Used Convertible for sale

What types of convertible cars are there?

Convertibles, sometimes referred to as cabriolets, are generally based on coupés, so just like you can pick from a range of different sizes in that category, there are different sizes of convertibles.

Some of the smallest are sometimes called roadsters, and they generally have a long bonnet and a cabin at the rear. Examples are the BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLC, but the Audi TT is in the same category but has a slightly different look without that long bonnet.

There are also bigger and more practical options, often with rear seats, so you can share the fun.

You’ll also notice a choice of roof options – soft-tops are lighter and generally quicker to fold, but they’re still packed with insulation to keep the road noise out of the cabin.

Hard-tops have the added benefit of extra security, but they’re heavier and affect the convertible’s fuel economy. They can also be more expensive to buy in the first place.

Targa tops generally use removable metal roof sections to offer a semi-convertible experience. The benefit of something like this is to add more structural rigidity, but you’ll need to remove them manually and store them somewhere safe.

Apart from the coupé-based convertibles, there are also conventional hatchbacks with fabric folding roofs like in MINI Coopers and Fiat 500s. In essence, they’re glorified sunroofs, because the car’s structure is mostly unchanged, but you can still uncover a full open roof.

Popular convertibles

Some of the most popular convertibles are some of the smallest – they’re generally designed for driving enthusiasts and mostly come with rear-wheel drive setups, like the Mazda MX-5.

There are plenty of BMW convertibles to pick from, starting with the compact Z4 and going up through bigger sizes from the 2 Series Convertible to the 4 Series Convertible and 8 Series Convertible.

Mercedes convertibles are also very popular – the allure of the three-pointed star on the front of a drop-top adds to the charm. Pick from the likes of the SLC, C-Class Cabriolet, E-Class Cabriolet or CLE Cabriolet.

Another common range are the Audi convertibles, with options including the TT, A3 Cabriolet and A5 Cabriolet.

Many drivers also opt for hatchback-based models, and the Fiat 500C has proven extremely popular in petrol, mild hybrid and electric forms.

Hard-top vs. soft-top convertibles

When choosing between hard-top and soft-top convertibles, it’s helpful to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Hard tops offer better thermal and sound insulation and also more security because the roofs are usually made of metal (but sometimes glass).

With their roofs in place, hard tops look no different to coupés. This means they’re stylish and sometimes luxurious.

They usually have more complex mechanisms. Combined with the weight of metal or glass, they’re heavier, and therefore make the car less efficient.

All of that roof material also needs somewhere to go, which means convertibles with hard roofs will have smaller boots than if they had fabric roofs.

On the other hand, soft-tops are lighter and easier to operate from a mechanical standpoint, so they’re cheaper to buy and can make a car cheaper to run.

Opposite to hard tops, soft tops can have more boot space, which is good if you need to carry a few bags with the roof down.

However, they’re less secure than solid metal and can have a shorter lifespan if you don’t look after the material, particularly through cold winters.

What’s it like to drive a convertible?

For the layperson, driving a convertible will be no different to driving any other car.

If you’ve ever felt the wind in your hair with the windows open, imagine this amplified and you get the idea.

Driving enthusiasts might notice that convertibles feel slightly different to other cars in the way that the structure is held together.

By chopping the roof off, manufacturers need to add more rigidity to other parts of the car to keep the front and back ends connected.

As a result, larger and heavier convertibles might be less agile than their coupé counterparts, but modern manufacturing has come a long way and it’s becoming harder to tell the difference

Standout convertible features

Apart from the wind-in-the-hair experience, there are some standout features that aren’t available on all convertibles that you should look out for.

Most have electric roof operation, but some, like the Mazda MX-5, require you to manually open the roof. Consider which is most appropriate for you.

Many also have wind deflectors – they can be built-in or added extras that you assemble yourself. Sometimes they take up the rear-seat space, which means you won’t be able to carry two or three passengers.

We really like convertibles with heated seats, heated steering wheels and neck warmers. Mercedes convertibles call this the AIRSCARF. It just means you can drive with the roof down in colder months.

Rearward vision can often be obstructed by the roof mechanism, which can include chunky C-pillars and a narrow rear window. Cars with parking sensors, reversing cameras or a 360-degree parking camera can help.