Cheapest Convertibles in 2023

These Affordable New Convertibles Are a Good Buy … and Fun!

What better way to enjoy the summer than from behind the wheel of a brand-new convertible? Feeling the wind in your hair is one of the best ways to enjoy a drive, especially when your car has precise steering, lots of power, and a modicum of everyday practicality. We’ve gathered a list of the most affordable convertibles on the market and ranked them from least-expensive to most. How We Ranked These Convertibles

1. 2023 Mazda Miata • $28,050

2022 Mazda Miata / Credit: Mazda

• Type:

  2-Seat Soft or Hard Top

• What We Like: Simple controls; light and agile
• What We Don’t: Less horsepower than most sports cars; small cabin

Mazda’s iconic MX-5 Miata is a playful 2-seater convertible that provides a lively ride whether equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 6-speed automatic. This roadster is sporty and agile around curves. Inside, the Miata features well-bolstered seats on soft cloth upholstery.

All trims come with the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen. Upper trims add Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. Standard advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) include blind spot warning (BSW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB).

Shopping for a Used Miata?

The Miata has had nearly identical styling and many of the same features for the 2016-2023 model years. It received a horsepower boost in 2019, and a hardtop version, the Miata RF, arrived in 2017.

2. 2023 Ford Mustang • $33,270

2023 Ford Mustang convertible / Credit: Ford

• Type:

  4-Seat Soft Top

• What We Like: Great performance bargain; huge horsepower available
• What We Don’t: Interior build quality and overall driving experience are not as refined as rivals

With its solid lineup of potent powertrains, there’s likely a version of the iconic Ford Mustang convertible that’ll suit your lifestyle. Its base trim pairs a 310-horsepower turbocharged engine with a 6-speed manual transmission; a 10-speed automatic is available.

The Mustang has plenty of space for passengers up front, but adults will feel cramped in the back. If technology is high on your list, opt for a trim with the SYNC 3 infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Shopping for a Used Mustang?

The Mustang is in its 6th generation, which debuted for 2015. Any older 6th-generation model (2015-2022) will be broadly similar to the 2023 Mustang above. Earlier models have blockier styling and less-refined handling and interiors. The Mustang dates back to the 1960s, but those models are now expensive classic cars.

3. 2023 Mini Cooper Convertible • $33,800

2023 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Convertible / Credit: Mini

• Type:

  4-Seat Soft Top

• What We Like: Fun to drive; unique retro style
• What We Don’t: Small back seats; tiny base engine; gets pricey with more powerful engines

Mini sells fun, premium-feeling small cars, and one of those is an open-top version of its smallest model: the 2-door Cooper. This is a little car with a tiny back seat and an official seating capacity of 4. It has a lineup of three engines that range from moderately peppy to pretty zesty.

The exterior styling is iconic, and the cabin features unique touches such as aeronautically inspired gauges. It also has an 8.8-inch touchscreen nestled in a large, circular bezel.

The standard engine is a 134-horsepower turbocharged 3-cylinder that makes for decent acceleration in this small car. The range-topping 228-horsepower 4-cylinder engine in the JCW makes it a terrific performance machine, but the mid-tier 189-horsepower engine in the Mini Cooper S delivers the right balance of performance and comfort.

Shopping for a Used Mini Cooper?

To the untrained eye, one generation of the modern Mini Cooper could be mistaken for another, but there are actually three generations of the nimble runabout. The current generation was introduced for the 2014 model year. In 2019, Apple CarPlay and wireless device charging became available. A number of ADAS features were made standard in 2020. The car was refreshed for the 2022 model year and arrives for 2023 unchanged.

4. 2023 Chevrolet Camaro • $34,295

2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible / Credit: Chevrolet

• Type:

  4-Seat Soft Top

• What We Like: One of the least expensive sports cars; great handling and strong engine lineup
• What We Don’t: Small interior with poor visibility

Like its arch-rival, the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro is one of just a handful of modern cars with a muscle-car heritage. The Camaro’s accessible pricing also makes it a standout; it’s one of the least expensive sports cars you can buy. It delivers an exciting drive, whether you choose the standard 275-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the V6, or the robust V8s. The Camaro dials up the intensity with its impressive handling and athleticism.

The Camaro’s cabin is comfortable, but its interior quality is not as good as its competitors. Front-row passengers get supportive seats and plenty of elbow room, but the rear seats are best left for children. The Camaro comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen.

Shopping for a Used Camaro?

The Camaro is in its 6th generation, which was introduced for the 2016 model. Chevy gave it a slight styling update in 2019, but any older 6th-generation model (2016-2022) will be broadly similar to the 2023 Camaro.

Cheap Used Convertibles

2019 Fiat 124 Spider / Credit: Fiat

You could save money by considering a used convertible. Some of the models above haven’t changed much in the past few years, meaning you could get a gently used convertible with nearly identical styling at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

As more and more manufacturers have turned away from convertibles, the number of new models has dwindled. This means many recent convertible models are only available used. Among the ranks of recently discontinued convertibles:

How We Ranked These Convertibles

We ranked these convertibles from the least to most expensive based on their base MSRP when new. After the $35,000 Camaro Convertible, the next-most-expensive convertible is the $53,000 BMW Z4. Because that’s such a jump, we set the limit for this list at $35,000.

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