As we’re getting closer to summer, our dreams of driving a convertible once again emerge from hibernation. Unfortunately, the threat of tariffs and an unstable economy means most of us can’t, or won’t, splurge on a brand-new convertible this year. However, all is not lost.
Kelley Blue Book reported wholesale used vehicle prices rose in January 2026, and retail prices often follow several weeks later. Even so, it is still possible to find excellent budget convertibles under $20,000 if you shop carefully
Why We Chose These Cheap Convertible Cars
We focused on finding fun convertibles (and one targa top), whether classics or relatively new, and set a max price of $20,000 for a car in good condition, but many of them are available for much less than that. Keep in mind that things like condition, mileage, age, and location will play a role in the price.
All the prices are from Hagerty and Kelley Blue Book, as well as marketplaces like Cars.com. Information about car specs and driving dynamics comes from reputable automotive sites such as Car and Driver, MotorTrend, and others.
Mazda MX-5 Miata — $18,000+
Let’s just start with the most obvious option and get that out of the way. It’s been three-and-a-half decades since Mazda introduced the little Miata roadster, and Forbes reports that during that time, it’s become the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car.
The current ND generation is a highlight, but power depends on model year. Early ND models (2016 to 2018) made 155 hp, and the updated 2019 and newer cars make 181 hp from the same 2.0 liter. It’s not the most powerful sports car, but thanks to its excellent chassis, it’s one of the most fun to drive. There are some early models available for less than $20k on Cars.com, but if you’re willing to consider one of its predecessors, there are plenty of cars that fit our budget.
Fiat 124 Spider — $16,000+
If you like the idea of driving a Miata, but want something a bit rarer, the Fiat 124 Spider is the way to go. It’s built on the same platform as the MX-5 Miata; in fact, Car and Driver reports that they’re built in the same factory.
Instead of using the same 2.0-liter as the Miata, Fiat decided to go with their own turbocharged 1.4-liter, delivering 160 hp in stock form. Fiat doesn’t have the best reputation regarding reliability, but the 124 Spider is much better than the rest of their products. As an added bonus, you get to tell people you drive an Italian convertible sports car. Prices? From $16 grand and up on Cars.com.
Saab 9-3 — $10,000+
Saab may not be around anymore, but the brand still has a reputation as the car of choice for architects and dentists. If you want to come off as sophisticated rather than flashy, the Saab 9-3 convertible is an excellent option.
There are different trim levels with varying degrees of power available, and prices start as low as a couple of thousand dollars on Cars.com. However, those are high-mileage examples. Forking out around $10k, or more, will land you a solid car that’s both stylish and fun.
R52 Mini Cooper S — $10,000+
It’s a cliché, but if you’re looking for a cheap convertible car with a fun-to-drive nature and go-kart-like handling, the first-gen Mini Cooper S is for you! The second gen suffers from too many issues, so we’d avoid that, and it seems the people over on Reddit agree.
The R52 is the convertible version of the first-generation new Mini, and according to Pelican Parts, it was sold from 2005 to 2008. It shares the same chassis and basic mechanical layout as the hatchback, but with a convertible body style. Under the hood, it has the same supercharged 1.6-liter as the regular Cooper S, churning out a respectable 168 ponies. The majority of Mini convertibles are listed between $5,000 and $15,000 on Bring a Trailer and Edmunds.
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible — $12,000+
Let’s go from one retro-styled icon to another. The Volkswagen Beetle convertible certainly isn’t for those with a need for speed, but if you want cutesy looks and plenty of practicality, it’s the perfect choice!
Early models can be picked up for a song, but they tend to have lots of miles on the odometer. Right now, around $12,000 seems to be the sweet spot for a 2010 New Beetle Convertible with the 2.5 liter inline five making 150 hp. The later 2012 to 2019 Beetle’s 2.5 liter inline five is rated at 170 hp, but prices can differ by model year and condition. Cars.com has around 110 convertible Beetles listed at the time of writing, so there should be one that suits your budget.
Nissan 370Z Convertible — $15,000+
Those who want their cheap convertible car to deliver a kick could do a lot worse than the Nissan 370Z. As reported by Car and Driver, it’s powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine churning out north of 330 hp, so it’ll push you into the seat when flooring the throttle. All those horses are sent straight to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.
