The 10 Cheapest Cars That Will Give You That Weekend Roadster Experience – CarBuzz

For many car enthusiasts, nothing takes the week’s stress away like a relaxing weekend drive, with the roof down and wind blowing through your hair. It’s a pleasant image, and one that many pay dearly for; most sports cars and convertibles command sums well north of $50,000.

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Base MSRP

$28,985

Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Gas

Horsepower

181 hp

Torque

151 lb-ft

Drivetrain

RWD

0-60 MPH

5.5-6.0 seconds

Top Speed

130 mph

Expand

You can get yourself a brand-new Mazda MX-5 Miata for just under $30k, but if you want the cheapest route to drop-top fun, you’ll shop on the used car market: it’s a great way to achieve the same champagne result, but on a lemonade budget. To prove the point, we’ve found 10 examples of such cars, all of which offer wind-in-your-hair motoring for south of $10,000.

10 1974 MGB Roadster

Purchase Price: $9,300

For traditional top-down motoring, Britain’s quintessential roadster is a classic and quite perfect solution. While they are largely reliable due to their inherent simplicity, you wouldn’t necessarily want to drive one daily, as those typically classic ‘quirks and charms’ will soon become annoyances and inconveniences. An MGB does, however, make for the ideal weekend toy – it’ll feel like a welcome break from the world of touchscreens and driver assists, if you save it for special occasions.

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It’s easy to spend multiples of our $10,000 max budget on an MGB, particularly if you hunt down an original MGB V8, or scour the market for an early and restored example. However, Hagerty suggests that $9,300 is plenty enough to secure a late chrome-bumper model in good condition, which sees it enter our list as the first and most expensive choice.

9 1991 Pontiac Firebird Convertible

Purchase Price: $9,300

Although now defunct, Pontiac is one of the coolest American car brands to have existed, and there are still plenty of enthusiasts who support the marque and its many models. Arguably the most desirable and celebrated model of Pontiac’s is the Firebird – an iconic car that sees its history rooted deep in the golden era of American car culture.

A classic ’60s model is well out of reach with a $10,000 budget, although a low-slung ’90s model does just slip in under the limit. Hagerty suggests a good-condition example of the base, V6-powered ’91 Firebird should cost around $9,300.

8 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Purchase Price: $9,046

All iterations of the now-iconic MR2 are rightfully regarded as collectible modern classics now, and while first and second-generation models are scarce in quality condition, there are still plenty of third W30-gen models available. The diminutive proportions mean that, even with only 138 horsepower on tap from a humble 1.8-liter inline-four, the Japanese Spyder offer loads of fun through the corners.

This chuckable two-seater makes for a dreamy weekend getaway companion, although you’ll need to pack light, as luggage space is laughably small – a Miata would be the better alternative if cargo capacity is a priority, and that’s not saying much. Act fast if you’d like to secure one of Toyota’s greatest hits, though, as prices are on the move, with KBB pegging this one at just over $9,000.

7 2006 Mazda Miata

Purchase Price: $7,721

Any list of cheap and cheerful roadsters is just not complete without a Miata, and for this article, we’ve opted to include the third-gen or NC model. Earlier cars are arguably more fun to drive, thanks to smaller proportions mainly, but they do suffer terribly from rust, and many cheaper examples have been modified with garish add-ons.

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The NC model was available with a 1.8 and 2.0-liter inline-four, with the latter providing 158 hp – good enough for a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of just 6.5 seconds. Both come under budget, and, naturally, the 2.0-liter is the one to go for. Higher trims come with GPS navigation, heated leather seats, and larger alloy wheels, so hunting one down on budget would be well worth the trouble.

6 1998 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Purchase Price: $7,700

Few models can match the universally appreciated appeal of a Ford Mustang, and while the SN95 might not be the most celebrated generation, it’s still a Mustang, and therefore still worth a look. Under the hood of this drop-top GT sits the iconic Ford 4.6-liter modular V8, kicking 225 horsepower out to the rear wheels, in addition to 290 lb-ft of torque. Those peaks see this Mustang as one of the most powerful additions to the list, and with a five-speed manual transmission as standard, it’s a proper driver’s tool.

