“Is that the car from Goldeneye?”

It took a moment to realize the man in the parking lot was talking to me. I turned around and looked at my BMW Z3 convertible. He continued, “The one that got cut in half?”

I said, “Umm, looks like it’s still in one piece. But seriously, that was a BMW Z3. Good catch.”

I had only been driving my new summer car for a month. I hadn’t bought it because of the James Bond movie. But it’s the first thing many guys of my generation notice about the car. If we’re being honest, I bought my Z3 because it is the best performance for the money you can buy right now. Hands down.

BMW introduced the Z3 for 1996 and continued building it until it rolled out the Z4 in 2003. The top end of the market for non-M-cars appears to be $15k. But that’s for a showroom quality survivor. I paid just over $4k for mine. It has a clean (non-salvage) title, but I did get a deal because it had several minor problems I needed to fix. You can barely get a Miata for that money! But after owning it for six months, I’ve come to appreciate much more than the price tag.

First and foremost: the Z3 is a proper BMW. It’s a nimble sports car, quick in the twisties. With Z3 curb weights starting at 2,500 and going up to over 3,000 pounds for the rare coupes it is quite a bit heavier than a Miata, but it still hugs the road and is stable cornering at high speeds.

The car also has ample straight-line power. If you opt for an I6 Z3 (the I4 was available early on), you get a wider rear–perfect for staggered tires. The I4 just made 138 horsepower, while the naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter M versions topped at 325. My 2.5-liter I6 is quick off the line and pulls hard at highway speeds, even in fourth gear. In this car, fifth gear can get you in trouble.

Finally, the Z3 is cool. I remember looking at some used Z3s just five years ago and finding them dorky, with an underdeveloped grille and dated tail lights. But today, I find it “Radwood” cool. And I’m not the only one. I’m blown away how many compliments I get on my budget-friendly sports car.

The looks aren’t for everyone, and it’s far from the most advanced car around. The infotainment system is a tape deck. The interior components are all made of surprisingly brittle plastic, so you’ll want to inspect a used one for cracks and broken pieces before you buy. But if you are dreaming of a 20-year-old car with the personality of a 40-year-old British roadster, consider the Z3.

Curious what Z3s are in your budget? Check out used BMW Z3 listings near you.