When it comes to car ownership, nothing is more fun than open air driving.  If you are shopping for a used convertible, here’s what you should know about what’s available.  There are fewer traditional convertibles, but there are still many options to consider.

Word to the wise, however.  You must stay alert and ask questions, or you may pay more and get less than you had hoped for.

Finding a True Convertible

There are still a number of convertible cars out there, although finding the right one can be a trick. There are less and less affordable convertibles as the trend toward these vehicles has tapered off.

If you are shopping used, the convertibles that are most desirable are the ones that can be opened with a power button.  Usually these open at certain speeds, allowing you to put the top back while the car is in motion.

Luxury convertibles will really set you back. Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes-Benx C-Class, Audi A5, Porsche 718, and BMW 4 Series 440i convertibles sound great, but the used car price will be astronomical.

You may want to aim for the few convertibles made by affordable or premium brands. Examples include convertible editions of the Volkswagen Beetle, Buick Cascada, Lexus IS, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Mini Cooper, and the two-seater Mazda Miata. You can also aim for one that is no longer made, but still really fun. A few examples include the Chrysler Sebring, Volkswagen Eos, and Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible.

Keep in mind that when you choose a convertible, you are paying more for the car than you would if it had a roof.  Ironic, but true!  Also remember that the word convertible is not synonymous with sports car. If you are looking for both high horsepower and a drop-top, be sure to study the market before shopping.

You should be careful about choosing used cars in house financing. Some loan companies may have higher rates for a convertible than for a regular car. This is an important issue that you should address with your sales person at the start of your shopping.  You don’t want any unpleasant surprises once you have found your dream car.

Maximum Open Air Travel

Used Jeeps offer several of the open air driving styles that people are looking for.  The Wrangler, a two-door SUV, and the Wrangler Unlimited, a four-door SUV, are among the most sought after used cars.   These are true open air rides, allowing you to take off the roof and doors.  There are both soft top and hardtop varieties.

There’s nothing like Wranglers yet, although the Ford Bronco is promising to directly challenge them. It will have the same two-door and four-door SUV build.  The four-door Wrangler and soon-to-be four-door Bronco are big enough for a family, unlike the typical convertible. This may make a difference to convertible shoppers who have kids.

Multi-Panel Sunroofs

The multi-panel sunroof is another way to get some open air.  However, most of these have some fixed panels. This means you may have a sky view, but you won’t necessarily have the ability to open all of the skylights.  This makes it important to get the full facts when shopping for a used car.  You should ask your salesperson about any multi-panel sunroofs or simply look it up online to find out what it can do.

The Jeep Renegade sometimes offers a My Sky Roof.  This is more than a skylight. You can remove the panels and feel almost as free as you would in a Wrangler.

Convertible Trucks

The only open air truck is the Jeep Gladiator.  There aren’t many used editions yet because they were just introduced last year.  Just like the Wranglers, these let you drop the top and the doors. It feels like you are driving a dune buggy.

If you go back more than five years, you are unlikely to find a truck with a sunroof.  However, more and more trucks in recent years have been adding them. In fact, some recent trucks have been offered with elaborate sunroofs.  This is definitely something to watch for when shopping used trucks.  Furthermore, many trucks have a window on the back of the cab that opens.  You should look for one that has power operation. This allows you to open it while you are driving without having to pull over.

Now that you know more about your convertible shopping options, enjoy shopping for a used ride.  Be sure to ask your salesperson many questions and look it up if you aren’t sure about the answers the dealership provides.