Affordable Drop Tops: Eight Convertibles Under $30,000

Sometimes a sunroof just doesn't cut it. When you need that true open-air experience, only a convertible will do -- especially with spring here and summer around the corner.

Perhaps you saw our recent hard top luxury convertible and sporty roadster comparison tests, and were left salivating. And you're probably dreaming, because, well, not everyone can afford a BMW 335i convertible or Porsche Boxster Spyder. That's what brings us here today. What we have on the following pages is a collection -- not a comparison -- of new convertibles available right now for under $30,000.

Whether you're searching for a backroad burner or a boulevard cruiser, you've got plenty of choices in this price range. There's the undeniable American appeal of the Ford Mustang convertible; the unbeatable sportiness of the Mazda MX-5 Miata; or the smart fortwo cabriolet, with its small size and relatively small price tag. Click through to see our selection of eight new convertibles under $30,000.

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2010 Chrysler SebringTouring

More than any other entry here, the 2010 Chrysler Sebring convertible is best suited as a rental-mobile. For under $30,000, potential Sebring convertible owners have the choice of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine, both mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Make the most of the Sebring by upgrading to the Touring model, powered by the 186-horsepower, 2.7-liter six producing a healthy 191 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is 18/26 mpg city/highway. The powertrain isn't going to keep Honda engineers up at night, but the Touring trim does get 17-inch aluminum wheels, and as with all Sebrings, a six-disc CD player. That's on top of one free year of Sirius satellite radio.

Leather seats push the Sebring above our price range, but the Touring's cloth seats are stain repellant. Not enthused? Fair enough, but before you skip to the next page, consider practicality. There's more room for real people in the second row than nearly every other car here. That and the 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space give this convertible a space edge few of these convertibles can match.

Selected features in a $29,390 Sebring after $2000 incentives:Universal Garage Door Opener, Uconnect phone with voice command, six-way power front seats, six-disc CD player

Strengths:Can carry four people in relative comfort, sizable trunk

Weaknesses:Questionable reliability, styling, and powertrain

Bottom Line:Before you buy a Chrysler Sebring convertible, ask yourself whether you really need that extra space.

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2011 Ford MustangV6

With the Mustang convertible and a strict $30,000 price cap, you'll essentially have a choice between up-market features and a powerful yet efficient engine. Ford is currently throwing $3000 on the hood of every 2010 Mustang V-6, enough to make the Premium trim level within reach.

So for just over $28,000 after those incentives, you can roll out of your local Ford dealer with a 2010 Mustang V6 Premium with leather seats, SYNC, and a 500-watt sound system. Those are great features, but wouldn't you rather replace the 2010 Mustang's 210-horsepower engine with the 2011 convertible's 305-horsepower V-6? We know we would, and that's before getting into a discussion about fuel economy.

The 2010 Mustang gets 18/26 mpg city/highway with the 4.0-liter V-6 and a five-speed manual transmission. Upgrade to the 2011 car and the EPA rates it 19/29 mpg city/highway with the 3.7-liter V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission.

What hasn't changed from 2010 to 2011 is the refreshed Mustang styling. It's a more intimidating look and, more importantly, the interior has gone from low-grade in the 2005-2009 Mustangs to respectable for 2010. While the Mustang is no Sebring, the Ford still offers 9.6 cubic feet of trunk space and one inch more hip room for second row passengers.

Selected features in a $27,995 2011 Mustang V6 convertible:305-horsepower V-6, cloth bucket seats, MyKey (can enforce specific driving restrictions for various drivers)

Strengths:LED sequential taillights, efficient and powerful engine

Weaknesses:No SYNC for under $30,000

Bottom Line:One of the fastest convertibles for around $30,000.

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2010 Jeep WranglerRubicon

The Jeep Wrangler is still an SUV without any true competitors. No other convertible in this price range can provide anything like the experience of piloting a vehicle like the Wrangler, especially with the top down and the doors stored in the garage.

With $30,000 at your disposal, skip right to the top-of-the-line Rubicon trim level, which offers functional extras like rock rails, electronic-locking front and rear differentials, and a special four-wheel drive system Jeep calls Rock-Trac. An electronic front sway bar disconnect allows the wheels to drop and compress up to 20 percent more, Jeep claims.

The Wrangler is powered by the 3.8-liter V-6 producing 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque.

Selected features in a $28,775 Wrangler Rubicon after $750 incentives:Rock-Trac 4WD, electronic front sway bar disconnect, 368-watt Infinity sound system.

Strengths:Great off-roading ability, lots of room for rear seat passengers

Weaknesses:Would be nice if a 4WD Wrangler could hit 20 mpg

Bottom Line:Has no equal.

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2010MazdaMX-5 Miata Touring Power Retractable Hard Top

Every convertible should bring a smile to its owner's face. With the Mazda MX-5 Miata, that smile will be wider and last longer. Now in the second half of its third generation, Mazda's Miata may have grown a bit larger and more powerful (not to mention safer), but it still begs to be thrown around curves.

"The MX-5 has an unbelievable sense of balance and control," we said in a test of the 2010 convertible.

Fifty percent of all MX-5s are the power retractable hardtop variety, a car that takes just 12 seconds to hide the top and, amazingly, takes no more trunk space than the less expensive canvas top. Of course, this is no practical machine-it's a true enthusiast's delight.

