The UK has long been called the convertible capital of Europe yet, despite a succession of record-breaking heatwaves, there’s a distinct lack of new-car options for sun-loving Brits. For those with less than six figures to spend, the choice amounts to little more than a dozen models, and it’s dominated by open-top versions of everyday cars.
Happily, the classifieds tell a different story. From featherweight roadsters to V12 grand tourers and a junior Ferrari, here are five of the best open-tops to browse on Octane Cars for Sale while the latest heatwave lasts.
Mazda MX-5 £5000–15,000
An inevitable entry on any list of great convertibles – there’s a reason ‘Miata is always the answer.’ Lightweight, rear-wheel drive and equipped with five- and six-speed manuals that are among the best in the business, the MX-5 is about the purest sports car experience this side of a Caterham Seven.
All four generations sit in the £5000–15,000 bracket. The second and third-generation cars are the value sweet spot, while the current ND offers the sharpest drive and the best powertrains.
Porsche 986/987 Boxster £10,000–20,000
With mid-engined balance, communicative steering and a sonorous flat-six soundtrack, the Boxster is a remarkable bargain for any enthusiast after a truly great sports car. Few cars at the money offer this blend of poise, feedback and exotic noise. The first-generation 986 can be had from under £10,000, while the sharper 987 sits comfortably within the £10,000–20,000 bracket.
Prices have remained surprisingly accessible thanks partly to high production numbers and partly to concerns surrounding IMS-bearing failure on early cars, though the issue is often overstated. Whichever generation you choose, the Boxster remains one of the great sports car bargains.
Lotus Elise S2 £20,000–30,000
If handling is the priority, look no further than the Elise. Weighing just over 800kg, the S2 makes the most of its modest but reliable four-cylinder Toyota engine, with agility few cars can hold a candle to. Short on refinement and a faff to climb into it may be, but there’s a reason it’s widely regarded as one of the all-time great open-top driving experiences. The earlier Series 1 cars are purer still, yet the fewer worries of the post-2005 Toyota-powered models make them our pick. Budget £25,000–35,000 for a tidy example
Aston Martin DB9 Volante £30,000–60,000
Combining a magnificent 6.0-litre V12 with one of the prettiest shapes of the century, the DB9 Volante might just be the best-value pick on this list. Tidy early cars now start from under £30,000 – proper Aston ownership for the price of a new hatchback – while later, facelifted examples with more power and polish stretch towards £60,000 and beyond. It’s a grand tourer rather than a scalpel-sharp sports car, but few drop-tops make a journey feel so special. The catch is expensive servicing, but the styling and V12 theatre make the DB9 a captivating option.
Ferrari 360 Spider £70,000+
Still one of the most affordable ways into a modern Ferrari, the Pininfarina-styled 360 has aged extraordinarily well, while its 3.6-litre flat-plane-crank V8 delivers one of Maranello’s greatest soundtracks.
Prices for the open-top Spider start at around £70,000, though a clean, well-sorted example will be north of £80,000. You’ll pay more again for the gated six-speed manual over the paddle-shift F1 cars, as collectors chase the analogue experience Ferrari has long since abandoned – but it’s unquestionably the one to have. Running costs remain firmly Ferrari-sized, yet few convertibles offer such an intoxicating blend of performance, theatre and badge appeal for the money.
