Best cheap used convertible cars 2024

Written by Richard Kilpatrick Updated: 23 September 2024

Buying a used convertible makes good sense no matter what the time of year you choose to take the plunge. In the winter slow sales mean low prices, so bargains can be had. In the summer, the supply is low as people are out in the cars – and you can enjoy your new purchase right away. This list will point you in the direction of the best used cars to choose from for less than £10,000.

If you love the feeling of wind in your hair, it doesn’t get much better than buying a used convertible car. There’s a broad choice of styles, from sensible four-seaters to small, sporty, driver-focused two seaters. Unlike the new car market, where you’re limited to choosing from a few good convertibles available that year, you can go crate-digging for every manufacturer’s greatest hits over the past 75 years, potentially.

Britain loves open-air motoring, too. The UK is Europe’s second largest market for convertibles. It rains up to 200 days per year, but the sheer number of ragtops available proves Brits like to make the most of the sun when it does make an appearance. The good news is that if you read on, you’ll find we have plenty of convertible-specific info to add to our tips for buying a used car.

Scroll down to discover our pick of the best used cars in the UK – and what to look for when buying.

Best used convertibles in 2024

We’ve broken this list into two groups – two-seaters, often referred to as roadsters, and four-seaters which offer a more relaxed experience but with room for friends or family (or a bit more shopping). Most modern four-seater convertibles have Isofix points to support child seats, and include active roll-over protection features making them much safer than classic alternatives.

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Used convertible cars FAQs 

What are the disadvantages of convertible cars? 

In a nutshell it comes down to use. They’re more likely to be weekend toys, with less regular maintenance and lots more time spent stood around. If they’re not garaged, a convertible is way more susceptible to suffer from the ravages of UK winters, with water ingress more likely to affect one of these cars than their hardtop counterparts (where available).

They often have smaller boots – either due to the size of the opening, or the intrusion of the folded roof – though folding hardtop cars such as the Ford Focus CC or Vokswagen Eos can have a huge boot when you have the roof up.

Another thing to consider is that a convertible is almost always not as good to drive as their coupe or saloon equivalent. Put that down to a less rigid body and the additional weight of an often-complex hood mechanism. The question is, does any of that matter to you?

If you’re just using it for cruising and posing, top down on sunny weekends, you can probably tolerate a bit of wobbly suspension and rattling windows.

Which is the cheapest convertible? 

With a high survival rate, excellent parts availability, and generally good engineering, the cheapest convertible brand in the UK is Mercedes-Benz. You’ve got a choice of two-seater folding hardtop roadster, in the form of the SLK in first and second generations, and a four-seater cabriolet in the shape of the CLK.

It’s relatively easy to buy MOTd, roadworthy and even fairly reliable examples of either for £1,000, and if you up the budget to £2,000 you’ll find nice examples of both – whether your definition of nice is ‘the more powerful V6 version’ or a cared for, good-looking car.

Generally, you want to look for 18-20 year old four-seater soft-tops for the bargain option. It’s worth checking out the last examples of the Saab 9-3, and Audi A4 or 80 Cabriolet as well. Both are excellent cars and we rate them highly, but they are becoming sought after modern classics in good condition, and can be expensive to maintain if worn out or neglected.

Other options are tatty examples of 1990s ragtops, such as the MGF, Mazda MX-5 or BMW Z3 – all of which, you’ll find for comfortably less than £3,000. These are perfect for those who are looking for a modern classic for not a lot of money – just take care and manage your own expectations.

Which convertible cars should be avoided?

When shopping for classic convertibles, don’t be fooled by aftermarket conversions. They’re particularly common on Volkswagen Beetles and original Minis, but anything that looks like a tent nailed onto a car with the roof hacksawed off should be given a wide berth.

Some experts might advise avoiding the Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabriolet. Thirsty, not much fun to drive, and remarkably slow for a car with a 2.4-litre engine, many of them are also hideously expensive to tax. It has one of the best ‘simple’ roof designs on a production four-seater convertible, however – and if you accept the slow pace a classic would impose anyway, is remarkably pleasant on sunny days.

So we’d avoid any convertible that just doesn’t feel that ‘open’. The Vauxhall Cascada, for example, or the folding hardtop Renault Megane that adds potential unreliability to the disappointing experience.

Are convertibles slower with the top down? 

As we’re talking about maximum speed, then yes. A convertible with its roof down will generate more aerodynamic drag, which limits efficiency. That also means that on the motorway, you’ll use more petrol, too. Mind you, all of this talk about top speed is irrelevant unless you’re heading to Germany and want to get across it in a mighty hurry.

What should I look for in a used convertible car? 

Over and above the car-specific tips in the listings above, always, always look for signs of water ingress. And we don’t just mean under the seats, the carpets and in the glovebox. Check also in the boot, under the bonnet, and literally anywhere that water can pool, causing potentially expensive damage. Remember, too, that capillary action means that the leak can often be a long way away from the damp patch.

Also, as these cars tend to be used less, look for signs of extended inaction. Are the brakes sticky and does the handbrake work as it should? Are the electrics working as they should, and is the battery holding charge properly? Is there any underbody rust, or evidence of poor body repairs as a result of careless driving?

Should I get a hard or soft top used convertible car? 

There’s no right or wrong answer to this, as it comes down to the individual quality of the car. A poorly engineered folding hardtop, like you’d find on a Vauxhall Tigra, Peugeot 206CC or Renault Megane will be a constant source of anxiety, whereas you won’t give the well-engineered equivalent on a Lexus SC430 a second thought.

If you enjoy driving, you’ll probably appreciate the more focused nature of a soft-top convertible car, such as a Mazda MX-5. Ultimately a soft top that’s not electrically assisted, but features a glass rear window, is going to be the best option for long-term reliability.

Do convertible cars hold their value?

There’s a smaller pool of open-topped cars to choose from, but fewer buyers plumping for them, so there’s no evidence that they hold their value better or worse than their hardtop equivalents. There are some classics, such as the MGB where the open-topped car is more the expensive option, but others like the Peugeot 205 GTI where the opposite holds true.

To maintain the best value for your convertible therefore, look after it, service it properly and keep it under cover if you can.

Now freelance, Richard Kilpatrick worked across several roles with us at Parkers and in Bauer’s Automotive team. We are a close-knit group here so has been able to get stuck into helping with buying guides, reviewing and road-testing cars, editing our newsletters, and more. They offer advice from their years of experience and a chance for you to learn from the mistakes they have made!

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