The market of cabriolets was always rather poor. There is no stable demand for cars with open top in this country. This is connected with weather conditions, since a soft roof is often not well enough protected from winter frosts. And it makes no sense to drive a cabriolet with a roof constantly over a head. But absence of this roof makes a trip not so comfortable.
Nevertheless there is a certain interest to cars in such non-standard appearance. That is why premium brands do not remove their offers from the market. Volkswagen Eos and Peugeot 308CC has already gone down in a history. Let's see who remained on a class catwalk?
Mini Cooper Cabrio - small and very successful
The raging success of Mini corporation in all countries where cars of this manufacturer are officially present is connected with unusual design, solid corporate style and minimalism which is today everywhere appreciated. Simple decoration of salon, simple design of the cars, interesting set of equipment from England - all this has made Mini Cooper Cabrio a fine car with big potential.
Mini can be considered as one of the worthiest cars among the cabriolets presented today. There are no fantastic sport features in it; therefore the cost is not eye-watering. The basic technical features of the car are the following:
- engine with 122 horsepowers;
- acceleration to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds;
- excellent transmission which fervently runs over engine modes;
- suspension for a sports trip (Cooper Cabrio does not like bad roads);
- exclusively city application.
All engineering of the corporation is intended for city use of the car. It is very interesting that the price is not so big in comparison with other offers in this unique and expensive market. Version with basic equipment costs quite affordable - around 28 thousand dollars. and this set of equipment has many technologies which are not accessible in other base Coopers.
Mazda MX-5/Miata - roadster which drives without a roof
This is the only one offer in today's market with a rigid folding roof. The most powerful technical characteristics for compact cars in the concern history were implemented in Mazda MX-5 roadster. The Japanese engineering perfectly interacts with active design which was recently created by corporation experts.
Time of roof folding makes up only 12 seconds. This car is dynamical in all aspects. 7.6 seconds of acceleration to 100 km/h will impress the buyer and future owner of the cabrio. It is very strange that the corporation has decided to make MX-5 a cabriolet. Its basic features are the following:
- very powerful 2-liter engine with active turbine;
- 160 horsepowers;
- excellent dynamics on 6-step mechanics or on the rigid automatic transmission;
- refined sporty look.
Sporty cabriolet is a new direction in design of modern cars. Far not all motorists and experts understand it. Many held attribution of the car to the features of absolutely different class as incompatible factor.
But Mazda MX-5 has strong positions in expensive American market. The model costs round 25 thousand dollars with mechanical gearbox, and a little bit more with the automatic transmission.
BMW M3 Convertible - premium and swanky
Cabriolets should be dynamical, youth, a bit sporty and fanciful. This point of view does not suit to BMW M3 Cabriolet. This car was created on the sport version of a compact sedan. Incredible technical features make it rather high-status, than sport. Possibilities under a hood allow the owner of such car to show the best on the road and to become an outstanding rider of city streets.
But a sport spirit is not reflected in any line of design. Aggression and premium attitude - these are two main factors which the owner of this car gets. The following car features shall be considered at purchase:
- 8-cylinder engine of 4 liters - apogee of Bavarian concern range;
- 420 horsepowers will impress even the sport racer;
- 5.3 seconds to 100 km/h - almost a record among civil vehicles;
- mechanical transmission of 6 steps allows dynamical switching of engine behaviour.
Such outstanding technical characteristics make BMW M3 Cabriolet one of the most interesting offers in cabriolets class. Incredible power, impressive dynamics are the main accompanying factors which become a significant advantage in a competitive class.
Now get ready for the most interesting thing. The price for the only one set of equipment of BMW M3 Cabriolet makes 80 thousand dollars in 2014.
Sizing up
Each participant of today's ranking has both pros and cons. Some try to win a competitive race with the price, the other are striving to attract clients with new technologies. All three presented cabriolet variants are interesting offers which hunt for their class of potential buyers.
The segment of BMW buyers will hardly covet at Mini Cooper, and admirers of Japanese technologies will definitely prefer Mazda MX-5. Each model has a certain individuality which is an important aspect of competitive activity.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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