Cheap thrills: sporty cars: the Mazda Miata and Volkswagen GTI top the charts, while the Pontiac Solstice disappoints.(Buyers guide)

The Pontiac Solstice, along with its twin, the Saturn Sky, is the much-anticipated roadster that General Motors hopes will bring some affordable flash to its lineup. But we found that it doesn't match up to the redesigned Mazda MX-5 Miata.

For this test we bought the Miata and the Solstice and three more practical sporty cars, the Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si, and Ford Focus ST. Prices range from $19,145 for the Focus to $27,095 for the Miata.

Buyers looking for an affordable sporty car can opt for the open-air driving experience that roadsters such as the Miata or Solstice bring, or they can choose a more versatile coupe or sedan that can also be exciting to drive.

The third-generation Mazda Miata continues the formula that has worked since 1989; it has very agile handing, lively performance, and a simple-to-use folding top that can be raised and lowered from inside the car. It is fun to drive, as any sports car should be, yet the ride is relatively comfortable and the interior quality is impressive. However, cruising at highway speeds results in a noisy, fatiguing ride.

The Pontiac Solstice has bold, aggressive styling with good handling and a decent ride, but its weight hinders its agility, especially relative to the Miata.

The engine is coarse and noisy, and the widely spaced gear ratios leave drivers wishing for ratios in between. Raising and lowering the top requires getting out of the car, and the tiny, poorly shaped trunk is even less useful when the top is stowed. The Solstice's interior has scant storage space and the gauges are difficult to see.

The fifth-generation Volkswagen GTI, a version of the forthcoming Golf, outshone the Honda Civic Si and Ford Focus ST. It excels in refinement, performance, and safety features. The turbocharged engine is powerful and sounds sporty under acceleration. Handling is agile and secure, with electronic stability control standard. The high-quality interior materials fit together well, and the rear seat is roomy enough for adults. The hatchback body style adds versatility. Reliability of the new GTI is unknown, so we cannot recommend it.