Roadsters are some of the most enjoyable and most incredible cars to drive. Taking the roof down and feeling the wind in our hair is fantastic, especially on a hot, sunny day. With so many Roadster choices, deciding which one to buy is tricky.
We can help with this list of the most excellent cars ever made. We have selected the cars here based on their looks, performance, and fun to drive.
Honda S2000
The main rival to the Mazda Miata MX-5, the Honda S2000 remains one of the best convertible cars ever. Honda produced the S2000 from 1999 to 2009, and its values are going up yearly despite persistent rumors that Honda is considering reviving its two-seater roadster.
Under the hood were the F20C and F22C1 inline-four engines, arguably some of the best engines to ever grace a sports car. These engines produced up to 239 hp, but the highlight of the S2000 was its six-speed manual transmission that provided some of the best and smoothest gear changes of any transmission. A return of the S2000 is something that enthusiasts are desperately hoping for.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 is the most recognizable sports cars and roadsters on the planet. Across all of its generations, the MX-5 has set the standard for convertible fun, and it still sells in significant numbers, which is why it is still in production. Mazda has resisted making the MX-5 large and cumbersome, and the current generation is lighter and shorter than the previous one.
For the 2023 model year, Mazda tweaked the MX-5. Under the hood, a 1.5-liter engine producing 130 hp and a 2.0-liter engine producing 181 hp are found. Its fun, agile, punchy, and light provides one of the planet’s best driving experiences.
1996 BMW Z3
BMW is no stranger to roadsters, and one of the best is the 1996 BMW Z3. When BMW announced the Z3, demand went through the roof. By February 1995, the German manufacturer had sold out of all examples for the 1996 model year, proving its popularity before it was even on the road.
Under the hood of the 1996 Z3 was a 1.9-liter DIOHC 16-valve inline-four engine, producing 138 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. It might not sound like a lot, but the Z3 had superb handling, and the five-speed manual transmission was exemplary.
2023 BMW Z4
You can’t go wrong with the 2023 BMW Z4 for those looking for roadsters on the current market. It provides the best of two worlds, thanks to the punch powertrain under the hood and the fact that you can drop the roof down. The base model of the Z4 is $54,050 for the Z4 sDrive30i, and under the hood is a 255 hp 2.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The 3.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged six-cylinder Z4 offers 382 hp if you want more power. As with many BMWs, the Z4 also offers excellent luxury and comfort. Thanks to the absence of a giant kidney grille, it is also one of the cleaner-looking BMWs of recent times.
1997 Porsche Boxster
The 1997 Porsche Boxster was the first explicitly designed Porsche roadster since the 550 Spyder of the 1950s. The 1997 Boxster had a lot to live up to, as the 550 Spyder is one of the most excellent sports cars in history, but Porsche rose to the challenge.
The Boxster marked a welcome return to more affordable mid-engine sports cars. Under the hood was a simple but brilliant flat mid-mounted six-cylinder engine. The 2.5-liter powertrain produced 201 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of less than seven seconds.
Triumph Spitfire
While it might suffer from the rust problems that plagued British cars of the era, the Triumph Spitfire is one of the best British roadsters ever made. The Spitfire offered features that rivals such as the Austin-Healey Sprite didn’t, such as roll-up windows, independent rear suspension, a larger cabin, and a conventional trunk.
Power came from a 1,147 cc four-cylinder that performed better than the 948 cc Sprite, and displacement with the Spitfire would grow to 1,493 cc. Triumph launched the square-tail Mk IV Spitfire in 1970, with Giovanni Michelotti revising his original design. Spitfires are still plentiful and affordable and are an excellent option for fans of classic convertibles.
Maserati MC20 Cielo
While it is only a very recent roadster, the exceptional Maserati MC20 Cielo makes an extraordinary claim to be one of the best. The MC20 signified a new dawn for the Italian manufacturer, and the Cielo takes it to another level, allowing you to listen to the explosive V6 under the hood in all its glory.
The striking rRoadster’s3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine produces 630 hp, and the redline is a genuinely thrilling 8,000 rpm. The twin-turbo V6 is enough to push the convertible supercar to a top speed of 202 mph, and Dallara has reinforced the carbon chassis to mitigate the loss of rigidity by removing the roof.
2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
Toyota’s current sports range includes the GR Supra and GR86 and hot hatches with the GR Corolla and GR Yaris. One model missing, however, is the MR2, which hasn’t been a part of the Toyota range since 2007. In 2001, the Spyder form, the MR2, was an exceptional machine thanks to the 1.8-liter twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Toyota’s VVT-i variable valve timing technology.
The four-cylinder engine produced 138 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque. While that might not sound like much, the MR2’s lightness made it a blast in the corners and still had a 0-60 mph speed of 7.2 seconds. The ultra-responsive electric hydraulic power steering system and sticky wide-track tires added to the exceptional driving feel of the MR2 Spyder.
McLaren 765LT Spider
McLaren has become one of the kings of the supercar world, with the 765LT one of the shining examples of their current prowess. However, the 765LT Spider is possibly even better, removing harsh edges from the hardtop and creating a light, enjoyable driving experience. A stiff carbon MonoCell chassis forms the perfect basis for a Spider 765LT.
However, there is still plenty of power under the hood, thanks to the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 755 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The 765LT is no slouch, with a top speed of 205 mph and a 0-60 mph of around 2.4 seconds.
Pagani Zonda F Roadster
Pagani introduced the Zonda in 1999, providing the first true rival in decades for Ferrari and Lamborghini in the supercar world. By the time Pagani launched the Zonda F Roadster, the supercar had established itself as a true competitor in the segment and a disruptor to the natural performance order.
When Pagani created the convertible version, they didn’t compromise on any aspects that made the Zonda so good. Under the hood was the exceptional 7.3-liter Mercedes-AMG M120 V12 engine, producing 641 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. Even today, the Zonda is a striking and evil-looking supercar and one of the best to grace the planet.
Jaguar E-Type/XK-E Roadster
The iconic Jaguar E-Type, sold as the XK-E in North America, is one of the all-time great convertibles. The E-Type made its debut in 1961, as did the convertible version. The vast majority had a 4.2-liter inline-six engine producing 246 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque.
The RRoadsterwould remain a core part of the E-Type range throughout its production run, retaining the iconic looks of the hardtop version and becoming one of the most fabulous roadsters in the world. The design of the E-Type is still revered around the globe, and early examples in excellent condition can often sell for vast amounts of money.
Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
The first Mercedes 350 SL appeared in the late 1970s as a successor to the highly successful and beautiful 280 SL. However, the downside for the 280 SL was its price, so Mercedes created the 350 SL to try and make the convertible a little more affordable without taking away from what made the 280 SL so good.
The new model’s more angular design compared to its predecessor, combined with the higher reliability, ensured a more enjoyable driving experience. Customer satisfaction grew when Mercedes added V8 power to the range and updated the engines in the late 1980s. Engines such as the 5.5-liter and 5.0-liter engines seen in the W124 were available for the 350 SL.
First-Generation Alfa Romeo Spider
The first-generation Alfa Romeo Spider is a car that always comes to mind when discussing roadsters. It’s arguably the prettiest Spider of all time, with Alfa Romeo producing four generations of its convertible icon. Two of the best were the 1066 and 1060, which hold a special place in the hearts of many enthusiasts.
Alfa Romeo made various inline-four engines available under the hood, such as the 1750 Spider Veloce, which has 116 hp. The cheaper Spider 1300 Junior had 88 hp and a top speed of 106 mph, and Alfa Romeo produced the final Spider in 1993, ending one of the most loved car lines in history.