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car review

Take a look outside those drawn curtains. The sun is out, the snow is gone (or at least going, depending on where you live), and it's time to end your hibernation.

Spring is finally here.

Open the front door, shield your eyes for a few moments, and let the sunlight bathe you in warmth. And, as thoughts of blooming flowers and chirping birds fill your mind, think about this: blasting down the open road with the top down, wind in your hair, sun in your face and not a care in the world. Yes, you need a convertible; it's time.

But not just any convertible; four seats are necessary to share the fun with friends. And you'll be looking for something more on the luxury side, something with flair and decadence – but also something that's less than the $20,000.

Sensible

With available all-wheel drive, the Audi A4 Cabriolet is a true all-weather convertible. Up to 2008 models, the soft-top A4 comes with turbocharged 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre engines or a 3.2-litre V-6; the higher-performance S4 has a 4.2-litre V-8, though you'll only find those up to 2005 or so. While the A4/S4 are comfortable and have good handling, they aren't especially luxurious compared with our other choices here, and are more mainstream. While there have been no recalls for these years, reliability has not been stellar.

A more rare ride would be the Lexus SC 430. Up to 2005 here, one benefit of this Japanese luxury convertible is its folding hard top, making it practical for all-year use. But even though the SC was designed more for comfort than sportiness, its ride is comparatively harsh. Oh, and those friends of yours along for the ride? Two will have to be rather tiny if they want to sit in the cramped rear seats. But it does have impeccable fit and finish, a luxurious interior and proven dependability, with the only recalls dealing with air bags.

What better way to exude decadence than with a three-point star on your hood? The Mercedes-Benz CLK was a classic German four-seat convertible discontinued in 2010, and they can be found up to around 2007 in our price range. A 3.5-litre V-6 was the base engine, but you can also find a 4.3-litre or 5.0-litre V-8, depending on the year and model. While the roof is fabric, it does a good job of sealing the interior from noise and weather, while the two rear seats can actually hold people in reasonable comfort. Recalls focus on faults with a fuel pump, seat belts and a control module, depending on years.

Indispensable

For more oomph with your opulence, take a drive in a BMW 6 Series Cabriolet, which can be found up to 2006 here. The 6 is the most focused on driving dynamics and power comes from either a 4.4-litre, 325-horsepower V-8 in the 645Ci or a 4.8-litre, 360-horsepower V-8 in the 650Ci. It's no true sports car; think more of a grand tourer that will easily eat up 1,000 kilometres a day while wrapping you in luxury and high technology. Depending on the year, recalls include those for a stalling engine, air bags, rear shock absorbers, potential fuel leaks and a transmission that may allow the vehicle to move while in park.

Questionable

Even though Saab was Swedish, the 9-3 Cabriolet is about as close to a domestic as we can find, considering the company was bought in 2000 by General Motors. After the purchase, Saab's cars lost the quirkiness that made them so appealing and interior materials were somewhat substandard for the class. Yes, they are generally good-looking cars, and we can find them here up to around 2005. But the chassis can be as shaky as its reliability record; a litany of recalls deal with faulty brakes, an ignition discharge module, fuel pumps, seat belts, a stalling engine and seat backs. Saab folded in 2011.

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