Some people dismiss the Boxster as 'not a proper Porsche'. Don't be one of these people as it's one of the best convertible cars going. For a start, the Porsche 718 Boxster is simply brilliant to drive. The engine is positioned behind you, adding to the sense of occasion and contributing to its incredibly agile handling. There are very few cars that'll keep up with a well-driven Porsche Boxster on a twisty road.

The 718 model was introduced in 2016 and was a bit controversial at the time. Porsche dropped its traditional six-cylinder petrol engines in the standard cars, in favour of new turbocharged four-cylinder units. And while they certainly don't sound quite as good, they are more economical in day-to-day driving. They're not slow, either – the 2.0-litre motor used in the entry-level car packs 300PS, while the 2.5-litre Boxster S produces 350PS.

Prices for a new Porsche Boxster start at around £54,000 and, even though they do hold their value pretty well, it's been on sale for a while so there are bargains to be had. A budget of £35,000 will get you an early model with the desirable PDK automatic gearbox.

We love a Mazda MX-5, and we're not alone. It's the world's best-selling sports car with more than a million made since the original model first went on sale in 1989.

It's now in its fourth iteration and it's remained true to its original design brief. While most cars on sale have got bigger, heavier and more expensive, the MX-5 has remained a lightweight, nimble sports car that puts driving pleasure over pretty much everything else.

You can pick up the latest model for less than £15,000. Don't worry about hunting out one that's loaded with equipment or with the more powerful 2.0-litre engine: an MX-5 is best enjoyed in its most simple guise. The 1.5-litre petrol motor is punchy enough and loves to be revved hard, which is all part of the appeal. A brilliant little car that's one of the best convertible cars you can buy right now. 

The iconic American pony car, the Ford Mustang, was on sale for decades before it finally made its way to Europe in 2015. It's everything you'd expect: bold, brash and a little bit brilliant.

There are two engines available: a 2.3-litre EcoBoost and the 5.0-litre V8. It's a no brainer, really – for the true Mustang experience, you need the V8. So much so, that Ford actually canned the smaller engine in 2021.

While it might lack the premium badge, the Mustang feels incredibly special to drive. Sure, it's not the last word in handling dynamics and there are rivals with plusher interiors. But it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face and is surprisingly affordable to buy, too. Just £25,000 should get you an EcoBoost model, and it'll only take a fraction more to get you into a V8.

The latest version of the BMW 2 Series is only offered in coupe form, unfortunately, but there's still plenty to recommend the previous 2 Series, which was also offered as a convertible. It may have been the brand's most affordable open-top model, but it still ticked a lot of boxes, with glamorous looks, a high-quality interior and an enjoyable driving experience.

Unlike some of its sportier rivals, the BMW 2 Series is a four-seater. We wouldn't recommend squeezing the in-laws into the back seats, but they're fine for carrying children. Dropping the fabric roof takes around 20 seconds and can be done while travelling at speeds of up to 30mph.

There's a wide range of petrol and diesel engines available, while all BMW 2 Series Convertibles are rear-wheel drive which means they're fun to drive. Unless you've got a real need for speed, we'd go for the sprightly mid-range 220i petrol motor. A cracking little cabriolet.

If you're looking to travel in ultimate luxury while enjoying the sunshine, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is the car for you. The fact that the entry-level car is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 tells you all you need to know. Hunt out the utterly ridiculous 6.0-litre V12 if you really want to win convertible car Top Trumps.

Just don't expect it to fit in your garage. This car is more than five metres long, while its two-tonne weight means it's not exactly an MX-5 when it comes to throwing it down a country lane. Of course, being a Mercedes, it drives surprisingly well for its size, but it's an indulgent grand tourer rather than a sports car.

There aren't many S-Class Cabriolets kicking about on the used car market, so finding one could be tough, and you'll need deep pockets to buy and run one, but they're still pretty good value compared to something like a Bentley Continental GT Convertible. Expect to spend around £70,000 on an S 500 AMG Line model, while an AMG will require a six-figure outlay.

