Latest news with #convertible
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Used convertibles UK: Find out which used soft-tops you are eligible for this summer, from Mazdas to Mercs.
SUN'S out, funs out – it's time to make that dream of a convertible car a reality. While car experts will tell you spring is the perfect time to bag a convertible car bargain, you can still find great deals in summer. 12 FIND HERE Sellers in a crowded market are still itching for the cash and can often reduce costs to make a deal. No cash? No worries. Buyers can get a boost with Sun Motors Finance, an affordable and accessible way to access cash to buy a new car. We're working with some of the UK's best lenders to provide every driver with access to the low-cost credit they need to pick up a dream car. PCP Representative Example - Total Cash Price £6995 Deposit £2000 Amount of Credit £4995 47 Monthly Payments £95.09 Total Amount Payable £8834.23 Fixed Rate of Interest 6.715% Optional Final Payment £2365 Duration of Agreement 48 Months Annual Mileage Limit 10,000 Miles APR (Representative) 12.9% There's no waiting, either. You'll get an instant decision on eligibility and affordability in just 60 seconds. Whatever the season, when you're buying a convertible, you'll want to do some research to find the right make, model, and specification before parting with your pounds. In this guide, we're going to explain why spring and summer are the best time to buy a convertible car. Sun Motors experts have also selected their top 5 used convertibles for sale today, including two-seater and four-seater convertibles and super sporty models. It's top-down and shades on for our round-up of the best used convertible cars in the UK today for you to ponder ahead of the heatwave. Why is spring and summer a good time to buy a used car? March (and spring in general) is the best time to buy a used convertible car. Why? The age-old rules of supply and demand. The market for convertible cars hibernates during the winter, as drivers and dealers forget the sun and focus on surviving wind, rain, ice, and snow. Convertibles are designed for fair weather. By March, we've banished the winter blues, and things are beginning to heat up – including the market for convertibles. As we head into summer, market forces take over. As demand for convertible cars increases (reaching a peak during the summer), dealers can respond by putting up their prices. 2025 is breaking records for car sales, with more buyers, sellers, and motors on the market. That's good because competition encourages sellers to price competitively and provides buyers with the power to bag a bargain. Sellers don't want stock hanging around, and convertibles are harder to sell than a standard saloon, for example, as the market is smaller. Basically, while spring is probably the best time to buy a convertible, competition in the market and the pressure to make a profit mean you'll still be able to strike a good deal on a used convertible in summer. Stuck for cash? Spread the payments for your summer convertible Convertible cars, as you'll see from the list below, aren't exactly cheap, but there is a way you can get your dream car. Sun Motors offers car buyers a straightforward and simple way to finance a new car. The easy-to-use affordability calculator provides a guideline on the amount you can borrow, including interest rates and monthly repayments. That means you can have complete confidence that you can afford a car before falling in love with it. Even better, you don't need to worry about any searches damaging your credit rating. Our finance partner will only do a soft check. It's worth checking even if you've been previously denied credit. We work with a specialist lender who may consider applications from those with a bad credit rating. Give it a try, you've got nothing to lose. What is a convertible car? A convertible car is a car that can be driven without a roof. Most convertibles will have a roof that can be secured in place, converting it back into a car with a roof. (Hence the name.) On the market, you'll find two types of convertibles: soft tops and hard tops. What is the difference between soft-top and hard-top convertibles? Soft tops have a roof (made from canvas, cloth, vinyl, or another material) that can fold up or down. Hard-top convertibles have a solid roof that