BY MALCOLM LIVERMORE | 23rd Jul 2003
COACH-BUILDER Pininfarina turns the elegant 306 into a gorgeous and practical convertible. The comfortable seating for four, handling, brakes and steering rate highly but the slight body flex and drab interior do not, especially the fake woodgrain on the dash. Looks great with the roof up. You would buy this 306 on looks alone.
MAZDA MX-5 2D CONVERTIBLE (1989-1998)
IS this the best value sports car in the world? What it loses for only having two seats it makes up for in looks, performance, handling, steering, roadholding, comfort, verve, practicality, reliability and durability. The amazingly simple soft-top's rear glass makes it close to perfect and the optional hard-top redundant. The enthusiast's choice.
HONDA PRELUDE 2D COUPE (1997-2002)
A FAST and furious luxury personal coupe - with a sunroof - this top-line Prelude offers an extremely well sorted front-wheel drive chassis, lots of extras, distinctive looks, a high standard of finish and the intoxicating, adrenalin pumping rev- ability of the highly-efficient, reliable and yet economical VTEC four-cylinder engine.
M.G. MGF 2D ROADSTER (1997-2002)
A SOPHISTICATED chassis features the supple-riding Hydrolastic suspension, a handling enhancing mid- engine layout and the lively 1.8-litre, twin cam, four-cylinder engine. The interior has an olde world charm about it but questionable quality takes off some of the shine. Closer to the Cabrio than the MX-5 despite two-seat configuration.