Top 10 Retired Convertibles, But Interesting on the Used Car Market

The variety of convertibles on the Canadian market has never been very wide, since our summers are obviously very short. However, there’s a market for this type of car nonetheless, and if our summer season isn’t very long, shouldn’t we enjoy it as much as we can?

Over time, many models of convertibles have come and gone, but some are still interesting choices if we’re looking to buy one on the used-car market. Here are 10 of them.

Lexus IS C
Sold here from 2010 to 2015, the Lexus IS C was offered in IS 250 C trim, with a 204-horsepower, 2.5-litre V6, and as the IS 350 C boasting a 306-hp, 3.5-litre V6. It’s a solid four-passenger car that benefits from an excellent resale value, but its trunk is pretty small, which limits its practicality. It’s equipped with a power-folding hard top, so we can drive the IS C in winter.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $16,000 to $44,000

Infiniti G37 Convertible
This Japanese compact was sold in Canada during model years 2009 to 2013. Its raging 3.7-litre V6 produces 325 horsepower, providing the convertible with muscular performance and lusty engine sounds. There’s also a sportier IPL version with 348 horsepower. The G37 Convertible offers room for four, but its minuscule trunk can also carry an umbrella, maybe a soft bag for a weekend getaway. On the other hand, this convertible boasts a power-folding hard top, which means a better insulated cockpit for the cold season.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $17,000 to $34,000

Volkswagen Eos
About the size of a Volkswagen Golf, the Eos offers a four-passenger cockpit, while its clever power-folding hard top is also equipped with a sliding sunroof panel. It can all be stowed away in the trunk, which is pretty roomy when the roof is up. Sold between 2007 and 2015, the Eos is equipped with a turbocharged, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 200 horsepower.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $5,000 to $38,000

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
This soft-top SUV wasn’t officially sold in Canada, but many dealerships imported some units from the United States. Its design is unique, but beauty is supposedly in the eye of the beholder. The Murano CrossCabriolet can seat four people and benefits from an all-wheel drivetrain in addition to a 3.5-litre V6 that develops 265 horsepower. Its high ground clearance makes getting in and out easy, perfect for those who feel that conventional convertibles are too low off the ground.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $20,000 to $36,000

Jaguar XK
Jaguar’s big cat was sold here from 2007 to 2015, with room for four passengers and a choice of powerful engines. The most docile one was a 4.2-litre V8 with 300 horsepower, but we can find XKR versions that boast a supercharged V8 that belts out between 420 and 510 horsepower, depending on the model year. And let’s not forget the mighty XKR-S, offered in the last few years, that boasts a supercharged V8 that produces 550 hp.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $28,000 to $75,000

BMW Z4
Two generations of the Z4 were sold in Canada, the first one from 2003 to 2008 and the second one, from 2009 to 2016. Both are two-passenger cars that feature a long hood and the short deck, giving them a typical roadster look. Under the hood, four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines were available, producing 189 to 335 horsepower, depending on the model year. There’s also the Z4 M offered during the first generation, powered by a fabulous 330-hp, 3.2-litre six. The second coming of the Z4 was blessed with a power-folding hard top, better suited to winter driving.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $9,000 to $75,000

Audi A4 Cabriolet
German manufacturer Audi currently offers convertible versions of its A3 and A5 model lines, but before they arrived, we were treated to a convertible version of the Audi A4. The first generation was sold here from 2003 to 2006, while the second-gen car was offered from 2007 to 2009. We could equip them with a turbocharged, 2.0-litre four (211 hp in 2009) or a 3.2-litre V6 (265 hp in 2009). Harder to find, but more potent, is the S4 Cabriolet that boasts a 4.2-litre V8 (340 hp in 2009) and even an available manual transmission.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $5,000 to $20,000

MINI Roadster
It didn’t enjoy a very long career, since it was less practical than a MINI Cabriolet. The Roadster offers room for two and a manual folding soft top, and we can find it in Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works trims. Their output varies from 122 to 211 horsepower, thanks to their naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-litre engines.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $16,000 to $26,000

Volvo C70
The first generation, sold from 1996 to 2005, is a little old, but the second-gen car is much more interesting because it’s equipped with a power-folding hard top, perfect for the winter season. Available between 2006 and 2013, the four-passenger C70 relies on a turbocharged, 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine good for 227 horsepower, with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $8,500 to $30,000

Chrysler 200
The four-passenger Chrysler 200 offered a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, good for 173 horsepower, or a 3.6-litre V6 with 283 hp. We could also choose between a fabric top or, on the Limited version, a power-folding hard top. There are many units of this car on the market because of its affordable price when new.
Price range on the used-car market (summer 2018): $9,000 to $19,000