Yahoo Autos These Are The Cheapest Convertibles On Sale Today
I’m a convertible person. I just love putting the top down and enjoying the benefits of uninhibited headroom, even if chopping the roof off increases weight and detracts from the driving dynamics. Convertible tops also add mechanical complication, and as such droptops are often priced higher than their hardtop siblings due to the additional engineering time that’s required to produce a quality convertible, so it’s not entirely surprising that manufacturers are producing fewer and fewer convertibles.
I miss the days of affordable convertibles like the wretched Chrysler Sebring convertible and little turds like the Geo Metro convertible that both made my list of the worst convertibles ever made, — I think that poor people should be able to buy new convertibles, too, but maybe I’m alone in that mindset — and there are a lot of tasty topless cars you’ve probably forgotten about.
Here I’ve compiled every convertible currently on sale in the United States, listed from most expensive to least expensive. I didn’t include ultra-luxury convertibles or convertible supercars, since those have no business being on a list like this, and I chose to cap the group at the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, since it’s still produced by a high volume manufacturer, so you won’t see any Aston Martins, McLarens, Bentleys, or Ferraris on this list. If you are looking to buy one of those, go do it, richy. Leave this list for the rest of the proletariat to find affordable cabriolets.
18) Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Base Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolets start at $135,395 including a $1,995 destination charge. Thus, I cannot afford to even write about it for too long.
17) Mercedes-AMG SL43
The entry-level AMG SL43 starts at $112,950 including a $1,150 destination charge. For a four-cylinder, mind you.
16) Lexus LC 500 Convertible
The Lexus LC 500 Convertible starts at $107,300 including a $1,350 destination charge. If anyone buys a four-cylinder Mercedes SL43 over the simply dashing V8-powered Lexus LC 500, you’re an absolute imbecile. Not sorry.
15) BMW 840i Convertible
The BMW 840i Convertible starts at $101,675 including a $1,175 destination charge, and yes I’d still buy it over the SL.
14) GMC Hummer EV Pickup
The cheapest Hummer EV you can buy costs $98,845 including a $2,295 destination charge. This is the only convertible-adjacent EV on this list, so if that’s important to you then buy a Hummer.
13) Jaguar F-Type P450 Convertible
The cheapest Jaguar F-Type you can buy will cost $81,275 including a $1,375 destination charge, but it comes with a standard supercharged V8 that softens the blow a bit.
12) Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 1LT
The convertible version of the king of affordable performance costs $76,995 including a $1,695 destination charge, but I would buy a base Boxster over a base C8 any day.
11) Porsche 718 Boxster
The cheapest ragtop Porsche you can buy is the mid-engined 718 Boxster. It starts at $76,895 including a $1,995 destination charge, and despite its four-cylinder engine, I would buy it before many of the other cars on this list.
10) Mercedes-Benz CLE300
I just had a CLE300 coupe press car, and my impressions are embargoed for a few more days so I can’t say much about the way this new model drives, but I can say that the cheapest convertible with a three-pointed star on the nose costs $65,500 including a $1,150 destination charge.
9) BMW 430i Convertible
The cheapest BMW 430i Convertible you can buy new costs $59,975 including a $1,175 destination charge, which feels exorbitant to me, but given the prices of its competitors I guess that’s just the new normal.
8) Audi A5 Cabriolet Premium 45 TFSI
The cheapest Audi A5 Cabriolet you can buy costs $56,695 including a $1,095 destination charge, but it does come standard with Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive.
7) BMW Z4 sDrive 30i
The cheapest BMW Convertible you can buy is the Z4 sDrive 30i, and it costs $55,225 including a $1,175 destination charge. Compared to the Mercedes-AMG SL43, this seems like a total bargain at half the price and the same number of cylinders.
6) Ford Bronco Big Bend 2 Door
The cheapest Ford Bronco costs $41,525 including $1,895 destination, and it’s the first convertible to be priced under the $50,000 mark, which is sad.
5) Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
The Ford Mustang is supposed to be an affordable and accessible sporty car, but the cheapest convertible Mustang you can buy now costs $40,615 including $1,595 destination. That makes the Mustang more expensive than ever, but still significantly cheaper than most other convertibles on this list.
4) Jeep Gladiator Sport
The Jeep Gladiator isn’t the first vehicle you think of when you think of a convertible, but it comes standard with a foldable soft top, and starts at an almost-reasonable $39,790 including $1,895 destination.
3) Mini Cooper Convertible
The cheapest Mini Cooper Convertible costs $36,695 including $995 destination, and it’s the only car on this list that comes standard with a tiny three-cylinder engine. Its darty driving characteristics should keep things fun despite the added weight of a retractable roof.
2) Jeep Wrangler 2-Door Sport
The cheapest Jeep Wrangler that you can buy costs $33,890 including $1,895 destination, which means the Wrangler is no longer the cheapest convertible you can buy, but it does offer standard four-wheel drive and a manual transmission.
1) Mazda MX-5 Miata
Well folks, the cheapest convertible that you can buy is the legendary Mazda MX-5 Miata at a paltry $30,170 including $1,185 destination. Lauded by many as the purest driving experience you can have in a new car, sadly I cannot weigh in with my perspective since I am too tall to drive one. That said, if you’re not a foot taller than the average man, buy a Miata. It’s (comparatively) cheap and cheerful, and allegedly amazing to drive, what’s not to like?
