Is the term “luxury convertible” a redundancy? Quite possibly. After all, who needs a convertible? With compromised trunk and passenger space and a cabin that’s invariably louder and less comfortable than that of a sedan or SUV, choosing a convertible moves beyond the rational and into the realm of the emotional. A luxury, then.
On the other hand, a convertible provides exhilaration on warm summer nights and a sensation of freedom that you just can’t get when hurtling down the asphalt in an enclosed glass-and-steel cage. And we think that joy is a must-have in every life. Luxury convertibles are designed to coddle you with their refinement and comfort features, so that exposure to the elements isn’t such an uncivilized experience.
The following are some of our favorite used luxury convertibles from the past five years. We would caution that all of these have power-operated tops, which are more prone to mechanical failure than manually operated tops. So make sure that you rigorously test these convertibles before you buy.
Editor’s note: We’ve included general pricing information and links to Vehix Used Car Values to help you determine if a used convertible fits your budget. We’ve chosen 10,000 miles per year as our average. So a 2008 convertible will have 20,000 miles in our used car values calculation. Of course, mileage, condition and local pricing – whether you choose to trade-in your car or buy from a dealer or private party – will determine the real cost for one of these attractive used convertibles.
You may not be captivated by the Audi A4 Cabriolet’s (view photos) lovely form or the shiny four-ringed badge gracing the grille, but you won’t be able to disregard the high-quality materials covering every surface and high-style visual cues around the cabin. Indeed, every Audi is the very definition of what you should get from a premium marque, and the A4 Cabriolet is no exception. Buyers have a choice between a turbocharged inline four-cylinder or a stout V6. While its sporting intentions aren’t as ambitious as that of the BMW 3 Series Convertible, for those who are willing to trade a bit of performance for a whole lot more refinement, the A4 Cab may just be your style.
Even those who dwell in cold-weather climates can enjoy the breeze in the dead of winter. The Audi A4 Cabriolet is the only convertible on this list with available all-wheel-drive, which provides confidence-inspiring control and traction in slippery situations. Just crank on the seat heaters, fire up the climate control, and away you go.
Average retail base price for a 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet: $30,225
Our perennial favorite car for everyday driving thankfully comes in al fresco flavor. The BMW 3 Series (view photos) possesses an ideal blend of suppleness over rough asphalt and taut athleticism for enthusiastic performance on curvy roads. It’s the perfect package of acceleration, steering, brakes, and suspension, all melding to lure you into the car and onto the open road.
Depending on the trim level, the interior can range from austere to ritzy. But true to German aesthetics, it’s not a glamourous driving environment. Rather, it’s a well-built cabin that exudes quality and precision. We like the previous generation 3 Series (E46) too, so if you can find one in good condition with low mileage, it may be a steal.
Average retail base price for a 2008 BMW 328i Convertible: $40,850
