http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/car/748811917.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/car/746260019.html
I'm torn between these two cars. They both cost around the same price, but the BMW has a lot more mileage on it and the tC is essentially OTB. Which one should I get?
Passenger capacity and fuel economy isn't an issue really, since this will primarily be my weekend car.

As a weekend car, I would say the BMW as it would be far more fun to drive.

the bmw
the bmw
the bmw
the bmw

Why would you even consider a tc for a weekend car???
Go for the Z4 man

Go for the Z4. I love mine (2005).

Z4 is a nice car

you should get a Chevy and spend the money you save on your own apartment or else your next new computer

Go with the BMW

Do BMW's have a high track record for reliability? Do their parts cost a lot? Would they need to be imported? I've never bought a European car before so this is all kinda new to me...

Also, what similar car could I get for around the same price? Possibly something that could seat a few more people, but not so big as the 530i or ugly as the 3 series. Hardtop is a plus.

i saw bmw's in war zones XD.. so i think theyre resistant

Don't know if the parts have to be imported but probably they have. At least in Portugal they have to be.

As to price... they are a bit expensive (again... talking about the case here in Portugal)

If it were me I would get a series 3 coupé, but the Z4 is also nice

The Z4 is actually assembled in the US, as was the Z3 and the current X cars (the new Z4 will be built in Germany).
A lot of the components are built in Europe, but, as it shares a large amount of parts with the E46 3 series, supply shouldn't be an issue. And the parts prices are no higher than most cars.

Out of the two you list I'd obviously get the Z4. I do like a lot of BMWs I'd have to recommend the Honda S2000 over the BMW Z4.

Weekend car... right.

scion tc is not a weekend car. but it probably will be more reliable plus cheaper to maintain.

buy a scooter

For a fun weekend car the Z4 hands down. Rear wheel drive and convertible is a lot more fun then wrong wheel drive and hardtop. I'm sure the tC is much more practical, but you already have a daily driver. Just be aware the Z4 is not very practical, hard to head out for a bar crawl with your friends in your car or head to the mountains camping, hunting or skiing.

Amen to this..

I dunno, I can't recommend a vehicle that is so new, compared to a vehicle which you would know is good.. and its RWD.

Being the owner of an 08 tC.
I'd say you could get it.
It has a nice lil' subwoofer, iPod connectivity, and it can be customized really easily with exhaust, cold air intake, supercharger, etc.

Ok, after looking at the ads (BMW ad is gone BTW), the tC is pretty nice with the spoiler, ground effects kit, fog lights, and the uniqueness of the color.

Never had an issue with mine

I have a 2 seat convertible roadster also. I love mine. I even daily drive it. I have other vehicles, now but I would say it is still my primary. I enjoy that kind of intimate, spartan, stripped-down, simple life. I would not exactly call it practical for the vast majority of people though. It takes of some imaginative packing in order to go camping or even a road trip with two people (especially if the girl likes to overpack). I'm also just waiting to get pulled over and have to explain the rifles in the hardcase strapped to the luggage rack. Heading to the track requires either driving on your race rubber, towing a small trailer, pulling the passenger seat and leaving some gear back or having a friend tote your gear for you in a separate vehicle. I had a girlfriend that played the cello for a while, that was always fun.

I'm sure if you thought about it you could probably come up with an amusing story or two yourself, Pilsbury. Almost everyone I know that drives a roadster for any length of time has one.

Again a great weekend vehicle, might even be a great primary vehicle just be aware that it has some limitations based on passenger and cargo capacity. It should be a great fit for the OP as he has another vehicle.