16 Cool Convertibles to Make You Drool

For many, there are fewer true pleasures than being behind the wheel of a high-performance sports car. Taking one out for a drive through the mountains or along a sunny coastal highway, feeling the engine purr and the wheels grip the road, is an experience just shy of true joy. What can make such an experience even better? If that car is a convertible! Driving on a nice day with the top down is amazing, but if that convertible is one of the machines on our list of 16 Cool Convertibles, the experience can be glorious.

Buying a convertible used to mean compromising on either performance or comfort, as many older convertibles had flimsy roofs or ones that were difficult to remove or replace. Thankfully, that is no longer true. Modern convertible tops can be removed in seconds with a single press of a button. No longer do you need to wrestle with a stubborn top in wind and rain.

The weight of a convertible used to be an issue, compared with similar coupe models, in part because of the extra frame reinforcement necessary to handle the top-down mechanisms. Plus, the machinery involved in raising or lowering a roof adds pounds on its own, not to mention taking up valuable cargo space. True enthusiasts have traditionally preferred coupe models for this very reason, opting not to compromise the light weight and better performance.

Now, though, many find the thrills offered by topless cars to be greater than those of the hardtop versions. Hardtops still have better overall performance, but convertibles offer a visceral experience no coupe can match. Here are 16 of the best modern convertibles which offer that experience.

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

Aston Martin doesn't just make cars, it makes automotive art. Good looks, along with a 6.0 Liter v12 that offers 656 horsepower, makes for an exciting drive. Other cars might be more powerful, but few look as good as the Aston while getting you where you want to go. The price tag might scare away those without an extra $300,000 in their wallets, though!

Audi R8 GT Spyder

The R8 GT Spyder, starting at around $210,000, is Audi's most expensive road car. While the Spyder beats the standard v10 R8's horsepower at 560hp, the carbon fiber construction brings the overall weight down to 85kg, making a big difference in how it drives. For the aficionado who wants to feel the wind in their hair and demands the top of the line, the R8 GT is a great choice.

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible

One might describe Bentley GT Speed as "wheeled beauty," coming in with a W12 Twin Turbo 6 Liter engine and 616hp. That also makes it one of the fastest Bentleys, capable of reaching 198mph - and that's with the top down! Bentley really puts effort into the small details, like the hand-stitched steering wheels, which take 14 hours to complete. That personal touch, plus the car's performance, capabilities, and stunning looks make the GT Speed one of a kind.

BMW Z4 Roadster

The Z4's folding hardtop is highly durable, granting it the benefits of both a roadster and a coupe. The 6 cylinder engine and standard 6-speed gearbox makes it purr at full rev. It sacrifices some practicality, with a trunk large enough for only a few small bags, but we doubt you'll care as you ride this beauty into the sunset.

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider

Owning a Ferrari has become a dream for many young entrepreneurs, but how about one with no roof? The roof retracts in just 14 seconds so you won't have long to wait. Reaching speeds of nearly 200mph, you'll feel the 562hp V8 beneath your feet and the wind playing in your hair. It's hard to improve upon perfection, but the Ferrari 458 Spider does just that.

Jaguar F-Type Roadster

One of the best-looking cars on the market, the F-Type offers a 495hp engine capable of reaching 60mph in four seconds, and topping out at 186mph. Even more impressive are the sounds this bad boy makes, like King Kong gargling chainsaws at a Mötorhead concert! That rumble will be turning heads as you go everywhere in style and comfort.

Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster

Of course a Lamborghini has to be on this list, and it was hard to pick just one, but the cream of the crop is the Murcielago Roadster, one of the original "Lambos." Few of the cars on this list can top this machine. At nearly 600hp, this sleek monster will draw stares of envy from everyone you pass. The steep price, starting around $255,000, is well worth the chance to drive something this addictive and elegant.

Maserati Granturismo Convertible

Topping out at 171mph, the Granturismo was made for "going topless." It radiates style, with its sleek design and its passionate exhaust note, not to mention the 454hp it provides and its 384lb/ft. torque. A genuinely amazing car that offers a one-of-a-kind driving experience.

Mazda MX-5

What is a Mazda Miata doing on the same list as Lamborghini and Ferrari? Sure, it might seem outclassed at first, but the MX-5 Miata is a delight to drive. Its naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, combined with its reasonable price point around $24,000, makes this convertible a possibility for the most threadbare of budgets. It's no wonder the Miata has been in production for 25 years and holds a Guinness Record for best-selling two-seater.

Mercedes-Benz SL550

The iconic Mercedes-Benz SL550 has been around since the 1950s, when it originally began production. Underneath that fast-retracting hardtop is a gorgeous interior and a 429hp V8 motor. It's true automotive mastery by one of the most revered names in luxury cars, and it can be yours starting at a mere $120,000.

Nissan 370z Roadster

It isn't the most expensive, nor the most upscale roadster on this list, but the Nissan 370z is a joy to drive and offers a robust experience with its 330hp, 3.7-liter V6 engine. The rev-matching system provides for smoother shifting with its 6-speed manual transmission and 19" alloy wheels. Nissan has always made quality cars and the 370z is no exception.

Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet

The Porsche name is synonymous with style and excellence, not to mention being just plain fun to drive. The Carrera Cabriolet tops the list with the elegant sound of its 400hp flat-6 engine, instantly-recognizable design, and superior handling. The rear-axle dynamic chassis control, combined with the Carrera's torque vectoring, wider front track, and longer wheel base keeps it hugging the curves as the wind whips your hair. It's hard to go wrong with a classic.

Porsche Boxster Convertible

Porsche is the only maker to appear on this list twice, and for good reason. The Boxster convertible is more than just a car, it's practically a lifestyle. Made with performance in mind, the 315hp V6 offers pure gratification, and it really shines when taking the curves with the top down. And it is affordable, starting under $60,000 with plenty of options - a bargain for a car that offers the classic Porsche experience.

Rolls Royce Convertible

You have to be pretty rich to take home one of these sophisticated machines, but for your $517,000 you get a lot of car. The 6.75 Liter, 435hp motor has pick-up-and-go, but the size and weight - 5,700 lbs! - give the Rolls Royce some heft and strength. Driving one is more relaxing than action-packed, but at least you'll get there in style and refinement.

SLS AMG GT Roadster

James Bond would look right at home in the SLS, the first car AMG engineered entirely itself. The 7-speed transmission shifts quickly, the V8 hums, and the suspension responds to the road, working with the 583hp engine to provide a perfect Grand Touring experience. Even when the hardtop is up, the solid manufacturing means you won't be bothered with road noise, but the best way to experience the SLS GT is with the top down. You'll feel like a world-class spy on his way to play Baccarat in Monaco.

Z06 Corvette Convertible

We couldn't end the list without featuring a Corvette. Even sturdier than earlier versions of the Z06 coupe, the 'Vette gives you the same 6.2 Liter, 650hp V8 engine, taking you from zero to 60 in just three seconds. It just gets better with the z07 package, while only weighing 60lbs more than the coupe. You can raise or lower the top in speeds up to 30mph. All that at a price starting around $80,000 makes the Corvette an amazing deal on a high-performance convertible.