Unlike generations either side, the SN95 is still easily affordable, with KBB recommending a fair purchase price of $7,700 for this V8-powered drop-top. Plenty of other trims also sneak under budget, but the GT is a great entry-point for anyone seeking V8 thrills on a budget.

5 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Roadster

Purchase Price: $7,437

Unlike the Miata or MR2, the E85 BMW Z4 is not a starter sports car – it actually packs a more powerful punch than you might first think, especially in this 3.0i trim. Under the hood hides the type of engine BMW became famous for: a silky-smooth 3.0-liter inline-six, which produces 228 hp alongside 221 lb-ft of torque. This lump found its way under the hood of many BMW models at the time, but the Z4’s top-down approach allows the cabin to fill that much easier with the iconic exhaust note.

Buyers have a choice of transmissions, either manual or automatic, but both are six-speed. Plant your foot in the auto, and 60 mph will flash up in 5.6 seconds, while the manual model takes a couple tenths of a second longer. Much like the Z3 that preceded it, prices for the Z4 are on the up, so acting quickly will work in your favor here.

4 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500

Purchase Price: $7,300

If taking life at a more leisurely pace appeals, then ignore the modern-classic models which chase 0 to 60 figures and peak power outputs, and instead opt-in for a classic British roadster. The Triumph Spitfire is a perfect example of back-to-basics motoring, with not much more than four wheels and a delightfully simple engine to worry about. Pace is not its strong point, but when you’re sitting mere inches from the tarmac, gripping a wood-rimmed steering wheel which flexes in your palms, you’ll no doubt feel the Spitfire’s inline-four is more than powerful enough.

Like most classic cars, the very best examples can command figures that are multiple times higher than what a good one will cost. Many have been restored, and so will command these higher figures, but a well-kept original should still fall under budget.

3 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350

Purchase Price: $7,140

In comparison to many other models which feature here, this Mercedes-Benz offers a much more refined experience. It’s still just as sharp and dynamic as many other contemporary sports cars, with a powerful V6 engine and quick 7-speed auto ‘box, but it also comes with heated leather seats, a premium sound system, and quality materials in place of cheap and cheerful plastics. Remarkably, this genuinely fast and remarkably stylish 20-year-old sports car comes well under budget, as evidenced by a KBB fair purchase price of just $7,140.

2 2001 Audi TT Roadster 180

Purchase Price: $6,486

The original Audi TT coupe was, and still is, an absolute design. The concept car hardly changed at all by the time it reached production, and that striking yet soft design still looks pleasingly fresh even 25 years or so on. Just two engine options were available with the first-gen TT; either a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four, or a throaty 3.2-liter V6. Staying under budget requires buyers to opt for the four-cylinder, and as prices have been increasing steadily over the years, it’s likely the 180 horsepower model rather than the later 225-hp model which will fall under $10,000.

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The coupe model sports four seats, but if wind-in-the-hair motoring is a priority, then you’ll have to make-do with just two seats. Audi sold the 1.8T TT with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drove, courtesy of the legendary quattro system – although expect these models to carry a slight premium over the FWD examples.

1 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster

Purchase Price: $5,152

For getting the top down and soaking up the rays on a budget, the Chrysler Crossfire is hard to beat. It didn’t receive a spectacularly positive welcome from neither the general public nor the media when it was launched, and as such, it has rather lived in the shadow of more popular models ever since. However, those who ‘get’ the Crossfire absolutely love and swear by them, and for the price, they certainly must be worth trying out. They’re stylish, powered by a great-sounding V6, and the cabin looks like a great place to spend some time in the sun.

KBB suggests a fair purchase price of only $5,152, which means you could almost have two on budget – perhaps a spare for when one breaks down?

Sources:
Toyota, Mazda, Ford, BMW, Chrysler, Audi, Mercedes-Benz,
Kelley Blue Book
,
Hagerty
.