Cute and Crazy Convertibles

September 29th, 2023

Comments Feed

Temperatures are heating up now, and with the excitement of warm days and summer sun ahead of us, what better way to get around Australia’s best roads than in an open top car? This year has some exciting convertibles you can buy new. But if you can’t quite afford that pricey new Porsche Boxter, then there are always some of those classic rides out there; rides like a legendary Mazda MX-5, BMW 3 Series Cabriolet or even a Volkswagen EOS. If a classic car doesn’t float your boat, then let’s take a look at the new models on offer that deliver real excitement and the pleasures of wind in the hair and sun on the back.

There are two convertibles that are going to get you on the move with the top down that aren’t costing big money. Here they are:

Mazda MX-5

Yes, they are still making them! The latest generation Mazda MX-5 is still as delightful to drive as the very first model that rolled out of the factory in Japan. That cheeky look, sweet little engine, and perfectly balanced handling make the Mazda MX-5 very hard to walk past. And if those attributes don’t clinch the deal for you, then the price will make it ten times harder. Mazda is selling the 2023 MX-5 Convertible for anywhere between $42 and $54k depending on the model of your choice (there are six). Sprightly performance doesn’t have to be thirsty, and with the 2.0-litre engine developing 135 kW of power and 205 Nm of torque, the small Mazda MX-5 is a sparkling car to drive.  You have the option of a six-speed manual or auto transmission, and any MX-5 comes with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

MINI Convertible

No less than ten MINI Convertibles models can be had from $49–78k. Two robust engine units power the little open-top Mini: these are the 1.5 Turbo and 2.0 Turbo petrol engines. Of course, they come in various performance guises, the most potent being the 170 kW John Cooper Works Minis. Again, this is another Convertible with lovable looks, and the thing about owning a Mini is that you can have your Mini with as many of the options as you like in a way that suits your tastes. The chances are you will be able to make your new MINI Convertible uniquely your own and different from any other, depending on how large your wallet is, of course!

If money isn’t an issue, then there are currently another 20-odd more convertibles for you to choose from. The most insane ones would have to be the Lamborghini Huracan, McLaren 750S, the Aston Martin Vantage, or the Ferrari F8 Spyder and Ferrari 812 GTS. But there are also nice BMWs, Audis and Jags to be had, and even a Lexus. So do go and check them out, as this small list isn’t the complete deal.

But do you really want to know my favourite?

At around $200k it isn’t the cheapest nor is it the most expensive by a long chalk.  However, the 6.2-litre petrol 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with its glorious looks and scintillating drive wins me over hands down.  The V8 motor sounds epic when opened up, and with 369 kW and 637 Nm put through an 8-speed automatic gearbox to the LSD RWD set-up with launch control, this is the car dreams are made of.  The car’s claimed top speed is 310 km/h, and a 0–100 km/h sprint is ticked off in around 3 seconds.

Wind in the hair motoring!  Ain’t it the best!