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The best used hard-top convertibles for year-round use
It’s widely known that when spring arrives, convertible buyers head out in their droves, anxious to nab themselves a prime soft-top in time for summer. Well, most do; the thinking convertible buyer waits until the end of summer, when demand – and consequently prices – have tailed off.
Of course, the problem with this is that one must then live with the downsides of a fabric roof for the duration of the winter. That means driving around with little more than a glorified tent for protection through hail, wind, rain and perhaps even snow.
But there is a solution: the growing number of hard-top convertibles on the used car market. Whether it’s a two-seat roadster, a chic urban runaround, a four-seat cabriolet or a swish grand tourer, there’s a hard-top drop-top to suit – and all give you the chance to enjoy the last of those summer rays, and look forward to next year’s while remaining snug and secure throughout the winter.
Here’s our run-down of the top five used hard-top convertibles, presented in time-honoured reverse order – and the best news is that all of them are available for some very tempting prices.
5. Renault Wind (2010-2012)
The Wind’s surprised-looking face might not be to everyone’s taste, but this sweet little cabriolet’s size makes it great for whizzing around town. What’s more, it has a few rather neat tricks up its sleeve. For one thing, its flip-back roof’s mechanism is much simpler than most, so it’s far less likely to go wrong. And because the rear screen stays in place, there’s less buffeting at speed.
Meanwhile, beneath the skin the Wind shares much in common with the previous-generation Clio, which makes it good fun to drive. You can even opt for the 131bhp 1.6-litre motor from the Twingo 133, if you like revvy engines, although the 99bhp 1.2-litre turbo is more flexible. For the most part, the Wind is pretty reliable, too, and prices are low, making it a bit of a bargain.
Price to pay: from £3,000
We found: 2011 1.2 TCe GT Line, 28,000 miles, full service history, £3,650
Watch out for: Knocks and bangs from the suspension, rattly engines, neglected cambelts (the interval is every six years or 72,000 miles)
4. BMW Z4 (2009-2016)
The second-generation Z4 has always been a bit of an also-ran in the roadster realm, but don’t dismiss out of hand, because its sharp styling, slick interior and cracking engines make it a sound choice. Granted, the chassis is a bit rough-and-ready, but it’s still reasonably involving and pleasingly responsive, and rides much more comfortably than the previous generation, making it rather more of a grand tourer than some other two-seaters.
Earlier Z4s, are the best, because they were powered exclusively by straight-six engines; in 2011, all but the sDrive35i switched to four-cylinder power, which made the Z4 more economical, but less characterful. The top-of-the-range sDrive35is, meanwhile, is properly fast, if a bit unruly, which is why we’d recommend sticking with one of its less potent siblings.
Price to pay: from £7,000
We found: 2009 23i sDrive, 68,000 miles, full service history, £7,500
Watch out for: Sticking convertible roofs, steering wheel vibrations, water in rear lights
3. BMW 3-Series Convertible (2007-2013)
If you want a four-seat convertible with a hard-top roof, your choices are pretty limited, and most of what’s available is fairly uninspiring. But there is one exception: the last of the 3-Series cabrios got a folding hard-top, and while its added weight makes it less sprightly to drive than your usual 3-Series, you still get a cracking six-cylinder engine, handsome looks and a smart interior.
What’s more, if you do a lot of miles, there are some solid diesel options, which should save you a few bob on fuel. That said, the 3 Series is best served in petrol form, ideally as a 325i or 330i. And if you want something with a bit more brawn, there’s always the 335i – or, if you’ve got a few quid to spend on running costs, the fabulously dramatic V8-powered M3.
Price to pay: from £4,500
We found: 2007 325i SE, 82,000 miles, full service history, £5,250
Watch out for: Leaks around the roof and window seals, engine rattles on 320i and diesels, firm ride and trim rattles on M Sport
2. Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé (2006-2015)
Yes, It’s true that the Mazda MX-5 is at its best with a fabric roof. And yes, it’s true that this third-generation model is a little more grown-up and a touch less engaging than the version which replaced it. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it isn’t worth your time: the third-generation MX-5 is still great fun to drive, especially examples built after the 2009 facelift, which received revised suspension. And this folding hard-top version is a full convertible – unlike the MX-5 RF which replaced it, which retains a portion of its roof even when the top is removed.
What’s more, the arrival of the newer, more desirable model has hammered the older car’s prices, which is making it look like pretty good value. And thanks to its more generous proportions, there’s a little more room inside and a touch more boot space. Opt for a Sport model with the 2.0-litre engine and you get a generous equipment list and enough power to entertain, too.
Price to pay: from £4,000
We found: 2010 2.0 Sport, 74,000 miles, £5,995
Watch out for: Steering vibrations suggesting dodgy alignment, mismatched tyres, juddering roof mechanism
1. Mercedes-Benz SL (2013-present)
What with the fashion for super-luxury SUVs and the arrival of the properly posh S-Class convertible, the Mercedes SL is sometimes overlooked. It’s still a fabulous luxury convertible, though, and heavy depreciation in its first few years means early examples of the latest R231 version are now looking like great value.
Though it isn’t the sportiest machine in the world, the SL nevertheless handles neatly; more importantly in a car like this, it rides beautifully, and together with its plutocratic interior, that makes it a truly opulent drop-top. You can buy a diesel, of course, but we wouldn’t bother – it simply doesn’t suit the SL’s smooth, laid-back character.
For that reason, we recommend the SL350 – it’s the least potent version, but it’s still more than powerful enough for most, and should be more economical than the more powerful petrol versions.
Price to pay: from £20,000
We found: 2014 SL350 AMG Sport, 41,000 miles, full service history, £23,500
Watch out for: Sticking/jamming roof mechanisms, auto gearbox getting stuck in ‘Park’, patchy service history
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Which of these hard-top convertibles gets your vote? What other used hard-tops would you recommend? Tell us in the comments section below and in Telegraph Motoring Club.