5 Cool Convertibles for a Hot Summer
A little warm weather and the sight of other people whizzing by with the top down may just spark that old convertible craving. If you've decided this is your year for a droptop, there are great choices out there.
Unlike small, high-mileage cars now in short supply in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, you will find a good selection of these stylish convertibles, sometimes selling below the factory invoice price. If you are hearing that convertible calling, get out there and make the best deal that you can. Four of these five are selling for less than $30,000-some much less.
Here are five great convertibles that I like and which have been praised by other reviewers as well:
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet's revival of its Camaro muscle car has been a big hit, outselling rivals from Ford and Dodge. New this year, the sleek convertible version offers the same power and sharp handling as the coupe.
The top, which raises or lowers in 20 seconds, comes in comely contrasting colors (tan over black, for instance). If you choose the 312 horsepower V-6 engine, even fuel economy is decent, rated at 17 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. (The 426-horsepower optional V-8 is rated at 16 city, 24 highway.) The V-6 1LT version of the convertible is selling as low as $28,915, according to pricing service TrueCar.com. That is $625 below the dealer's invoice price.
Next: Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Camaro's arch-rival also has plenty of loyalists -- and reviewers surveyed by U.S. News ranked it the No. 1 affordable convertible. Though similar in style to the previous year's models, all Mustangs got engine upgrades in their 2011 versions -- including the convertible.
Especially notable is the 305-horsepower V-6, which Ford touts as the only engine to produce more than 300 horsepower and be ranked above 30 mpg in highway mileage. (The EPA ratings are 19 mpg city, 31 highway.) Although there is a V-8 option, the zero-to-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds in the V-6 will be fine for many buyers. Selling price for the base V-6 convertible averaged $25,191 -- or $1,937 below dealer invoice including a $1,500 rebate, according to TrueCar.
Next: Volkswagen Eos
Volkswagen Eos
If you like driving with the top down, but don't like cloth tops that much, consider the Eos. Reviewers say the retractable hardtop gives the Eos driving characteristics more like sedans than other convertibles.
The Eos is no muscle car, but its four-cylinder, turbocharged 200-horsepower engine still generates plenty of power with an EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 30 highway. Test drivers also praise its sharp handling.
TrueCar.com shows Eos selling for as low as $33,405 -- equal to the dealer's invoice price.
Next: Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper
If you want the cutest convertible at the lowest price, check out the Mini Cooper. Added bonus: Unlike most small cars, the Mini delivers performance worthy of its BMW corporate parent.
Not only does the Mini have an affordable purchase price, it is frugal with gas: The EPA mileage rating for the turbocharged, four-cylinder,121-horsepower engine is rated at 29 mpg in city driving, 37 on the highway. The Mini convertible is selling as low as $24,247 -- about $1,000 over dealer invoice cost, according to TrueCar.
Next: Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5
If you want something that's a sports car as well as a convertible, consider the MX-5. Reviewers praise this Miata's fun driving, superb handling and reliability. And for the financially minded, it holds its value well as a used car.
The MX-5 has a four-cylinder, 167- horsepower engine that is rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway. And the Mazda convertible is even more affordable than the Mini -- selling as low as $21,260 or $750 below invoice price.
Photos courtesy of the manufacturers
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