If city chic is your vibe, the MINI Convertible should be right up your urban alleyway. It's as fashionable as a designer handbag, with the same nouveau retro looks as the popular MINI Hatch – albeit with a droppable fabric roof.

Its interior is as wonderfully retro as the exterior, although the rear seats are best used as an extension of the boot. There's an almost confusing amount of different models and option packs available, but the good news is the entry-level Cooper Classic could be all the car you'd possibly need. The thrummy three-cylinder petrol engine is a characterful unit and suits the nature of the car.

For the ultimate soft-top pocket rocket, a hot MINI John Cooper Works is yours for around £16,000. With its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine packing 231PS, it can accelerate to 62mph in just 6.5 seconds. It's a lot of fun for the cash. A new MINI is just around the corner, but there's still plenty to recommend this one.

Nothing will impress the neighbours like a naughty little two-seater appearing on your driveway. If you don't need a great deal of practicality from your used-car purchase, the now-discontinued Audi TT Roadster ought to be vying for your attention alongside the BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLC (not to mention the Porsche 718 Boxster, featured above).

It's more premium than a Mazda MX-5, with a sharper image and more luxurious interior, although it's not quite so much fun to drive. That said, the Audi TT RS Roadster uses a charismatic five-cylinder engine that produces a mighty 400PS. That's enough to catapult it to 62mph in less than four seconds, which is guaranteed to upset your hairdo if you attempt it with the roof down.

The standard 2.0-litre petrol Audi TT Roadster will be sufficient for most, though. This came out in 2015 and an early example can be picked up for around £20,000. You'll see a lot of diesels around at this end of the market, too, but don't bother with these unless you cover a lot of miles. The sound of a diesel engine kinda ruins the appeal of top-down motoring.

The Jaguar F-Type is a bit of a left-field choice in this list. It's been around for a while and, in many ways, it's just not as well-rounded as a Porsche 718 Boxster.

What the F-Type does do very well indeed, however, is feel incredibly special. It's got more character than German alternatives, and a heavy facelift towards the end of 2019 means it'll still turn heads today. It's certainly one of the best looking convertible cars you can buy today.

A new Jaguar F-Type starts from upwards of £60,000 but, with depreciation working on your favour, you can pick up a five-year-old model with low mileage for around £35,000. The 3.0-litre supercharged V6 model is our engine of choice. A gorgeous convertible car. 

Following in the footsteps of the now-discontinued Range Rover Evoque Convertible, the Volkswagen T-Roc Convertible chops the roof off a crossover SUV for some summer fun at a slightly more affordable price point than Land Rover’s effort.

You’ll certainly turn heads, as the T-Roc Convertible is a rare breed of drop-top SUVs, and you don’t often get exclusivity like this for around £20,000 (which is where second hand models start).

The roof takes nine seconds to unfurl, and the good news is it doesn’t eat into the boot space, so you can lower it whenever you fancy without having to worry that something might get squashed.

You’ll also benefit from VW’s excellent infotainment system with DAB radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a screen which you can still see when the sun is out. Perfect for pumping out tunes while you’ve got the roof down, then.

A very different type of convertible, this. While most of the cars on this list major on sportiness or sophistication, the Jeep Wrangler has no pretensions in those areas whatsoever. And like the VW T-Roc we were just talking about, this isn't some namby-pamby SUV, either. Instead, the Wrangler is a hardcore no-nonsense 4x4 off-roader, built to take on the roughest terrain possible, and it just so happens that the roof can be removed as well. And the doors. And the windscreen. And you don't get much more open to the elements than that.

Granted, there are compromises. On-road comfort and refinement could be a good deal better, as could fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while it's not a cheap car to buy, either. However, if you want the wind in your hair as you head for the hills, and you want to look extremely cool while doing it, there's nothing like the Wrangler.