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Compare the best cheap convertible cars

High quality affordable convertibles from rated and reviewed dealers

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Rated 4.5/5 from 63,646 reviews
black mazda mx-5 driving

Best cheap convertible cars

Wind in hair motoring is a driving pleasure few of us can indulge in. Aside from our less-than-ideal weather, the biggest issue for many is the high cost of most convertibles on the market. However, if you dig deep enough, you can still find some great affordable convertibles out there. Here’s a rundown of the best value convertibles you can buy right now.

Fiat 500C

1. Fiat 500C

6/10
Fiat 500C review

What's good

  • Cool retro styling
  • Excellent manoeuvrability
  • Cheap to run

What’s not so good

  • Not particularly practical
  • Lacks high-speed refinement
  • Poor cabin space
The Fiat 500 is a superb city car made that much better in convertible guise. Unlike most convertibles though, only the top section retracts (electrically), leaving the side pillars in place. You still get that open-air feeling, and the rear seat passengers will really appreciate the extra headroom, too.

What's good

  • Cool retro styling
  • Excellent manoeuvrability
  • Cheap to run

What’s not so good

  • Not particularly practical
  • Lacks high-speed refinement
  • Poor cabin space
Mazda MX-5

2. Mazda MX-5

9/10
Mazda MX-5 review

What's good

  • Wonderful handling
  • Peppy, efficient engines
  • Great value

What’s not so good

  • Hot hatchbacks are faster
  • Not the most refined
  • No turbocharged engine
The best-selling roadster of all time continues to offer a great open-topped driving experience at reasonable prices. It may not have the outright pace of some turbocharged alternatives, but none will put a bigger smile on your face. It’s also available with a metal folding roof which improves cabin refinement with the roof up.

What's good

  • Wonderful handling
  • Peppy, efficient engines
  • Great value

What’s not so good

  • Hot hatchbacks are faster
  • Not the most refined
  • No turbocharged engine

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Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet

3. Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet

7/10
Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet review

What's good

  • Feel surprisngly solid over bumps for a cabrio
  • Unique as a SUV cabrio
  • Space enough in the back for the kids

What’s not so good

  • Small boot with small opening
  • Not as refined as regular T-Roc
  • Rear seats are only really any good for kids
Are you having to chop in your sporty convertible for a family-friendly SUV? Well don’t despair just yet. The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet offers the perfect mix between open-topped motoring fun and responsible family motoring. Boot space may be a tad compromised, but in all other respects the T-Roc convertible is just as practical as its tin-top counterpart.

What's good

  • Feel surprisngly solid over bumps for a cabrio
  • Unique as a SUV cabrio
  • Space enough in the back for the kids

What’s not so good

  • Small boot with small opening
  • Not as refined as regular T-Roc
  • Rear seats are only really any good for kids
Audi TT Roadster

4. Audi TT Roadster

8/10
Audi TT Roadster review

What's good

  • Lovely interior
  • Good fun to drive
  • Economical engines

What’s not so good

  • Small boot
  • Sat nav is optional
  • Alternatives are more high-tech
This little convertible is stylish and quick, with the sort of vault-like interior build quality you expect from Audi. The entry-level 194hp 2.0-litre turbo is great fun, and it’s already well-specced so keep it standard and you can squeeze in at under £40,000.

What's good

  • Lovely interior
  • Good fun to drive
  • Economical engines

What’s not so good

  • Small boot
  • Sat nav is optional
  • Alternatives are more high-tech
BMW Z4

5. BMW Z4

7/10
BMW Z4 review

What's good

  • Striking design
  • Rapid M40i models
  • Excellent infotainment

What’s not so good

  • Base model’s engine isn’t very exciting
  • Alternatives more capable on a twisty road
  • A bit dull inside
The BMW Z4 is a hi-tech roadster that can carve up a back road or cruise along the motorway with equal poise. The base 194hp sDrive20i is quick, and if you want a bit more pace the 255hp sDrive30i is not much pricier. Avoid the costly options and the Z4 makes a strong case for itself as a great drop-top daily-driver.

What's good

  • Striking design
  • Rapid M40i models
  • Excellent infotainment

What’s not so good

  • Base model’s engine isn’t very exciting
  • Alternatives more capable on a twisty road
  • A bit dull inside
Porsche 718 Boxster

6. Porsche 718 Boxster

9/10
Porsche 718 Boxster review

What's good

  • Powerful engines
  • High-quality interior
  • Superb to drive

What’s not so good

  • Turbocharged engines lack charm
  • No more efficient than before
  • Expensive options
The Boxster may seem like a tough sell as a cheap convertible, but its immersive driving experience is hard to match even at twice the price. That said, nearly £50,000 for the base model can seem daunting, happily there are plenty of nearly new examples available through carwow for a fraction of that price.

What's good

  • Powerful engines
  • High-quality interior
  • Superb to drive

What’s not so good

  • Turbocharged engines lack charm
  • No more efficient than before
  • Expensive options

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Advice about cheap convertible cars

Cheap convertibles FAQs

The MINI Convertible offers a nearly unbeatable mix of attributes in its class. It seats four (just) and is solidly built with plenty of customisation options. The entry-level 134hp model is great fun and cheap enough that even with a few extras added it still comes in at just over £26,000.

The Mazda MX-5 RF (retractable fastback) is just as fun to drive as its soft top stablemate, but it’s more refined with the roof up which you’ll appreciate on longer journeys. It costs around £2,000 more, but this is still well below any other hardtop alternatives out there.

If finding the lowest priced convertible is your main concern, a third-generation Mazda MX-5 (yes, they are the answer to most convertible-related questions) or first-generation MINI Convertible are both great choices. Not only are they eminently affordable, but they should be cheap to run and tend to be reliable. As always, look for cars with a verifiable service history.

The third-generation Porsche Boxster produced between 2012-2016 had six-cylinder engines across the range and used examples cost about as much as a new MINI Convertible. Depreciation should be minimal, but make sure you keep a bit aside for servicing.

If you want to go more old-school, the original Audi TT (1998-2006) is superb value, especially in 1.8-litre turbocharged form. Just make sure that it has been well cared for. Rectifying a neglected car can easily cost you more than what you paid for it. Expect to pay from around £3,000 for a decent one.

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