folds down. 12 Model: Audi TT FIND HERE There are advantages and disadvantages of each. Soft top convertibles can be cheaper to buy and often easier to maintain. On the other hand, soft roofs are more likely to degrade over time, are easier to damage, and won't be as warm as a hard top. Hard tops are more durable, warmer (because of greater insulation), and more secure. However, they can be more expensive to buy, maintain, and fix if they break. Benefits of a convertible car There's really only one reason you'd buy a convertible car, and that's because you want to experience the fun and freedom of driving without a roof. If you haven't tried it before, you should. Convertible cars are often sportier and more stylish than their hard-top cousins. Drive a convertible, and you're making a statement. (Especially if you forget to put the roof up and it rains.) Convertible cars are more expensive, but they can hold their value better, too. Top 5 used convertible cars for sale Here is Sun Motors' choice of the five best used-convertibles for sale in the UK today. Mazda MX-5 12 Affordable, reliable and the world's best-selling roadster. You knew it would be the Mazda MX-5, didn't you? Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 has become a firm favourite, with the latest model still getting rave reviews. An abundance of MX-5s on the market keeps prices low. Insurance and maintenance costs won't break the bank – especially when compared to some of the other brands on our list (we're looking at you, Mercedes). Check out the WhatCar? guide on potential problems for your Mazda MX-5. (And always check the roof!) Shop around for the best deals, like this low-mileage 2016 SKYACTIV-G Sportmodel at less than £275 per month. Audi TT Convertible 12 FIND HERE Another best-selling classic, the Audi TT convertible, is no longer in production, which makes us sad. It's slightly bigger than the Mazda MX-5 and is highly reliable, says WhatCar?. Common problems include water leaks, faulty roof mechanisms, and issues with the interior trim. Sporty models like S and RS could have been driven hard, and damage to panels, paintwork, and alloys could all be expensive to fix. Find a good Audi TT convertible and you'll get years of stress-free motoring in a modern classic. Check out this almost spotless 10-year-old AUDI TT Coupe 2.0 TDI ultra Sport in impressive (and easy to keep clean) gun metal grey. MINI convertible The MINI convertible is small but strangely spacious, with enough room for four people, says Autoexpress. While you're not going to be running around with a rugby team, the MINI convertible is a practical, fun and attractive car. We like the 2016 model with its bullet-proof, BMW-approved, 3-cylinder 1.5-litre engine. It's fast enough for country lanes and forgiving for stop-start city driving. You'll often pay a premium for the MINI badge, but they retain value well, so buy with confidence. Our choice? The market for MINIs is vibrant, so it's hard to select one, but we like this box-fresh 2025 Mini Cooper S Class. Mercedes SLK The Mercedes SLK is sharper, faster, and more comfortable than many of the other convertibles here. It's a great grand tourer, capable of taking you, a passenger and a few small cases pretty much anywhere you want to go. Pick up an SLK55, and you'll reach 60mph in 4.6 seconds. Ouch. The hardtop roof goes up and down with German precision. Check everything is working, as replacements can be very costly. One thing to mention is that automatics are standard here, while manual cars are rare. Car reviewers seem to favour the SLK 200, which is a great car. Used SLKs are affordable, like this 2016 AMG for a pint under £300 per-month. BMW Z4 12 Model: BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 Roadster features a unique long bonnet design with an awesome BMW grill. Modern models are monsters, but we prefer the older – and more affordable – 2013-2017 Z4s. Why? They look great, perform well, and feature a reliable metal folding roof. Find one with a full-service history, and it's a good buy (especially when you see rising prices for older Z3s.) The BMW Z4 is a classic two-seat, big engine, small boot roadster, and we love it for that. It doesn't take long to find bargain BMWs out there. We like this 2015 M-Sport model. Best 4-seater convertible cars Need to carry you, your partner and