It also uses a lightweight construction and front-mid engine layout, and it all adds up to make the 370Z a real driver’s car. Early models are getting old, but still look quite stylish. At the moment, it’s possible to score an open-top 370Z without crazy-high mileage for around $15 grand on Cars.com.
Infiniti G37 Convertible — $15,000+
The Infiniti G37 is basically a more posh Nissan 370Z, and it has a 325-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine, which means zero to 60 mph is taken care of in 5.6 seconds, according to Car and Driver.
The G37 convertible is available with a 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual transmission. It also has a sporty suspension setup and large wheels. Weighing in at 4,149 lbs, it does suffer from a bit of overweight, but since it’s not a race car, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. It’s possible to find a drop-top G37 around the $15k mark on Cars.com, but spending a bit more gets you an example with more sensible mileage.
Pontiac Solstice GXP — $13,000
There’s no denying that the Pontiac Solstice has its fair share of flaws, but as Dave VanderWerp at Car and Driver said, it also gets most of the crucial things right. It’s affordable, looks cool, and the GXP trim even packs a very decent punch.
Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine pumps out 260 ponies, but more power can be attained with some quality tuning and aftermarket parts. A quick search on Cars.com reveals that there are Solstice GXPs available for as little as $6,000, but spending around $13k should get you a clean, low-mileage example.
E89 BMW Z4 — $15,000
The e89 Z4 that was sold between 2009 and 2016 is slightly smaller than the current version of the Z4, and it feels more like a traditional point-and-squirt sports car than a grand tourer.
According to Cars.com, it’s possible to get behind the wheel of an early sDrive30i with a 255 hp 3.0-liter engine or a later sDrive28i with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 240 hp if you have around $15,000 burning a hole in your pocket.
E46 BMW 330Ci — $8,000+
Personally, I think the E46 Bimmers are among the coolest cars to ever emerge from Bavaria. Unfortunately, the M3 is out of our budget, but the 330Ci convertible is an excellent alternative. There are cars listed on Cars.com for as little as a couple of thousand dollars, but if you spend a bit more on one that’s in good condition and take care of it, you probably won’t lose a dime if you decide to sell after a couple of years. Around $8,000 should get you a nice one.
Car and Driver reported that it offers decent power, great driving dynamics, and I’ll add that it still looks stunning, not bad for a car that hasn’t been in production for nearly 20 years. With a 225-hp straight-six, the 330Ci is easily capable of putting a smile on your face on a twisty road.
BMW 228i — $14,000+
While small, the BMW 2-Series seats four people, and it’s as practical as any coupe. Although we should mention that the rear seat is only suitable for children or tiny adults, unless they’re contortionists or don’t have legs.
Opting for the 228i convertible, you’ll get a sensible car that even returns 35 mpg on the highway. While sensible, Car and Driver’s Joe Lorio reported that it’s a proper fun car to drive thanks to its excellent chassis and 240-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mill. According to Cars.com, parting with roughly $14,000 will get you behind the wheel of a car in good condition.
5th-Gen Ford Mustang GT — $14,000
It’s practically impossible not to enjoy yourself behind the wheel of a 5th-gen Ford Mustang convertible. Especially if you find yourself on a deserted road, bury the gas pedal and just listen to the V8 engine’s glorious soundtrack.
The Ford Mustang is also substantially larger than some of the other cars on this list, which makes it a decent highway cruiser and grand tourer, but it’s still capable of laying down some fat tire marks when the light turns green. Car and Driver managed to launch the 2005 Mustang convertible to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. Currently, there are several V8-powered 5th-gen convertible ‘Stangs on Cars.com listed around the $ 14,000 mark with roughly 50k miles on the odometer.
5th-Gen Chevy Camaro — $16,000+
If you prefer your muscle cars to have a bow-tie on the grille rather than a blue oval, the 5th-gen Camaro should be right up your alley. Just like in the 1960s, Ford beat them to the punch, but once the Camaro arrived, it was just as good as the Mustang.
As Hot Rod reports, it was introduced in 2010 and available with a V6 and a V8, but let’s be honest, the rumbling eight-cylinder mill is the one we all want. If you want one with less than 70k miles, be prepared to part with close to $20,000, but there are plenty of cheaper ones on Cars.com for those who don’t care about mileage.
C5 Chevrolet Corvette — $15,000+
These days, C5 Corvette prices have started to rise ever so slightly, and MotorTrend predicts that it may just be a future collectible. However, it’s still possible to get yourself behind the wheel of America’s sports car for a mere fistful of dollars, as there are several low-mileage examples listed on Cars.com between $15k to $20k.
