Roadsters promise freedom, hair-tousling breezes, and sunshine-filled escapades. If it’s summer, you have to get into one! Whether you’re carving through coastal roads, exploring mountain passes, or simply flaunting your ride at the local café, these 20 sun chasers deliver endless summer adventures!
Mazda MX-5 Miata
No roadster list is complete without the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Weighing under 2,500 lbs., the MX-5 exemplifies Mazda’s “Jinba Ittai” philosophy, meaning “horse and rider as one.” Despite its compact size, fans love its reliability, affordable maintenance, and vibrant enthusiast communities. The Miata remains the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car, with over 1 million units sold. The 2023 model has a 2.0-liter engine producing 181 horsepower, which means even regular commutes can turn into thrilling rides.
Porsche 718 Boxster
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a lifestyle statement. Introduced in 2016, it revived the “718” badge, paying homage to Porsche’s legendary 1950s racing cars. The Boxster is powered by a range of turbocharged flat-four engines, with power outputs ranging from 300 hp in the base model to 414 hp in the 718 Spyder, equipped with a naturally aspirated flat-six. A valid driver’s car, the 718 Boxster is often considered a benchmark in its class.
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 balances luxury and sportiness with aplomb. It boasts a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, enhancing its nimble handling, while adaptive M suspension and a low center of gravity provide sharp cornering. Inside, it offers a tech-forward cabin with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and premium materials. Also, not just a pretty face, the Z4 is efficient, offering up to 32 mpg on highways (sDrive30i). It goes from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds (M40i).
Audi TT Roadster
The Audi TT Roadster brings style and cutting-edge tech to the roadster game. Launched in 1999, the roadster’s iconic silhouette—marked by its rounded form, taut lines, and short overhangs—echoes Bauhaus-inspired minimalism. The third-generation model, introduced in 2014, refines this ethos with sharper contours, an aggressive Single-frame grille, and LED headlights that exude modernity. The TT Roadster is perfect for drivers who combine summer fun with year-round usability.
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class isn’t just a roadster; it’s a grand tourer disguised as one. First introduced in 1954 with the iconic 300 SL “Gullwing,” the SL-Class has consistently showcased elegance and performance. The long hood and short rear overhang, a signature of the SL lineage, convey sporty proportions, while the retractable hardtop (introduced in the R230 generation) adds versatility. It has a plush interior full of cutting-edge tech, giving you a red carpet treatment every time you drive it.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible
Featuring a mid-engine layout, the Stingray Convertible boasts perfect weight distribution for optimal handling. Its sculpted body is adorned with sharp creases and functional vents that improve cooling and downforce. A retractable hardtop operates seamlessly at speeds up to 30 mph, preserving the sleek silhouette, whether up or down. And, with 490 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, this isn’t just a roadster; it’s a rocket with a folding roof.
Jaguar F-Type Convertible
The Jaguar F-Type Convertible is a feast for the senses. Its low, wide stance with a sculpted aluminum body balances beauty and aerodynamics. The car’s retractable fabric roof, operable in just 12 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph, adds a touch of practicality without compromising its sleek silhouette. And, with options like a 575-horsepower supercharged V8 and dynamic drive modes, the F-Type Convertible harmonizes stunning design with exhilarating performance.
Lotus Elise
The Lotus Elise is a roadster stripped down to the essentials. Named after Elisa Artioli, the granddaughter of then-chairman Romano Artioli, it became a benchmark for handling and agility. Weighing around 725 kg (Series 1), the Elise’s aluminum bonded chassis was revolutionary, offering rigidity and weight savings. Plus, powered initially by a 1.8L Rover K-series engine, it produced modest power but achieved a 0-60 mph of 5.8 seconds, thanks to its featherweight design.
Fiat 124 Spider
The Fiat 124 Spider is an Italian remix of the Mazda Miata. The Spider’s 2016 revival under the Fiat and Mazda collaboration retained the classic charm. Based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata platform, it features a turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine producing up to 164 horsepower. Also known for its modern reliability and retro-inspired design, it caters to nostalgia lovers and modern drivers. The Fiat 124 Spider remains a celebrated icon of Italian motoring passion.
McLaren 720S Spider
If your idea of summer fun involves mind-bending speed, the McLaren 720S Spider is your dream machine. Its carbon fiber construction decreases the weight, allowing the Spider to maintain the coupe’s excellent handling. It has active aerodynamics, and drivers swear by its cornering and braking capabilities thanks to its advanced suspension and braking systems. A blend of luxury and tech, with a 7-inch display, premium materials, and customizable options, make up the interiors. The McLaren 720S Spider is as thrilling to drive as it is to behold.
