Buick has a cute convertible. I saw a few late model used ones at GMC dealer in Rockville. Very safe

Miata owners know better than to cut in front of a mack truck so as not to be smashed like a tin can. If this is a serious concern for you, then perhaps your dear husband shouldn't be driving a golf.

To answer your question, I can't say for sure whether there is data that proves this car is safer: the Toyota 86 is quite comparable to a miata.

I remember a crime report about a stolen Mini Cooper that sped through a red light. It struck a truck and punched all the way through while killing four passengers in the truck and going airborne. None of the four in the mini were seriously injured. It must be one tough tiny tin can of a car.

They haven’t made the BMW Z3 since 2002 so I doubt you want a 17 year old daily driver. Miatas run about $25-30k which give you lots of used options.

What makes a Miata fun is because it was designed to be light and has a lot of driver involvement.

I would look at a 2013-2014 Porsche Boxster such as

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Porsche-Boxster-d408#listing=247560383

2016 428i convertible

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=22205&inventorySearchWidgetType=BODYSTYLE&bodyTypeGroup=bg1&maxPrice=35000&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=100&startYear=2015#listing=245840005

2016 M235i

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=22205&inventorySearchWidgetType=BODYSTYLE&bodyTypeGroup=bg1&maxPrice=35000&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=100&startYear=2015#listing=235803326

2015 Audi A5 convertible

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=22205&inventorySearchWidgetType=BODYSTYLE&bodyTypeGroup=bg1&maxPrice=35000&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=100&startYear=2015#listing=244566896

The Miata clone skinned in Alfa Romeo

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=22205&inventorySearchWidgetType=BODYSTYLE&bodyTypeGroup=bg1&maxPrice=35000&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=100&startYear=2015#listing=242815972

2017 Mini Cooper

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=22205&inventorySearchWidgetType=BODYSTYLE&bodyTypeGroup=bg1&maxPrice=35000&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&distance=100&startYear=2015#listing=228328370

Mustang convertible - more solid and bigger

BMW Z3

My dh has always wanted a Miata. I want him to have a fun car too but he can be a careless driver which I chalk up to being South American (although I’m the one who dents our outback occasionally, which he affectionately dubbed the tank.). So is there a fun sporty roadster that wouldn’t get smashed like a tin can? And is reasonably (miata range) priced? I’ve heard Mazda’s are more fun to drive than other cars. He commutes twice a week long hours so I’d love for him to have a fun or luxurious experience for commuting. He drives a vw golf now.