If you prefer your American muscle to come with a side order of sportiness that can match the Europeans, the C5 is the perfect choice. With a 350-hp V8, even the base model packs a serious punch, so you don’t have to buy the top-spec car… unless you want to.
Fun fact: The C5 Corvette was one of the last mainstream production cars to use pop up headlights, ending in 2004, alongside the Lotus Esprit.
Audi TT Roadster — $15,000+
Audi’s first-gen TT debuted in 1999, and it was an immediate success. While early cars suffered from some aerodynamics-related issues, Audi sorted that out, and there’s nothing to worry about today.
Over the years, the TT was available with a variety of engines, including a diesel unit for the European market. It won awards left, right, and center, and its popularity led to two more generations before it was discontinued in November 2023. While it’s possible to find a 3rd-gen model for less than $20,000, it’s much easier to pick up a second-gen that’s been well cared for. In fact, armed with $15k, you can get a low-mileage example.
Porsche 987 Boxster — $15,000+
The 987 model Boxster debuted in 2005, and today, it’s one of the biggest bargains on the used Porsche market.
As pointed out by Goodwood Classic Solutions, it has a mid-engine layout and close to 50/50 weight distribution, meaning the handling is impeccable. Even the base model fitted with a 2.7-liter boxer unit packs a decent punch thanks to its 240 hp. Opting for a model built after 2009 means you won’t have to worry about the infamous IMS bearing issue either. According to Cars.com, $15,000 buys a decent 2nd-gen Boxster.
R171 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG — $20,000
Mercedes-Benz launched the second-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK two-seater roadster in 2004. There are no prizes for guessing that the SLK55 AMG was the high-performance version, packing a 5.5-liter V8 with 355 hp, as reported by Evo.
All its power was sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission, and the SLK55 AMG would scramble to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. It also looked much more aggressive than the standard SLK models, even today, it wouldn’t look out of place outside a fancy restaurant. According to Edmunds, you can expect to pay close to $20,000 for a clean, early example.
Porsche 914 — $15,000+
Long before the Boxster came into existence, Porsche purists were hating on the 914. Not long ago, practically nobody wanted the 914, and you could buy one for whatever change you found behind the sofa. That’s no longer the case, but it’s still possible to pick up an affordable Porsche 914 if you’re willing to spend some time searching.
It’s not a convertible in the true sense of the word; it’s a targa-top sports car, but we think it still deserves a spot. The 914 was built in collaboration with Volkswagen, and while it’s not particularly fast in a straight line, it’s plenty of fun on a twisty road. According to Classic.com, the average price for a 914 is just over $25k, but there are drivable cars available for between $15- $20k.
Toyota MR2 Spyder — $12,000+
Right now, the Toyota MR2 Spyder is one of the most underrated Japanese cars from its era. Several other models from the late 1990s have seen their prices skyrocket, but the third-gen MR2 is still very reasonably priced.
If you need a practical car, the MR2 Spyder is definitely not for you. As pointed out by Robert Bowen at Grassroots Motorsports, it has practically zero cargo space. Unless you put the bags in the passenger seat and footwell, there’s not even enough space for a week’s worth of groceries for one person. However, if you want a mid-engined sports car bargain that’s a blast to drive on a twisty road, the MR2 is most certainly worth considering. As per Cars.com, $12,000 gets you a clean car with 60k to 70k miles on it.
MG MGB — $10,000
Those looking for a true classic British sports car that doesn’t require you to sell vital organs on the black market should check out the MGB. It sticks to the traditional sports car formula, with a four-cylinder engine up front and all the power sent to the rear wheels. In the middle, we find a couple of seats for the driver and one lucky passenger.
The simple MGB was highly successful, which led to an 18-year production run, from 1962 to 1980. Seeing as the MGB is a quintessential British sports car, Grassroots Motorsports says it was also one of the cars that served as inspiration for the Mazda Miata, which means we’ve now come full circle. According to Hagerty’s Valuation Tool, you can buy a 1971 MGB in good condition for less than $10,000.
Smiles Per Gallon
This article barely scratches the surface of cheap convertible cars. Those on a tighter budget can even find many of the cars listed here for a lot less if they’re willing to put in some work or don’t mind high-mileage examples.
If you feel we didn’t include some cars that deserved a spot here, let us know in the comments.