For more on the DieselStation Car of the Year '09 competition, please see this thread.

Audi TT-S Roadster
Base MSRP: $47,500
Available Engines: 2.0 liter DOHC turbocharged 16-valve inline-4 with 265 HP and 258 ft.-lbs. of torque
Available Transmissions: 6-speed dual-clutch semi-manual transmission
Available Drivetrains: All-wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 21 City/29 Highway
Curb Weight: 3373 lbs.







Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Base MSRP: $45,950 (SLK300), $50,950 (SLK350), $65,700 (SLK55 AMG)
Available Engines: 3.0 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with 228 HP and 221 ft.-lbs. of torque, 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with 300 HP and 265 ft.-lbs. of torque, 5.4 liter SOHC 24-valve V8 with 355 HP and 376 ft.-lbs. of torque
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual (SLK300 only) or 7-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capabilities
Available Drivetrains: Rear wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 19 City/26 Highway (SLK300 7AT), 18/26 (SLK350), 17/26 (SLK300 6MT), 14/22 (SLK55 AMG)
Curb Weight: 3208-3472 lbs.







Mini Cooper Convertible
Base MSRP: $23,900 (Base), $26,800 (S)
Available Engines: 1.6 liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 with 118 HP and 114 ft.lbs. of torque, 1.6 liter DOHC turbocharged 16-valve inline-4 with 172 HP and 177 ft.lbs. of torque
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capabilities
Available Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive (electronic differential control lock is optional)
EPA Fuel Economy: 28 City/36 Highway (Base 6MT), 26/34 (S 6MT), 25/34 (Base 6AT), 23/32 (S 6AT)
Curb Weight: 2745-2950 lbs.







Porsche Boxster
Base MSRP: $46,600 (Base), $56,700 (S)
Available Engines: 2.9 liter DOHC 24-valve horizontally-opposed flat-6 with 255 HP and 214 ft.-lbs. of torque, 3.4 liter DOHC 24-valve horizontally-opposed flat-6 with 310 HP and 266 ft.-lbs. of torque
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch semi-manual transmission
Available Drivetrains: Rear wheel drive (limited slip differential is optional)
EPA Fuel Economy: Not available
Curb Weight: 2943-3042 lbs.

I had to go with the Boxster. I sincerely believe it could be the finest sports car on sale. Perfectly balanced handling, enough luggage space for a weekend getaway, and unlike most of its competition it was designed to be a roadster from the beginning.

The Mini, no thanks. The SLK is a bit soft, and very long-in-the-tooth now. The TT-S runs the Boxster admirably close, but as much as I hate being a snob, its humble hatchback underpinnings meant it was never going to be quite as good as the purpose-built Boxster.

Boxster. Do I even have to explain? What a fantastic car. And so damned classy in that green-on-tan.

Have to agreewith moe here, on everything he said about the Boxster. That really is IMO as true convertible sportscar. The TTS ran an extremely close second in my books, as it is an exceptional car to drive.

On another note. Is that TTS note available as a 6-Speed Manual in the US? Do you guys get any of Audi's products with the Manual? I hope so, as it really is a truely great 'box.

Audi's sorta weird about what gets manuals and what doesn't...they try and offer a manual here or there but not everywhere.

Off the top of my head, here's what's available with a manual in the US right now:

A3 2.0T non-Quattro
A4 2.0T Quattro Sedan
A5 3.2 Quattro
S4 (when it comes here for 2010)
S5
TT 3.2 Quattro

No G37 and IS350 'verts?

Isn't the IS250c a '10 model? The G37 Cabriolet is definitely an '09 though.

The TT-S is the only car here that isn't for hairdressers, sorority girls, or yuppies.

^ I'm pretty sure it is. It also happens to be the only car here without a manual.

boxster! duh!

Corvette ?

My vote goes to the boxter, but I don't really like that new rear diffuser.

I like the new TT, but TT roadsters always look frumpy to me (except that Club Sport...drool).

SLK is too soft...also, I don't really like modern Mercedes, save the new C class.

Mini, same problem as the TT, frumpy version of a nice two door.

Boxster is my idea of the perfect cabriolet, and would be the one I would go for if I were in the market for a cabriolet at this price point. As it stands, I would spend the extra to get a Cayman 2.9.

Yes the IS250C is a 2010 and the G37 Cabrio is a 2009. However the G37 Cabrio isn't here because it's an obnoxiously late introduction (looks like June/July of this year) and there are next to no technical specs on it, nevermind pricing. So it'll be included next year.



There's no new Corvette convertible under $65k this year?

Corvette2009 Convertible 1lt: Starts at $54,070*
Unless you want to imply nothing was changed from 08 model year.

Yeah it's not new at all, it's the same as the 2008.

its gotta be the new TT-S for me, its the only one i feel that still has understated looks but a great road appeal

Boxter by default since the TT is still hair dressery for my taste.