the kids? Get a four-door convertible. Here are a couple of our favourites: The Mercedes C Class isn't particularly roomy, but you'll get four in at a push. And they will all want to get into this superbly-specced 2018 Mercedes C220 AMG Line D Auto. Model: Mercedes-Benz C-Class FIND HERE Another shout-out for the Germans, the BMW 4 Series Convertible is our second-favourite four-door convertible. Current models are all well and good, but we love the classic BMW grill on this sub-£10k BMW 4 Series 2.0 420i SE Euro 6. Here are a couple of our favourite all-out sports convertibles: The Porsche Boxster is a fast and cool mid-engine sports car that's incredible to drive. Model: Porsche Boxster Our choice on the market today is this immaculate 2016 Boxster with a high-powered 3.4-litre engine. FIND HERE The Lotus Elise is a small, lightweight, and blisteringly fast British-designed sports car. This canary yellow 2016 Lotus Elise convertible is all kinds of crazy, in a good way. Convertible car buying FAQs Here, we answer some common questions convertible car buyers have. What to look out for when buying a used convertible When buying a used convertible, you'll want to ensure that the roof itself is clean, the mechanism functions correctly (basically, that it goes up and down as it should), and there are no splits, tears, or damage. Ask the seller about the age of the roof (if it's a soft top) and if the roof has been repaired or replaced. If you're considering buying a soft-top convertible, get on a stool, chair, or stepladder and check over the whole roof of the car. Tears and splits can (and sometimes are) covered with tape, which can be impossible to spot unless you get up close. If you're happy that the roof goes up and down as it should and isn't damaged, then you can check all the other essentials, including condition, damage, service history, MOT records, mileage, etc. How to clean a convertible roof If you have a hardtop roof, you can clean it in the same way you would clean the rest of your car. Soft-top convertible roofs should be cleaned using a specialist cleaning product. These will help to remove any first and stains (including corrosive substances like bird poo) but won't dry out the material, which could cause it to become brittle and split or break. Take your time, follow the instructions, and you'll be fine. Always check for water ingress into the car after washing your convertible. Early warning enables immediate action! How to look after a convertible Convertible cars should be serviced and maintained in the same way you would any other car. If your car has a soft roof, you should regularly clean it (see above) and apply a protectant. This guide from detailing experts Autoglym is a good place to start. Over time, the soft top covering can wear out or dry out, leaving it susceptible to rips, tears, and other damage. You can protect it by storing it in a garage or under a cover, especially during the worst of the winter weather. Any soft-top convertible car left exposed to the elements for too long will become damaged. How does pre-approved car finance work? The best thing about Sun Motors' pre-approved car finance is that you can check how much you can borrow before you fall in love with a new convertible car. How? The magic of the Sun Motors system is that it runs a soft credit check. The result is a realistic monthly budget with no impact on your credit score. Armed with this, you can start the fun part: finding a new convertible car. How long does car finance approval take? It's very, very fast. In most cases, you'll get a pre-approval decision within 60 seconds. When you find a car you like, you can go through the final approvals process on the same day. Decision in 60 seconds, finance in a day, and a new dream car on its way. Motor Genius Group Ltd t/a Sun Motors is an Appointed Representative (FRN 960504) of The Compliance Guys Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 941360). We are a credit broker not a lender. We work with a select group of lenders and will receive commission. The full details of how the commission arrangements work will be provided before you proceed with any arrangement. Finance subject to status and income. Terms and Conditions apply. The advice we provide is not impartial due to our commercial relationships with lenders. ICO number [ZB640135].
