While good weather is paramount to enjoying a drive in a convertible, we have to be honest - they just make driver and passenger look great as well. Paddy Comyn gets real on choosing to get the hood down
For a country that for most of the time doesn't get a great deal of good weather, we do like our convertibles here in Ireland.
We roll out the old clichés about wind in the hair and the sense of freedom and certainly this is true, but what is also true is that a convertible is good to be seen in - and for many buyers this is as good a reason as any.
So if you do fancy setting your tired locks free, or if your mid-life crisis is just around the corner, we will guide you through what is out and what is coming in, on the convertible market.
ALFA ROMEOmight not be enjoying a great year in terms of sales in Ireland, but there is no denying that their latest arrival, the Pininfarina-designed Spider, is one of the most beautiful cars on the road. The Spider has a heritage descending from a long line of drop-top Alfas that started in the 1930s, and this version, based on the Brera, is true to form.
We get only one engine option in Ireland, and that's the 2.2-litre JTS petrol version that puts out 185bhp and 230Nm of torque, enough to propel the Spider from 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds, and on to a top speed of 222km/h. This car is fun to drive, feeling agile and sure-footed, and is some 25 per cent stiffer than the car it replaces, but on bumpy roads the car will still shudder and shake a little.
This two-seater uses a soft-top hood that opens or closes in about 24 seconds. The price, at €52,000, is very competitive and this could make it an attractive buy.
While AUDIhas enjoyed a record year in terms of sales, a significant part of this success can be credited to its open-top cars.
The A4 Cabriolet is a practical four-seater with a classic design, high-quality finish and a very large range of options. There is a whopping 37 versions of the standard A4 Cabriolet with engines ranging from the 163bhp 1.8T version, a 200bhp 2.0-litre TFSI, a 180bhp 2.7-litre TDI, 233bhp 3.0-litre TDI to a 255bhp 3.2-litre FSI.
The range is topped-off by the 344bhp 4.2-litre S4, and the truly amazing 4.2-litre 420bhp RS4 version. Prices range from €51,750 to €117,700. More basic models are not that much fun to drive, but are perfect boulevard cruisers and feel first-class: choose the RS4 and you have one of the finest cars on sale today.
Audi's A5 Cabriolet will sport a fabric roof when it goes on sale here next year. The drop-top version of the forthcoming coupé will buck the trend towards folding metal roofs in this segment, by sticking with a fabric roof to save weight and make storage more straightforward.
Audi's latest arrival is the TT Roadster. There are two models, available with either a six-speed manual or optional S-Tronic transmission. Top of the range is a 3.2-litre, 250bhp V6 version with quattro four-wheel drive starting at €66,040.
The range starts with a 200bhp 2-litre TFSI version for €54,340. As with the previous version, the roadster is a two-seater but bigger than before, and comes with a useful 250 litres of luggage space. The roof is a ragtop, intended to keep weight to a minimum.
BMW's line-up now includes a new 3-Series Convertible. BMW has opted for a folding metal roof for the new fourth generation of the model. This three-piece steel roof turns the coupé into a convertible in under 23 seconds. This roof means that the 3-Series Convertible has put on a lardy 200kg in weight, which might be bearable if you choose the 335i, but is likely to be something of a drag in the 170bhp 320i.
The quality and refinement is there, as is the ability, to a certain degree, but rather muted by the extra weight. Prices start at €60,000 for the 320i and increase to €79,950 for the 335i M Sport. Not cheap, but the security of the roof and the cachet provided by the badge will ensure success.
Elsewhere within the brand you can have the Z4 Roadster, which is awesome to look at and to drive, with even the entry-level 2.0-litre 150bhp version raising a smile. Ultimately the €91,050 3.2-litre 343-bhp M version should be the best in the range, but the 3-litre Si Sport with 265-bhp for €69,125 is a better buy.
The 6-Series Convertible is surely one of the better cruisers. You have a choice of three models that vary in madness. The €110,800 630i has a lot of work to do, so is quite tame, the €126,700 650i with 367bhp is mildly mad, and the €175,950 M6 version has the full 507bhp of insanity. This is a stunning car that is beautifully finished, and opts for a thick and well-insulated fabric roof with a retractable glass rear screen.
