Summer has arrived and it feels like we are due a hot one. After a year of being trapped in our homes, we really want to get out and about and feel the hot seasonal air on our faces. So it’s going to be the perfect time to get yourself a convertible. 

Have you ever considered going for a car that you can drop the top so you can feel the wind in your hair? There are a lot of reasons to buy a convertible. But is it the right choice for you? We’ve put together this short guide to help you decide if a convertible is right for you.

Do you want to show off?

Convertibles are one of the few types of cars that can get people’s heads turning. Even today, if someone with their roof down pulls up alongside you at the traffic lights, you are going to have a look. So you have to ask yourself, is this something you want? 

Not everyone wants people staring at them and their car, so if that’s the case, you might want to reconsider buying a convertible. However, most of the time you won’t even notice the stares and, unless you get caught in some summer traffic, you’re unlikely to have people gawking at you for long.

Hard or soft top?

There are two types of convertibles – hard top or soft top. Hard tops have a roof that is made out of metal, like the chassis of the car itself. Soft tops tend to be made out of fabric. Both can be automatic or manual when it comes to lowering the roof (more likely automatic in newer models), and build quality has come a lot way. So a lot of it comes down to personal preference?

Fabric roofs have to have a little extra care when it comes to cleaning, as you can’t just hose them down without using specific chemicals. Fabric roofs also tend to fold onto the back, rather than away into the boot of the car, so you have more boot space. It’s always worth checking how exactly the roof folds away before you decide on your convertible.

Bit of fun or practical

There’s a big difference between a car that you use on a daily basis and something that is just a bit of fun in the sunshine. So you’ll have to think about how you are going to use the car all-year round. In the UK especially, there’s no guarantee you’re going to have good weather every year, so you may go 12 months and only have the roof down a dozen or so times.

That’s not a problem if your car is just for you and you can forgo a large boot space for the convertible roof. If you have a family or need a bigger car, then you might need to go for a more practical convertible. That doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun vehicle. But you’ll want one that is more of an all-rounder. BMW have some excellent convertibles like the 4 Series and 5 Series options. Something along those lines will leave you with a car that’s great all year round. 

But if it’s just for a bit of fun, you can go for something like a Mazda MX-5 convertible, that will allow you to really enjoy the hot weather (and resent the wet weather that is far more likely to come!).