When looking for a convertible under 20k, doors open to a world of great sports cabriolet cars. You are likely, able to afford cars you wouldn’t possibly dream of owning as new. In this range, you are likely to buy a used cabriolet that performs just as well as its new counterpart if this is backed by a full-service history. Buy a high-performance, wonderful driving experience with great roof dropping roadsters, there are plenty of cabriolet gems amongst this motoring list .
With a budget of 20k or less here is a list of some of the best used convertibles:
The BMW 4 Series Convertible is a great looking car with the roof up or down. There are lots of options with two or four wheel drive, automatic or manual and various engine sizes all available. It has similar styling to the 4 series coupe but less agile, partly due to the added weight from the hard, folding metal roof. The roof does suck some fun out of the drive with the heavier build and comfort is slightly compromised with the extra space required. However, the solid roof makes it difficult to steal and break into compared to the riskier fabric roofs common on convertibles.
The main rivals for the BMW 4 Series are the Mercedes-Benz C Class and Audi A5. This car competes well, especially with the BMW 420d 2.0 litres diesel version which has extremely low running costs at up to 58.9mpg (46 real mpg). Emissions are equally low at 133g/km for a convertible of this size. The BMW also has comparatively better handling that its Mercedes-Benz counterpart. The resale value is great as well.
In terms of features, this convertible is well-equipped from standard trim. The standard entry level sport trim includes:
The Audi A5 Cabriolet is a high-quality build, practical and potentially expensive convertible. Its main rival is the BMW 4-Series Convertible. However, Audi’s interior has more of an upmarket motoring appeal and the build quality looks a lot better than its rivals which is reflected in the price as new. There is a newer 2017 version that has just been released which should make older versions cheaper when buying used. The Audi has a soft fabric, electric roof which makes this cabriolet lighter, adds additional boot space, 320 litres in total and 750 litres with seats folded. The roof operates at an impressive speed up to 31mph and opens in just 15 seconds.
There are quattro 4-wheel drive versions available in the 2.0 TFSI petrol and 3.0 TDI diesel. You also have the option of manual or automatic drive. The A5 Cabriolet is well equipped with leather seats, Bluetooth, sound system with large colour screen and climate control as standard. SE and S-line models are the most popular as a used car so you should be able to get a great deal under £20,000. It could cost over £40,000 as new so this makes for great value for money provided all the necessary checks are done.
A lot of buyers purchase additional extras for their Audi A5 Cabriolet so keep an eye out for a great deal with plenty of kit included in the sales price. Servicing this car could be pricey as official Audi dealers offer expensive rates for so you might prefer an independent dealer. Audi is a popular car manufacturer so the residual value for the Audi A5 Cabriolet will hold if thinking of reselling.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is a more affordable convertible than the SL and looks like a comparatively updated CLK. Considered to be more of a cruiser than a genuine sports car, the E-Class Cabriolet is not as fun to drive when compared to rivals such as the BMW 4 Series convertible. However, it’s a very comfortable four seat cabriolet with a fabric roof available in either black or blue. The roof is the best you could hope for, built from fabric material with excellent noise reduction and insulation. It also has the added benefit of providing additional space compared to the bulkier BMW’s hard top when folded. In spite of this fact, the BMW still has more outright space with the roof up.
The AMG Sport models are the most wanted versions of the E-Class Cabriolet. The diesel E350CDI is the most popular UK model and boasts up to 47.9mpg. The standard AMG Line kit includes leather seats and a 14.7cm TFT colour screen for the CD radio with USB or Bluetooth compatibility. Automatic gearboxes are fitted on most E-Class Cabriolets so ensure you purchase an automatic if thinking about reselling.
The most impressive aspect of this cabriolet is perhaps the roof can which open and closes in 20 seconds. The AIRCAP wind deflector is equally awesome as it rises automatically at 25mph which provides a better experience for passengers when the roof is down at higher speeds.
The BMW Z4 Roadster is another BMW on this list with an award winning engine. This 2nd generation model of the Z4 was designed to compete with the Porsche Boxster. Like the BMW 4 Series Convertible, it also has a metal roof which makes it quieter on roads and provides added security. The Z4 seems more comfortable with plenty of cabin space. The boots space also suffers from the roof, being constrained when the roof is down.
The most affordable version is the sDrive 18i 2.0 litre released in 2013. However, the Z4 2.5 sDrive 23i M Sport with a manual gearbox the most common model available. The BMW Service Inclusive package is transferrable so ensure this is included when purchasing a used convertible as it covers up to 60,000 miles or 5 years.
There is plenty of equipment available, and if you want the latest tech and features which includes DAB digital radio go for a model from 2013 onward. The one thing that lets this car down is the 3 star Euro NCAP rating which does not bode well for the safety-conscious drivers out there.
If you want to own a convertible, then the Porsche Boxster is the cheapest way to buy into this range. This car is great to drive and provides a wonderful driving experience with a well-balanced build which offers good handling. The face-lifted model launched in 2009 has a better cabin and stronger performing engines. In 2006, the original 2.7 and 3.2 versions were upgraded with the Boxster S 3.2 swapped to 3.4 litre.
The Porsche badge means the residual value will hold. However, if you are buying a used cabriolet, you will not get as much value compared to rivals. Moreover, buying a higher mileage version would get the best deal as performance does not deteriorate that much if the service history backs this up. The highest sport spec versions are easier to resell.
The equipment offering lets it down with entry-level spec not as luxurious as rivals such as BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz.
For more used convertibles you can check our other list, Best Used Convertibles Under £10,000 which includes the Audi TT Roadster, Mazda MX-5 and Mini Convertible.
You can search for more used convertibles under £20,000 on Carsnip today.
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