The Mini Convertible packs a whole lot of character into one good-looking drop-top. It was one of the first variations of the standard hatchback and debuted with a clever folding fabric roof, but we’re big fans of this more recent incarnation which has more of the premium features that you’d want but without breaking the budget.

Available with a range of engines, the Mini Convertible retains the same nippy handling of the regular hatchback which isn’t too watered-down as a result of the folding roof. And speaking of which, it’s very easy to operate and tidies nicely away when folded.

Mazda’s MX-5 is one of the most famous convertible cars around. Lightweight, great to drive and with a remarkable track record for reliability, it’s a car which can be enjoyed year round and, with regular servicing, won’t throw up many issues. The roof is a great reflection of this as it’s unpowered – you simply unlock it and throw it backwards. You can even use it on the move.

This latest generation of MX-5 also incorporated a clever ‘RF’ version which used a retractable metal roof – though it does stray from the usual ‘easy-use’ ethos of this normal convertible. It does add in another option, however.

If you’re after a car that’s a little comfier and more suited to day-to-day driving, then the BMW 4 Series Convertible could be right up your street. For one, it’s got a metal folding roof which, when put in place, turns this stylish drop-top into a car which feels just as refined as a standard fixed-roof BMW. A good range of engines only make the package better, while there’s a decent level of space inside.

It all makes the 4 Series Convertible a very easy car to live with on a daily basis as it’s just as comfortable and refined as a ‘regular’ car, but with the added bonus of a folding roof.

There are few cars which capture the excitement of a convertible quite like the Audi TT. A mainstay in the German firm’s stable for decades, the original TT broke onto the scene with its eye-catching rounded design and while some of that quirkiness may have shed over time, the latest generation TT still makes for a very exciting used buy.

The interior displays Audi’s trademark high level of build quality and while it may not be the most spacious of options, there’s more room inside the TT than you may expect. Go-faster TTS and TTRS versions are there for drivers after more performance, too.

In a similar vein to the BMW 4 Series Convertible, the C-Class Cabriolet from Mercedes delivers a refined and upmarket driving experience which makes it very easy to live with day-to-day. It’s available with some silky-smooth engines, too, including a number of diesels which could prove ideal for higher-mileage drivers after better fuel economy.

While some of the interior plastics of this generation of C-Class weren’t quite up to the usual Mercedes standards, there’s still lots to like about this drop-top. You’ll find a decent level of roominess, too, and the boot isn’t a bad size either.

Jaguar has a long and varied history when it comes to making jaw-droppingly handsome convertibles and it felt that it delivered once again with the F-Type Cabriolet. Transferring some of the excellent design cues from the standard coupe to this soft-top version, the F-Type Cabriolet has a touch of the old-school Jaguar roadster but with plenty of high-end touches.

It’s got a great series of engines to choose from, too, ranging from a surprisingly punchy four-cylinder unit right up to a full-fat supercharged V8. However, thanks to well-sorted suspension, this is a convertible that’ll happily do some big-mileage days without breaking a sweat.

If you’re after something a little quirkier then boy, have we got an option for you. The Range Rover Evoque Convertible broke onto the scene as one of very few drop-top SUVs ever made, combining the looks of this best-selling high-riding model with a electrically operated fabric roof. It’s just as capable as the standard Evoque off-road, too, while the interior has all of the great functions as the regular model.

It was something of an ill-fated car, mind you, with JLR pulling the plug on the Evoque Convertible after just a handful of years. However, if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd with your next drop-top, this is a great way to do it.

Think of Audi’s A3 and you’ll likely imagine the standard hatchback – but a convertible version mixed up the usual A3 recipe and brought something new to the table. It’s a great package, however, and thanks to a well-sized cabin and a decent boot, doesn’t bring too many drawbacks over the standard hard top.

With a folding fabric roof the A3 Cabriolet has something of an old-school charm to it, but thanks to the same range of great engines as the regular hatch it’s still very efficient. It has proven a hit with buyers, too, so there’s some good availabilty on the used market – you should be able to find one which fits your budget.

If sporting pedigree is what you’re after, then you can’t go far wrong with a Porsche. The Boxster remains one the firm’s most popular convertibles, offering everything people expect from this German brand but in a – somewhat – more affordable package. They’re a common sight on the used market, too, which means you might be able to get one for a far more budget-friendly price than you’d expect.

As with any performance cars, the Boxster will need to be properly maintained to keep it in good health but, with regular servicing, this is a convertible that’ll prove very exciting to live with. With its low weight and well-balanced steering, the Boxster delivers everything you’d want from something with a Porsche badge on the nose.

The Beetle is a car which has always encapsulated the spirit of the Volkswagen brand, with the Cabriolet throwing in a little extra cheekiness along the way. As it’s based on the Golf, this generation of Beetle has a well-specified interior with a decent amount of space while all of the major touchpoints are finished in pleasant materials, though you may find some scratchier plastics lower down.

It’s a car which is a little more focused on comfort and ease-of-use rather than outright driving pleasure, however, but this does make it a great option for drivers who want to take things a little slower while enjoying their surroundings. The folding soft top is easy to operate, too, though it does fall back into a slightly odd arrangement at the back with lots of the material appearing to fold onto itself.