Should you buy one?

The MINI Convertible is fun, good-looking, brilliant to drive, and one of a few four-seat cars with a proper folding soft-top. If that sounds like enough for you, we can heartily recommend one.

The interior’s great (if you’re an iPhone user, anyway) and comfort for the driver is really strong whether you’re just nipping about town or venturing out on a longer trip. Practicality, while limited, is on a par with most of its rivals, and efficient engines and a reasonable price mean it should prove cost-effective to run.

If you’d like something less fashionable and more driver focused, the Mazda MX-5 is the convertible to go for. If you don’t think you can cope with such a small boot and you have a bit more cash to spend, we can recommend a larger car. The BMW 4 Series Convertible, for instance.

What we like

The famed MINI driving experience has only lost a little of its shine by ripping off the roof. The Convertible is still fun to drive in Cooper form, and a riot in Cooper S and John Cooper Work specs.

What we don’t like

Don’t be fooled. This is by no means a proper four-seater. The rear seats are fine for occasional use, but that’s it.