Ten Best Convertible Cars

Owning a convertible is something most people only dream of, but once you’ve felt the warm sunshine on your face and felt the wind in your hair, chances are you’ll buy one if you had to win the lottery. Of course, there are the lucky few who can pay for their convertibles in cash. Then there are those who would rather live below the breadline and be up to their eyeballs in debt, than to be seen driving something mediocre. Whichever category you fall into, we’ve rounded up a few of the best convertibles that money can buy.

1. Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for us. Okay, so he drove the hard-top Volante, but still, the beautifully volatile Vanquish Volante should be near the top of your list if fortune smiles on you on a regular basis. If you want the Vanquish Volante, you’d have to be prepared to spend a jaw-dropping R 4 395 000. With a powerful V12 engine with 424kW and 630Nm, the Vanquish Volante will propel itself from 0 – 100 km’s in 4 seconds flat.

2. Jaguar F-Type Convertible

If there’s a car that has passers-by stunned by its beauty, it is the Jaguar F-Type. Powered by a choice of two supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engines or a 5.0-litre V8, the F-type emits a beautiful, guttural sound, which is even lovelier to listen to when the top is down. From R 914 305.

3. Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Timelessly chic, the iconic Porsche 911 Cabriolet is a winner all-round. From its precise handling to its quick-dropping top, the 911 will never go out of style. From R 1 287 000.

4. Audi A3 Convertible

With an interior that’s beautifully cool and restrained, and the fact that you can converse normally with the top down at higher speeds, the Audi A3 is a small convertible that is more than enough if you’re after a bit of topless fun. If you don’t need crazy power, the 1.4 T S engine is lively, yet frugal. It uses only around 7 km’s per 100 litres of petrol. From R 444 000.

5. Mercedes SLK

Previous generation SLK’s were often thought of as cars for the fairer sex, but since its update it has become quite the compact, sporty status symbol for members of the male species too. From 649 599 for the entry-level SLK 200.

6. Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

It’s hard to find fault with the almighty Golf Cabriolet. Prices start from R 344 000 for the 1.4TSI Comfortline, with 90 kW and 200Nm to its disposal. The smaller turbocharged engine, means you’ll go farther in the Golf than in the Aston Martin… It also costs a whopping R100 000 less than the above mentioned Audi A3.

7. BMW 2-series Convertible

The newly launched 2-series convertible has motoring media raving about its sleek lines and sporty handling.  Boasting a 20 percent stiffer body shell than the old 1–Series it replaces, it feels stable and refined. The boot isn’t that tiny either. From R 489 783, for the entry-level 220i.

8. Mini Cooper Roadster

If you like to throw the nose of your car into every corner, the Mini Cooper should be a welcome addition to your garage. The Roadster combines the cool and carefree convertible lifestyle with plenty of athletic ability. From R349 757.

9. Mazda MX-5

The soon to be launched Mazda MX-5 is the car to buy if you don’t want to sell one of your kidneys to be able to drive a convertible. The new MX-5 will be launched in SA in the very near future, but why not look for a nice pre-owned one? They still come at a price, though. A 2013 MX-5 Roadster-Coupé with10 000 clicks will cost around R259 900.

10. Citroën C1 Airscape

It’s rather tiny, but driving it offers plenty of fun, especially in the city. If you’re nervous about damaging the pretty paintwork, its compact dimensions make it super-manoeuvreable. Its roof folds to the rear like a concertina, rather than going into the boot, and we still managed to fit nearly 30 kilograms worth of luggage into it. From R194 900.