Also expect a rival to the Mercedes SL in the shape of the BMW Z9 - which is likely to sit above the 6-Series, and will more than likely be powered by one of the 5-litre V10s. Expect a folding metal hardtop on this powerful cruiser.
CORVETTEhasn't really made much of an impact in Ireland, mainly because the left-hand drive-only 6-litre V8 is not that appealing to Irish buyers. However, the new car is quite good and if you want a convertible one, then at €109,450 for the C6 manual, and €114,550 for the C6 Auto this is not bad value, compared to its natural rivals.
DAIHATSU'Soh-so-cutesy Copen looks like a mini-Audi-TT, and now comes with a four-cylinder 87bhp 1.3-litre engine. It comes with a folding metal roof, and enough cabin space for two average-sized adults. Forget about it if you are over six foot tall, or are any way self-conscious, but at €19,900 it is Ireland's cheapest convertible.
FORD'Sentrant to the folding-hardtop party, the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet is something of a latecomer compared to its rivals. Built by Pininfarina in Italy, this is a really high-quality car and certainly the best to drive in its class. The folding metal roof takes 29 seconds to fold away into the enormous boot.
The big seller is likely to be the €32,440 1.6-litre petrol version, but there is a 2-litre petrol (from €36,140) and diesel (from €39,940), with the latter suiting the car immensely.
Premium supercar manufacturer FERRARI has the F430 Spider in its range - with a 4.3-litre V8 putting out 490bhp, and capable of 310km/h. This car is incredible to drive, but not exactly discreet. Yours for €295,000 from Charles Hurst Specialist Cars in Belfast.
HONDA'SS2000 is a little long in the tooth now, but its incredible reliability and raucous engine make it still very relevant today. With 240bhp from the 2-litre engine, this two-seater loves to be driven hard and comes with a super-fast folding cloth roof.
JAGUARhas two soft-top convertible versions of its stunning-looking XK. 4.2-litre V8 engines power both, but the addition of a supercharger to the €149,585 XKR gives it 400bhp to the standard car's 300bhp. The XKR is worth the extra money even for the sound alone, but even the standard car (€134,160) sounds awesome. This is Jaguar's best work in a long time.
LEXUScontinue to soldier on with the SC430. This car was remarkable six years ago, but seems a little off the pace now, compared to cars like the BMW 6-Series and Jaguar XK. €117,820 gets you a silky smooth 4.3-litre V8 and every last creature comfort, plus you can be assured of reliability - but mediocre handling and a so-so ride mean most buyers look elsewhere.
LOTUSoffers two versions of its thrill-a-minute Elise - the 111S (€49,995) and the more powerful 111R (€56,995). The S gets a 156bhp 1.8-litre while the R, a more powerful Toyota-sourced 189bhp unit. Sales have been slow, mainly because this is a lot of money for a fairly impractical car, but in terms of handling there are few, if any, to match it.
MAZDAoffers two versions of its much-loved MX-5, which is now in its third generation and celebrates its 18th birthday this year. The standard car is a 1.8-litre with 126bhp and an easy to use fabric roof, starting at €29,995 and going to €31,595 for the SE version. Spend a few quid more and you can have the Roadster Coupé, which has a folding roof that, unlike many of its rivals, adds minimal weight (36.5kg more in total) and does not affect the boot space.
MERCEDES-BENZ'Sageing but much-loved CLK looks set to be replaced by a revised version in 2008, which will stick to a cloth roof. Prices for the current model start at €65,550 for the 200 Kompressor Avantgarde, rising to €102,315 for the CLK 500 Elegance. This quality four-seater is no sports car, but has an elegance that has made it a top seller. The SL is another model that is due for a revision, albeit a small one, in 2008 - we won't see a new one until 2013.
Until then, this ever-popular Roadster with a folding metal roof comes with five engine choices, topped by the awesome SL65 AMG. Prices start from €130,950, and go up to €306,540 for the 65. Finally, the range is finished by the SLK. The second-generation model gets an even better folding metal roof, improved dynamics and better engines. The 200 (€54,000) is the big seller, but is a little gutless, so plump for the 280, 350 or, if your wallet allows, the SL55 AMG version (€102,380).
MINIoffers six versions of its must-have Convertible. For now you can choose between the Cooper, Cooper S and special Sidewalk Editions of these. Prices vary from €28,850 to €38,210 for the Cooper S version.
