Rankings
Small rear seats are a big disappointment, and objectionable torque-steer will force you into third place. Oodles of power is great, but comfort and refinement win the day.
Raw horsepower and singing superchargers, boulevard cruisers and canyon carvers, comfortable and confining – it was all mixed into this affordable convertible test. But, in the end the comfort and refinement of the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara convertible took top picks.
All of these competitors offer something to the consumer, from the PT Cruiser’s value to the Mustang’s design. And none rival the Mini Cooper’s handling prowess. However, the Toyota offers the best overall package. For those carpooling days, the Solara provides comfortable, spacious seating for three fellow passengers. Should you decide to take a few friends on a weekend roadtrip, the Solara’s trunk will accommodate your overnight bags and will provide a smooth, compliant ride to your destination, while returning acceptable fuel mileage. And with 225 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque, the Solara’s 3.3-liter V6 has enough punch to add some spirit to the drive.
In one way or another, each of the Toyota’s competitors came up lacking. The Mini Cooper offered lousy visibility and a tiny rear seat; the aging PT Cruiser featured hella torque steer and a funky trunk design; and the 2005 Ford Mustang, as much as we love it, fell short of the Solara convertible in terms of rear seat comfort and interior build quality.
4th Place: 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible
In the final analysis, the total lack of rear seat comfort and visibility helped push the 2005 Mini Cooper convertible to the back of the pack. While the Cooper convertible is a fun little car that is a joy to drive under most conditions, this test was about affordable, four-passenger convertibles – in the case of the Mini, there is technically a rear seat, but there’s no mercy for anyone forced to ride back there. Our editors also gave low scores to the interior ergonomics (besides the steering wheel and the gear shift, nothing seems to be where you’d logically expect), and interior storage that was basically nil. Don’t forget about those useless cupholders – what a great feeling it is to drive with the top down on a hot summer day in a car that refuses to accommodate even an average-sized water bottle. Ahh, good times. The Mini Cooper convertible would be a reasonable option for a single guy or gal who places go-kart driving over comfort and convenience, or maybe a couple with a dog that can ride in back. For everyone else, there are better choices.
3rd Place: 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
When it comes to the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible, it’s all about being average. Indeed, our scorecards showed an even split between the car’s pros and cons. We liked the engine’s power, but disliked the torque steer; the interior was comfortable, but the ergonomics could’ve been better (especially those window switches); and cargo capacity benefited from fold-down seats, but the awkward trunk lid was built for contortionists. What generally drew praise were the comfortable front seats, relatively easy entry and exit front and rear, and we all liked playing with the turbo’s power. Toss in the generous discounts currently available on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible and the seven-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty (replaced with a 3/36 warranty for 2006), and the PT’s shortcomings lose some of their bite, but are not completely dismissed. However, for bargain shoppers, this is the crème de la crème.
2nd Place: 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible
Big props were given to the 2005 Ford Mustang convertible for its excellent (for a convertible) visibility, “Stevie Simpleton” ergonomics, and classic styling. Plus, adults can ride in the rear buckets for at least cross-town trips. On top of that, the Mustang convertible has reasonable trunk space, so a trip to the beach with three friends and all of your gear is actually plausible – and the guys in the back seat won’t even have to carry the grill and volleyball. Most of all, with the top down it’s the car we’d most like to be seen cruising in and the GT’s symphonic exhaust note is what we’d most like to hear. Take away the Mustang name, the V8, and the badging, call it a Kia, and this car would still rank as a desirable, true four-passenger drop top. Calling it a Mustang and dropping 300 horsepower under the hood just makes it all the more sweet.
1st Place: 2005 Toyota Camry Solara Convertible
The surprise of all surprises – in a test of affordable four-passenger convertibles, the undistinguished 2005 Toyota Camry Solara convertible outranks the desirable Mustang, the playful Mini Cooper, and the torquey PT Cruiser. That’s what happens when a car’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, as was the case with the Solara. There’s the smooth and refined powertrain, pillowy ride, extremely comfortable front and spacious rear seats, quiet and quick power top operation, and relatively cavernous trunk. True, the exterior styling is a little on the plain side, but the user-friendly interior makes up for it. This is the car your friends will actually enjoy riding in, as opposed to just being seen in. And if your friends are happy, you’re happy. Unless, of course, you don’t really like your friends…in which case, go for the Mini Cooper convertible.
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