When it comes to road trips or simply driving around town, hardtop convertibles are the car you want. There is nothing more iconic for a carefree look than someone driving down the road with their windows rolled down and the roof is hidden away. The retracting roof lets the breezes caress the face and the hair fly freely. If you want to learn more about hardtop convertibles, keep reading.

Hardtop Convertibles Overview

How Was The Hardtop Convertible Concept Conceived?

The earliest known car with a hardtop folding roof was the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. Since then, there have been many manufacturers who have had commercial success with convertibles.

What Made The Hardtop Convertible Popular?

Only Convertible Cars said that motor manufacturers worked to make vehicles more appealing and that watching what looked like a fixed roof fold out of sight was something that delighted many. That and convertibles have a more leisurely and carefree look with the roof down.

What Was The First Popular Convertible-Type Car?

The 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner was the first one that older people may remember, but the first convertible-type car with a retractable roof was the 1996 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster.

What Are The New Design Downsides?

A retractable roof does add weight to the car and requires storage space when not in use. In turn, this can reduce storage space that could typically be used for other things. However, a well-maintained modern roof shouldn't cause any additional problems.

Weather-Proofing: Is There A Difference Between Hard And Fabric?

Despite the common assumption that hard roofs would be less leaky, or not leak at all, the seals on the hard roof to be as prone to water leaks as the fabric roofs.

What Modern Improvements Have There Been?

Not only has the performance of the car been improved upon, but manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mazda, Mercedes, and McLaren have also combined the style and design of the hardtop convertible to increase appeal.

Is The Hardtop Convertible Still Popular?

The hardtop convertible is not as popular as it had once been. The market has seen a decline in the production and availability of hardtop convertibles.

Power-Folding Hardtop Convertibles

Why Should I Opt For A Hardtop Convertible?

Hardtop convertibles let you have fun driving around with the top down, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. It also gives you the comfort and safety that a hardtop provides. If there is a sudden hail barrage or a rainstorm, the driver can quickly put the hardtop roof back in place. However, power-retractable hardtops are not widely available and not all of the roof structures in the Mazda Miata MX-5 retracts.

What Hardtop Convertible Models Were Released In 2019?

According to cars.com, only seven cars were offering a power-folding hardtop in 2019. They include:

  • BMW 4 Series
  • Ferrari 488 Spider
  • Ferrari Portofino
  • McLaren 570S Spider
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
  • Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class

These cars are bound to turn heads and capture a lot of attention due to their sculpted appearance.


Best Hardtop Convertibles Of The 2000s

What Were Considered The Best Hardtop Convertibles Released In The 2000s?

Below are some of the hardtops released in the 2000s listed on convertiblecarmagazine.com. For this shorter list, only the cars priced under $80,000 with four stars from Kelley Blue Book are listed. They include:

  • 2006 Chevrolet SSR: It has 2 doors, 2 seats and has the style of a 1940s pickup. Priced under $40,000.
  • 2009 Lexus SC430: 4 seats, 2 doors. It has a body style of a convertible and gets 19 mpg. Priced at almost $67,000.
  • 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Roadster: A 2-seat roadster that offers long-term reliability. Priced at $52,000.
  • 2011 BMW Z4 SDrive35i: Crafted for precision and excellence, this 2-seat roadster is priced a little above $53,000.
  • 2012 BMW M3 Convertible: When people think of the classic convertible, this is the build that comes to mind. Four seats and a base price of $69,000.
  • 2014 BMW 428i 4 Series Convertible: The hardtop roof of this 2 door, 4 seat car can completely retract or raise in 20 seconds. Base price at $49,000.
  • 2007 Cadillac XLR: This 2 door, 2 seat hardtop roadster has the classic, Cadillac lines that make it irresistible. Base price slightly over $79,000.
  • 2007 Lexus SC430: This curvy 4-seat car handles well and has excellent performance. A base price of $66,000.
  • 2007 Pontiac G6 Convertible: Priced at $30,000, this is one of the more affordable hardtop convertibles available.
  • 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Hardtop. This 4-seat hardtop convertible has great fuel efficiency. Priced at $30,000.
  • 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT: This 2-seat roadster is fun to drive and catches everyone's eye. Base price at $26,000.
  • 2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: Perfect for driving around town or out in the country, base price is at $35,000.
  • 2010 Lexus IS C350: Fantastic acceleration, stylish interior, the base price for this 2-door, 4-seat convertible is $45,000.
  • 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible: Strong V6 engine with plenty of room in the trunk. The base price for this 4-seat convertible is $34,000.
  • 2013 Mazda MX-5: Base price at $29,000.
  • 2019 BMW 4 Series Convertible: All-wheel drive and 4-cylinder engine with a base price of $53,000.
  • 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: Performance breaks, manual transmission, and a standard V8 engine. Base price at $56,000.
  • 2019 Mazda Miata RF: A true sports car with no backseat or glove compartment, and has a sport-tuned suspension to make driving quieter. Base price at $33,000.
  • 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300 Roadster: Less expensive than other Mercedes models with a base price of $49,000.

Financing Your Hardtop Convertible

According to LendingTree, the simplest method for financing your new hardtop convertible is to compare car prices. This way you will avoid being overwhelmed, discover the lowest price you can afford, and you won't rush into making a decision you may regret later. There are several ways in which you can finance a hardtop convertible. These methods include a pre-approved loan. This can be done online, through a bank, or a credit union. If you are approved, then contact a dealership to see if they can compete with the rates you have been offered.

A hardtop convertible is a fun, stylish car that is affordable depending on which make and model you are looking for. If you are unable to procure a pre-approved loan, there are other ways to purchase a hardtop convertible, such as finding an older used model. Get ready to feel those warm summer breezes.

Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Duane Sayaloune of YourMechanic.com. For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at research@caranddriver.com.

Sources used:

http://www.onlyconvertiblecars.com/convertibles.cfm?Top=Hardtop

https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata

https://www.cars.com/articles/which-convertibles-for-2019-have-power-folding-hardtops-411807/

https://www.convertiblecarmagazine.com/buyers_guide/car_type/hardtop/

https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/best/hardtop-convertibles/

https://www.caranddriver.com/vehicles/Used