Surviviorlet: 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Most cars have a bell shaped popularity curve, but have you ever noticed that some cars have almost a step function of popularity -- one minute they are all over the road and then suddenly they all just up and vanish.  This seems to have been the case for the legendary Volkswagen Mk 3.5 Cabrio -- which was styled to look like the Mk IV Golf (97-05), but used mechanical bits from the older Mk 3 Golf (91-98).  Maybe that's why they dropped off the face of the earth...15 year old parts when they were brand new...regardless, you don't see them very often and you certainly don't see them in this nice condition. Find this 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio offered for $2500 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Wrong Side Driver: 1985 Honda City Cabrio

The Honda City Turbo might have the giant fender flares and boosted motor your right foot is itching to use, but the basic City Cabrio is something for your softer side.  For the side of you that enjoys long walks in the rain and listening to Kenny G while driving comfortably under the speed limit.  Find this 1985 Honda City Cabrio offered for $4,500 in Orting, WA via craigslist.  Tip from JB1025.

Das Cheapbriolet: 2000 Porsche 911 Convertible

I can almost feel the wind in my hair now and smell the occasional waft of a mild chemical scent (all Porsches emanate some kind of petroleum based scent from time-to-time...just don't take it to the dealer and ask for a diagnosis because they will say you need a new rear main seal and a complete blinker fluid flush for only a few thousand bones.) But what was that noise...and what will the next trip to a mechanic cost you...but seriously, how bad can a REALLY cheap Porsche 911 be anyway...? Find this 2000 Porsche 911 Convertible offered here on eBay for $12500 in Tyrone, GA.

Secret 16V: 1993 Volkswagen Cabriolet

The VW Cabrio has a well earned reputation for being a hairdressers car and is not normally associated with performance engine swaps.  The factory Cabrio SOHC 1.8 engine only put down 94 hp so there are no tears lost at its disappearance here.   Somehow today's car ended up with a 16V engine, but this large detail is not revealed by the seller in the listing.  It is beyond rare to find a Craiglist's seller that downplays or does not even mention any modifications made to a car.   Find this 1993 Volkswagen Cabrio for sale in CT for $1,900 via Fairfield County Craigslist.

Kabrio Sportlich-Leicht: 1998 Mercedes SL500

While most parts of North America are begrudging digging out of snow piles and cuddling the stove to stay warm, car nuts dream of sunny summer days and endless cruising in a drop-top sports car.  There is no better time to scoop up a handsome specimen at discount pricing than during the perils of winter weather mayhem.  When the better half wants that warm & dry parking spot in the garage someone is going to loose.  Find this 1998 Mercedes SL500 for sale near San Francisco, CA for $4,990 via craigslist.

Fix It Awesome Tony: 1960 Fiat 1200 Cabriolet

The Fiat 1200 Cabriolet is a little Pininfarina designed classic that combines the classic charm of an Italian built roadster with the classic prices of something from Great Britain.  Today's Fiat needs a few finishing touches before you can cruise around your local peninsula or bay country club.  Find this 1960 Fiat 1200 Cabriolet offered for $4,750 in Redwood City, CA via craigslist.

Bastard Vee-dub: 1986 VW Karmann Ghia

Ever tune into one of those cringe worthy tv shows about botched plastic surgeries?  Our subject below may give off the same vibe to some of you.  They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder or DT reader.  Is this car a Mona Lisa or more like The Kramer?  Find this 1986 VW Karmann Ghia for sale in Lorain, OH for $4,000 via craigslist.

Value Proposition: 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Cars fall out of favor with buyers for many reasons.  It could be triggered by known mechanical issues, documented design problems, or styling that just does not resonate with potential owners.  You can typically find cars in these categories at deeply discounted prices compared to the value they offer as a whole.  Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet for sale in Austin, TX for $12,500 via craigslist.

Water Cooled Winner: 1994 Porsche 968 Cabriolet

By Glenn -- Okay...I am just going to come out and say it...water cooled transaxle Porsches are the next big thing. Long considered the black sheep of the family, recent market activity tells me these oft overlooked water pumpers are about to come into their own. Limited edition specimens like the RS & Club Sport variations are already heading for the stratosphere. Find this 1994 Porsche 968 Cabriolet near San Francisco, CA for $18995 via craigslist.

