The 10 best convertibles

It may not be cool enough just yet, but as temperatures begin to drop, it will soon be time to slide 'em down. Here's the lowdown on the hottest open-top wheels this season.

Mini Cooper S (1.6L, Dh140,000)

The super funky car is a hit with drivers of all ages, and even has a celeb following with Madonna often spotted tootling around London in her black model. For a small car, the BMW Mini packs a punch under the engine with a 1.6-litre engine that delivers 170bhp but still manages to remain quiet. The only downside is space – or rather the lack of it. It is famed for giving drivers a "mini adventure" but it definitely comes with maximum fun.

Audi TT (2.0L, Dh155,000)

Thanks to a facelift, the Audi TT can now deliver in the drive rather than just on its aesthetics. The car may look like one that should be reserved for girls, but I doubt they mind the tag – as without the male buyers there will be more to go around. It grips the road superbly and hums contentedly as it cruises along. The entry level 1.8-litre engine offers a minimum of 180bhp, while the low driving position keeps the driver more connected to the road. Bigger than the old model, there is now slightly more room and, despite a fabric roof, it still manages to block out a lot of noise and is great fun to drive for both sexes.

VW New Beetle (1.6L, Dh77,000)

Whether it is the coupé or convertible, the new Volkswagen Beetle just oozes fun. We tried not to put two VWs in the list, but we couldn't leave either out. Although the New Beetle is not that popular in the UAE, yet, there is a lot of history to this brand and once behind the wheel it is difficult not to enjoy. The 1.6-litre engine is not huge, so it doesn't pack as much punch as the Mini given the size difference but it is still pretty quiet. And let's face it, buying a New Beetle is not about performance – it's all about looks and you either love it or hate it. I love it.

Porsche Boxster (2.7L, Dh163,000)

The Boxster is often derided as a "cheap" and some would say "fake" Porsche, for it is said it's the one people buy when they can't afford the real thing (i.e. the 911). But with a price tag starting at more than Dh160,000 it makes owning a Porsche more of a possibility for some. It might not be as good as its sister, but the Boxster is no waster either. The 2.7-litre version packs 245bhp and is no slacker when it comes to acceleration, but with tiny front and rear boots, passengers have to pack light.

Mercedes SLK 350 (3.5L, Dh228,200)

Mercedes' convertible fleet is huge, with a model in each class, but the SLK is, in my opinion, the best. It is small but perfectly formed, and looks so sleek on the road. It comes with an entry-level supercharged 181bhp engine. Although more expensive than other cars in its class, the SLK still sells well. It oozes style both inside and outside and is easy and agile when nipping in and out of UAE's traffic. As expected in cars of this class, the SLK has comfortable seats and even has the somewhat elusive decent-sized boot.

Alfa Romeo Spider (2.2L, Dh190,000)

The Spider has tough competition in the convertible league, but it is up there in many "best convertible" lists and it's not difficult to see why. Although it might not be as popular as the Mercedes or Boxster, it does come equipped with a 2.2-litre 185bhp engine. The brakes are very responsive and just a small tap elicits sharp deceleration, but the six-speed gearbox helps it recover quickly when the road ahead clears. The Spider has been around for decades and this latest model is the best yet.

Saab 9-3 (2.0L, Dh137,100)

The guys at Saab finally got it right with the 2008 Aero-X model. A nippy car that cruises effortlessly along with its 255bhp, the Saab has come bang up-to-date and is now a major contender in the market. And thanks to the optional wind deflector, noise is dramatically reduced when the roof comes down. The seats are very comfortable and close to the road for a sportier feel, but the downside of this is that the A-frame reduces visibility at the rear.

Mazda MX-5 (2.0L, Dh108,500)

The Mazda MX-5 is the best selling roadster ever, with sales exceeding 700,000. It underwent an overhaul a couple of years ago to make it as light as possible, with its designers even stripping down the wing mirrors to get rid of every excess gramme. The result is a nippy and fun drive, but perhaps not that suited to the UAE's roads where towering 4x4s could prove very daunting indeed. Although it has a great personality, depreciation is huge and the prospect of losing thousands of dirhams in a year or two could be enough to put a number of people off buying one new.

VW Eos (2.0L, Dh117,000)

VW's newest convertible has a lot going for it, namely generous space in the back – a rare occurrence in this class, where only the front seats have enough leg room for adults. Its sliding roof is split into five sections, so it takes up less boot space, plus just the front section can be opened if passengers in the back don't want to be blown away. The drive is good as it is almost resistant to shakes, but opt for a higher spec – these are better as the basic 120bhp in the 1.4TSI model does not have enough power for its size.

BMW 650i (4.8L, Dh425,000)

This sleek convertible has the added bonus of a hard roof, which reduces outside noise and makes it look and feel like a full size car. It also gives the illusion of more headroom in the back without compromising on style. The name – 650– is slightly confusing because it only has a 4.8-litre engine, and manages a huge 367bhp. Not too many downsides here but one small gripe would be weight that becomes apparent when breaking suddenly. Yet, it's a small price to pay for a great car.