Help! I need a £18k sporty convertible car that's fun to drive

Auto Express

25-06-2025

Dear Auto Express, I'm after a sporty convertible car that's fun to drive. What does £18k buy? - Isaac Roberts, E-mail
Despite the inclement climate we have here in the UK, sporty convertible cars have long been popular with car buyers, as they are great at providing top-down thrills when the sun is shining, are engaging to drive, and have low running costs which won't break the bank. Advertisement - Article continues below
The Mazda MX-5 has long been the default choice for a purpose-made, affordable convertible sports car, and the fourth 'ND' generation is arguably one of the best. The four-cylinder motor is willing, the manual gearbox snappy and the rear-wheel-drive chassis makes it fun to drive.
Fiat's 124 Spider shares its platform with the MX-5. The retro styling cues won't be to all tastes, but the 124 adds turbocharging to the mix, with its 1.4-litre MultiAir engine. This could give the Spider a punchier feel on the road.
For a different proposition, there's the MINI Cooper S Convertible. Its front-driven chassis and hatchback silhouette may not be as exotic as its dedicated sports car rivals', but MINIs have a habit of extracting fun from humble underpinnings, and this model is no exception. With 189bhp, it's actually the most powerful of this trio, but is it the best used buy? Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Here's our expert pick of the three best sporty convertible cars available for a budget of £18,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service… For: Sprightly engine, engaging chassis, pleasant cabin
Sprightly engine, engaging chassis, pleasant cabin Against: Small boot, tight interior proportions
The fourth generation Mazda MX-5 maintains a compact footprint and is lighter than its NC predecessor. It looks attractive without drawing attention, but out on the road, the MX-5 will leave an impression. Advertisement - Article continues below
Rifling through the tactile manual gearbox musters enough performance from the revvy engine, and the compliant suspension means an MX-5 isn't tense or fidgety over bumps; only the worst imperfections send a jolt through the cabin. The controls are well weighted, precise and let you easily enjoy the playful chassis. For just under £18,000, you can grab a 2018 Mazda MX-5 with the 2.0-litre engine and 19,000-mile on the clock.
Practicality isn't the strong suit of many two-seat convertibles, but the MX-5 is still usable. Just. Larger adults won't find the interior particularly accommodating, but it's roomy enough. What may be more of a concern is the small 130-litre boot; the MINI is a more versatile option. Nevertheless, the Mazda's cabin is well made and easy on the eye, with a stylish dash architecture and flashes of body colour on the door tops. The driving position is suitably sporty, too, with low-slung seating and a thin-rimmed steering wheel. The stubby gear lever provides a positive, mechanical shift action. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Used Mazda MX-5 deals For: Fun to drive, torquey engine, rare sight on the road
Fun to drive, torquey engine, rare sight on the road Against: Divisive looks, pricier to buy than the MX-5
While the Fiat 124 Spider shares many of its mechanicals with the MX-5, it draws heavily from the original 124 Spider with its cab-rear proportions, flat bonnet and wide-set headlights. Advertisement - Article continues below
The Spider delivers much of what we love about the MX-5, but with a turbo twist. It's lithe and precise, but the 124 prefers a slightly more laid-back driving style. Extra torque from the 1.4-litre engine means you don't need to work the gears to go quickly, but doing so remains a joy. The ride is slightly more composed, too. A 22,000-mile 2018 car is well within the £18,000 budget.
Disappointingly, Fiat didn't lavish much attention on the 124 Spider's interior. It's well built and stylish, but there's almost nothing to differentiate it from the MX-5's, save for a new steering wheel hub, altered door panels and fresh trims. The logical layout, high-quality switchgear and solid feel are at least carried over, and sat-nav is also available through the dash-mounted touchscreen on higher-spec cars. The cabin is cosy, but there's enough space for two adults and a few useful storage cubbies. The longer rear overhang gives 10 litres of extra boot capacity over the MX-5, and the roof doesn't eat into that space when stowed. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Used Fiat 124 Spider deals For: Punchy performance, nimble handling, practicality
Punchy performance, nimble handling, practicality Against: Firm ride, not as special as rivals
The MINI Cooper S Convertible might seem compromised next to purpose-built roadsters, but it packs a bigger punch than the Mazda or Fiat. While it's not as eye-catching, the Cooper S gets beefier bumpers, twin-exit exhausts and a bonnet scoop to mark it out from other MINIs. Advertisement - Article continues below
Its gutsy 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, quick steering and firmer chassis make the Cooper S especially entertaining on a B-road. The trade-off is a busy ride on uneven roads, and its two-seat rivals here are more playful at the limit. You can buy a 42,000-mile, 19-plate Cooper S Convertible within budget.
Being derived from a hatchback, the MINI Cooper S Convertible claws back ground in terms of practicality compared with rivals in this test. It's the only car of this trio that can seat four passengers, although the rear bench is pretty tight for anyone who actually tries to use it. It serves as a useful storage area, though, and the 215-litre boot is easily the biggest in this company. The interior quality is stand-out, too; the materials used throughout are plush and there's a smattering of quirky details, such as toggle switches and an illuminating ring in the middle of the dashboard. The infotainment system is derived from parent company BMW's iDrive software, and is one of the slickest of its kind on the market.
Used MINI Cooper S convertible deals
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