CAR experts have shared their top picks for the three best convertibles you can buy for under £5,000.
The team at CarWow recommended some cheap and cheerful drop-tops perfect for summer days, including a reimagined version of a much-loved British classic.
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With the Met Office predicting temperatures of up to 22C this week and the summer set to be among the warmest on record, what better time to snap up an affordable cabriolet model.
You can get hold of everything from a quirky motoring legend to the car considered by many as the poster child for the convertible class.
John Rawlings, consumer expert at Carwow, said: “Brits love a drop-top.
“In fact the UK is the biggest market in Europe for convertibles because, on the rare occasion when the sun is out, and the sky is blue, there’s little more thrilling than the feel of the wind in your hair.
“But it is not all about the extra headroom – convertibles are great to drive too…so you can enjoy those summer drives without breaking the bank.”
Mazda MX-5
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Model years: 1989-present
Example price: 2008 MX-5 with 99,121 mile for £2,000
The MX-5 is widely regarded as an all-time great motor.
It is the absolute definition of an affordable convertible and has been synonymous with the genre for decades.
The model has long topped best-selling charts for the Japanese brand and has won a long list of awards, including World Car of the Year in 2016.
John said: “The kind of simple driving enjoyment the MX-5 provides is hard to match at any price, so the fact it is reliable and economical too, makes it even more tempting.
“Assuming you only need two seats, and luggage space isn’t a priority, it is difficult to find any weaknesses.”
Audi A3 Cabriolet
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Model years: 2008-2020
Example price: 2008 A3 Cabriolet with 85,371 for £3,000
Tracing its roots back to 1996, the Cabriolet version of the A3 burst onto the scene in 2008.
The model is a close relative of the beloved VW Golf, with some classical Audi styling touches.
John praised the car for its “classy cabin” and, more importantly, the lack of road noise it lets in, even with the top down.
However, he did mention that the interior can be a little cramped for taller passengers and that the handling is not of the same calibre you’d expect from something like the MX-5.
Mini Convertible
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Model years: 1992-present
Example price: 2006 Mini Convertible with 67,000 miles for £2,449
The Mini is beloved as one of the most iconic cars in British motoring history.
Revolutionising the world of small cars, it became an icon of the 1960s, even starring in The Italian Job.
In 1992, though, the popular classic was reimagined with the release of a new convertible version.
It still exists today as an EV after the discontinuation of the petrol Cooper.
John added: “The Mini Convertible takes the standard three-door Mini and adds a healthy dose of open-air thrills courtesy of its folding fabric roof.
“It might not be as practical as the three-door model – and it’s significantly more expensive, too – but few other small convertibles feel quite as plush.”
All example prices based on online second-hand listings at time of writing
