The notion of owning a convertible has intrigued you for years, but you just can’t get past the fact that, when the top is up, all that separates you from the elements are scraps of canvas wrapped around a steel frame. You’re not crazy about how loud and cold it can get inside the cabin of a ragtop. You also don’t want the rigmarole of wrestling to install and remove a heavy accessory hardtop that may weigh a few hundred pounds. And let’s not forget how easy it is for a thief to slice a hole in a soft convertible top and gain access to whatever you’ve left inside.
The answer to these concerns has come in the form of the power-retractable hardtop, which transforms a car from a coupe to a convertible in less than a minute. These designs, first introduced to Americans by Mercedes-Benz when it launched the SLK roadster in the late 1990s, resolve issues of quiet, comfort, and security. However, as with everything else in life, power hardtops come with some drawbacks. They automatically add weight to your vehicle, a minus if you prefer minimalist performance driving. They take up a lot more trunk space than canvas tops; few models of this type can hold more than a duffle bag when the top is dropped. They also add complex machinery, and we’ve heard of numerous mechanical failures with expensive fixes. And few convertibles possess the structural rigidity of a true coupe, whether equipped with a hardtop or not, which is integral to maximizing handling.
Still, it’s tough to beat the satisfaction of knowing that you can enjoy an open-air driving experience on a warm, sunny spring day and later walk away from your vehicle without having to worry about damage and theft by an X-Acto knife-wielding punk.
Here, then, is our list of the “Top Hardtop Convertibles of 2009 and 2010.”
Under $35,000
What’s that? You’re refuting the fact that Mazda’s perennially popular roadster is a hardtop? Well, look again. Mazda offers a power retractable hardtop (PRHT) that opens or closes in about 12 seconds. That makes the Miata the cheapest hardtop convertible available, and you won’t believe how fast you can go from sun out to sun in. Additionally, the hardtop only adds 70 pounds to the lightweight sports car, while actually improving trunk space thanks to the slightly raised rear deck. The 2010 Mazda Miata (view photos) is powered by 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that produces 167 horsepower (158 with the automatic transmission) and accelerates the car from zero to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. As befitting a small car, the Miata sips fuel at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway.
There are those, of the male persuasion, that are quick to dismiss the Miata. But thanks to its legendary handling, we’ve left more than a few with their mouths agape, eating our dust.
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Looking for a four-seat hardtop convertible with high-end accoutrements but can’t justify paying a premium price for a luxury brand? Step in to the 2010 Volkswagen Eos (view photos). With solid fittings and pleasing materials covering every surface, the VeeDub is an appealing vehicle for price-conscious shoppers who want a bit of refinement with their sun. Those who want fewer rays will be tickled by the Eos because it has a sunroof feature, allowing for a breeze rather than a gale when the forward-most roof panel is open. The Eos is powered by a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that gets 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway with the manual. We can’t say that it’s a canyon carver that encourages high-speed runs down a favorite twisty road, since the ride is tuned more toward comfort than performance. But the turbo engine accelerates with gusto and we think the Eos is a compelling choice for sunset cruisers.
Please note: There are two other hardtop convertibles in the Under $35,000 price range. The 2009 Pontiac G6 (view photos) has gone out of production, and General Motors has dropped the brand. The 2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible (view photos) remains on sale, mostly to rental car companies, and we did not include it in this list because it does not qualify for our Top 10.
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