If you have the need for speed and enjoy the wind in your hair, a convertible might be the ideal car for you. While all convertibles share the ability to retract their roofs, there are a lot of variables to consider before choosing the right convertible for you. For example, you could have a hardtop or soft-top, two or four doors, a foreign or domestic model, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and an intimate two-seater or a more spacious car with room for four.
We’re here to help you sift through the many options to help you find the right convertible for your joy-riding needs.
Hardtop Convertible
Hardtop convertibles are more weather resistant, which is important to keep in mind if you don’t have a garage or if you reside in a colder climate. With a roof similar to their coupe counterparts, they are also safer in the event of an accident and are less prone to requiring a replacement.
To determine which convertibles have the most long-term reliability, iSeeCars analyzed which models are most likely to reach 150,000 miles on the odometer. Other factors that are highlighted include horsepower and torque to help differentiate each vehicle’s speed and power.
| Most Reliable Convertibles | ||||||
| Rank | Convertible | % Over 150,000 MIles | Horsepower | Torque | Average New Car Price | 3-Year-Old Avg. Used Car Price |
| 1 | Audi TT | 4.1% | 219.8 | 258.0 | $55,726 | $34,237 |
| 2 | Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2.1% | 162.8 | 146.1 | $30,444 | $21,222 |
| 3 | Ford Mustang | 1.9% | 353.0 | 349.3 | $44,642 | $21,796 |
| 4 | Volkswagen Eos | 1.6% | 200.0 | 207.0 | - | |
| 5 | Mercedes Benz SLK-Class | 1.5% | 312.7 | 307.3 | - | |
| Sports Car Average | 1.5% | |||||
Two consummate two-door, sports cars round out the top three: the Ford Mustang and the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The soft-top Ford Mustang convertible, which boasts the most horsepower of all convertibles on the list, is more spacious with seating for up to four, while the Mazda Miata is a two-seater, and is available with either a soft or hardtop.
Ranked fourth is the Volkswagen Eos, which was discontinued after the 2016 model year. This makes it a contender for those in the market for a used, reliable convertible. Featuring a retractable hardtop, it was the first hardtop convertible that also featured a power sunroof.
Rounding out the list is the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, which is available with a more efficient and budget-friendly four-cylinder or with a more powerful V6 or V8. Featuring a quick retracting hard-top roof, it also comes with all the high-end materials characteristic of the Mercedes-Benz nameplate. In 2016, the SLK-Class was renamed the SLC-Class, which is important to note if you’re looking for a later model.
| Best Hardtop Convertibles | ||||||
| Rank | Convertible | % Over 150,000 Miles | Horsepower | Torque | New Car Avg Price | 3-Year-Old Avg. Used Car Price |
| 1 | Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2.1% | 162.8 | 146.1 | $30,444 | $21,222 |
| 3 | Chevrolet Corvette | 0.6% | 519.0 | 521.1 | $71,398 | $55,997 |
| 2 | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 0.1% | 491.5 | 561.4 | $112,776 | $67,624 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class | 0.0% | 301.5 | 328.5 | $62,955 | $34,972 |
| 5 | BMW 4 Series | 0.0% | 274.9 | 284.5 | $63,722 | $35,383 |
No sports car list would be complete without the iconic Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette was primarily a soft-top convertible, but just released a hard-top model with its 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, with a sleek design inspired by fighter jets. The two-piece hardtop can be activated at speeds up to 30 mph and can retract in as little as 16 seconds.
Next is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster two-seater, which is nearly double the price of the SLC-Class. It offers the luxury and prestige of a Mercedes-Benz with a high-end interior, but lags behind its competition in terms of power and handling.
Rounding out the list is the BMW 4 Series four-seater, which is also available in all-wheel-drive. As a four-seater, it offers more cargo space than its two-seater competition although it has cramped back seats. Known for its athletic handling and standard safety features, it is a sporty, fun-to-drive vehicle though it isn’t as powerful as the other German vehicles on the list.
| Best Soft-Top Convertibles | ||||||
| Rank | Convertible | % Over 150,000 Miles | Horsepower | Torque | New Car Avg Price | 3-Year-Old Avg. Used Car Price |
| 1 | Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2.1% | 162.8 | 146.1 | $30,444 | $21,222 |
| 2 | Chevrolet Corvette | 0.6% | 519.0 | 521.1 | $71,398 | $55,997 |
| 3 | Porsche 911 | 0.5% | 433.4 | 378.3 | $171,723 | $107,017 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 0.2% | 364.0 | 383.7 | $82,531 | $39,111 |
| 5 | Audi A5 | 0.1% | 235.0 | 265.5 | $56,503 | $30,025 |
| 6 | Lamborghini Huracan | 0.1% | 597.9 | 413.9 | $309,126 | $218,431 |
| 7 | Porsche 718 Boxster | 0.0% | 335.0 | 298.1 | $81,521 | $53,374 |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 0.0% | 366.6 | 385.0 | $67,395 | $39,612 |
| 9 | BMW 2-Series | 0.0% | 285.2 | 303.8 | $52,098 | $29,332 |
Two Porsches make the list: the Porsche 911 and the Porsche 718 Boxster. The four-seat 911 offers more power and agility and has an AWD option, while the two-seat 718 Boxster offers more cargo room. Both sleek models are praised for their precise handling, powerful engines, and comfortable driving dynamics.
Joining Porsches with two models is Mercedes-Benz with the E-Class and C-Class models. They have comparable horsepower and torque, but they differ in size. The E-Class is a midsize, while the C-Class is compact. They both boast luxurious interiors and comfortable handling and are available with AWD.
Two German convertibles in the small car category that are also available with AWD make the list: the Audi A5 and the BMW 2 Series convertible. The Audi A5 Cabriolet earns praise for its cabin quality and design, and boasts Audi’s typical fun-to-drive dynamics and impressive technology features for driving assistance and infotainment. Meanwhile, the BMW 2 Series is known for its impressive handling and smooth ride quality.
Rounding out the list is the Lamborghini Huracan, an Italian supercar that will cost you more than $300,000 when purchased new. With its V10 engine and aerodynamic styling, it’s the most powerful of the bunch and is more suited for the racetrack than for joyriding.
If your open-air pursuits are likely to take you off-road, the obvious choices are the Jeep Wrangler and its four-door counterpart, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. And if you want a more luxurious driving experience, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque crossover also offers a convertible version.
| Used Convertibles Under $15,000 | |
| Convertible | Average Used Car Price |
| 2011 Volkswagen Eos | $8,840 |
| 2013 Volkswagen Eos | $12,804 |
| 2013 Ford Mustang | $13,765 |
| 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $14,498 |
| Used Convertibles Under $20,000 | |
| Convertible | Average Used Car Price |
| 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $16,519 |
| 2015 Volkswagen Eos | $17,069 |
| 2015 Ford Mustang | $18,936 |
| 2013 Audi TT | $19,255 |
| Used Convertibles Under $25,000 | |
| Convertible | Average Used Car Price |
| 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $21,222 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | $21,252 |
| 2017 Ford Mustang | $21,796 |
| 2015 BMW 2 Series | $22,427 |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK Class | $24,147 |
| 2015 BMW 4 Series | $24,219 |
| 2015 Audi TT | $24,726 |
If you’re interested in a new or used convertible, be sure to check out iSeeCars’ award-winning car search engine. It uses advanced algorithms to help shoppers find the best car deals and provides key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars VIN check report. Filter by price, fuel economy, horsepower, and other parameters in order to find your next convertible.
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