| Convertibles are in this summer. For those who have | | | | per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. |
| retractable top vehicles, this is the season to have fun | | | | A soft top is standard with the Sky, Solstice and Miata. |
| with those vehicles. But for those who do not have | | | | Honda also has something to offer, the S2000. It is |
| yet the vehicle, here is a lead to some of the bests in | | | | similar to the size of the Solstice and the Sky. This |
| the market. | | | | two-seat roadster costs higher than the Miata and |
| Some vehicles, however, are hard to purchase | | | | even the high-powered versions of the Sky and |
| because they are on limited production. Examples of | | | | Solstice. |
| these are the new Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. | | | | With a normally aspirated 237-horsepower and a |
| But wait! Some of those can be rented for a road trip. | | | | 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine, the S2000 can run |
| So could still have the chance to drive those | | | | either with a six-speed manual or four-speed |
| convertibles. | | | | automatic transmission. |
| The Solstice and Sky are both nearly identical | | | | The BMW Mini Cooper convertible is also one of the |
| underneath. Because it comes with a longer list of | | | | suggested summer vehicles. It is available in two |
| standard equipment, the Sky is a bit more expensive. | | | | versions, namely: the base model and the |
| Base versions are run by a 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter | | | | turbocharged S version. The ragtop version of the |
| four-cylinder engine and have an option of a | | | | modern Mini, it has four seats but a tight one at the |
| five-speed manual or automatic. | | | | back. Standard with a five-speed manual gearbox and |
| Both have a performance variant: the Solstice GXP | | | | a six-speed manual transmission, the Cooper's base |
| and Sky Red Line. These variants are run by a | | | | engine is a 115-horsepower four-cylinder. The vehicle is |
| 260-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. | | | | also available with a six-speed automatic. From the |
| Both vehicles have fuel economy that ranges from 20 | | | | performance and manual models, fuel efficiency |
| to 22 mpg city to 26 to 31 on the highway. | | | | ranges from 23 city/32 highway to 27/35. |
| Meanwhile, the Mazda MX-5 Miata hardtop is among | | | | Ford offers the Mustang convertible in three versions |
| the newest with a starting price of $24,945 (freight | | | | for 2007: the base V-6 model, the V-8 GT and the |
| included), on the market. It has a metal top that retracts | | | | Shelby Cobra GT 500, which is supercharged and |
| into the trunk. This feature turns this small two-seater | | | | high-performing. Its EPA ratings range from 15 to 19 |
| coupe into a convertible. | | | | city and 21 to 28 highway. |
| With quality Mazda Miata parts, the Miata was first | | | | The Volkswagen New Beetle convertible, the ragtop |
| introduced with in 1989 in its ragtop version and revived | | | | version of the modern Beetle, is another suggested |
| the little two-seat roadster type. Last year, it was | | | | vehicle. It comes with a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline |
| totally facelifted. And for this year, Mazda releases its | | | | five-cylinder engine. It is available with either a |
| first hardtop version. | | | | five-speed manual or six-speed automatic with EPA |
| Aside from the fun that hard top gives during summer, | | | | ratings of 22 city/30 highway for both transmissions. |
| when it is closed, the vehicle is totally protected from | | | | Other vehicles that would make your summer fun are |
| the weather and most road noise. It also makes the | | | | the all-new four-passenger VW Eos, Chrysler PT |
| vehicle more secure. | | | | Cruiser and 2007 midsize Sebring, 2007 Pontiac G6, |
| Nonetheless, the Miata still comes with a ragtop in four | | | | BMW Z4 two-seat roadster and 3-series convertible |
| trim levels. These include the base five-speed manual | | | | for 2007, line ups of Mercedes-Benz and Audi, and the |
| transmission model. | | | | Jaguar XK and XKR. |
| It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine at 166 | | | | Whatever vehicle you choose, make sure you will |
| horsepower (163 with the optional six-speed automatic | | | | achieve the summer fun driving with the help of the |
| gearbox). Its fuel economy ranges from 22 to 25 miles | | | | vehicle's performance capacity. |