Summer is right around the corner, which means that it’s a great time to buy a convertible for those sunny days. We’ll admit that the pickings are slim when it comes to new convertible cars nowadays, but there are still plenty of choices. In fact, if you’re on a budget, then you’ll be glad to know that the cheapest convertible you can buy will also give you the most fun in the sun.

What is the cheapest convertible car you can buy right now?

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata is currently the cheapest drop-top on the market. With a starting price of $27,650, the MX-5 Miata won’t break your budget and will give you the most smiles for miles. At that price level, you can buy the entry-level Sport trim that comes with a high-revving, 181-hp 2.0-liter engine, Apple Carplay/Android Auto compatibility, blind-spot indicators, and LED lighting.

It also comes with cloth seats, a black cloth soft top, and a black interior, so it’s safe to say that the MX-5 Sport is made for minimalist driving fun. And fun you’ll have as the MX-5 Miata is a blast to drive through curvy canyon roads with its agile handling and sporty six-speed manual transmission.

If you want an automatic transmission and other luxury amenities, then you’ll have to upgrade to the Grand Touring trim. But who needs all of that extra stuff when you can have just as much fun in the base model?

If you need more space, then the second-cheapest convertible could work

If you need more space than the two-seat Mazda MX-5 Miata can provide, then you can opt for the second-cheapest convertible on the market – the 2022 Mini Cooper Convertible. According to Carfax, “this is a little car with a tiny back seat for an official seating capacity of four, and a lineup of three engines that range from moderately peppy to pretty zesty.”

The Cooper Convertible’s standard engine is a 134-hp turbocharged three-cylinder that provides decent acceleration. If you need more power, then the 189-hp Cooper S can give you more turbocharged fun. And if that’s not enough, then you can opt for the top-trim JCW Cooper with its 228-hp, four-cylinder engine. No matter which trim level you choose, you can be sure that you’ll have plenty of fun in the sun when you drop the top.

The starting price for the 2022 Mini Cooper Convertible is $28,400. Just note that the price can creep up to the $40,000 range if you go for the higher trim levels instead.

If you’re on a stricter budget, then buy a cheap used convertible

If the $27,000 price range for either of those two new convertibles is too much for you, then you can always check out the used market. Some of the most notable cheap convertibles that you can buy for around or under $20,000 according to Road and Track include:

• E36 BMW M3
• Porsche 911 996
• Saab 900
• Older generation Mazda Miata
• Fiat 500C
• Fiat 124 Spider

Those are just a few examples. However, you can find cheaper options like a Toyota Camry Solara Convertible or a Chrysler Sebring convertible if you’re on a stricter budget. No matter which option you choose, you’ll be ready for the sun this upcoming summer.