Don - I do have the Abarth on my list. It's good to know that you haven't had any trouble. I will look harder at those.
Z4's - those are on my list as well. Hatchbacks are hard to find and they are all expensive, compared to everything else on my list. I can't convince myself that I want a 2 seat convertible for my daily driver - I would need to take my truck every time I was fishing or shooting or running errands. Hatchbacks are so handy.
I want a Mini, I want a GTI, I want an ST, I might even want an Abarth. I haven't driven a Mazdaspeed, I have only seen a couple for sale.
I have driven an RX8 - I can't say that I was very impressed. It was OK, but it didn't blow me away and I didn't like the door arrangement. I know three people who had them - all had constant issues. I don't hold them in the same regard as the 3 or the Miata as far as dependability.
I also wasn't considering the GTI because of friends experiences with VAG turbo fours - but the current generation (2013+) seem to be pretty robust. They certainly have driving dynamics and fit and finish over the ST's
I asked about the Mini because I really didn't know anything about them - aside from one rip in a JCW
and a friend of a friend telling me he does a lot of heads at the dealership.