PERHAPS understandably, given our unpredictable and maddeningly precipitation-inclined climate, convertible cars have always been something of a niche interest in this part of the world.
While the majority of motorists here have traditionally been happy just to utilise the humble sunroof as a way of enjoying any brief spells of good weather while on the road, for years car manufacturers catering to UK and Irish markets also seemed content to indulge the minority of drivers prepared to pay a premium for a complete absence of metal above their heads.
However, the winds of change are now buffeting those who enjoy driving with the wind in their hair (and the heater on full-blast), because the choice of new convertible vehicles available to drivers here has steadily declined to the point where the soft top may now be becoming something of an endangered species.
The latest annual Convertibles Report by car sales website CarGurus found consumers have a choice of just 22 new convertible models from the UK’s top 30 manufacturers - a 41 per cent drop on the selection available back in 2005.
Today, just 12 of those 30 car makers still offer a convertible model in their range. Lexus and Smart have recently stopped offering drop tops with the retirement of their LC 500 and EQ Fortwo Cabrio models over the past year, while Audi called time on its TT Roadster back in 2023 after 24 years of continuous production.
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Of those still standing, the soft top Mazda MX-5 has been on sale for over 34 years, making it the longest-running convertible, while the open top Jeep Wrangler takes second place with an impressive 27 years of production.
Indeed, for the moment, it seems that some premium manufacturers are keeping the soft top faith - Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Mazda, Jaguar, Porsche and Jeep have continuously offered convertibles here for the past 24 years.
Yet other big names have long ceased catering for convertible fans: Toyota and Honda have not sold a drop top in the UK market for over 15 years, with the Toyota MR2 ending production in 2007 and Honda’s S2000 being retired in 2009, while handful of household names - Hyundai, Kia, Seat, Skoda and Dacia - have never made a convertible model available here.
Yet, despite the overall decline in soft top options, one glimmer of hope for open-air motorists is that MG is actually now back in the convertible market for the first time since 2011 with its new all-electric Cyberster model.
It’s now one of just four soft top EV options for UK buyers along with the Fiat 500e Convertible, Abarth 500e Cabrio and the Mini Electric Convertible.
As a result of all this, those seeking open-air motoring thrills may now increasingly find themselves turning to the second-hand market, where there is now a wider selection of nearly-new drop top options available at bargain prices.
“The used market does present some significant saving opportunities for those looking for the unique thrill of open top driving this summer and beyond,” says Chris Knapman, editorial director at CarGurus.
“For less than £15,000, there’s a broad range of options depending on individual preferences.”
CarGuru’s Top Five Best-Value Used Convertibles Under £15,000 (average prices)
- AUDI A3 CABRIOLET (2016): £12,495.71
- MERCEDES SLK (2014): £10,335.60
- BMW 2-SERIES CONVERTIBLE (2017): £14,353.61
- FIAT 500C (2018): £10,677.36
- MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE (2018): £13,642.68
