Even with gas prices topping $4.00 per gallon, these five drop tops let you enjoy the sun while driving past the gas station.
How they were rated
As we did with our past fuel economy leaders, the information was gleaned from the 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, using the annual fuel costs as the final arbiter.
In order of yearly fuel costs (in the case of a tie, the convertible with the higher fun quotient is on top), the winners are:
1. Smart ForTwo Convertible ($1,505) – While seating is limited to two and the short wheelbase diminishes both the driving experience and the fun factor, there is no denying the fact that the ForTwo sips gas sparingly. A word of advice – for best results, stick to smooth urban streets - sans potholes.
2. MINI Cooper Convertible ($2,085) – In stark contrast to the Smart, the Cooper possesses outstanding handling characteristics. Its retro style only adds to the fun quotient. And while the MINI is almost 3 feet longer than the Smart, it’s still almost 3 feet shorter than a Ford Focus, making it an ideal city car. A unique feature of the electrically operated sunroof is its 2 position feature. Push the switch once, and the top retracts between a set of rails revealing a 16” overhead “sunroof” opening. A second press fully retracts the roof in just 15 seconds.
3. Lotus Elise ($2,212) – While technically more of a targa top than a convertible, we will bend the rules a bit, since the Elise comes standard with a soft insert between the windshield header and the B pillar. Even though the Elise ties with both the New Beetle and the Sebring for yearly fuel costs, we challenge you to keep your foot off the accelerator long enough to actually realize this kind of fuel economy. Although the Toyota engine makes the Elise as easy to drive around town as around the track, we hereby offer a challenge to anyone reading this who can tell us a graceful way to enter or exit the cockpit of an Elise. If you are looking for the ultimate bang for the buck, however, this is your ride.
4. Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible ($2,212) – The new incarnation of the Beetle Convertible gets as many smiles as the original. And while the old Beetle was fun, the new one, with its insulated top, glass rear window and heater that can withstand Michigan winters, is light years ahead of the original. We dare you to drive around in one on a sunny summer afternoon with the top down and not feel tempted to try and find a radio station playing a Beach Boys tune.
5. Chrysler Sebring Convertible ($2,212) – Not to be outdone, Chrysler offers no less than three convertible top options on the Sebring – vinyl, cloth or painted steel retractable hardtop. The Sebring has been the best-selling convertible in the U.S. for 7 of the last 11 years and it is evident in the attention to detail that this model offers. Even with the 3-section hardtop stowed in the trunk, there is still room for 2 sets of golf clubs!