Tesla Roadster (Second Generation)
The upcoming Tesla Roadster promises to redefine what a roadster can be. Its sleek design screams “supercar,” while the glass roof lets you bask in the sun—or the stares of jealous onlookers. Plus, it’s got a 200-kWh battery pack, essentially a power plant on wheels. Did we mention it might have SpaceX-inspired rocket thrusters? Yes, Elon Musk loves a good sci-fi plot twist. The base price? $200,000, a tremendous down payment on your dreams of owning the fastest street-legal electric car on Earth.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is a cheeky little rocket that proves size isn’t everything. Its carbon-fiber monocoque chassis is so light and stiff that it might as well moonlight as a supercar skeleton. With a 0-60 mph time of just 4.1 seconds, it’ll outrun cars twice its price while making you look like a style icon. The Spider version even allows you to pop off the roof, adding sunshine to your Italian symphony. Sure, the infotainment is spartan, and the ride is bumpy, but who cares?
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is a heady mix of luxury and performance. Its fabric roof folds away faster than you can say “shaken, not stirred”—just 6.7 seconds at up to 31 mph, the quickest in its class. Inside, the Vantage Roadster blends luxury with sportiness, featuring leather and Alcantara, though the infotainment system can feel a bit…vintage. Fuel economy? Not its forte, but with a growl like that, who cares? The price starts at around $150,000—a fair trade for driving a car that makes every road feel like a red carpet.
Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 is a legendary car that debuted in 1999 to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary. This rear-wheel-drive roadster had a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Its lightweight design, aggressive styling, and convertible top made it a heavy-duty joyride. Produced in 2009, the S2000 remains a cult favorite, cherished by enthusiasts for its razor-sharp handling and bulletproof reliability.
Shelby Cobra 427
For those who prefer their roadsters with a dose of nostalgia, the Shelby Cobra 427 is an undeniable classic. With 485 horsepower and a curb weight of around 2,355 pounds, the Cobra 427 can rocket to 60 mph in under 4 seconds—faster than you can say, “Hold my beer!” The suspension was upgraded to handle its newfound ferocity, though driving one still feels like wrestling a grizzly bear on wheels. And, despite its $7,500 price tag in 1965 (a fortune back then), the Cobra now fetches millions at auctions.
BMW M Roadster
The BMW M Roadster is like a regular roadster on a protein shake diet—sleek, fast, and ready to flex at every traffic light. Born in 1998, it’s the high-performance sibling of the BMW Z3 and later the Z4, crafted by BMW’s M Division (aka the mad scientists of speed). Under its long hood lies a straight-six engine that roars like a lion who’s just been cut off in traffic. Early models also came with the legendary S52 (US) or S50 (Europe) engines, later upgraded to the S54, borrowed straight from the iconic E46 M3. All in all, it’s perfect for those who like their summer drives with a side of adrenaline.
Caterham Seven
The Caterham Seven isn’t your typical roadster. It’s top speeds? Up to 130 mph—but it’s the 0-60 times, as low as 2.79 seconds, that slap a grin on your face. It has no doors, a jigsaw puzzle roof, and purely optional comforts. Yet, its razor-sharp handling makes every corner a symphony of adrenaline. So, whether you’re track-day dreaming or country-lane blasting, the Caterham Seven is less a car and more a ticket to driving nirvana—quirky, relentless, and endlessly charming.
Ferrari Portofino M
The Ferrari Portofino M is sleek, classy, and ridiculously fast. “M” stands for “Modificata,” meaning Ferrari tweaked the original Portofino to give it more oomph. Under its sculpted hood lies a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering a roaring 612 horsepower and 561 lb.-ft of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox that shifts faster than you can say “bella macchina.” And, with its retractable hardtop, it transforms from a coupe to a drop-top in 14 seconds. Practical? Not really. But who buys a Ferrari for practicality?
Mo gan Plus Four
The Morgan Plus Four combines classic styling with modern engineering. Under the bonnet, the latest model boasts a BMW-sourced 2.0L turbocharged engine, delivering 255 horsepower. With a curb weight of around 1,000 kg, it’s light as a feather and corners like a squirrel on espresso. Please note that Morgan’s leather interior and customization options make it feel like a rolling boutique. Just remember, owning one means embracing the charm—and occasional quirks—of old-school British engineering.
Pagani Huayra Roadster BC
The Pagani Huayra Roadster BC is the ultimate expression of automotive artistry. Unleashed in 2019, this open-top marvel packs a 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine that growls out an eye-watering 791 horsepower. That’s enough to make your heart skip faster than your last Tinder match. Weighing just 1,250 kg (thanks to a diet stricter than your New Year resolutions), the Roadster BC also uses exotic materials like Carbo-Titanium and Carbo-Triax HP62 to stay strong and featherlight. On y 40 were made, each costing around $3.5 million—a price tag that screams, “I’m richer than your dreams.”
18 Budget-Friendly Electric Cars That Last Longer Than Their Loans — Economical Electrics
Electric vehicles are no longer a luxury for the elite—they’re a smart investment for the everyday driver. With manufacturers stepping up to the plate, affordable EVs now deliver on reliability, range, and modern comforts. Here’s a look at 18 economical electric cars engineered to outlast their payment plans.
18 Budget-Friendly Electric Cars That Last Longer Than Their Loans — Economical Electrics
