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.

Best New Car for Sun Lovers 2009 Jaguar XK Starting MSRP $83,200 The Jaguar XK isn't cheap, but it looks even richer than it is. Equally rich is the roar of its 300-horsepower V-8, which propels the all-aluminum body to 60 mph in about 6 seconds. The surprisingly athletic XK features one of the finest automatic transmissions around: a six-speed that reacts so quickly and intuitively the manual paddle shifters go untouched. Though the market is moving toward retractable hardtops, the XK's soft-top is thick and quiet, and the lines are clean when it's down. Let's see: Looks great, drives great, sounds great and you look great in it? Sounds like a winner.

Best Deal for Sun Lovers 2009 Jeep Wrangler Starting MSRP $20,460 If you don't love the sun before you buy a Wrangler, you'll love it soon after. The top does take a lot of work to get off, but once you do nothing rivals the open-air experience you get with this car. Taking the doors off only heightens the feeling. It's not a sports car, but it will let you slow down and smell the flowers — or mud.

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BMW 128i (2009) Starting MSRP $33,800 Convertible fans will appreciate the simple elegance of the 128i, which features a traditional soft-top. Its svelte dimensions yield a rewarding driving experience, and the convertible's 230-hp inline-six-cylinder engine offers plenty of power for top-down cruising. If you're looking for a back-to-basics convertible with a luxury slant, the 128i delivers. Research this car      Build this car

BMW 335i (2009) Starting MSRP $50,400 The 3 Series has well-documented driving-performance credentials, and the retractable-hardtop convertible version of the car is great for a sunny afternoon drive. The 335i gets an excellent twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine, and the convertible has the looks to stand out in a crowd. We know sunburns aren't good, but they're a little easier to take when they come from driving a 335i. Research this car      Build this car

Chevrolet Corvette (2009 ) Starting MSRP $53,220 The 'Vette is surprisingly livable, with an automatic or easy-shifting manual and an optional adaptive suspension that can vary shock-absorber response to changing road surfaces. The convertible comes with a manual or powered top, and the car's 430-hp V-8 ensures most onlookers will see it from the tail side. Don't say we didn't warn you about speeding tickets. Research this car      Build this car

Mazda MX-5 Miata (2008 ) Starting MSRP $20,635 The Miata's balance, steering and eager four-cylinder make it one of the most fun ragtops you can drive, and the optional retractable hardtop adds value without diminishing trunk space. An unlikely primary car, the MX-5 Miata is small and affordable enough to squeeze into a corner of the garage and bust out whenever old Sol beckons. Research this car      Build this car

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (2009) Starting MSRP $98,500 There's a reason movie stars drive SL roadsters on- and off-screen. With improved reliability for the current generation and a fresh face for 2009, the hardtop convertible is one of the better ways to don your shades and go for a cruise. For true sun-addicts, it has an available glass ceiling, so even if it's too cold to put the top down, you can still enjoy the rays. Research this car      Build this car

	Mini Cooper S (2009) Starting MSRP TBA Granted, the Cooper convertible is cute as a button, but Mini's runabout is actually fun to drive — especially in turbocharged Cooper S trim. Drop the top, and you should have no trouble finding co-workers to head for lunch with you. The two in back won't have much room, but we doubt they'll care. Research this car      Build this car

Volkswagen Eos (2009) Starting MSRP $30,790 The retractable-hardtop, front-wheel-drive Eos is an excellent four-season convertible. It's a manageable size and gets good gas mileage in both manual and automatic versions, and it's fun to drive. It's shown decent reliability and is one of only three convertibles at the start of 2009 named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Research this car      Build this car

Volvo C70 (2009) Starting MSRP $39,800 A previous winner in this category, the C70 remains a terrific choice for convertible lovers. It has a retractable hardtop and looks handsome with the top up or down. There's a decently spacious second row for passengers and a surprisingly usable trunk with the top down. It also earned a Top Safety Pick designation this year from IIHS. Research this car      Build this car