Six Ways to Brighten Up Your Summer

Driver Guides 

Stop what you're doing and go outside. If you time it right and avoid the rain you may just notice that a hint of summer is almost upon us.

Yes, we know the chances are it's raining right now but the calendar doesn't lie and it says it's June so it should be safe to take the covers off the convertible and stock up on sunglasses.

At least it is if you actually drive a convertible.

We know a lot of people say there's no point in driving one in the UK because you can only use it one day a year but frankly that's nonsense. There are a growing number of options out there that can easily fulfil the requirements of daily driving with the added bonus of wind-in-the-hair motoring on those rare summer days. Not only that but the list is sufficiently diverse to ensure that regardless of budget you are almost guaranteed to find one to suit you.

A convertible doesn't just have to be about having fun in the sun either. They can be as practical and economical as a regular car so there's no reason why you shouldn't consider parking one on your driveway.

Don't believe us? We compiled a list of six possibilities that represents just a small fraction of the total number of models available to lease in the UK right now.

The prices quoted are all based on a 36 month lease with 10,000 miles per year and we haven't included VAT, deposits or maintenance agreement costs either.

1. Mazda MX-5 1.5 SE L NAV - £220 per month.

• 0-60mph: 8.3 seconds
• Top Speed: 127mph
• Economy: 47mpg
• Emissions: 139g/km

You can't draw up a list of convertibles without including the little Mazda. With a 1.5-litre engine producing around 130bhp it's the least powerful car on the list but that hasn't stopped it being a roaring success over the years. It's affordable, looks great, is truly brilliant fun to drive, and the latest version offers increased practicality and storage space over previous models. The entry-level SE is a slightly cheaper option but it's worth paying a few pounds a month more for the NAV version.

View our latest Mazda MX-5 offers.

2. Audi A5 2.0 TDi SE S tronic - £390 per month.

• 0-60mph: 8.3 seconds
• Top Speed: 144mph
• Economy: 62mpg
• Emissions: 118g/km

If you want something stylish, practical, and superbly engineered you won't go far wrong with the Audi A5. The interior is excellent, the build quality is equally well regarded, and you can actually fit fully grown humans in the back seat. It's 2.0-litre diesel engine produces enough power to make the A5 enjoyable but without hammering the fuel consumption or emissions. All in all it's a very, very good car that offers relatively frugal running costs and is one of the most spacious four seat convertibles on the market.

3. Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 416 GT - £450 per month.

• 0-60mph: 4.8 seconds
• Top Speed: 155mph
• Economy: 22mpg
• Emissions: 306g/km

A 5.0-litre V8 is definitely not for the faint hearted but if you want a convertible to be seen in - and heard from great distances - then the Mustang is the one for you. It's big, brash, loud, and 100% in your face but it looks awesome and will never fail to turn heads. The Mustang doesn't handle as clinically as a proper driver's car should but that doesn't make it any less entertaining to drive. Nor is it even remotely economical or environmentally friendly but what do you expect from a motoring icon and hunk of genuine American muscle. Lease it and love it.

View our latest Ford Mustang Convertible offers.

4. Porsche 718 Boxster 2.0 Pdk - £480 per month.

• 0-60mph: 4.9 seconds
• Top Speed: 170mph
• Economy: 40mpg
• Emissions: 158g/km

If Porsche were Danish then this would be possibly the best two-seater, convertible sports car in the world. Porsche geeks - sorry, aficionados - will tell you that the 2.0-litre, turbocharged four cylinder engine has killed the Boxster's soul. Ignore them. The 718 Boxster might not have the traditional flat-6 engine but it's an absolute gem, and still engineered by Porsche. It's a mid-engine sports car with textbook handling that looks fantastic and doesn't cost a gazillion pounds. The manual version might be a better driver's car but the Pdk auto is the one to go for as it's slightly faster to 60mph and a touch more economical to run.

View our latest Porsche 718 Boxster offers.

5. Alfa Romeo 4C Spider TBi - £750 per month.

• 0-60mph: 4.5 seconds
• Top Speed: 160mph
• Economy: 40mpg
• Emissions: 161g/km

We bet nobody saw this one coming. Admittedly it's a bit of a left-field option but the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider has a lot going for it. It's 1750cc, turbocharged engine produces a healthy 237bhp and coupled with the carbon fibre chassis and lightweight body makes the 4C Spider a decent performer. It's not without its faults - many reviews express a slight disappointment at the handling - but it's an Alfa Romeo which automatically makes it supremely desirable. Just look at it and tell us you didn't get a little shiver down the spine.

6. Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Pdk - £1,200 per month.

• 0-60mph: 4.5 seconds
• Top Speed: 180mph
• Economy: 38mpg
• Emissions: 170g/km

 

We couldn't compile a list of the best convertibles available for lease without including the Porsche 911. Brilliantly engineered, iconic, and a true supercar you can really use on a daily basis. Surprisingly economical to run - 180mph AND 38mpg is quite a feat - the Porsche 911 has been around long enough for us all to know exactly what we are getting. It looks amazing, the build quality and engineering are second to none, and it's stupendously fast too. Yes, it's expensive and company car drivers will face a hefty tax bill, but who can honestly say if they could they wouldn't?

View our latest Porsche 911 Carrera offers.

 

7. Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 - £2,750 per month.

Yes, we know we said six convertibles but come on, it's a Ferrari and you can lease one from us…..!!!

View our latest Ferarri 488 Spider offers.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, nor have we necessarily chosen the cheapest options. We have tried to give a sense of the variety and choice available to anyone looking to lease a convertible. There are lots of very good cars that didn't make the list purely because we didn't have room to fit them all in.

Leasing is increasingly popular because it offers flexible terms but that also means monthly payments could be more or less than we have quoted above. You can take this as a rough guide but if you are considering going topless this summer give us a call and we will happily tailor a quote based on your individual requirements.

We'll source the car, you just need to bring your own sun cream.

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