2012 Convertible Buying Guide

Different than the Mini Convertible, the all-new two-seat 2012 Mini Roadster is a fresh entry in this segment. With that unmistakable Cooper styling, the Roadster provides BMW-like driving and quality throughout. The Mini Roadster is capable of 208 horsepower and gets an impressive 27/35 mpg. A manual soft-top with a glass rear-window uses gas-spring struts that eject the top so you can reach and close it with ease. Like other Minis, the Roadster has a European feel with its round, bubble-like appearance and diminutive frame.

Even though the 2012 Mazda Miata is the elder statesman of this segment, it's still a benchmark in the roadster/econo- convertible class. If it seems like the Miata has been around forever, that's because it has – and that's a good thing. Mazda has fine-tuned the MX-5's suspension and overall handling, making it the most responsive and nimble performer of the three vehicles in this group. A standard manual soft top is sufficient, but a power-retractable hardtop sets the Miata apart from the competition.

The 'c' in 500c stands for 'cabrio,' which is just a fancy way of saying convertible. The 2012 Fiat 500c leaves the A- and C- Pillars up so only the roof above the front seats slides back, giving a scalped appearance. Those side walls help make the 500c quieter, safer, and warmer. For on-the-go flexibility, you can operate the soft top in speeds up to 50 mph. You might be surprised to learn that the Fiat 500c is the most efficient convertible available, with hybrid- esque fuel economy of 30/38 mpg. Best-in-class rear seat, leg, and shoulder room are also included in this bella macchina ("Beautiful Machine").

There isn't another convertible muscle car that can awaken the driver within like the legendary Ford Mustang. It offers a vintage pedigree with a remarkably low entry price of just under $29k. But since we have some cap-room to play with, we might as well talk about the 412-horsepower, 5.0- liter V8 GT model that is just under $35k. A power soft top with a glass rear window can retract in less than 15 seconds and doesn't take up any trunk space.

Along with the Mustang, the storied Camaro has fueled the rivalry between Ford and Chevy for years. The base 1LT Camaro convertible slots in at $31.6k and features a 323-hp engine with 278 pounds-feet of torque. The Camaro is a four seat convertible with a soft top that retracts in approximately 20 seconds. In a move to increase safety, the 2012 Camaro now features rear park assist and a rearview camera as standard equipment. Its rigid structure allows the Camaro convertible to keep the same springs, damping, and anti-roll bars as the coupe, and its chassis is tuned to stick in turns and handle transitional situations like a champion.

Make no mistake about it: the 200 isn't a Camaro or a Mustang. It's more efficient and affordable to insure than the other two, appealing to the more practical minded convertible-lover. Formerly called the Seabring, the 200 has two different power tops: a standard soft top and an optional painted steel retractable hardtop. Raise or lower them with a power-top button on the instrument panel or lower it remotely with the key fob. A powered, hard tonneau cover hides the roof when lowered, and a luggage protector in the trunk prevents damage to cargo. The 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible isn't going to win the Daytona 500, but it will win the practicality and comfort 200.

The A5 is undoubtedly the best all-around convertible in this guide. It might not be faster than the BMW M3 Convertible, but it is the total package in terms of style, ride quality, practicality, cost, and pedigree. The A5 uses a fully insulated acoustic cloth top with a heated glass rear window, offering significant wind and road noise reduction. Audi claims that the top retracts in 15 seconds, which is the fastest in this segment. Pair the A5's sport-oriented suspension, even weight distribution, and Quattro all-wheel-drive to the stimulation of top-down driving and you'll be headed towards driving nirvana. On top of all that, the Audi clocks in at a healthy 22/30 mpg.

It doesn't cost much to enjoy the benefits of a hard top convertible and the overall refinement of a Lexus with the IS 250 C. Unlike soft tops, the IS 250 C's hard top offers excellent sealing in inclement weather, long term reliability, and the satisfaction of driving either a convertible or a coupe depending on your mood. It only takes 20 seconds to feel the warmth of the sun and the cool of the breeze from the sophisticated confines of the IS 250 C's luxurious interior. It's high tech convertible features include a climate control and audio system that react to outside temperatures and wind noise and adjust the settings accordingly.

The 2012 Nissan 370Z Roadster might be small in stature, but it has the muscle to go mano y mano with the Camaro and the Mustang. The 370Z Roadster provides heaps of power (332 hp), torque (270 pounds-feet), and grip, with a low-slung silhouette that's almost Porsche-like—although without the $80k price tag. The 370Z Roadster has a standard sport-tuned suspension and a 5.5-second zero to 60 mph time. A fully automated soft top opens in 20 seconds and stores underneath its hard tonneau cover. Convertible technology is on full display, allowing you to activate the top by pushing a button on the driver's door as long as you have the key fob in your pocket.