USED CARS - Convertibles Reviews

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USED CARS - Convertibles Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Convertibles Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Car and Driver >> Details/Subscribe	10 Best Cars Csaba Csere and Tony Swan Jan. 2006		Car and Driver puts out a "10 Best" list annually, and they have been doing so for over 20 years. Unfortunately, there is no car specifically mentioned as "best convertible," though many convertibles made the list for 2006 in various categories. The Chevrolet Corvette came in as the best performance car, the Mazda MX-5 was elected best roadster, and the Porsche Boxster was named the best luxury sports car of 2006. More than anything, it is the amount of research done by Car and Driver that puts it at the top of our list of convertible reviews for 2006.
2. Edmunds.com	Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2006 Editors of Edmunds.com Not Dated		Each year the editorial staff of Edmunds gets together to determine which vehicles they would most enjoy owning for themselves, and this year a number of convertibles make that list. In the "Under $25,000" bracket, the Ford Mustang is highest rated. In the "Under $35,000" class, the award goes to the BMW Z4, and the "Under $45,000" winner is the Lotus Elite. To top everything off, the winner of Edmunds' "Most Significant Vehicle of the Year" award goes to the Pontiac Solstice. The reviews here are well-written and very thorough.
3. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Convertibles – Recommended Models Editors of Consumer Reports As of June 2006		Consumer Reports continually does research on automobiles. What separates Consumer Reports from other reviews is the fact that they take into account safety issues and other vehicle aspects of likely interest to the average car owner. While many reviews are written for people who have an advanced knowledge of cars, Consumer Reports writes for the average consumer. The ratings are always well-researched. Among convertibles, many models are recommended, with three cars singled out as the editors' top picks: Audi A4, Mini Cooper and Pontiac G6.
4. Autobytel.com	2006 Editors' Choice Awards Editors of Autobytel Not Dated		Each year the editors of Autobytel.com rank cars they would recommend to friends and family. One of the most impressive aspects of this article is the fact that it has a category for best convertible, a title that goes to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The review is a head-to-head comparison against the Solstice, and the reviewer finds the Miata better in terms of handling, quality of materials and cargo room.

USED CARS - Convertibles Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Convertibles Ratings Comments on Reviews

5. Cars.com	Hot Sports Cars for 2006 Mike Hanley Feb. 2006		While this article is not specifically focused on convertibles, it does include two in its listing of the hottest sports cars of 2006. The first car mentioned is the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Reviewer Mike Hanley commends the MX-5 for "go kart-like moves and practically nonexistent body roll," as well as impressive gas mileage. The second vehicle listed is the Pontiac Solstice, which is complimented for visibility with the top up, as well as having sharp handling skills.
6. Money Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Best Cars 2006 Lawrence Ulrich Feb. 2006		The staff of Money Magazine tests cars with an eye toward family usability. They pack the vehicles up and look at the way they drive, basing results more on feel and driving impression than on timed runs and technical specifications. In the category of "best convertible," Money Magazine top rates the Ford Mustang. Auto critic Lawrence Ulrich praises the Mustang for "eye-catching retro styling, seating for four and a low price." The article does suggest the V8 model over the V6 for a truly enjoyable ride. Cars are not tested head-to-head or compared, however.
7. Motor Week	Drivers Choice Awards Editors of Motor Week As of June 2006		The staff of Motor Week compared over 100 cars in order to choose the best of 2006, awarding said vehicles a "Drivers Choice Award." As the top-rated convertible, the award goes to the Pontiac Solstice. Reviewers like the fact that the Solstice offers a well-blended combination of style and performance for under $20,000. While this review is helpful, it would also be nice to know more detail about the vehicles that were selected to receive awards.
8. ABC News	A Family-Friendly Convertible? Kristin Varela Feb. 2006		Kristin Varela, mastermind behind the mother-helpful vehicle Web site Motherproof.com, offers a review of the 2006 Volvo C70 for ABS News. According to Varela, the C70 convertible can work as a family car if you can accept some compromises. There is room for four, but it would be hard to use a car seat. In addition, there is room in the trunk if the top is up, but it gets tight when the top goes down. Finally, the car does have a number of safety features, which is important in a family vehicle. This article is helpful because it offers a convertible review for families, which is somewhat unusual. However, we wish Varela covered other convertibles, even if only to indicate why they shouldn’t be chosen for families.

USED CARS - Convertibles Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Convertibles Ratings Comments on Reviews

9. IntelliChoice.com	Best Overall Values of the Year Editors of IntelliChoice As of June 2006		IntelliChoice performs a different type of review than other sites. Instead of comparing safety features or performance, IntelliChoice compares the "true value" of vehicles. Basically, this means that they analyze each vehicle and a great amount of research to determine what each car will cost over a five-year time frame, and then report the information back to the perspective consumer. This is an especially helpful service for those looking to get as much car for the money as possible in the long run, as well as in the immediate future. While there is no specific category for convertibles, IntelliChoice has chosen the Chevrolet Corvette convertible as the best value of the year in the sport class.
10. InsideLine.com	2006 Mini Cooper Convertible vs. VW New Beetle Convertible 2.5 Scott Oldham Mar. 2006		Inside Line performs excellent head-to-head comparisons, even if the rationale behind the testing is sometimes a little bit silly. In the case of the Mini Cooper and the New Beetle, the rationale is "a comparison test of affordable convertibles that seat four and are so cute you want to pinch their cheeks." This whittled the market down to the Mini Cooper and the New Beetle. In the end, the Mini Cooper convertible winds up taking the crown, due to more unisex styling and a lower sticker price. This is an interesting and well-researched comparison, but the very specific market puts it at a lower place in our list.
11. Automobile.com >> Details/Subscribe	2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster vs. 2006 Porsche Boxster S Joe DeMatio May 2006		Automobile Magazine pits two of the most luxurious convertibles against one another in a head-to-head showdown. According to the review, the Roadster does everything well: It handles well, it has a quality cabin, and it is both comfortable and fun to drive. Unfortunately, the Boxster does everything just slightly better. As author Joe DeMatio writes, "If the Z4 M roadster were the only car we drove on this magnificent road, we'd walk away perfectly happy - thrilled, even - with its performance. But then we trade the BMW for the Porsche, and the Boxster demonstrates once again that it is the more natural performer." In the end there can be only one winner, and in this case it is the Boxster S. While this is an excellent article, we'd rank it more highly if more cars were included.
12. Kiplinger.com >> Details/Subscribe	Best Cars 2006 Editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Nov. 2005		Over 400 vehicles are tested annually in order for Kiplinger's to present their best of the year. While they do not list a specific category for convertibles, a convertible does make their top choice list. The Mini Cooper Convertible is ranked as the best in class for the $23,000 to $30,000 price market. Kiplinger's bases its selections on a number of variables, such as performance, safety and price, including the cost of upkeep and resale value. While the article is helpful, there is only a one-sentence review of the only convertible included, which puts the overall usefulness of this source into the lower portion of our reviews list.