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Stunning convertible that Jeremy Clarkson says has ‘most brilliant engine' is being ‘AXED' after 7 years
AN iconic convertible that Jeremy Clarkson praised for having the 'most brilliant engine' is reportedly being axed after seven years. According to Japanese outlet Creative Trend, the beloved Lexus LC 500 is nearing the end of its production. 4 4 Despite the LC being heralded as one of the best-looking motors of the modern era by car lovers, the LC will reportedly be discontinued after the 2026 model year. The popular Japanese manufacturer has been selling the convertible since 2018. TFL car explained that while the LC has received a few minor updates along the way, what makes the motor is the styling, as well as its 471-horsepower 6.0-liter V8. Clarkson told The Sunday Times that the LC's engine "is just the most brilliant," in 2020 The ex Top Gear star said: "The Lexus sets off on a creamy, seamless wave of horsepower, which fills your head with serotonin and dopamine and all the other brain chemicals you need to stay alive and intelligent." He has also praised the Lexus 5-litre V8 engine before when it was used in the GS F. According to The Sunday Times, he likened the engine's sound to a "lonely wolf," and said he "liked it a very lot." Creative Trend reported that the automaker is sending out the LC in the home market with a special 'Pinnacle Edition' Lexus are only planning to manufacture 100 units each of the coupe and convertible, which will reportedly go to Japanese customers. It plans to sell half of the limited run to current interested owners, and the other half to the general public. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further According to the report, the coupe will have a matte silver look, while the convertible will be a Neutrino Gray with a sand-coloured top, however, images of the new vehicle are yet to be released. It has also been reported that this edition will come with a carbon fibre rear spoiler, red break calipers, and distinct 21-inch alloy wheels. This will be their last car to come out with a V8 engine In response to this discontinuation, Yahoo autos said: 'Far too many V8 cars are disappearing these days, including the Lexus LC 500, if a new report is to be believed. 'While it is sad news we would love not to be true, the writing has been on the wall for a while, so we are not surprised.' 4
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mansory's Latest Car Is a Bonkers Monopoly-Themed G-Wagen Convertible
Mansory's latest improvement—or abomination, depending on your perspective—is a G-Wagen convertible with a livery inspired by the board game Monopoly. The new car is based on the Mansory Speranza, itself based on a current-generation Mercedes G-Wagen. The Speranza was the seventh G-Wagen derivative that Mansory made, a four-door convertible with rear-hinged doors in the rear and an 820 horsepower V-8 engine under the hood. The Speranza can go from zero to 62 mph in just four seconds, with a top speed limited at 155 mph, though neither speed, nor power, nor handling, nor driving, really, are the point of the Speranza. More from Robb Report Taste Test: Macallan Fans Should Try Oban's Solid New 15-Year-Old Single Malt This $5.5 Million Country Estate in New York Once Served as a Stop on the Underground Railroad Why Cigar Lovers Are Smoking Higher-End Stogies Even as Prices Rise Indeed, showing off is, and the Monopoly-themed version—officially titled the 'MANSORY – Art Piece – AL3C MONO907Y'—is an even more garish version. Mansory made the vehicle in collaboration with the artist known as Alec Monopoly, who has teamed up with brands before for Monopoly-themed objects. Mansory will make just 10 of the MANSORY – Art Piece – AL3CMONO907Y, the last bit of that official name being Alec Monopoly's name in different alphanumeric characters. The exterior of the car is hand-painted by the artist, which takes several days, before it is then sealed with clear coat. Inside, you'll also find various Monopoly-themed touches, while the example shown by Mansory is colored in a teal with different color seatbelts. The Monopoly-themed car's loud exterior and interior also distract slightly from the somewhat-impressive engineering going on, with Mansory having to reinforce the auto and add rigidity to compensate for the fact that removing the roof removes a load-bearing part of the body. The new launch is also shorter than the Speranza, which means the roof flows a little better, Mansory says. Like any of the brand's creations, virtually any part of the car is customizable. Mansory did not reveal a price for its Monopoly-themed car, but its creations do not run cheap, and it would not be surprising if the German tuner is asking a seven-figure price. If you are only made of Monopoly money, you probably can't afford of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Iconic compact convertible hinted at return after 20 years away – and could compete with the Mazda MX-5
