Top Picks for Sun Lovers

Whether golfing, hitting the beach or just taking a road trip, sun lovers are always looking to get a tan while behind the wheel. We considered anything with a removable top, be it convertibles or even soft-top SUVs. We looked at open-air appeal and playful road manners, as well as interior and exterior styling. Because many of these cars are not crash-tested, they are not drawn from our list of Best Bets.

Best New Car for Sun Lovers 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Starting MSRP $22,810 In an era of economic uncertainty and volatile fuel prices, the Miata is the affordable, fuel-efficient choice. Though it's an unlikely primary car for a family, it's perfect for a weekend getaway, commuting or a trip into urban centers where parking is hard to find. Most importantly, its balance, communicative steering and eager four-cylinder make it a blast to drive. The most raced model in the world, the Miata is no less fun in normal driving at legal speeds. More than 20 years of refinement shine through in this veteran roadster.

Best Deal for Sun Lovers 2010 Jeep Wrangler Starting MSRP $21,165 People don't always think of the off-road legend as a convertible, but the Jeep Wrangler's cumbersome Sunrider Soft Top or optional Freedom Modular Hard Top make it a convertible like no other. In two-door form, it also happens to be the most affordable of our Sun Lovers. Start out with the high-riding seating of an SUV, strip away the roof and the walls and you get an open-air experience for front and rear occupants unmatched by anything with four wheels. If you want a four-season convertible, there's none more qualified than the Wrangler. For more space, spend a bit more for the four-door Wrangler Unlimited.

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	Audi A5 Cabriolet (2010) Starting MSRP $42,000 A more handsome adaptation of the A5 coupe, the A5 Cabriolet bucks the trend with a powered soft-top rather than a retractable hardtop; this reduces weight and retains trunk space as well as the rare folding backseat. Optional all-wheel drive and neck-warming seats provide four-season potential. Research this car      Build this car

	BMW Z4 (2010) Starting MSRP $45,750 BMW's retractable hardtop is a head-turner that's also roomier than the previous generation. The ride quality is notably comfortable in this class, and it gives up little in performance — especially with the sDrive35i's 300-horsepower six-cylinder engine. Research this car      Build this car

	Ford Mustang (2010) Starting MSRP $25,995 The Mustang convertible tradition is as old as the Mustang itself, and it remains one of the best-selling drop-tops in the U.S. Minor exterior styling changes and interior upgrades for 2010 help make the Mustang even better than last year — and better, in our opinion — than its muscle-car competitors. Research this car      Build this car

Jaguar XK (2010) Starting MSRP $88,150 Last year's Sun Lovers winner is even stronger than last year — literally, thanks to a larger, more powerful V-8. The engine's growl is still there, as are the responsive automatic transmission, nimble handling and gorgeous styling. The interior has some upgrades, too. Why not another win? Well, the $82,000-plus sticker price just isn't right for the times. Research this car      Build this car

	Mini Cooper convertible (2010) Starting MSRP $24,250 If you've missed the raves of car reviewers the world over, you've probably missed the fact that Mini Coopers aren't just small and cute — they're tons of fun to drive, especially in the turbocharged Cooper S version. Add the inherent fun of a convertible, and you have a winner. Research this car      Build this car

	Nissan 370Z roadster (2010) Starting MSRP $36,970 The 370Z roadster plays off the strengths of the Z coupe. Its top-down styling is a big hit, and with a 332-hp V-6 and an optional seven-speed automatic, it goes like mad. Purists will appreciate the manual six-speed and admirable structural rigidity. It's both livable and fun; what more could you want? Research this car      Build this car

Porsche Boxster (2010) Starting MSRP $47,600 Its mid-engine design puts the Porsche Boxster's handling in a class by itself. The interior needs updating, but last year's engine upgrades and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic mean few convertibles can keep up. Having two trunks makes the Boxster uncommonly usable for such a fun car. You pay extra for the Porsche name, but once you experience the Boxster, you simply won't care. Research this car      Build this car

Volvo C70 (2010) Starting MSRP $40,000 Sporty cars dominate our Sun Lovers picks, but there's plenty of room for a tourer, especially when it combines a retractable hardtop with an uncommonly roomy trunk, a snug but usable backseat and winter-friendly front-wheel drive. Though few convertibles get crash-tested at all, the C70 has, with excellent results. Among drop-tops, this model has few peers. Research this car      Build this car