Now the clocks have moved to summertime, and the mercury is starting to (oh so slowly) rise, everyone is once again looking forward to enjoying the sunnier months ahead. And what better way than to take advantage of those blue skies than by picking a car with a convertible roof, to really maximise the feelgood factor of driving when the weather is warm?
Here’s a list of some of our favourite convertibles, both new and used, and affordable and more high-end, that we think you should be considering as we head into spring.
Mazda MX-5
We can’t do a list of soft-tops and not include the evergreen Mazda MX-5. It’s one of the cars on this list that covers all our categories – it’s still on sale as a brand-new vehicle but there are also plenty of used examples dating right back to the original of 1989 that means there should be an MX-5 to suit all budgets. It endures, and has become one of the best-selling sports cars of all time, for a few salient reasons: one, it’s rear-wheel drive, so it’s really entertaining to drive; two, it’s Japanese, so it tends to be reliable; and three, even when it’s brand-spanking new, it’s not the sort of roadster than will break the bank to own. A brilliant car.
Porsche Boxster
The Boxster is the car which saved its parent company when it arrived in 1996. As it is mid-engined, it has the same drivetrain layout as a full-on supercar, so it is terrific to drive across the board. Over the years, the Boxster has evolved into more powerful and highly specialised models, none more scintillating than the GTS 4.0 and Spyder and RS variants, but even a fairly lowly second-hand 2.7 or old 3.2 S from the classifieds will provide a fabulous convertible ownership experience.
Audi A5 Cabriolet
The first four-seat convertible on our list, rather than a two-seat roadster, Audi built the A5 Cabriolet in two distinct generations, the first landing in 2007 and the second in 2016. The second-hand A5 offers a range of smooth, powerful and reliable petrol and even diesel engines, with the peak performance coming from the harder-to-find S5 Cabriolet. Any version, though, is a classy and elegant operator, and will provide lovely wind-in-your-hair motoring this spring and summer.
MG Cyberster
An ultra-modern and pricey option here, but the MG Cyberster represents one of the few partially realistic ways of getting into a fully electric convertible, which isn’t just a Fiat 500e C. There are two models of the Cyberster – the single-motor Trophy has a 340hp motor and is good for 0-100km/h in five seconds dead, while also said to be able to go up to 507km between charges. But the dual-motor Cyberster GT provides a massive 503hp hit, reducing its 0-100km/h time to a ferocious 3.2 seconds… although you do sacrifice some range as a result.
MINI Convertible
Ah, the classic British style icon, offering one of the most inexpensive ways of getting a four-seat (well, sort of…) open-top machine. The MINI Convertible is a long-serving car and has been around for four distinct generations now, offering a range of sporty powertrains and a cheeky sense of fun like few other convertibles. As we’ve already hinted at, the rear seats are best thought of as extra storage to supplement the Convertible’s woeful boot, rather than actual places human beings would want to sit, but the second row does bless the MINI with an added layer of versatility missing in a pure two-seat roadster.
Honda S2000
Much rarer and harder to get hold of than the ubiquitous MX-5, Honda’s now-defunct S2000 roadster is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea – because it has a highly strung 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine without a turbocharger, meaning it is low on torque. However, if you can gel with it, and ignore its slightly lifeless steering, what you have here is a sensational driving experience. Listening to its VTEC engine come ‘on cam’ and head for its outrageous 9,000rpm limiter is one of the all-time great automotive soundtracks, while the rifle-bolt gearchange, super-stiff structure of the Honda’s chassis and its superb rear-driven balance all serve to overcome the somewhat iffy steering. Also, as a Honda, it’s as dependable as a Swiss watch despite its frenetic nature, with the only thing to watch for on any S2000 being rust.
Volkswagen Golf Cabrio
The convertible Golf began with the original Mk1 of the 1970s and survived until 2016, so there are plenty of good used examples out there. Engines under the bonnet varied, ranging up to and including a high-performance Golf R Cabriolet late in its life, but you’ll really want a regular soft-top version of the VW for the maximum in easy-going comfort. Where the Golf Cabrio beat its contemporaries is that it eschewed the then-fashionable folding hard-top roof (leaving that job to its much-shorter-lived Eos relation) for a straightforward fabric roof – and therefore it was more reliable and nicer to drive than many of its complex ‘CC’ competitors of the time.
Mercedes SLK
Having just had a pop at folding hard tops, now we’re championing the car that made the technology famous. But the Mercedes SLK was always designed as a two-seat roadster, rather than attempting to cram four seats beneath a heavy, moving-metal roof, and so it worked a lot better. A handsome machine throughout the three generations it was on sale, in 2016 it even switched names – becoming the SLC – but it was the same excellent vehicle in principle all along. Under the bonnet came a wide spread of motive power, from turbodiesels to full-on AMG V8s, and while the handling isn’t Porsche-sharp, the mini-SL can still provide a memorable steer in the right conditions.
BMW 6 Series Convertible
We’re going for 6 Series because this is a grandiose and sumptuous, open-topped grand-tourer, for which depreciation has done its worst – meaning you can pick up a second-hand bargain. BMW built the Six Convertibles from 2004 to 2018 and they’re all worth a look, but it’s the original Bangle-era car we’d recommend (from 2004-2010). Not only has the styling from that period in the company’s aesthetic history aged incredibly well, but you also get a huge, comfortable, strong convertible complete with an iDrive-enabled interior, an impressive roof and some superb drivetrains for not a lot of dosh. BMW even did a deranged V10-engined M6 derivative, but we’d just say go for a 645Ci or 650i with one of the muscular V8 powertrains for the best overall experience.
Bentley Continental GTC
We’ll finish with an ‘out-there’ choice. It’s hard not to be seduced by the exotic nature of a Bentley Continental GTC, but of course this is not the option for those of you looking to do open-top motoring on a tight budget. However, even though the current model would set you back the best part of €500,000, the GTC has been around since 2006, and the Bentley is not immune to depreciation; so you could pick up a slice of ultimate luxury for a relatively bargain price. Just bear in mind two things, though: one, the GTC will be an ultra-rare sight in Irish classifieds, because it was hardly commonplace when new, so you’re more likely going to have to import a used one from the UK – which won’t be a cheap enterprise; and two, even if you do decide to take the plunge, while it might not cost too much to buy it will certainly cost a lot to run and maintain.