5 Great Convertibles For Summer 2024

To those who understand the obsession, convertibles are one of the greatest inventions of all time.I’m not the only person I know who has dressed like Nanook of the north on an 11-degree day, put a top down and zipped along, heat blasting, waving back at other drivers. No matter what other assets or demerits a new car has, if its top comes down, it gets a thumbs-up.

But summer is, naturally, the sweet spot for convertibles. Here are five I’m looking forward to this summer. If you’re a fan, many or all of these will be familiar. If you’re a tire-kicker, perhaps this will aim you toward a purchasing decision.

Bentley Continental GT Speed

The Continental GT isn’t a car – it’s an event. It better be, at $245,425. Having pots of cash doesn’t make a person happy, but this will send some major dopamine to your soul. It offers some of the finest, hand-built craftsmanship, quality and ferocity on the market, and it comes with either a V-8 or V-12 engine, both turbocharged, naturally.

It’s a cat-like two-door sedan, crouched low, looking as though it’s ready to spring even while parked. ‘Speed’ badging identifies the Bentley DNA stem to stern. A dark tint has been applied to many of the exterior details that are usually rendered in chrome, adding to the stealthy flavor of its delicious body.

BMW Z4

When you’re hot, you’re hot, and the Z4 has been hot in different incarnations for over 20 years. The 4-series and M4 have their charms but the Z4 wins for its tiny dimensions, its BMW style and swank and sheer fun you can’t get with an MX-5. The Z4 starts at $54,595.

Two turbocharged engines are on deck—a 255-hp four-cylinder and a 382-hp turbo-six. Go for the bigger engine and you’ve got yourself a pint-sized rocket. Every model comes with an eight-speed automatic shift and rear-wheel drive. The lack of available manual shift will be a deal-breaker for some, but you can’t blame a company for delivering what customers say they want.

Porsche 718 Boxster

The Boxster is Porsche’s starter vehicle, but it was the first Porsche I ever drove and made me crazy for the 911s and GT2s of later years. Therefore a tip of the hat is in order for the Boxster with its millisecond handling, turbocharged furnace and eye-popping acceleration. Its famous mid-engine layout means it’s deliciously balanced, so you whip and turn and punish the car and it responds like a cat you’re petting. A $72,050 cat, that is. Purr.

Put your top down and you’ll hear a sweet engine burble – another convertible pleasure. Slapping it around town on errands, too, is fun, although with its limited cargo space, the grocery run may take up your passenger seat. But its snug dimensions make it all the more romantic with you and a partner, off to parts unknown, the world at your feet with one of the primo badges in the automotive universe.

Mustang EcoBoost Convertible

We’ve all hankered for a classic 1965 Mustang at some point in our lives, yes? (Or 1964 ½ if you want to get technical.) Absent that, the all-new 7^th generation Mustang will slake most of your thirst for a Pony car experience. It’s also got a lot of things the old model didn’t have, like a digital cockpit inspired by fighter jets, a convertible top that goes up or down at the flick of a switch, or Remote Rev, providing the ability to rev the car’s engine remotely using the key fob.

Does it roar? No. (I had the EcoBoost, not the V-8.) It does sweetly burble at acceleration, which is a lot of fun, but a smokin’, stinky machine tearing up your neighborhood it’s not – and you don’t mind. The 2024 Mustang Ecoboost Convertible Premium starts at $41,945. As tested with options, it came to $53,485.

Mazda Miata MX5

The famous peanut car is last on this list, but it’s by no means on purpose – I’ve had 23 of them and they hold a special, ferocious place in my gasoline-soaked soul. Every model, starting at $30,150, is powered by a 181-hp four-cylinder engine and arrives with a manual gearbox. An automatic transmission is available but feh – this is a car that must be sticked to get the true experience. Skip it if you’re big or tall – it ain’t happening. Long road trips can be a butt-numbing experience, too. But the freedom, fun and affordability makes the MX-5 a forever favorite.

A lite refresh for this year includes new exterior lighting elements, an updated grille, and fresh wheel designs. You also get a new 8.8-inch infotainment display, replacing the outgoing model’s 7.0-inch screen, and more.