Let the optimistic side of your brain make the car-buying decision – you never know, it might be sunny tomorrow.
Even if the reality is usually different, a convertible lets you enjoy the UK’s brief periods of sunshine as soon as they happen. That’s an instant mood booster. But modern convertibles can be used everyday – they’re not scared of a bit of rain or a cold snap.
We’ve resisted the urge to fill this list with Ferraris and Lamborghinis, instead choosing 10 top picks for more down-to-earth drivers. Most are available from your local Motorpoint store – that’s handy, isn’t it?
Best affordable convertible – Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 might not be the original two-seat convertible but, for many, it's still the best. It gets so many parts of the formula right – it's light, affordable, efficient and even slightly practical – so long as your possessions fit in a tote bag. That's all before you get to its sublime driving experience that helps you feel at one with the road, backed up by a revvy petrol engine with fun, but not licence-losing, performance. You can also get the MX-5 as an RF model with a folding metal hardtop roof, but we think the simple fabric soft-top suits the car better.
Shop used Mazda MX-5 cars for sale or read our Mazda MX-5 review
Best 4-seater convertible – BMW 4 Series Convertible
If a convertible has back seats at all, they’re usually just for decoration. If you want to be popular with your carpool colleagues – or simply want to bring the kids along for the fun – then the BMW 4 Series Convertible is one of the best options. And it is fun, too, with a superbly polished driving experience that’s starting to disappear from new BMWs. The 4 Series has powerful engines and a premium interior, which becomes surprisingly quiet when you close the roof. It’ll even fit a couple of suitcases in the boot.
Shop used BMW 4 Series Convertible cars for sale or read our BMW 4 Series review
Best automatic convertible – Mini Convertible
An automatic gearbox suits the laidback nature of a convertible, and few do it better than the Mini Convertible. This snack-size soft-top is great fun to drive but refined with it, with a posh interior and plenty of standard kit. Choose your level of sportiness – there’s the regular Cooper, the spicy Cooper S or the flaming hot inferno that’s the JCW range-topper. All are offered with a slick-shifting auto ‘box.
Shop used Mini Convertible cars for sale or read our Mini hatchback review
Best small convertible – Fiat 500C
The Fiat 500C is affordable whichever way you look at it. It's based on the regular 500 hatchback and, at first glance, doesn't look much like a convertible. However, flip a switch in its charming, retro interior and a big fabric panel rolls back from the top of the windscreen to behind the rear seats, leaving the roof rails in place. This means you keep most of the refinement of an enclosed car, while still being able to enjoy open-air motoring.
There’s also a cabrio version of the electric Fiat 500, and of the racy Abarth 595.
Shop used Fiat 500C cars for sale or read our Fiat 500 review
Best electric convertible – MG Cyberster
Okay, so the MG Cyberster is basically in a class of one – other electric convertibles are tiny city cars or full-blown supercars. But for something really desirable that doesn’t cost six figures, and that doesn’t pollute the countryside, then the futuristic Cyberster is the car for you. If you fit into that particular niche, you’ll enjoy the MG’s cocooning interior, theatrical scissor doors and beefy electric punch. Even the base model has 335hp and a five-second 0-62mph time. And, besides the goofy arrow-shaped tail-lights, the Cyberster looks like a classic British sports car. Hopefully it’ll be more reliable than one.
Best convertible for long distances – BMW Z4
Dreaming of leaving the dreary UK weather behind and enjoying some beautiful continental scenery instead? This side of a Bentley Continental, the BMW Z4 is a top choice for racking up the miles. Smooth, hushed comfort is the order of the day, although the Z4’s strong engines and direct handling also mean it doesn’t fall apart when you peel off the motorway and onto a mountain pass.
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Best convertible sports car – Porsche Boxster
Don’t let your worries win. You don’t need a Porsche 911 Cabriolet – the Boxster is more than enough. On tight country roads, you’ll appreciate the Boxster’s slightly smaller size and the way its mid-engine layout makes the car feel like it’s pivoting around you. It’s exciting and satisfying to drive in a way that precious few modern cars are. If that all sounds good, you’ve got a hard decision to make. The precision and mechanical connection of the manual gearbox, or the speed and response of the PDK automatic gearbox.
Best-looking convertible – Jaguar F-Type
Styling is subjective, of course, but the Jaguar F-Type deserves a place on this list. Partly to celebrate its talents, and partly to mourn that production ended recently. A rabble-rousing British sports car, the F-Type comes with a brawny 2.0-litre petrol engine, a soulful V6 or, more appropriately, a thunderous 5.0-litre V8 that’ll announce your arrival from several miles away.
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Best everyday convertible – Audi TT Roadster
Jumping to the Audi TT Roadster from the regular TT coupe means you lose the back seats. However, considering they were little more than a glorified shelf with some seatbelts to begin with, you're not really losing much real-world practicality. What you gain in their place is a quick-folding soft-top roof that lets you experience the TT's composed, nippy handling against the backdrop of the outside world. Of course, all this comes without compromising the excellent interior quality, top-notch on-board tech or eye-catching styling.
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Best noisy convertible – Ford Mustang
It was a toss-up between the Mustang and the F-Type here, because both have V8 engines and a fabric drop-top roof. The Mustang might have a California car rental vibe, but it’s easy to live with – provided you don’t mind its drinking habit. Swerve the 2.3 EcoBoost and go for the whole hog – Ford’s 5.0-litre Coyote V8 is as evocative as an American Football fan eating a burger while singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Sounds a bit like that, actually. For the primeval pleasure of hearing a noisy engine with the roof down, the Mustang is the G.O.A.T.
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