Issue 1: Of course the MZ3 is out of production. It goes out of production every year, when its model year run is done. This is a simple enough concept that even BMW dealers should be able to both understand it and explain it. (though probably seldom have to explain it to high school sophomores.)

Issue 2: And of a more personal nature. With the assumption that the posting above is REAL, I have paroxyms of envy/anger. That a 16 year old -- any 16 year old and not just N V US -- who needs a work permit just to work at all, could accumulate enough cash to be able to buy a fifty plus grand car just gripes me personally. At 16 I was wearing hand me down clothes to high school, and at 18 I was working in a hamburger stand for a buck something an hour.

But I know that times changes, and silver spoons sometimes actually ARE found in babies' mouths, so I should just get over it.

A more serious thought occurs, though. Every car magazine has pointedly criticized the M Roadster for its unpredictable handling characteristics, and even seasoned magazine test drivers complain that they can't toss the car around like many others, because it does not handle 'typically'. Sort of like me trying to drive an F1...I couldn't begin to drive it safely or at any level of performance. That, however, is not a criticism of the car but rather a pointed note that the car demands more ability than I have.

Perhaps a parallel situation with the M Roadster. Except for a few very talented folks on the MB --even if they do say so themselves -- most of the rest of us seem to be willing to acknowledge that even after many years of driving performance cars, the MZ3 is a challenge, not to be taken lightly.

AND HERE WE SEEM TO HAVE A MID TEENAGER WITH A WAD OF DOUGH WANTING TO CLIMB BEHIND THE WHEEL AND KILL HIMSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

How about just learning to drive before tackling the four-wheeled version of a krotch-rocket.

rant concluded, with apologies for the screaming, if not for the sentiment.