wrong with the Z3.

From my experience in comparing the two behind the wheel. Even given the additional displacement & cylinders, the difference in chassis refinement is night and day, in favor of the Mazda and the initial power deficit in the Miata is a moot point, owing to the confidence factor when driving both vehicles really hard.

Taking each car for a blast on Skyline Blvd, the BMW wanted to over-rotate in corners and under braking, would tramline like a bitch on anything other than glass smooth pavement.

The Miata, by comparison, rode far better and was much more easily controlled in terms of both initiating and recovering from oversteer.

In terms of power, yes the BMW 6 cyls sound nice, but add in the readily available smog-legal turbo kits for the Miata. and the Z3's price premium seemed even more rediculous...to me anyway.

Hope this helps. Do yourself a favor, and at least try the Miata....