Take your top off - Best convertibles under 20k
Author: Tracy Wilkinson
Published: 08 June 2006
It´s taken a while, but it looks like it will be worth waiting for. Summer is finally here, and while the weather is glorius, we´re helping you find the best convertible new cars around for under £20,000.
Peugeot 206 CC
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Price : from £14,145 Launched in January 2001, the Peugeot 206 cc has won the hearts of more UK convertible buyers than any other car and it’s easy to see why it became the best-selling convertible in the UK three years running (2002-4). Along with the larger 307 cc, it makes Peugeot the UK´s best selling open-top marque.
Built in Mulhouse, France, there are two versions of the 206 convertible - the 206 Sport and the 206 Allure. Three engine options make up the range: - 1.6 litre 16v Petrol, 2.0 litre 16v Petrol and 1.6 litre HDi Diesel and there is a choice of six exterior body colours. There are 4 interior trims to co-ordinate with the chosen exterior colour. The 206 CC Sport is trimmed in anthracite Zagros cloth, while the 206 Allure comes with three choices of leather trim. Astrakan black/Astrakan black/Salsa red or grey lama leather. All choices create a luxurious feel. The roof unit consists of 4 parts. The rigid roof panel, the glass rear windscreen, the boot lid and the retractable parcel shelf. All are controlled by an electro hydraulic system which takes 20 seconds to close or open the roof. With a range of safety features including automatic door unlocking in the event of an accident, side impact absorbent door padding, front side airbags, two SMART front air bags combined with pretensioning seat belts with force limiters, the 206 cc is safe as well as stylish.Favourite with: Young professionals/hairdressers and first-time open-top owners who will love the vibrant ‘look at me’ styling.
Citroen C3 Pluriel
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Price: from £11,145 (special edition)
Not just great to look at, the Citroen C3 Pluriel is well equipped and fun to drive. Combining all the practicality of a supermini with the fun of an open-top car it has great road holding and stability with variable power-assisted steering as standard.
The C3 Pluriel is available with 2 petrol engines, a 75bhp 1.4i unit and a 110bhp 1.6i 16v option.
2006 saw the introduction of the C3 Special Edition – the Côte d’Azur. Aimed mostly at the female market – who make up 80% of Pluriel owners, its funky and fun styling appeals as much as the low price of £11,245.
Based on the 1.4i model, the trim includes stripey seats, a translucent blue gear knob, leather steering wheel and leather finished door handles.
The black retractable roof contrasts with the aluminium detail across the roof arches, door handles, rubbing strips and door inserts. With smart new wheel trims and metallic paint colours, the special edition is a head-turner, no question.
Favourite with: Expect this car to be a big hit with the girls, and those after a fun and funky convertible.
Vauxhall Astra TwinTop
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Price : from £16,995.
You´d expect convertibles with folding metal roofs to be way more expensive than fabric open-tops. But you´d be wrong about the new Vauxhall Astra twintop. Starting at £16,995, it undercuts most, if not all of its class rivals.
Unlike other coupe cabriolets, the cars rear-end looks are preserved, giving passengers more space than you´d expect in a four seater coupe.There are four engines to choose from and three models, each offering a blend of style, dynamic driving experience and value.
The entry level model is the TwinTop 1.6 16v and it has an impressive equipment list. Power roof, 4 airbags, alarm, CD, electric windows, heated, electric door mirrors and air conditioning (not just the kind you get from taking the roof down!) come as standard. There are also 16" structured wheels, bound to attract admiring glances.
Upgrade to the Sport trim and you get a whole host of extras. And as the Astra TwinTop was designed from the ground up, it has a tough body shell that will extend Vauxhall´s impressive safety record.
Available in a variety of colours, there is one for every personality, and there are brand new trims and upholstery available, including ´saddle brown´ leather.
Favourite with: Couples who want the practicality of a four-seater, with the ability to go topless when the weather is good
Toyota MR2 Roadster TF300
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If you want to get yourself a really special convertible, then the Toyota MR2 Roadster TF300 special edition could be the one for you.
At the grand old age of 22 years old, the best-selling model is being retired, and this summer sees the last 300 of the range roll off the production line - built as special editions to customer order to ensure total satisfaction.
With a 1.8-litre 138bhp engine, the MR2 TF300 can move from 0-62mph in just 8 seconds and has a top speed of 131mph. Stainless steel TTE sports exhaust pipes complete the sporty look. Electric door mirrors and windows, leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, retractable soft-top with heated glass window, wind deflector, alloy wheels and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm are all key features on this very special model.
Best of all, each of the 300 will have their position in the production run embroiderd into the back of each seat and authenticated by a the Toyota chairman, Shimpei Kobayashi. You can even request a specific position (007 for example), but it is expected that demand will be high.
Favourite with: Those who want to drive around in a little bit of history. Fans of the more classic convertible styling.
Volkswagen EOS
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Worth waiting for? This is my personal favourite, so even though it´s not on sale until 14 July 2006 I´ve included it in our recommendations. The long-awaited Volkswagen Eos is available to order now and the all-new coupe/cabriolet just sneaks in under budget with prices starting from £19,410 on the road. With its name taken from the Greek Goddess of the Dawn, you know the Eos is going to be something special.
It has a unique five piece steel and glass roof, which also contains a sunroof. Referred to as a CSC - means it has the characteristics of a hard-top coupé with sliding glass sunroof and fully convertible metal roof which takes just 25 seconds to open and close.
The EOS is available in two trims - Standard and Sport : All models will have ESP, twin front, combined curtain and side impact airbags for both front and rear passengers, semi automatic air conditioning, front fog lights, electric windows, electric heated and adjustable wing mirrors, radio/CD player, 16" alloys and parking sensors. The Sport model swaps 16" for 17", and adds chrome grille louvres, cherry red rear light clusters, sports supension and more
There will be three engines available initially, with two released later on, including the £19,410 1.6-litre FSI 115 PS.
Favourite with: those who want the peace of mind a VW brings, coupled with a fantastic-looking and powerful car.See Also:
Click here for more Buying your car stories
Click here for more Convertible and roadster stories
Increasingly the supermini is the choice of car-buyers in an age where the economical, practical, easy to park and ´green´ small car is king.
Summer is in the air and a young motorist´s fancy turns to open-top driving. Never fear, we round up the best ten cabrios under £20K.
First drive of the new Ford Kuga SUV soft-roader confirms its on and off-road capabilities, balanced by affordable running costs.
It´s hard when you´ve just passed your driving test and good insurance deals are hard to get. Here we pick out the best cars for young drivers in low insurance groups to help you along the right road.
We can´t help it: We love horsepowers, in hot hatches or saloons. But we don´t want to pay too much for them. MotorTorque selects the cheapest power-beasts available for less than £25K.
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