Make your garage happy this holiday season, put something under the roof that will make the neighbors feel old and nothing says that better than a shiny new toy whether it is a Bentley, Mercedes, Audi, or for the self-actualized, a Pontiac convertible. Regardless of what model you choose two things are assured. First, you are going to make your insurance agent very happy and secondly, a relative could have gotten it for you cheaper. 

With the most major arteries clogged what you are seen driving is just as important as how fast it goes. So the ideal holiday car is one that articulates style while waiting for the (circle all those that apply) rockslide, floodwaters, movie star gawkers, accident, fire engines, out of state RVs, undressing surfers, and/or crashed Ferraris to be cleared. 

Only a couple of decades ago the car industry had written off convertibles as too dangerous due to potential deaths and injuries due to rollovers. Imagine if they had that same safety interest when they started tossing top heavy SUVs on the public which are so unsafe that the government, always slow acting, is forcing manufactures to offer some sort of stability control. That being said, there are now a terrific, entertaining, and fabulous group of convertibles available, including those with retractable hardtops.  Here is a review of almost every convertible with the exception of the Ferrari—who wants to pay $100,000 over list, the Porsche, you can’t test our cars because you wrote they weren’t so good, and the restyled Mitsubishi. Pretty much all the others have felt the weight of our rears in their seats. 

For the size doesn’t matter buyer the Mazda MX-5 (nee Miata) now comes with as a hardtop convertible that tucks into the briefcase sized trunk. You get room for two and your bottle of STF 50 sun block and not much else. On the other hand that’s all you need. With Mazda’s $22,000 flingable flyer the sky’s the limit for this young at heart tanning machine. 

Want something even minier? Try the MINI Cooper convertible. You can order yours with a turbocharger if you fancy playing tag with the big dogs. Either way its Bulldog stance, retro interior, and road-hugging ride make the MINI both frugal and exciting. A perfect car for that tight parking space, too, and you don’t have to challenge your credit limit with a starting price around $22,700 for the fuel sipping 115 horsepower Brit.

Larger five passenger convertibles from Chrysler and Ford are best sellers due to their pricing, relaxed fit comfort levels, and easy egress. No surprises and plenty of standard features make the new 235 horsepower Sebring and 210 horsepower six cylinder Mustang practical driveway decorations for those who like their vehicles traditional while coveting that topless lust. Priced around $30,000 and $24, 000 respectively and ideal for those who just want to get there with a little style and ruffled hair. The Mustang is the nosier of the two with its rough and ready exhaust and a V8 that promises the joy of acceleration. However, it is deer unless you go with the base model. Our test GT was priced over $30,000, well over. It is good looking and can be equipped to your taste, but overall this Ford is going to have its hands full when the competition from Chrysler and General Motors enters into the fray in a few years. Get the base model, the very good six-cylinder engine, and drive a bargain. The Sebring is very large and has a fair amount of cowl shake on tax deprived roads. It is ideal for a large family or those who need room for four adults. Much better than the previous Sebring, the new ones is for those who like to cruise. 

Hard top convertibles are hot and the Pontiac GT is one of the best sellers. But be prepared to pay $30,000 for the privilege of watching the metal top fold gently into the trunk to reveal its solar appeal. The 217 horsepower engine gets over 27 mpg. Cute, but the trunk space is Speedo sized. Until a new Firebird emerges, this is the best open Pontiac you can buy and can be well worth it in the long run. Don’t look for a hot rod or canyon cutter, though.