Convertibles under $60K: Australia's Best Value Cars 2017

Fiat’s $22K 500 Pop Cabrio easily snares the title of best-value convertible, but there are a few other value-rich options for sunseekers.

1st: Fiat 500 Pop Cabrio

Meet the car that beat its nearest rival by a greater margin than any other in Gold Star Value 2017. The Fiat 500 Pop Cabriolet amassed 50 percent more points than its nearest rival, most of these on the back of a $22,000 purchase price that makes it the least-costly drop-top in the land, and some $17,000 more affordable than the Mini Convertible.

The Fiat’s three-year resale is decent, at 54 percent, and sees it lose around $10K in the initial years – around half what key rivals shed. A little atmo 1.2 works with the 945kg kerb weight to deliver 5.0L/100km official economy, to undercut all comers on the fuel-cost front, and the Fiat boasts the cheapest annual insurance, too.

2nd: Mini Cooper Cabriolet

Lopping the roof lets the Mini’s 1.5-litre triple’s characterful warble into the cabin. The engine also helps the Cooper achieve 5.5L/100km economy to score good points against the fuel-cost criterion.

3rd: BMW 220i convertible

A very solid 61 percent three-year resale helps the BMW 220i offset a purchase price significantly higher than the cars that beat it, and the 220i delivers 2.0-litre turbo appeal to justify the outlay.

2