Convertibles and roadsters
Convertibles capture the spirit of driving freedom, with folding or removable tops that open the car to sunshine and wind. Most convertibles are based on either sports cars or luxury coupes, and come with power-folding roofs (some require manual operation) that stow behind the seats.
Best convertible cars
We've compiled a list of the 9 most popular used convertible cars with CarMax customers.
1. Ford Mustang
CarMax owner rating
4.6
2. Mazda MX-5 Miata
CarMax owner rating
4.8
Pros
Epic backroad driving experience Easy-to-use convertible top Surprisingly easy on fuel
Cons
Very small trunk limits cargo space Not a lot of interior space Highway noise can get loud
3. Chevrolet Camaro
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Impressive handling Strong acceleration Smooth ride
Cons
Poor visibility Tiny rear seat Limited trunk space
Research convertibles & roadsters
FAQs about convertibles
Choosing the best convertible depends on your needs. Convertibles serve a range of lifestyles, from focus-built sports cars to plush luxury cruisers. Some models can seat four to five people, while others are limited to just two. And if you need to head off road, there are even convertible SUVs. Check out our comparison of some of the best used convertibles for more help making the right pick for you.
A hard top offers superior insulation from noise and extreme hot or cold weather, but adds weight and complexity. A soft top is lighter and simpler, but usually offers less isolation and usually comes with special care considerations.
Many sports cars, muscle cars, and luxury coupes are available as convertibles. Brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, and more offer convertible models. Some models, like the Porsche 718 Boxster or Mazda MX-5 Miata, are only offered as convertibles. Off-road SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco come with removable roofs that offer open-top driving.
A convertible or cabriolet is any car with a retractable or removable roof. It’s a broad term that includes any number of sports cars, luxury cars, and even SUVs.
The term roadster refers to an open-top, two-seater car. Traditionally, roadsters did not offer folding or retractable roofs, but rather fully removable roofs that came with transparent flaps in place of roll-down windows.
Today, they all feature retractable roofs and roadsters refer to smaller, lightweight two-seater convertibles, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Learn more about convertibles
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How we ranked these vehicles
Our "Best of" lists represent the most popular vehicles with CarMax customers. To create the Best lists, our analysts look at CarMax vehicle and sales data over a recent 6-month period and rank the top selling vehicles in order. Looking back over a 6-month period allows for the highest sample size possible while also providing up-to-date pricing information. Each list includes the specific dates used when it was generated. Some articles may include data points with lower sample sizes.
To create our "Most Reliable" lists, our analysts pull the top most reliable vehicles—in order—according to RepairPal rankings. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2020 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to provide legal, financial or investment advice. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before transacting and consider talking to a qualified professional about your unique circumstances.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.