Convertibles are the very epitome of cool, whether petite, practical, old or new they are certainly one of the most glamorous ways to beat the summer heat and more and more of us are opting for style rather than boot space. With the lotto hitting 12 million tonight we pick four of our favourites
BMW Z4
When it comes to convertibles if you want something reliable and well built then you can’t really go wrong with the Z4. The styling is not to everyone’s taste but its great to drive and at low speeds it’s agile and at high speed stable. Inside it is spacious and well made and the driving position is particularly good. The electrically-operated folding metal roof in place of a canvas top does take up more space inside so room and luggage space is limited. The Z4 model range starts with the18i but our pick is the delicious 28i turbo petrol.
BMW Z4
Price range: €45,110 – €83,120
Our Opinion: The Z4 certainly looks the part and would suit any occasion. The least powerful 1.8-i is a good option if you want the thrills but need to keep costs down but its slow so spend the extra and opt for the 28i.
Jaguar F type
50 years in the making this spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type sports car does not disappoint. It is stunning to look at and super to drive. There’s an eight-speed automatic transmission that on occasions you wish would respond just a little faster but on the road it is so good to drive. The ride is firm but much less jarring then you would expect and the engine sound track that accompanies the car is to die for. Inside the seats are supremely comfortable but it is cramped and the central touch-screen system is far from user friends and a tad fiddly.
Jaguar F Type
Starting Price: €108,250 – €151,750
Our Opinion: The F type is a serious style statement and this two-door, two-seater is one of the best around. On the downside it’s not cheap or particularly practical and there is virtually no rear visibility but press the start button and all reservations disappear.
Mazda MX-5
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face the MX-5 is one of the most enduring and popular convertibles of all time. Thanks to its compact size, super handling and incredible reliability our love for this two seater shows no signs of abating. Under the bonnet is a 2.0-L petrol unit that will propel the MX-5 from 0 – 100 in a very respectable 7.9 seconds.
Mazda MX-5
Starting Price: €32,995
Our Opinion: The MX-5 may be 25 years old but this lightweight, affordable sports car is something very special. It is great to drive, frugal to run and reliable. And the roof can be raised or lowered in merely 12 seconds what more could you ask for?
Mercedes-Benz SLK
The 3rd generation Mercedes-Benz SLK has come full circle from its humble beginnings. On the road the improvements are immediately evident ,the steering is more direct and for motorway cruising this is a very capable car while on back roads the handling is good and oozes confidence. The 2.1 diesel engine is the only one on offer, there are however 3 petrol ones to choose from; the SLK 200, SLK 250 and the SLK 350. If you are feeling really brave or crave raw speed then the SLK 55 AMG has a 5.5 litre V8 and a whopping 421 bhp.
Mercedes-Benz SLK
Starting Price: €53,945 – €64,040
Our Opinion: Bigger and better the stunning looks, well made interior and on the road presence makes the SLK a compelling option. The diesel engine makes a lot of sense but purists will relish the petrol options. For people looking for a superb quality roadster that won’t cost the earth to run yet provides supreme luxury then the Mercedes-Benz SLK CDI AMG is the one for you.
Geraldine Herbert
4th June, 2014
