In case you hadn’t noticed, summer is here.
With soaring temperatures and long, light evenings, anyone with a vague interest in cars begins to think about the joys of top-down motoring and the allure of a convertible.
Convertibles offer a sense of freedom you don’t get with any other car, immersing you in the sights, sounds and smells of the world around you. Some are built for easy cruising, enjoying the gentle passing of the sun-kissed countryside, while others are all about the visceral thrill of a low-slung, sharp-handling machine putting you right at the heart of things as it eats up B roads.
And while the lucky few can afford to drop tens or even hundreds of thousands on the latest cabriolets, there are plenty more affordable used options out there for fun-seekers on a budget. Remember that cheap to buy doesn’t always mean cheap to run, so check any potential purchase over carefully, but with that in mind, here are our picks of the best cheap convertibles for some summer fun.
Convertibles offer a sense of freedom you don’t get with any other car, immersing you in the sights, sounds and smells of the world around you. Some are built for easy cruising, enjoying the gentle passing of the sun-kissed countryside, while others are all about the visceral thrill of a low-slung, sharp-handling machine putting you right at the heart of things as it eats up B roads.
5. Porsche Boxster. From £4,000
If driving fun takes a back seat in the Saab, it’s front and centre in the Porsche Boxster. The styling of early models is a little awkward but beneath the skin this is a brilliantly engineered sports car from one of the most consistent names in the business. The very cheapest examples are big-mile first-gen models but even better looking, more powerful second generation examples can be snapped up for less than £10,000. | Porsche
6. BMW Z4. From £2,500
The BMW Z4 was launched to challenge the Porsche Boxster, and does so with sharp handling, good looks and broad choice of powertrains. First generation cars had a powered fabric roof while second-gen models feature a folding metal hard top for when summer is over. Like with most cars in this list, you’ll find older, lower-powered first-gen examples at the cheap end but stretch towards £10,000 and you’ll see second-generation cars and a smattering of examples with the smooth straight six engine. | BMW
7. Alfa Romeo Spider. From £2,500
Yes, yes, we know Alfas have a certain reputation for flakiness but they also have a well-deserved reputation for style, character and fun. Under £10,000 you’ll find a mix of the 1996-2004 model and the later Brera-based version. To our eyes, the older car looks better and still comes with a choice of raspy four-pot and six-cylinder engines but the later car is more modern and better equipped and has a better reputation for reliability. | Alfa Romeo
8. Fiat 500C. From £3,000
Fancy something small, stylish and retro but not sold on the Mini’s massive folding roof. Then how about its arch-rival the Fiat 500? Unlike the rest of the cars on this list, the 500 retains a roof of sorts, with the central fabric panel sliding back all the way to the boot lid to welcome in the sun. It’s not particularly sporty but the Cinquecento is cheap, cheerful and has bags of convertible charm. | Fiat