Warm days are the best excuse to drop the top. These five used convertibles cover everything from a light two-seater to a V8 muscle car, and each has been on the market for under $30,000.
Five convertibles worth a test drive
2020 Ford Mustang
Two very different cars under one name. The EcoBoost has a turbocharged four-cylinder with plenty of punch and decent mileage; the Premium trim adds power leather seats that heat and cool, dual-zone climate control and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT Premium swaps in a V8 for drivers who care about sound and speed more than fuel stops, with SYNC 3 and an eight-inch touchscreen.
| EcoBoost | 2.3-liter turbo four, 310 hp, 20 city / 28 highway mpg |
|---|---|
| GT Premium | 5.0-liter V8, 460 hp, 18 mpg combined |
2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Small, light and a joy to drive, for couples and solo drivers. The Sport and Club come with a six-speed manual, the Grand Touring with a six-speed automatic, and the Club's firmer suspension gives the sharpest handling. The i-Activsense safety suite, with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, is standard on every trim.
| Engine | 2.0-liter four, 181 hp |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic |
| Seats | 2 |
2018 Chevrolet Camaro
Hard to beat for performance per dollar. The cabin is snug, but the top version's V8 and a solid chassis make up for it, and there is a touchscreen with smartphone integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
| Top engine | V8, 455 hp |
|---|---|
| Highlights | Configurable gauge display, Wi-Fi hotspot |
2019 Audi A3
An affordable way into a luxury convertible. Every trim, from Premium to Prestige, has a lively turbocharged engine and traction control, and the higher trims add blind-spot alert. A built-in 4G LTE hotspot keeps passengers connected.
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo four, 184 hp |
|---|---|
| 0–60 mph | 6.9 seconds |
| Fuel economy | 25 to 29 mpg combined |
2019 BMW 2 Series
Not roomy, but quick and precise to drive. Collision warning, pedestrian detection and folding rear seats are standard, and the M240i versions are for drivers who want serious speed.
| 230i | Turbo four, 248 hp, 0–60 in 5.6 seconds, 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| M240i | Turbo six, 335 hp, 0–60 in 4.5 seconds |
| All-wheel drive | xDrive versions of both |
The bottom line
Pure driving fun on a budget: the MX-5 Miata. The most power for the money: the Mustang GT or the Camaro. A badge and a premium cabin: the Audi A3 or the BMW 2 Series.
Top down this weekend?
Browse the current inventory or ask the sales team about convertibles on the lot.