If you’re looking for a used automatic convertible car there’s a wide selection of luxurious cabriolets on offer, although if you want a sporty roadster, more often than not this purer, wind-in-your-hair style of motoring dictates a manual gearbox. Trends are changing, though, and two-pedal convenience is often available in some impressively quick sports cars.
We’ve picked our favourites to help cut your search down, but make sure you get a free car valuation before hunting for your next motor in the Cars for Sale section. Plus, you can visit our finance section to work out how to get the best car for your budget and see how much you can afford to borrow with our finance calculator.
Scroll down to read about each of our favourite automatic convertibles, or click on the quick links below to jump to your ideal new car:
Editor’s choice: Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet
Mature, refined and spacious, the Merceces-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is the sensible option for a family convertible. Inside, it features a contemporary architectural feel, open-pore natural woods topped with high technology panoramic displays for infotainment and instruments; above, innovative technology creates a virtual roof of air, keeping warmth within the car and refinement intact.
We consider the E-Class Cabriolet to be excellent value for money, especially the 220 d version. Although, there are options for V6 diesel or petrol power and 4Matic all-wheel drive if you just can’t help yourself.
Used price: £23,650 – £61,050
Fuel economy: 31 – 53 mpg
Road tax cost: £450
Insurance group: 40 – 45
Boot space: 385 litres
Ford Mustang Convertible
Queueing on the drizzly M25 might not seem as romantic as barrelling down the Pacific Coast Highway or Route 66, but in a Mustang Convertible every trip will feel that bit more special.
That’s particularly true if you pick the big 5.0-litre V8, which serves up a barrel-chested wedge of torque and a characterful noise through the open roof. Pick the Mustang if you want one of the best-value eight-cylinder convertibles available.
Used price: £18,735 – £38,795
Fuel economy: 20 – 35 mpg
Road tax cost: £140 – £555
Insurance group: 41 – 45
Boot space: 320 litres
Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar will still sell you an F-Type Convertible in a variety of different flavours, including four, six and eight cylinders, rear or four-wheel drive, and with a manual or automatic gearbox. It’s the latter we’re interested in here, paired with the range sweet spot – the 400 Sport.
This uses an uprated version of the 3.0-litre supercharged V6, providing suitable punch and a great noise too. Pick the F-Type for its standout looks and muscle car performance, plus the unbeatable wail of its supercharged six-cylinder motor.
Used price: £17,995 – £75,370
Fuel economy: 25 – 35 mpg
Road tax cost: £290 – £555
Insurance group: 44 – 50
Boot space: 196 litres
Porsche 718 Boxster
Sold in standard 2.0-litre, quicker 2.5-litre S and racier GTS forms, this generation of 718 Boxster is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder motor rather than the flat-six of older cars.
That means it’s more powerful and economical than before, and the best news is, the PDK automatic version is quicker and produces less CO2 than the manual. Pick the 718 Boxster if you want the best handling small convertible sports car on the market. Its mid-mounted engine and finely tuned chassis will deliver thrills every time you turn the key.
Used price: £27,315 – £61,605
Fuel economy: 30 – 35 mpg
Road tax cost: £195 – £450
Insurance group: 44 – 49
Boot space: 150 plus 130 litres (front and rear cargo spaces)
BMW 2 Series Convertible
Tempering the performance-focused theme of this list somewhat is the BMW 2 Series with its wide-range of engines, from efficient diesels to screaming straight sixes.
That’s not to say the 2 Series is a boring drive – far from it – this small convertible is agile and sharp whichever model you choose. Pick the 2 Series if you want a great choice of engines, polished cabin, and Ultimate Driving Machine branded handling.
Used price: £9,865 – £25,140
Typical used monthly cost: £243 – £620
Fuel economy: 33 – 65 mpg
Road tax cost: £30 – £450
Insurance group: 21 – 46
Boot space: 335 litres
Lamborghini Huracan Spyder
When it comes to showing off there are few more effective vehicles than a soft-top, V10-powered Lamborghini.
If you’re after an automatic too there’s more good news, the Huracan Spyder is only sold with a self-shifting box, which rips through its gears with as much ferocity as the 5.2-litre engine. Pick the Lamborghini Huracan for the ultimate in flamboyance, performance and extravagance.
Used price: £106,655 – £199,505
Fuel economy: 20 – 23 mpg
Road tax cost: £450 – £555
Boot space: 100 litres
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
If you’re looking for a mid-sized four-seater convertible, and specifically want an automatic not a manual, then they don’t come much better than this. The C-Class was facelifted in 2018, gaining the latest Mercedes-Benz dashboard concept and smoother details. We couldn’t believe it took Mercedes so long to produce a soft-top version of the C-Class, but we’re glad they did. The fabric soft-top is more elegant than a hard-top, and as such steals much less boot space.
This might not be the car to choose if practicality is top of your list, but you do get 360-litres of boot space with the roof up, and 285-litres with the top down. Features the Aircap concept, designed to reduce the natural windiness of a convertible, although it does cause more wind noise and is a bit of an eyesore.
Used price: £17,195 – £75,695
Fuel economy: 27 – 62 mpg
Road tax cost: £30 – £450
Insurance group: 33 – 50
Boot space: 285 litres
Audi TT Roadster
Offering nearly as wide an engine range as the BMW 2 Series, there really is an Audi TT for everyone. Diesel, petrol, two- and Quattro four-wheel drive are all catered for.
The 2.0-litre TDI offers remarkable running costs while the 2.5-litre petrol motor in the TT RS will help you bother supercars with its frankly astonishing pace. Pick the Audi TT if you want standout looks, badge appeal, and in the case of the faster petrol models, devastating pace.
Used price: £14,140 – £45,650
Fuel economy: 34 – 58 mpg
Road tax cost: £30 – £450
Insurance group: 34 – 46
Boot space: 280 litres
MINI Convertible
Chopping the roof off your diminutive MINI means opening up an infinite amount of headroom and letting the rest of the world see your sharply styled cabin.
There are cheap to run diesel models plus exhilarating Cooper S and John Cooper Works Convertibles if extra speed is on the agenda. Pick the MINI if you want stylish looks and an iconic badge, plus exciting handling regardless of which engine you go for.
Used price: £8,970 – £25,765
Fuel economy: 40 – 72 mpg
Road tax cost: £0 – £195
Insurance group: 16 – 33
Boot space: 215 litres
Smart Fortwo Cabrio
The best way to make the Smart’s small cabin feel more spacious is to remove the roof and stash it away in the Fortwo’s boot. You get all the advantages of the regular car, such as ease of parking, a tiny turning circle and eye-catching looks too.
Pick the Smart Fortwo Cabrio if you live in the city but don’t want to compromise on open-top motoring.
Used price: £5,745 – £14,875
Fuel economy: 52 – 67 mpg
Road tax cost: £0 – £140
Insurance group: 5 – 14
Boot space: 130 litres
