Top 10: Cheapest convertibles
Desperate for a convertible this summer? You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the sun. From two-seater roadsters to hatchbacks without a roof, we've listed the cheapest soft-tops on the market today - with prices starting at less than £13,000.
Peugeot 108 Top: £12,644
You could argue that the 108 Top isn't a true cabriolet, but the folding fabric roof is certainly one step better than a sunroof on sunny days. Starting at £12,644, the 108 Top is a soft-top bargain, and Peugeot regularly offers some tempting finance deals.
Citroen C1 Airscape: £12,820
The Citroen C1 is closely related to (read: basically the same as) the Peugeot 108 and, like the Peugeot, it’s available with a folding fabric roof. Both the Citroen and Peugeot are likeable city cars, with the retractable roof not hindering practicality at all.
Smart ForTwo cabriolet: £14,255
You’d think that one of the cheapest new convertibles that money can buy is something that’d require a paper bag over the head. Gone are the days of the Micra CC, though and £14,255 buys you a Smart ForTwo cabriolet in Prime trim. Quirky and characterful, the Smart Fortwo cabriolet is the perfect car for tackling city streets this summer.
Fiat 500C: £14,665
Like the Smart, the Fiat 500C is a stylish choice of cabriolet and - unlike the Smart - you’ll actually be able to fit your friends in the Fiat. That’s as long as they’re not massive, obviously. £14,665 gets you a Pop model with a 1.2-litre petrol engine.
Mazda MX-5: £19,495
There aren't many new car bargains these days but, with prices starting at less than £20,000, we reckon the Mazda MX-5 is one of them. It's a brilliant car to drive, and arguably even better in base-spec form with the 1.5-litre petrol engine. Admittedly it's not a practical choice, but there's a reason the MX-5 is the world's best-selling roadster.
MINI Convertible: £20,085
Proving you can buy a stylish convertible on a budget, the MINI Convertible starts at a smidgen over £20,000. For that, you get a Cooper model with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, in Classic trim. You might want to spend a bit more on personalising it, but it's a good start point.
BMW 2 Series Convertible: £28,845
A shortage of cabriolet versions of popular models such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus means you’ll have to go premium if you want a practical soft-top. The BMW 2 Series looks great, although it might not look quite so flash in entry-level SE trim with the standard 17-inch alloys.
Audi A3 Cabriolet: £30,520
OK, we're no longer in bargain basement soft-top territory, but the A3 Cabriolet is a relatively affordable way into a genuinely desirable, premium, drop-top. It's got the same upmarket interior as the hatch, along with a strong engine line-up. For the entry-level price, you get the 1.5-litre TFSI petrol engine with 150PS, in Sport trim.
Mercedes-Benz SLC: £32,774
The Mercedes-Benz might be considerably more expensive and not as fun to drive as a Mazda MX-5, but it does look the part. It features an electric folding roof which drops in less than 20 seconds. The budget offering is the SLC 180 with a 1.6-litre petrol engine.
Audi TT Roadster: £33,315
Recently revamped, the Audi TT Roadster features a quality cabin with the brand's excellent Virtual Cockpit standard across the range. It feels more modern than the Mercedes-Benz SLC, and it's more affordable than the new BMW Z4.