DROP TOP Introduced back in 2003, it was widely respected for its balanced mid-engined layout - but it's production run ended just two years later AN ICONIC convertible could be returning to the road - some 20 years after it was discontinued. Better yet, the compact roadster might produce some fair competition for the world's most popular little convertible, the Mazda MX-5. 6 6 6 According to Auto Express, Smart has left the door open for the return of the Smart Roadster - with the brand preparing a successor for its famous ForTwo city car. Indeed, back in March, we reported on how the much-loved ForTwo - the quintessential 'park anywhere' city car of the noughties - is being considered for a comeback in the coming years after being pulled from the market last year. That could spell good news for the Roadster model too, a two-door, two-seater convertible that was Smart's sports car offering at the time. Introduced back in 2003, it was widely respected for its balanced mid-engined layout - with iconic F1 designer Gordon Murray a famous fan who used the Roadster as his daily driver. The model was ultimately discontinued in November 2005, with just over 43,000 units produced. In a recent interview, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt talked fondly about the Roadster, saying: 'We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun. 'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. 'So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK.' Allbutt did however reiterate that nothing is concrete and that the brand currently focussed on the launch of its biggest model yet - the all-new Smart #5 SUV - with an electric family hatchback called Smart #6 to follow. ELECTRIC FEEL As the industry continues to transition into electric power, several marques are lining up all-electric sports cars to replace their ICE counterparts. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further An electric version of the universally acclaimed Alpine A110 is already in the pipeline, while Porsche is rumoured to be lining up some kind of Boxster/Cayman EV. Meanwhile, Lotus are waiting for battery tech to catch up - especially in terms of weight - before drawing up an exciting electric sequel to the Elise. Even the aforementioned MX-5 is being earmarked for an electric replacement in the coming years. But according to Auto Express, Allbutt appears to have reservations about whether petrolheads are ready to embrace electric convertibles. Smart Roadster history First introduced in 2002 43,091 produced between August 2002 and November 2005 Produced in Hambach, France Created following Smart's "reduce to the max" philosophy Coupe and Roadster introduced in 2002 were designed to be reminiscent of classic British roadsters like the Triumph Spitfire and MG B Roadster was powered by a 45 or 60kW version of the turbocharged 698cc 3-cylinder Suprex engine in the rear Roadster Coupe had the more powerful 60kW option only Car weighed as little as 790kg - creating the emotion of driving a sports car at an affordable cost Awarded Fun Car Of The Year by Top Gear in 2005 He said: 'I think a lot of people that drive these cars historically have been traditional car enthusiasts. 'Part of the joy of having the roof down, in case you have less hair to be ruffled nowadays, is also to hear the sound of the engine. 'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. 'It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.' 6 6
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Five used convertible cars to buy in 2025 for under £25k with robust reliability
With temperatures tipped to soar beyond 30 degrees across Britain this week, a cheap second-hand convertible will be a tempting proposition. But before you start perusing the car ads for a cabriolet on a budget to enjoy the summer rays and wind-in-the-hair driving, it's important to know which are the most reliable to run to protect you from excessive repair bills. Extended warranty data supplied by Warranty Solutions Group (WSG) covering a sample of 3,000 convertible cars reveals how many customers have claimed on their policies in the last 12 months (July 2024-June 2025). The top five with the lowest claim rate are listed, which is based only on popular models for which 100 owners have taken out extended warranty cover. To help you make your decision, we'll tell you how much you will need to pay for a 10-year-old example with less than 60,000 miles on the clock. And we also reveal which convertible model you might want to avoid, with more than a quarter of owners with warranties claiming on their policies due to high repair bills. 5. Audi TT Despite huge success, particularly when the first-generation model arrived in the late nineties, the Audi TT is no more. The German marque pulled the plug on production in November 2023, ending 25 years of its availability. Those on the hunt for a decent 10-year-old model can pick up a third (and final) generation TT Roadster for around £14,000 with fewer than 60,000 miles on the clock. This gets you top down driving from cabriolet with a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine sending power to the front wheels via a manual six-speed transmission. All-wheel-drive variants with the S-Tronic auto 'gox will cost slightly more and those wanting more frugality - but a worse sound - can get their hands on a 2.0-litre TDI diesel variant, too. Just one in seven owners with an extended warranty in the last 12 months have claimed on their policies, with the average cost of repairs ringing in at £505. 