Affordable Convertibles Just In Time For Summer

Stock market wisdom (if there is such a thing) dictates that you should buy when everyone else is selling. Translating that into the world of cars must mean that the middle of winter is the best time to start searching for convertible bargains. Especially if you live in one of the colder parts of the US. With that in mind, we set about searching for a selection of drop-top cars that were relatively affordable yet still perfectly suited to daily driving duties.

• 2017 Jaguar F-Type S Convertible Automatic

  Engine

  3.0L Supercharged V6 Gas

  Drivetrain

  Rear-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Horsepower

  380 hp

  Torque

  339 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

  Combined

  22 MPG

  Fuel Tank Capacity

  18.5 gallons

  Expand

• 

  2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 4WD

  Engine

  3.6L V6 Gas

  Drivetrain

  Four-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  6-Speed Manual

  Horsepower

  285 hp

  Torque

  260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

  Combined

  20 MPG

  Fuel Tank Capacity

  17.5 gallons

  Expand

And with short-sighted sellers staring out at the bleak winter landscape, we found quite a few deals that will pay dividends once the weather warms up and the roof starts coming down on every trip. We take a broad view of convertibles, so there’s something for everyone on this list, from a Jeep Wrangler to have off-road fun with, or a V8-engined muscle car convertible for an exhilarating backroad blast. The only condition is that you must be able to remove its roof.

10

Audi TTS

2006-2014

The Audi TT spanned three generations over a 25-year production run, and was sold in coupe and roadster body styles. The mid-level TTS models were quick and refined enough for daily use. The second-generation TTS Roadster versions are a great buy for our budget, with 2011-2012 models available at under $20,000. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is reliable if maintained properly, so ensure your potential purchase has all its service stamps. It’s not the best handling drop-top around, but with all-wheel-drive as standard, it can handle wet and wintry roads better than more focused convertibles.

9

BMW Z4

2009-2016

The second generation of the BMW Z4 Roadster was a more upmarket offering than the first-generation cars. It had a folding metal roof, which made it more refined with the roof up, and the overall styling was smoother and less aggressive. The sDrive28i, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, offers a good balance between performance and economy, while the sDrive35i comes with a more potent 3.0-liter turbocharged motor. Both are available for our budget, but you are more likely to find a low-mileage, good condition sDrive28i at this price than an sDrive35i.

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8

BMW 6 Series Convertible

2011-2018

Depreciation can be a great thing if you aren’t the one trying to offload a BMW 6 Series Convertible that once cost $80,000 new in 640i guise. One of these luxurious cruisers can be yours for a quarter of that sum just 12 years on. In fact, the 4.4-liter twin-turbo 650i costs similar money, too. That model cost over $100,000 new. Both are quick and effortless grand tourers, with space for four and a bit of luggage. Just remember that even though the car may cost $20k now, servicing and maintenance costs haven’t benefited from depreciation. In fact, those prices go up every year.

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7

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

2016-2024

The sixth-generation of the Chevrolet Camaro has just ended production, and it still looks cool and hits that performance, value, and usability sweet spot. Everyone wants a V8, but the torquey 2.0-liter turbo motors offer decent acceleration and far better fuel economy. The 3.6 V6 is also a decent choice, but if you really want that V8, the good news is that all three engine options can be found for under $20,000. Most are automatics, but there are a few manual transmission cars out there for those that enjoy rowing their gears. The Camaro Convertible also sidesteps one of the major criticisms of the Coupe, and that’s the poor rearward visibility thanks to the small side and rear windows. Just take the roof down and enjoy the ride.

6

Ford Mustang Convertible

2015-2023 (S550)

The Ford Mustang has been the definitive affordable American sportscar for decades. The convertibles tend to cost a bit more than their hardtop stablemates when new, but this is less noticeable on the used car market. There is a large selection of 2019-2022 EcoBoost 2.3-liter turbo models on offer for just under $20k, which is about half the price of a new model. You may find a couple of 5.0-liter Mustang GT convertibles too, but at this price point they tend to be older with higher mileages.

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5

Jaguar F-Type

2014-2024

A stunning sports car that deserved to sell in higher numbers, the Jaguar F-Type is now a great used buy, especially in V6S trim. Our budget limits us to the pre-facelift cars, but that’s no hardship as the earlier cars were arguably prettier, and they still deliver a great drive. You may stumble across one of the V8 models at this price, but we’d stick with the gutsy supercharged V6 and get a newer car with lower mileage instead.

4

Jeep Wrangler

2006-Present (JK and JL)

The Jeep Wrangler may be crude, bouncy, and temperamental, but few things on four wheels can match them for off-roading ability and sheer driving fun. And by fun, we aren’t talking about carving up a back road at speed but rather cruising along the strip, roof down with some friends. There are dozens of Wrangler derivatives to pick from, and a wide range of late-model JKs are available below our price ceiling. Look very hard, and a few early JL models are also on offer. Stick to the base Sport models if all you want is something for the shops and the odd off-road excursion. The more off-road focused Wranglers can be tiring in the traffic.

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3

Mercedes-Benz SLK

2011-2020

The Mercedes-Benz SLK was introduced in the mid-1990s when roadsters were making a big comeback. Unlike the Porsche Boxster or BMW Z4, the SLK didn’t attempt to be the most dynamic or sporty car in its class, instead it offered that typically classy Mercedes driving experience, and a steel folding roof from the outset. Third-generation cars were offered with a wide range of engines, including a fire-breathing V8, but for everyday usability and affordable running costs, the SLK 250 hits the mark perfectly. It’s stylish and quick enough for most, and the majority have led pampered lives, so it isn’t tough to find a good one at our price point.

2

Mini Cooper Convertible

2015-2024

The Mini Cooper Convertible is one of the smallest cars on our list, yet it comes with four seats and plenty of luxuries. Ok, so the rear seats are better suited to shopping bags than people, but it makes this tiny convertible a lot more usable than some larger two-seater alternatives. The Cooper S versions offer decent performance without being as hard and focused as the JCW models, and they are almost as efficient as the base 1.5-liter Cooper. Handling is typically sharp and darty, perfect for navigating narrow city streets as well as some twisty back roads on the weekends.

1

Porsche Boxster 987

2004-2012

The second-generation Porsche Boxster is a superb mid-engined sportscar that still looks modern even 12 years after the last one rolled off the production line. Some early cars were marred with reliability issues, but updates on the 2009-on Gen II cars resolved these issues, and the base 2.9-liter models fall within our budget. Many were ordered with the impressive PDK dual-clutch transmission, but first prize is a manual car if you can find it.

Sources: Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Jeep, Ford, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, AutoTempest.