Fiero Chassis 3800 V6: 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet

I think it was Colin Chapman that once said the best VW Cabriolets are all built on the Pontiac Fiero chassis...or was that Smokey Yunick?  You won't find that quote in the history books, and both those guys are dead, so you can't verify those quotes -- but if they were alive, I'm sure both would agree that the only powerplant for your Fierrabbit is a GM 3800 V6 with a single turbo put in the place of the original supercharger.  Like this 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet custom offered for $6,500 in Rancho Cordova, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Safety Fast.

Choose A Volkswagen Bunny: '83 Rabbit vs. '89 Cabriolet G60

This next feature comes as words and a tip from Scott T:

OK, so our first contender is this solid roofed rabbit that someone has mounted a 1.8t motor into and started wiring it up and got far enough to try turning the key and getting no joy. Pictures show it partially assembled, the most recent of which may show a few tubs of parts. Entry price is only 3k, so, you could probably part it out for about that if you can't get it running. Body looks solid from above, and someone extended the shock towers...so they're definitely solid if they were done right.

2001 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

The 996 generation Porsche 911 was introduced for the 1998 model year (although technically a few were designated 1997) with a new water-cooled flat-6 and streamlined aerodynamic styling shared with the Porsche Boxster.  The new styling wouldn't have been a problem if it wasn't for the fact that your new $90k 911 Cabriolet could be easily confused with some plebeian $40k Boxster, and today the early fried egg 911s (1998-2001) are a bargain.  Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Cabriolet offered for $11,000 in San Pedro, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rod S.

Looks Sharp: 1934 Brewster Cabriolet DeVille

This next tip comes from Dave Z who writes:  Is it just me or does the front end look like its been photoshopped or run through CGI to look stretched to a point?  Hate to get hit by that in a crosswalk!  Find this 1934 Brewster Cabriolet DeVille here on eBay bidding for $16,850 reserve-not-met located in Horseheads, NY. 

DTO: Center of Attn: 2011 Porsche 911 Cabrio

Look, I get it, everybody thinks Porsche drivers are pricks.  It is a joke that has gone far beyond its original conception, and the horse corpse has been thoroughly flogged.  Seriously, I have known dozens...a handful...a few at least one 911 owner who is a great guy and not just because his tan is so fabulous, but because he genuinely cares for other people.  Sure, he might call them "the poors," but he tips well and has great hair.  So, yeah, I joke about the Porshupine...but to build an entire custom car just to ridicule the friendless/wifeless/mistressless/kidless life of a Porsche 911 driver...is really going a bridge too far.    Find this 2011 Porsche 911 Cabrio bidding here on eBay for $1,000 reserve-not-met with 7 days to go, located in Miami, FL.

5k: W124 Ragtop: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE Cabriolet

I've had a few people ask me recently for recommendations for a good late model 4-seat convertible in the $5k range, and I typically point them toward BMW's 3-series, any modern Saab (haha, suckers!!), Volvo C70, maybe even the Toyota Solara if they hate driving...but I've never given a recommendation for a Mercedes W124...until now.  Find this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE Convertible offered for$5,900 in San Juan Capistrano via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

4k: Skinned Rabbit; White Inside: 1993 VW Cabriolet

Chick Cars. There is a whole subset of small, fun, and affordably priced vehicle that has traditionally received the stigma; the Mazda Miata, Honda Civic del Sol, VW New Beetle, VW Jetta, and of course the drop-top VW Cabrio all come to mind. But who cares? Is the stigma earned - are these actually terrible cars to drive? No. In most cases they are fun, light, and cheap. Every track day and cheap racing series across the country is littered with countless Miatas. Get over it. Why not get some kicks out of a car that other guys are too insecure to drive, and get some Vitamin D in the process. Find this 1993 Volkswagen Cabriolet Collector's Edition for sale in Glen Burnie, MD for $4000 obo via the turbobricks.com forums (membership required to view; sorry).