While summer is now nothing more than a speck in our rearview mirrors, it’s not all bad news, as now is the best time to start looking for a convertible to cruise around in next year.
Convertibles are all about having fun, as they’re usually not the most practical or convenient vehicles, but they offer plenty of smiles per mile.
Feeling the wind blowing in your hair can even be done on a budget, as there are some excellent drop-top cars out there that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
It’s been three-and-a-half decades since Mazda introduced the little Miata roadster, and since then, it’s become the best-selling two-seater sports car in history.
The latest incarnation of the Miata is undoubtedly the best, packing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with more than 180 hp. It’s not the most powerful sports car, but thanks to its excellent chassis, it’s one of the most fun to drive.
Fiat 124 Spider
If you like the idea of owning a Miata but want something a bit rarer, the Fiat 124 Spider is the way to go. It’s built on the same platform as the Mx-5 Miata, in fact, they’re built in the same factory.
Instead of using the same 2.0-liter as the Miata, Fiat decided to go with its own turbocharged 1.4-liter, delivering 170 hp in stock form. Fiat doesn’t have the best reputation regarding reliability, but the 124 Spider is much better than the rest of their products. As an added bonus, you get to tell people you drive an Italian convertible sports car.
Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z packs a serious punch thanks to its 3.7-liter V6 engine churning out north of 330 hp. All those horses are sent straight to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.
It also uses a lightweight construction and front-mid engine layout, and it all adds up to make the 370Z a real driver’s car. Although it’s getting a bit long in the tooth now, it still looks quite stylish.
E89 BMW Z4
The e89 Z4 is slightly smaller than the current version, and it feels more like a traditional point-and-squirt sports car than a grand tourer.
If you have around $15,000 burning a hole in your pocket, it’s possible to get behind the wheel of an early sDrive30i with a 255 hp 3.0-liter engine or a later sDrive28i with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 241 hp.
BMW 2-Series
So far, all the cars on this list have been 2-seaters, which aren’t the most practical for everyday use. The BMW 2-Series seats four people, and it’s as practical as any coupe. It’s worth noting that the rear seat is only suitable for children or tiny adults — unless they’re contortionists.
Opting for the 228i convertible, you’ll get a sensible car that even returns 35 mpg on the highway, or you can go all-out and buy the M235i convertible. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter six-cylinder pumping out 320 hp, it’s a proper beast!
5th-Gen Mustang
It’s practically impossible to not enjoy yourself behind the wheel of a 5th-gen Ford Mustang convertible. Especially if you find yourself on a deserted road, bury the gas pedal and just listen to the V8 engine’s glorious soundtrack.
The Ford Mustang is also substantially larger than some of the other cars on this list, which makes it a decent highway cruiser and grand tourer.
C5 Chevrolet Corvette
Prices for C5 Corvettes are as low as ever, which means you can find yourself behind the wheel of America’s sports car for a mere fistful of dollars. If you prefer your American muscle to come with a side order of sportiness that can match the Europeans, the C5 is the perfect choice.
With 350 hp, even the base model packs a serious punch, so you don’t have to buy the top-spec car… unless you want to. Fun fact: The C5 Corvette was the last car sold with pop-up headlights, and that alone is a good enough reason to buy one.
Audi TT Roadster
Audi’s first-gen TT debuted in 1999 and was an immediate success. While early cars suffered from some aerodynamics-related issues, Audi sorted that out, and there’s nothing to worry about today.
Over the years, the TT was available with a variety of engines, including a diesel unit for the European market. It won awards left, right, and center, and its popularity led to two more generations before it was discontinued in November 2023. We’d opt for the second or third-generation cars.
Porsche 718 Boxster
The 987 model Boxster debuted in 2005, and today, it’s one of the biggest bargains available if you desperately want a Porsche.
It has a mid-engine layout and close to 50/50 weight distribution, meaning the handling is impeccable. Even the base model fitted with a 2.7-liter boxer unit packs a decent punch thanks to its 240 hp. Opting for a model built after 2009 means you won’t have to worry about the infamous IMS issue.
Toyota MR2 Spyder
For whatever reason, the Toyota MR2 Spyder is currently one of the most underrated Japanese cars from the 2000s. Prices for most Japanese sports cars from this era have skyrocketed, but the third-gen MR2 is still very reasonably priced.
If you need a practical car, the MR2 Spyder is not for you. Unless you put the bags in the passenger seat and footwell, there’s not even enough storage for a week’s worth of groceries for one person. If you want a mid-engined sports car bargain that’s a blast to drive on a twisty road, the MR2 is most certainly worth considering.