MITSUBISHIoffers a cute and characterful small convertible in the shape of the two-seater Colt CZC (€25,499 to €28,899). You can choose between a normally aspirated or turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, with 109bhp or 150bhp respectively. The Colt uses a clever folding metal roof and is reasonably spirited to drive, but is not the prettiest looking car, and is lacking a little bit of refinement.
Very much in the same spirit as the Colt is NISSAN'S Micra C+C. This car features a roof with a glass section, which gives a feeling of light even with the roof closed. This is a four-seater, although the two rear seats are pretty pointless for anyone other than kids. You can choose between a 1.4-litre 88bhp version (€23,995) or the better 1.6-litre 110bhp model (€26,995).
This isn't a bad car, but rivals such as the Opel Tigra and Peugeot 207CC make better all-rounders. Staying with Nissan, we shouldn't overlook the brilliant 350Z Roadster. This car manages the transition from coupé to convertible perfectly, with no rattles or shakes and the car itself is a great piece of kit, powered by a superb 300bhp 3.5-litre V6.
The price, at €61,150, is not all that bad either, as it makes a much more rewarding car to drive than a BMW Z4 or Alfa Romeo .
OPELhas become quite good at the whole folding metal roof bit, and the Astra TwinTop and Tigra are both handsome cars. The Astra is a four-seater with pretty good space in the back and a wide choice of engines, the highlights of which are 150bhp 1.9-litre diesel.
Prices start at €30,785 for the 105bhp 1.6-litre and rise to €37,795 for either the 200bhp 2.0-litre Turbo or the 150bhp diesel. We would choose the latter. The Tigra is a two-seater roadster with a folding metal hardtop available with a choice of 90bhp 1.4-litre petrol or 70bhp 1.3-litre diesel.
PEUGEOThas just released its latest CC model, the 207CC, which is the natural follow-on from the 206CC that took the folding metal roof idea to the masses. It has the same 2+2 layout, but with the promise of a sportier drive.
Unlike some markets, Ireland has opted to stick with the big selling 120bhp 1.6-litre but will also sell the 150bhp 1.6-litre Turbo version. Prices start at €26,350, and rise up to €31,590 for the 150bhp Turbo.
Peugeot's other offering, the 307CC, is likely to be changed when the 308 is rolled out some time next year, but for now you can have a 1.6 or 2-litre petrol, or a 2-litre 136bhp diesel.
PORSCHEhas eight convertible versions of its wicked 911 with a ragtop. Prices start at €157,500 and rise to €177,400 for the 4 S Cabriolet with Tiptronic. Also available is its second-generation Boxster, which comes with either a 2.7-litre 245bhp (€71,850) engine or a 3.2-litre 272bhp S model (€86,600).
RENAULToffers just one engine choice with its Mégane Cabrio. The 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol can be had in manual or automatic in two trim levels. Prices range from €34,350 to €36,600. The Mégane comes with a folding glass roof. It isn't exciting to drive, but this handsome car does turn heads.
SAABhas a great tradition of convertibles, and its 9-3 remains a popular choice. You can now have the drop-top version, which uses a cloth roof with the excellent 1.9-litre 150bhp diesel, sold alongside the 150bhp 1.8T, 175bhp 2.0T, 210bhp 2.0T and 250bhp 2.8-litre Aero petrol models. Prices range from €50,650 to €66,750.
VOLKSWAGENoffers two convertibles in its range. The first is the Beetle convertible. Engines start with a 75bhp 1.4-litre and go up to a 115bhp 2.0-litre petrol automatic. Prices range from €27,935 to €37,715, but there are many options.
VW's more recent offering is the Eos. This is one of the largest of its genre, with huge space and a massive boot. Engines include a 1.6-litre petrol, 2-litre 140bhp TDi and a 2-litre TFSI with 200bhp. Overall this is a quality car that looks and feels the part. Prices range from €37,250 to €48,490.
Finally, VOLVO'Snew C70 is a departure from the previous model in that it is offered only as a coupé cabriolet. This elegant car is more of a cruiser than a driver's tool, and it comes with a pretty hefty price tag. At €51,750 all the way up to €62,950, this is premium money for what is a car that shares many elements with the Ford Focus Coupé Cabriolet, but equipment levels are generous, and refinement is superb.