These Are The Best New Convertibles To Buy On A Budget

While Convertibles are pricier than their coupe and sedan siblings, you can still own a new convertible without breaking the bank

In the convertible car segment, style and glamour take center stage at the expense of outright performance. People love convertibles for their versatility; when the summer sun heats up, the roof can be taken down for the open-air, wind-in-your-hair driving experience. The car can also be turned back into a coupe with the push of a button. This versatility allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Convertibles are often pricier than their coupe or sedan siblings; since they lack a roof, there is a need for additional structural rigidity for the chassis, hence cost most to make. That said, you can still own a convertible sports car without breaking the bank. We are going to look at some value-for-money convertibles you can own on a budget.

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Audi TT Roadster- $53,900

via cnet

The Audi TT is a good-looking car, whichever angle you look at it. The interior is elegantly finished, as it is with virtually every other Audi cabin. The car is a perfect blend of nippy performance and stylish design in a compact package.

via cnet

The sporty compact TT Roadster packs enough nudge from the refined and capable turbo-four engine. Also, the car has enough rigidity to provide neat, confidence-inspiring handling. The TT’s MSRP of $53,900 isn’t the biggest bargain, but you get premium styling for less than you’d pay for a Porsche Boxster or the six-cylinder BMW Z4.

RELATED: These Are Our Favorite Features Of The 2021 Audi TT

BMW 2 Series Convertible – $41,850

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The BMW 2 Series Convertible is one of the few remaining four-seat convertibles in the market. The car packs hidden treasure in the form of fun and luxury inside its compact stature. The 2 Series is one of the most economical convertibles, despite having a high-performance turbocharged six-cylinder motor that produces 335 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.

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While most convertibles based on coupe models tend to give up a bit of handling due to a less rigid chassis, BMW engineers were able to defy the odds with this car. The Series 2 doesn’t lose the BMW DNA as it is enjoyable to drive.

Audi A3 Cabriolet – $39,890

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The Audi A3 Cabriolet’s elegance makes it look more expensive than it is. The car maintains the premium looks of the sleek Audi A3 sedan, making it bigger than the average cabriolet. As for engines, there are three gasoline and three diesel options. The entry-level 1.5 TFSI is incredibly quiet at idle, making it an excellent choice for the most comfortable drop-top experience.

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The A3 Convertible interior feels premium with high-quality material. Also, the car ships with two roof options; a hard-wearing fabric roof found in the entry-level SE model and the more acoustic soft-top roof found on the premium models.

Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible – $32,705

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Conversations in the realm of hardcore sports cars are dominated by the mention of power figures, big turbos, more exotic equipment, etc. However, in the end, the driving experience is what matters most. The Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible blends fun, comfort, and practicality in a stylish, budget-friendly package.

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The pricing of the Mustang convertible makes it an actual performance car for the people. If you care more about performance, handling, and driving thrills, go for the coupe version. However, the convertible is a better choice if you don’t care much about how many tenths of a second faster you can finish a lap and prefer a slower-paced, relaxed, and topless feel of a Mustang.

RELATED: The Real Reason Ford Won’t Make A Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – $31,994

via Chevrolet

The Chevy Camaro Convertible’s relatively affordable pricing makes it one of the best bargain convertibles money can buy in terms of power per dollar. Engine options range from a turbocharged inline-four to a supercharged V8. The base trim and most budget-friendly choice that ships with a turbo 2-liter inline-four engine mated to a six-speed manual that develops 275 hp and 400Nm of torque.

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The car effortlessly merges its sporty feel with European-like handling characteristics but falls short in interior quality. A great choice if you prioritize driving pleasure over interior finishing.

Mini Convertible – $27,900

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Add a folding roof to the already nippy and fun MINI Hatchback, and you get the MINI Convertible, a small, and stylish car with a massive personality. The car is plenty quiet with the roof down because it keeps wind turbulence in the cabin at a minimum.

via miniusa

The base trim MINI Convertible ships with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three-cylinder engine. It produces 134 horsepower and 219Nm of torque. You can opt for the punchier 2-liter four-cylinder Cooper S or the John Cooper Works model that develops 228 hp and 320Nm of torque for more power.

RELATED: This Is What We Love About The Mini Convertible Cooper S

Fiat 124 Spider – $25,390

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It is hard to leave out the Fiat 124 Spider in a list that includes the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the car it is based on. While the interior borrows heavily from the MX-5 Miata, the Italian import distinguishes itself from the Miata by employing styling cues borrowed from the classic Fiat 124 of the 1960s and 1970s. The 124 Spider ships with a nice simple, manual soft-top roof.

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Also, unlike the Miata, the 124 Spider comes only with one engine option; a 1.4-liter producing 138hp. The car has decent acceleration and good fuel economy thanks to its light weight.

Mazda MX-5 Miata – $26,830

Via: mazdausa

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the car for anyone looking for affordable thrills in the open air. With the Miata, you can choose between the traditional fabric soft-top roof or an electrically powered folding hard metal roof, making it the go-to all-weather sports car. The Miata is powered by a 2-liter inline-four engine, producing 181 hp and 205Nm of torque.

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For over thirty years, the Miata has carried on with a cheerful driving demeanor. The car’s playful handling and balanced four-cylinder engines make for exciting sunny days.

RELATED: Here Are The Coolest Mods You Can Buy For Your Mazda Miata

Fiat 500C – $17,990

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The Fiat 500C is a budget-friendly option for anyone seeking a characterful open-air drive in the city. The car keeps both the retro looks and the economical engine found on the standard 500, only that it has an electrically operated fabric roof. The 500C is not entirely a full cabriolet, since the entire top of the car doesn’t fold away. The vehicle has no direct rivals in the tiny city-centric car segment; the closest competitors are superminis like the Mini convertible or the Peugeot 108 Top.

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All versions of the 500C are cheap to run. The 1.2-liter engine posts an impressive EPA mileage of 60mpg. Fiat also offers an electric version of the 500C that will appeal to urban commuters.