Convertible crazy Brits not fazed by weather

By Steve Orme on Aug 26, 09 11:32 AM

It was once the opinion of sub continental tiffin wallahs and other such Empiric throwbacks that we were as mad as a box of kangaroo skin underpants. Barking. One spice short of a full curry.

In fact the suggestion was that mad dogs and Engsihmen were the only animals mad enough t go out i the midday sun.
Fast foward to century 21 and we are still seemingly behaving likh a partially slated roof.
Thare apparently more convertibles per head in the UK than any other European country, despite being one of the wettest countries in the continent. British wishful thinking?
Nah, bonkers.
The true reason lies with a change in fleet policies some 8-10 years ago, which meant the hard roof and four door rule fell by the wayside. However reveals, HPI, the car chicking outfit, an oversupply of convertibles, combined with an economic downturn has meant that used values in this sector have fallen, leaving some summertime bargains to be had.

Audi TT convertible is best at retaining value but HPI has crowned the MINI convertible as the best all-rounder

Martin Keighley, valuations expert explains: "A relaxation in fleet policies has seen company car drivers motoring around in the Audi TT, whilst the likes Micra CC and Tigra provided open top freedom at a price many businesses could afford. But demand in recent times has dwindled and subsequently so has the residual value of these used cars. This is good news for those private car buyers looking to take advantage of market conditions and nab themselves a cabriolet."