My buddy(his family loaded) asked me to investigate about "roadsters"(like S2000,SLK benz and others). he wants to get a new roadster in the spring but this will be his "weekend car." it sounds like he'll tarp it in the winter and drive his old car.

it doesn't have to be a drop top he said. but because he autocrosses it's critical on handling and speed. but he doesn't like american made stuff (Chevy Vette ZO6 or Mustang SVT Cobra).
personally i hope he gets a SLK 32 AMG 350 hp from a V-6 IS CRAZY

Tell him to pick up the SL600.... Now this is a machine.....

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...delCode=SL600R

Panoz Esperante

it's only 125 grand.
i think I'll probably recommend the S2000 as far as bang for the buck you can't beat it.

Now the next question (i've been wondering this)
if you lined up a new 350Z track edition against a new S2000 which would win on a autocross track(if the same driver is driving each car)
i think it would be pretty even because the Z has more hp (287 compared to 240)and the Z smokes the S2000 in torque(274 to 161) but the S2000 is about 400 lbs lighter.

I don't think he is looking for bang for his buck if he is looking at the SLK55 AMG and is "his family loaded".

z4 3.0 is my vote. But kinda pricey. Otherwise get the s2k.

yeah but with a 125 grand you could go INSANE with a S2000. you could have a forged everything in the lower end(crank,pistons,and con rods),supercharged and spraying , custom transmission(you'd have to with that amount of HP), custom body kit. basically that S2000 would be off the hook.

I know what your saying by bang for his buck isn't important but what i'm saying is for 125 grand you could have a stock Benz SL600 or one bad ass S2000

Yea but the stock Benz would still whip the shit out of the bad ass S2000. The SL600 isn't a roadster tho.

Look at the braking systems. The Brembos on the 350Z track would help w/ autocross. BMWs & Benzs always have nice brakes too. Porsche brakes are SICK hehe.

Ok, so he's looking at $50K tho. Here's all the roadsters I would consider in that price range:
SLK32 AMG
Z4 3.0 w/ Dinan supercharger
S2000 w/ Comptech supercharger
Porsche Boxter S
RX8 w/ some nice aftermarket shit - car would be EXCELLENT at autocross

Another vote for Z4 w/smg.

For autocrossing, surely there can be few other cars better than a Lotus Elise, available here in April 2004. And with a Toyota engine!
http://www.lotuscars.com/
This would easily be my second car, as I'm sick of rich girls and poseurs in Boxsters....

Tosh

What about an M3 or M3 convertable...I know, it's not a roadster but it's an awesome car none-the-less.

Whats your friends price range?