Hmmm, I think I may know who Gordon was referring to!
Buy what you like, but try them all first. Go to a couple of meets, most if not all of the manufacturers will be represented. You do have a decision to make, is the car for you or both of you? That is the first question and most important one IMHO.
I have a Spyder and love it. It rides well, handles great, goes like hell and stops the same. I have driven and ridden in Speedsters. I like them too, but I own a Spyder. I have refined the car over the six years I have had it on the road. It is pretty bulletproof. I recently drove it on a 700 mile weekend to the Pumpkin Run. I have at least 23000 miles on the car. Yes, you need to be fit to get in and out. Yes, there's less room in a Spyder, you pretty much sit shoulder to shoulder with your passenger. Plenty of room in the front for luggage. I store the rudimentary top in there and a spare and there is still room for tools and a weekend's worth of clothes.
I have had plenty of females in the car. Only one isn't a regular passenger. 6 out of 7 surveyed.......
One final thought: 1450 pounds with a half-tank of gas. I think the lightest Speedster is about 1700 pounds(excepting Hoopty!)
Russ, you live in sunny California, right? Seems easy to me, I am on the east coast, and drive my car every day I can. More days for you to drive. Get the wife a Miata.