Got spring fever? Check out these convertibles for any budget

There’s something special about drop-top driving. The fresh air. The wind-mussed hair. The sun on your face.

So, as the weather starts to get nicer, you might be getting the itch to buy a convertible to take in as much of that sunshine as you can.

Whether you want a toy to tool around in on the weekend or a daily driver, there are convertibles for every lifestyle. We picked five of our faves.

Fiat 124 Spider
Base Price: $25,750
What we like best: The sport-tuned and sexy Abarth model
What we like least: The manual top is hard to operate for smaller drivers.

The Fiat 124 Spider is all-new for the 2017 model year, and it’s based on the Mazda MX-5 platform. It is longer and has a different engine but you can see the design similarities between the two vehicles – especially on the inside. What we like about the 124 Spider is that it is still relatively unique with few models on the roads. What we really like is that the sporty Abarth model gives you a more connected drive experience and still manages to keep the price tag under $30K. The 124 Spider is zippy and fun to drive, and we love that exhaust note on the Abarth.

Mini Cooper Convertible
Price: $26,800
What we like best: The red, yellow, green proximity rings around the back-up camera
What we like least: The amount of noise that creeps into the cabin with the top up

This is an incredibly cost effective convertible, and while it drives like a sporty two-seater, it adds a rear seat that is usable for passengers in a pinch. The Mini Cooper Convertible is easily a daily driver with room for the occasional passenger or small cargo item. It is easy to park in the city, and because it’s made by BMW, you know it’s going to be fun to drive. We like the old-school interior with toggle switches paired to the high-tech camera and safety systems. And we really like that while the exterior gets period updates and upgrades, the Mini is still recognizable as a Mini.

Mazda MX-5 RF
Price: $32,430
What we like best: The stunning top-up looks
What we like least: The cramped legroom for taller passengers

While we like the regular Mazda MX-5, the new retractable fastback is one sexy beast. Though this is more of a Targa than true drop top, you get plenty of open air when you put the top down. Plus, the ingenious hard top allows you to make the MX-5 more of a year-round vehicle. Yes, it is rear-wheel drive, so you’ll need snow tires to make it a true year-rounder, but it keeps out the cold and looks amazing in any season. The MX-5 is small and fun to fling about, but we really wish Mazda would consider a turbocharged or high-performance version of the roadster (cough, Mazdaspeed).

Buick Cascada
Price: $33,990
What we like best: Decent top-down trunk space
What we like least: Exterior design is a tad understated

With automakers such as Lexus and Volvo pulling out of the convertible segment, there aren’t a lot of in-between drop-top options these days. So, in that respect the Buick Cascada fills a definite hole in the market. It also doesn’t hurt that Cascada is a smooth operator with plenty of room for passengers. This is a comfortable cruiser with a handsome profile and nice interior appointments. It’s luxurious without being pricey and ends up being a decent convertible for a small family.

Mercedes-Benz S550 Cabriolet
Price: $134,225
What we like best: Sumptuous interior
What we like least: The choose-your-own-color interior illumination is a bit flashy for a vehicle of this stature

The S550 Cabriolet is all new from Mercedes-Benz for the 2017 model year, and is an exercise in pure luxury. Everything from the seats to the suede liner is sumptuous. The S550 has an amazing attention to detail – inside and out – that make it pure eye candy. And if possible, it drives better than it looks. The ride is smooth and the acceleration is fast and seamless. Plus, the triple-layer top leaves the interior just as quiet as a hardtop.