4. Mini Convertible The only four-seat convertible to make the list of five most reliable top-down cars is the Mini Buyers searching for a second-hand compact convertible packed with retro styling and an affordable price tag should look no further than Mini's Convertible. You can pick up a decent 10-year-old example for around £6,000 today with the brand's tried-and-tested 1.6-litre petrol engine under the bonnet. It's also the only model in our top five that has seating for four - though adults in the back can expect a cramped experience to say the least. On average, one in eight extended warranty policyholders claimed for vehicle repairs to their Mini Convertible in the last 12 months - and that's based on vehicle dating back to 2004. With an average payout of £535, the Mini Convertible is one of the more expensive cabrios to fix when something goes go wrong. 3. Porsche Boxster While for a long time it was considered the poor man's 911, the Boxster has cultivated a devoted following of fans, which is partly due to its reliability and relatively low running costs The most expensive option in our list is the Porsche Boxster. With incredibly strong residual values, even a decade-old version will set used buyers back around £25,000 for a standard 2.7-litre versions of the mid-engined 981-generation roadster. If you want to upgrade to a 3.2-litre 'S' or 'GTS', prices are even steeper. While for a long time it was considered the poor man's 911, the Boxster has cultivated its own devoted following of fans, which is why depreciation is relatively slow and used prices remain stubbornly high. Strong reliability - and relatively low running costs compared to other Porsche products - is another reason for its popularity. Just over one in ten extended warranty policyholders made a claim in the last 12 months. And the claim amount on average was less than for the Mini Convertible. 2. BMW Z4 BMW's Z generation o two-seat roadsters, including the Z3, haven't always had the strongest dependability track records. But the German giant - and its engineers - have tackled this issue in recent years and the Z4 has become relatively robust. If you're hunting for a 10-year-old example, the E89 edition (which went out of production in 2016) offers good value over its G29 replacement that remains in showrooms today. You can get your hands on a sub-60,000-mile example with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and automatic gearbox for around £12,000 today. Sending power to the rear wheels, featuring two seats and a hard-top roof, it's every bit the performance sports car. Just one in 11 owners with extended warranties have claimed on their Z4 repair costs in the last year. While that's an impressively low volume, the average claim amount is higher than any other motor listed, at just over £750. 1. Mazda MX-5 Taking the top spot is the Mazda MX-5, long hailed as the gold standard for affordable sports cars. Its near-legendary dependability stems from Mazda's dedication to engineering simplicity and mechanical purity that has benefitted its popular roadster for the last 35 years. With its rear-wheel-drive layout, wonderfully engaging manual gearbox and lightweight nippiness, the MX-5 has always been a thoroughly brilliant sports car to drive that's refreshingly mechanically uncomplicated. The current fourth-generation car launched in 2015, so a ten-year-old example is pretty much bang up to date. Buyers have the choice of two Skyactiv-G petrol engines (1.5 and 2.0 litres). With a claim rate of just 7.7 per cent across all MX-5 models, dependability in roadster for doesn't get better than this. For the one in 13 owners who have claimed, the average payout was £456. 'The Mazda MX-5 remains a standout example – and its long-standing reputation for durability continues to be validated by surveys from What Car?, J.D. Power, and Consumer Reports in America,' explains Martin Binnee, operations director at WSG. 'It consistently outperforms expectations, reinforcing the value of engineering simplicity and mechanical integrity in an era of increasing complexity.' Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet With almost three in ten owners of Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolets turning to their extended warranties to cover the cost of repairs, WSG ranks it the least reliable of all popular convertible models The Mercedes E-Class is the convertible car with the highest volume of claims made by owners. Almost three in ten drivers of the luxury four-seat cabriolet claimed on their polices in the last 12 months, which is why WSG ranked it lowest for reliability among the popular convertibles. 'While it's an undeniably luxurious cruiser, its high maintenance costs and relatively frequent faults make it a less attractive proposition for used buyers prioritising longevity and hassle-free ownership,' the provider said.
