The heat is already on, summer is approaching with great strides and makes you want to go outside. To complete the “bouquet” all that's missing is a convertible for that morning trip to the beach, even with the cool temperature, or a leisurely stroll along some seafront at sunset…
Today, convertible models are much less than they were 10-15 years ago. And most of the new convertible models that we find for sale, by default, inhabit the higher layers of the car hierarchy.
That's why we were looking for used convertibles. Unlike convertibles where the sky is the limit when the hood is removed, we put a maximum ceiling on the value and age of the assembled models: 20 thousand euros and 10 years old.
We wanted to keep the budget and age at reasonable values, and it has already been possible to gather a series of homeless models, quite diverse, capable of meeting the tastes, needs and even budgets of many.
First: be careful with the hood
If you are interested in buying a used convertible, in addition to all the precautions we should take when buying used vehicles, in the case of convertibles we have the additional “complication” of the hood. It is vital that you check its good condition, as its repair or even replacement is not cheap.
It doesn't matter if it's canvas or metal, manual or electric, here are some tips:
- If the hood is electric, check if the command/button works correctly;
- Also on the electric hoods, check whether the action of the electric motor that operates them remains smooth and silent;
- If the hood is made of canvas, check that the fabric has not shrunk over time, has damage or excessive wear marks;
- Check that, with the hood in place, the latches keep it secure;
- Is it still able to prevent infiltration? Check the condition of the rubbers.
ROADSTERS
We start with the purest form of homeless automobiles. At this level, we are talking about compact models in size, always with two seats — after all… they are roadsters — and with a strong emphasis on dynamics. Among the topless models, these are the ones that usually offer the most exhilarating driving experience.Mazda MX-5 (NC, ND)
Mazda MX-5 ND
We would have to start with the Mazda MX-5, the best-selling roadster ever and a model that brings together more desirable characteristics than just being able to walk around with your hair in the wind: its entertainment factor behind the wheel is quite high.
Our preference goes to ND, the generation still on sale, an excellent school for those who also want to start in the RWD (rear-wheel drive) world. But the NC is still probably the most user-friendly MX-5 ever.
Mini Roadster (R59)
The more rebellious brother of the open-air Mini — shorter than the Mini Convertible and only two seats — was only sold for three years (2012-2015). It's a front-wheel drive, but that's never been a deterrent for the Mini to ensure a lively driving experience. Besides, for those looking for performance above that of the MX-5, find it in the Mini Roadster.
Among the engines that fit the values we defined, we have the Cooper (1.6, 122 hp), the vitamin Cooper S (1.6 Turbo, 184 hp), and even the (still strange for a roadster) Cooper SD, equipped with a diesel engine (2.0, 143 hp).
ALTERNATIVES: Hitting 20 thousand euros, one or another Audi TT (8J, 2nd generation), BMW Z4 (E89, 2nd generation) and Mercedes-Benz SLK (R171, 2nd generation) began to appear, which ended production precisely in 2010. No However, there is more diversity of proposals above our monetary limit.
CANVAS BONNET
Here we find the most… traditional convertibles. Derived directly from compact or utilitarian familiars, they add the versatility of two additional seats — though they're not always usable as intended.Audi A3 Cabriolet (8P, 8V)
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI (8V)
It is already possible to purchase the latest generation of the A3 convertible, which appeared in 2014, but it is more certain that there will be a greater number of units to choose from if we go back a generation (2008-2013).
And the vast majority of those we've found, no matter the generation, come with Diesel engines: from the late 1.9 TDI (105 hp), to the latest 1.6 TDI (105-110 hp). Gasoline is not without variety: 1.2 TFSI (110 hp) and 1.4 TFSI (125 hp).
BMW 1 Series Convertible (E88)
It's the only rear-wheel drive you'll find, it's also the convertible with the most controversial design and, curiously, by the values we've defined, we can only find Diesel engines. The 118d (2.0, 143 hp) is the most common, but it wasn't too hard to come across the more powerful 120d (2.0, 177 hp) either.
Mini Convertible (R56, F57)
Mini Cooper F57 Convertible
Almost everything we said for the Mini Roadster applies, with the difference that here we have two additional seats and more choice in powertrains: One (1.6, 98 hp) and Cooper D (1.6, 112 hp).
The generation that is still being sold, F57, also “fits” the values we defined. For now, and up to a maximum ceiling of 20 thousand euros, it is possible to find it available in versions One (1.5, 102 hp) and Cooper D (1.5, 116 hp).
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (5C)
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
It's not just the Mini Convertible that appeals to nostalgia with its retro lines. The Beetle is the second reincarnation of the historic Beetle and its features could not be more distinct. Based on the Golf, it is possible to purchase it with a petrol engine, 1.2 TSI (105 hp), or a Diesel, 1.6 TDI (105 hp).
Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet (VI)
The legacy of Golf in convertibles, like that of Carocha, continues in history. There have been no convertible versions in every generation of the Golf, and the last one we saw was based on the sixth generation of the model — the Golf 7 didn't, and the Golf 8 won't either.
It shares its engines with the Beetle, but chances are they'll only find 1.6 TDI (105 hp) on sale, the most popular variant.
ALTERNATIVES: If you are looking for more space, comfort and even refinement, below the mark of 20 thousand euros and up to 10 years some examples of the above segment start to appear: Audi A5 (8F), BMW 3 Series (E93) and even Mercedes-Class E Cabrio ( W207). There is still the Opel Cascada, but it sold so little in new, that it becomes a mission (almost) impossible to find it in used.
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METALLIC CANOPY
They were one of the phenomena of the beginning of the century. XXI. They intended to bring together the best of both worlds: circulating hair in the wind, with security (apparently) added to a metal roof. Today they have almost completely disappeared from the market: only the BMW 4 Series remains faithful to this solution.Peugeot 207 CC
Its predecessor, the 206 CC, was effectively the model that triggered the “fever” in the market for convertibles with metal hoods. The 207 CC wanted to continue that success, but in the meantime, the fashion began to fade. However, there is no shortage of units on sale, always with the 1.6 HDi (112 hp).
Peugeot 308 CC (I)
Is the 207 CC too small for your needs? It might be worth considering the 308 CC, bigger in all dimensions, more spacious and comfortable, and also only sold with a single engine… apparently, as we only found the same 1.6 HDi (112 hp) as the 207 CC for sale.
Renault Mégane CC (III)
Renault, too, followed its Gallic arch-rivals in the fashion of coupé-cabrio bodywork, and as we saw in Peugeot (307 CC and 308 CC) it also gave it to two generations of models. The one that gets our attention is the one that derives from the third and last generation of Megane.
Unlike the 308 CC, at least we found for sale not only the 1.5 dCi (105-110 hp), but also Mégane CC with the 1.2 TCe (130 hp).
Volkswagen Eos
The 2010 restyling brought the Eos aesthetic closer to that of the Golf, but…
This one is… special. Produced exclusively in Portugal for the rest of the world, it is also one of the most pleasant convertibles to the eye with a metal roof that has come onto the market. And it's the third Volkswagen convertible on this list… What a contrast for today.
You'll be able to find the ubiquitous Diesel, here in the 2.0 TDI (140 hp) version, but you'll also find several versions of the 1.4 TSI (122-160 hp), which may even be less economical, but will certainly be more pleasant to the ear.
Volvo C70 (II)
The facelift that the Volvo C70 was targeted in 2010 brought the look of its front end closer to that of the also renewed C30.
The Volvo C70 replaced its predecessors C70 Coupé and Cabrio in one fell swoop due to its metal hood — the most elegant of its kind of convertibles? Perhaps.
Here, too, the Diesel “fever” that swept Europe when it was young makes itself felt when we look for the C70 in the classifieds: we only find Diesel engines. From 2.0 (136 hp) to 2.4 (180 hp) with five cylinders.
ALMOST DECAPOTABLE
They are not true convertibles, but as they are equipped with canvas sunroofs that extend across the roof, they also allow you to enjoy the pleasure of moving your hair in the wind.Fiat 500C
Fiat 500C
They are likely to find 500C more for sale on classifieds sites than all the other models put together here. The friendly and nostalgic city, even in this semi-convertible version, remains as popular as it ever was.
With the limit of 20 thousand euros imposed, it will even be possible to buy it as new, but if you don't want to spend that much, there is no lack of choice. The 1.2 (69 hp) gasoline is the most common, but it will not be difficult to find 1.3 (75-95 hp) diesel versions, which in addition to low consumption also ensures better performance.
Abarth 595C
Is 500C too slow? Abarth fills that gap with the 595C pocket-rocket. Without a doubt much livelier and with a very low exhaust note. The only engine available is the characteristic 1.4 Turbo (140-160 hp).
Smart Fortwo Cabriolet (451, 453)
Another very popular model in our cities. Within the parameters we defined, in addition to the second generation of the small Fortwo, it is also possible to find the generation currently on sale.
A variety of engines abound. In the second generation we have small 1.0 (71 hp) gasoline and even smaller 0.8 (54 hp) diesel. In the third and current generation, already with a Renault engine, we have 0.9 (90 hp), 1.0 (71 hp), and electric Fortwo (82 hp) are already starting to appear.
ALTERNATIVE: Whether as Citroën DS3 Cabrio or DS 3 Cabrio, although rarer, it has the advantage of offering more space than the above city dwellers. We only found units with the 1.6 HDi (110 hp).