There's No Feeling Like Driving One of the Best Convertibles

Convertibles have been an ongoing craze since way back in the mid-1930s. With their power-operated retractable hard top or soft top roof, they provide a unique experience for any vehicle owner. Having the option between driving with the roof on for those cold days and with the roof off on those warm, sunny days is not something that every vehicle owner gets to experience. While convertibles aren't overly popular in environments that are cold most of the year, their popularity is booming in areas that have warm weather throughout most of the year. Coastal environments like Florida and California are among the top locations to have a convertible as a daily driver. It tends to be a fantasy of many to hit the beach and drive down the main drag in a beautifully designed convertible. If one is considering purchasing a convertible, they have many options. In fact, it can be quite daunting to determine which convertible offers the best mix of features, drivability, and safety for the user. To assist in one's decision, we're going to go through our list of top convertibles on the market and reveal what is unique about each model that we recommend owning.

1 - Chevrolet Corvette

At the top of our list is the Chevy Corvette. While not all corvette models were convertibles, their newer models offer a convertible upgrade. These are presented as a hardtop convertible that is both sleek and stylish for the car enthusiast. Ringing in at just over $66,000, this model is the perfect blend of affordable yet luxurious. Each owner can enjoy the revving sounds of their V8 motor while they head down the highway, with the ability to top out at nearly 200 miles per hour. The hardtop takes about 20 seconds to tuck away and provides the perfect opening for a beautiful sunny day ride from the cockpit.

2 - Mazda MX-5 Miata

For those searching for a beautifully designed convertible without the large price tag, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is perfect. Costing just over $33,000, the Miata has a 181-horsepower engine that will provide a nice thrill for the average car driver. Its retractable hardtop folds away with a quick flip of an interior switch. The Mazda MX-5 Miata gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway. This sleek-looking two-seater is the perfect purchase for those drivers who enjoy a smaller-sized vehicle that they can rip around.

3 - BMW 4 Series

We can't have a top convertibles list without mentioning the pinnacle of all convertibles, the BMW. Their new 4 Series is creating all the buzz in the vehicle industry. Its spacious interior and peak performance offer a beautifully crafted vehicle for drivers of all ages. The hardtop retraction process takes about 20 seconds to complete. With a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine creating 248-horsepower, the BMW 4 Series packs a punch. It will accelerate from to 60 miles per hour in a total of six seconds. Now, that's what we like to call power. If that's not fast enough, one can upgrade to the 320-horsepower option, which cuts down acceleration time to 5.1 seconds. This convertible offers reasonable rear seating and an all-wheel-drive option. As with all BMW models, the 4 Series offers unparalleled interior finishes and technology innovations.

4 - Mercedes-Benz SL

One of the top contenders in the convertible market is Mercedes-Benz. Their new SL model intertwines the look of a sleek roadster with a classical feel. This two-door luxury vehicle offers 362 horsepower for standard models from its V6 twin-turbo engine. Unlike other convertibles on the market, the Mercedes SL offers a unique glass roof panel that allows sunlight regardless of the outside temperature. If maximum sunlight is not one's thing, the SL offers Magic Sky Control that lets the user adjust the tint on the roof panel with a simple push of a button. The roof can be retracted at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. With so many awesome features, this would be closer to the top of our list. However, its $91,000 price tag can be a bit of a stretch for the average vehicle owner.