For Canadian car fans, nothing encapsulates the joys of summer quite like seeing a classic convertible cruise down the highway. In a country that is inhospitably cold for so much of the year, there is nothing quite like spending a glorious August night letting the wind blow through your hair while a powerful engine hums beneath you. And while there are always plenty of convertibles to admire on the streets of big cities like Montreal and Toronto, there are also plenty of exciting new convertibles to look out for. Here are a few of the most exciting picks for summer 2018:
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Few cars are as instantly recognizable as Mazda’s classic roadster. Not only is it one of the most popular sports cars ever made, it also offers a genuinely fun driving experience at a relatively low price point compared to other convertibles.
BMW 4 Series
Few say “class” quite like a BMW, and the 4 Series delivers the effortless charm and sophistication that convertibles have always aspired to. As a hardtop, the 4 Series is versatile and weatherproof, and it is also equipped with plenty of storage space, which makes it an ideal choice for longer trips.
Chevy Corvette
First produced in the 1950s, the Chevy Corvette has a sophisticated pedigree and serious brand recognition — for good reason. The clean lines and aggressive profile of the corvette are reminiscent of the battleship for which it is named, while the flexible roof options (it comes as both a hard and soft top) make it perfect for weekend warriors.
Porsche 911 Targa
For those who really want to impress the neighbours, no convertible quite compares to the Porsche 911. Since it first rolled off production lines in 1963, the 911 has inspired three generations of drivers (and their envious friends). With a price tag over $100,000, the 2018 model may not be in most people’s price range, but for those who can afford it, it delivers no end of thrills.
Spending the summer in a convertible is one of the great joys of car aficionados everywhere, and if you are in the market for a new convertible this year, there is no shortage of options worth considering. But it is important to remember when shopping for a sports car that trim is important: not all cars will come with the same set of features, and purchasing the most sumptuous package may not always be worth the extra money. As much as possible, try to compare and contrast prices across a range of different platforms (dealerships, online marketplaces like KijijiAutos.ca and car forums) to make sure you know how different packages compare in terms of price, features, and performance.
There are few ways to celebrate summer as viscerally pleasurable as driving home in a new convertible of your very own, and getting behind the wheel of a new convertible may not be as hard as you think: while shopping for a convertible definitely requires a bit more discernment and research than purchasing a new commuter sedan, with such a wide array of different makes and models available, there really is a convertible out there for everyone.