BMW 1-Series
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JOE PHILLIPS
Friday, May 16, 2008
With summer just around the corner, consider getting a car that makes the most of warm rays and breezy weather — a convertible.
From soft tops to retractable hardtops, there are more than 60 different models in dealer showrooms. Some are brand new. Others boast swanky upgrades.
To help you choose, here are four of the best.
Price: $34,000
Mpg: 18 city/27 highway
BMW rolls out the petite 1 Series, proof that bigger isn’t always better. This all-new entry-level compact has the same robust engines, tight cornering and high-quality interior as the popular 3 Series. But it’s almost 9 inches shorter — a plus when darting through traffic or into tight parking spots at the beach. The power soft top can be activated while driving (up to 30 mph) and lowers in 22 seconds. There’s plenty of trunk space and front-seat legroom, but don’t expect any make-out action in the wee backseat. Do expect to be pampered: heated seats, automatic climate control, rear-parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers. Automatic rollbars pop up in back if you’re about to take a spill. And the 10-speaker audio with HD/satellite radio and iPod hookup is clear as a bell, even at highway speeds. Fave feature: sun-reflective seats that make it 20 degrees cooler on your tush.
Price: $47,500
Mpg: 14 city/20 highway
What would “Iron Man” drive? Certainly not a button-down Audi like his alter ego, billionaire Tony Stark, but a souped-up GT500 works just fine. Brawny, brash and built by legendary muscle-car maven Carroll Shelby, this is the most powerful Stang yet. The supercharged V8 churns out 500 hp, or a whopping 290 hp more than today’s base Mustang. With 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, you’re in exotic car territory — but at half the price. Curb weight is two tons, or 800 pounds more than a Corvette. And boy-racer (or girl-racer) features include 18-inch F1 super-tires, crisp Brembo brakes and bold racing strips. The beefed-up body chassis is great for drag (drag strips, that is). Choice of either all-black or black-and-red interior, with lots of aluminum accents. Only two options: side airbags and a 1,000-watt Shaker audio.
Price: $40,000
Mpg: 18 city/27 highway
New grill. Rounder hood. Monochrome trim. The Saab 9-3 gets a tasteful retouch that would make Martha Stewart proud. Ditto for the roomy cabin, with bolstered seats and brushed aluminum. A power-operated soft top comes with a glass window and defroster. To block out road noise — or to keep your pounding club music to yourself — the roof is thickly padded. In a nod to its aircraft-maker origins, Saab kept the cockpit-like dash and quirky ignition switch (it’s on the floor between the front seats). Choice of two models: the base 2.0 T and, for about $5,000 more, the high-test Aero turbo. This is a true four-seater that’s great for road trips, but handling isn’t grippy, allowing for body roll in the curves. Many of the same options as the BMW 1 Series exist here, along with built-in headlight washers. And crash tests are stellar. So are the water-repellent seats, which keep things neat and tidy.
Price: $29,000
Mpg: 21 city/29 highway
Want mod more than macho? Cue the Eos. Chic styling and superb fit and finish make this a four-wheel fashion statement. It’s priced thousands less than other Euro contenders, thanks in part to handling that’s more sedate than sporty. This is fine for Gay Pride parades; not so much for twisty switchbacks. But if two tops are better than one, then you’ll have a blast with the Eos: it has three. The power-retractable hardtop comes with a large built-in glass moonroof. Open it — and voila — a sunroof. Dropping the top completely calls for 16 inches of clearance; rear sensors warn if there’s not enough room. And because of its Audi connection, VW threw in lots of upscale gear: wind blocker, heated seats/mirrors, power-folding side mirrors, and headlights that turn when cornering.
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