Audi TT convertible
The Audi TT convertible is one drop-top that you can realistically use all year round, thanks to its power folding hood and general German ruggedness. The early edition cars are going for surprising tempting money right now, but if you do want a newer TT convertible you could try a used car hire purchase scheme to spread the cost of it.
When the first Audi TT model came out - in all its coupe glory - car-lovers all over the world were pretty well blown away by its bold yet retro styling. They were expensive cars new, but now represent a very good value used convertible car. You can get an early Audi TT convertible for around £3,000, and that’s a lot of car for the cash.
You might not dare to drop the drop top in these currently subzero temperatures, but when the sun does comes, the Audi TT convertible just looks great going topless.
BMW M3 convertible
Convertible cars got very serious when BMW first released a convertible variant of their famously fantastic M3 saloon, and ever since then drop-top-drivers looking for speed with their sunshine have looked to the M3 convertible.
While any used M3 convertible won’t be the cheapest car on the used car forecourt, if you shop around, there are some reasonably priced examples to be had. And while it’s colder than a polar bear’s milkshake right now, this nippy weather actually helps to keep convertible car prices down. At the moment, with snow on the ground, a convertible seems like open top lunacy.
So, if you already have your next-car-budget in place and are looking forward to a summer of tanning while you’re driving, it’s definitely worth shopping around for some bargain priced convertibles right now.
Caterham 7
Saying that, probably the only convertible car to hold their price all year round is the iconic Caterham 7. Just so good and so desirable that they never really get 'cheap', just a touch more affordable from time to time.
The little, lithe two-seater sportscar is one of the most classically stylish convertible shapes ever to grace the back lanes of England, and for around £10,000 - and much more - you can have a convertible slice of drop-top motoring history on your driveway.
So, what’s so great about the Caterham 7? Well, they were engineered to be light, fast and extremely grippy, so almost regardless of how much you spend on one - the really fast ones are still very expensive - you’ll get a car that destroys the back lane bends like no other. And all while looking just so cool.
Take all your ideas of what a fast road car is about, and, if you haven’t driven a Caterham 7, throw them out of the window and go and drive a Caterham. Once you’ve had a ripping ride in one of these, you’ll almost certainly want to own one. Just make sure you buy one with a heater!