Unless you can only afford a base model, go for the six-speed manual transmission, which is mated to a 2.0-liter, 167-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Combined fuel economy is 24 mpg for this powertrain combination, a number that's easily in the top half of this bunch of convertibles.

But who cares about fuel economy when you're having this much fun?

Selected features on a $28,100 Miata Touring PRHT:Six-disc CD player, Bilstein shocks, limited slip differential, sport-tuned suspension

Strengths:Unbeatable driving dynamics

Weaknesses:...

Bottom Line:Zoom-zoom in its purest form.

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2010 MINI CooperS

Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the MINI Cooper S is all about driving fun, albeit in a front-wheel drive format. It's small, quick, and a great handler. Instead of the 118-horsepower engine powering the regular Cooper convertible, the S model gets a 172-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With a six-speed manual transmission, fuel economy is stellar: 26/34 mpg city/highway. From a standstill, 60 mph is reached in 7 seconds, Mini says.

When determining the value of the Cooper S convertible, don't forget about the three-year/36,000 free scheduled maintenance that's standard on every Mini. If you're an especially dedicated convertible lover, you might enjoy the Openometer, a gauge keeping track of how many hours you have spent in the car with the top down.

With a car as small as the Mini, it's probably best to treat it as a two-seater with extra room for groceries in the back seat. If you must have a Mini convertible but want more space, you could always wait for a Clubman convertible...

Selected features in a $29,600 Cooper S convertible:Leatherette, HID headlights, 17-inch wheels, heated seats

Strengths:Efficient yet moderately powerful, fun-to-drive

Weaknesses:Only seats two comfortably

Bottom Line:A stylish and fun choice.

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2011 Mitsubishi EclipseSpyder GS

You could be forgiven if you forgot about the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. The convertible features head-turning styling (even when not dressed in Sunset Pearlescent orange paint) and has been around since the 2007 model year. Mitsubishi has simplified the Eclipse Spyder lineup for 2010, making a number of features standard.

Even before you add options onto the base price of the $28,744 Eclipse Spyder GS, HID headlights, heated leather front seats, a 650-watt sound system, and 18-inch wheels only begin to describe the standard features list. Oh, and a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty beats all other competitors in this price segment.

Unless you have more than $30,000 to spend, though, you're stuck with the 2.4-liter 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine instead of the optional V-6. With the four-cylinder, you're forced to accept the four-speed automatic and just average fuel economy of 19/26 mpg city/highway. If your main goal with a $30,000 convertible is to get the most features into an attractive body, the Eclipse Spyder is a viable option.

Selected features on a $28,744 Eclipse Spyder GS:18-inch wheels, 650-watt sound system, Bluetooth, rear-view backup camera, HID headlights, heated leather front seats.

Strengths:Flashy looks, five-year warranty

Weaknesses:Small backseat and trunk, powertrain in need of an upgrade

Bottom Line:Could be a good value after haggling.

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2009 smart fortwopassion cabriolet

The smart fortwo cabriolet is the least expensive option in our group of eight cars, yet it still boasts plenty of equipment with an optioned price of $21,145. You know the reasons why: The smart is far smaller than anything else out there. It's also slower than most cars on the road: 0-60 mph comes finally in 12.8 seconds.

At least you'll be getting high fuel economy. With the five-speed automated manual transmission and the 1.0-liter, 70-horsepower three-cylinder engine, the fortwo cabriolet gets 33/41 mpg city/highway. The 28.7-foot turning circle should come in handy, especially when maneuvering around the Eclipse Spyder making a three-point turn with its 40-foot turning radius.

"The ride quality is good for such a small, light car, yet it's far too happy to follow freeway rain grooves," we wrote in a test on the 2008 smart fortwo. "But freeways aren't the fortwo's forte. Think of it as a tiny urban assault pod, and you'll find yourself shooting gaps you wouldn't consider in your F-150."

Selected features in a $21,145 fortwo cabriolet:Leather heated seats, 6.1-inch touchscreen navigation system, Bluetooth, upgraded sound system

Strengths:Polarizing looks, unique appeal

Weaknesses:Slow

Bottom Line:The least expensive way to buy a new convertible in the U.S.

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2010VolkswagenNew Beetle convertible

For some, the Volkswagen New Beetle convertible has timeless appeal. That's important considering how old this car is. The New Beetle's 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine makes just 150 horsepower, 20 horsepower down from the Jetta's 2.5-liter unit. That engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. If you want a manual six-speed on your New Beetle, get a coupe.

The New Beetle convertible accelerates from 0-60 mph in 9.1 seconds. That's not particularly fast, but it's faster than the smart fortwo cabriolet, the other image-oriented convertible in this bunch. Fuel economy for the Volkswagen is a respectable 20/28 mpg city/highway.

Value is a New Beetle strong suit, if you're looking for this type of convertible driving experience. With $28,000 in the budget, your drop top can be equipped with attractive 17-inch wheels, a six-disc CD changer, and the three years of free scheduled maintenance that's included on every Volkswagen.

Selected features in a $27,700 New Beetle convertible:Six-disc CD changer, 10-speaker sound system, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats

Strengths:Cute styling, three years of free scheduled maintenance

Weaknesses:Cute styling, five-cylinder engine makes 150 horsepower

Bottom Line:Not a bad value for those who value image above all else.

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