Possessing eye-catching styling whether its top is up or down, a vast selection of high-end luxury-oriented features and accessories included at no additional cost to the consumer and offering a driving experience on a par with infinitely more expensive, open-top grand touring machines, the sub-$30,000 introductory MSRP 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a mid-size convertible sports car that leaves its rivals in its well-healed dust.

Photo: 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Available in two trim lines - a remarkably refined and well-equipped "base" model Eclipse Spyder GS Sport with an able 4-cylinder engine and the even more plush and powerful V-6-equipped Eclipse Spyder GT - this good-looking and very fun-to-drive soft top is the ideal choice for the consumer who enjoys their time behind the wheel of a spirited sporting machine while letting the unobstructed sun shine in.

Photo: 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

New for the 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Vastly Expanded No-Cost Luxury Features (GS Sport)

For more than 20 years, the MX-5 Miata has offered sports car enthusiasts a pure, simple, fun-focused roadster at an attainable price. Sticking to that simple concept has made the MX-5 the most popular two-seat convertible sports car in the world, according to the experts at the Guiness Book of World Records, with more than 850,000 sold.

Photo: 2011 Mazda MX-5 MiataView more 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata pictures in our 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata photo gallery

Substantially refreshed for 2009 and updated for 2010, MX-5 is unchanged for 2011, staying true to the very essence of the "oneness of horse and rider" credo that has guided development of every generation of MX-5.

Photo: 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Volkswagen of America, Inc. unveiled its all-new 2012 Volkswagen Eos hardtop convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with market introduction in early spring of 2011.

Photo: 2012 Volkswagen Eos -View more 2012 Volkswagen Eos pictures in our 2012 Volkswagen Eos photo gallery

Featuring an updated design with numerous new features, the 2012 Volkswagen Eos is the perfect complement of style and performance. A convertible that boasts the versatility of a sophisticated four-season vehicle the Volkswagen Eos is a fun-to-drive, fully featured, premium convertible. The German engineered Volkswagen Eos is the only hardtop convertible with a built-in sunroof.

Photo: 2012 Volkswagen Eos

Exterior

Chrysler has introduced the new Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan.

Photo: 2011 Chrysler 200View more 2011 Chrysler 200 pictures in our 2011 Chrysler 200 photo gallery

Virtually every system in the sedan is new or upgraded for 2011, giving the Chrysler 200 its own identity and space in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment.

Photo: 2011 Chrysler 200 -

Exterior and sheet metal upgrades include: front and rear fascias and fenders, grille featuring the new Chrysler brand winged badge, new hood, LED positioning light pipe in front headlamps, rear deck lid and exterior mirrors, new projector headlamps and fog lamps, new LED taillamps and an LED center high-mounted stoplight.

Photo: 2011 Chrysler 200

The Z06 is a Corvette like no other. With its racing-inspired powertrain and suspension features, along with an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fenders and floor panels, it delivers exceptional levels of capability and technology.

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 -

And with a curb weight of only 3,175 pounds (1440 kg), it’s the lightest, best-balanced Corvette model and one of the most svelte supercars on the market.

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Indeed, racing is in the Corvette Z06’s DNA and many owners’ cars see double duty as daily drivers and weekend road course warriors. It’s what the car was designed for and, compared to other sports cars that cost up to double – or more – the Z06 offers competitive levels of performance at a lower price.

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The segment-leading Chevrolet Camaro opens a new chapter as the 2011 Camaro convertible premieres. The new convertible begins production in January 2011 and goes on sale in February.

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro ConvertibleView more 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible pictures in our 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible photo gallery

It includes an enhanced body structure and well-tailored top mechanism – a combination designed to deliver sports coupe-like driving fun and precise quality.

Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

“The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of potential customers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The 21st century revival of Camaro is tremendously popular, so it’s a natural to now expand and elevate the product range in new directions.”

The M6 is fast becoming a modern legend. With a 500-horsepower V10 engine powering this leather-lined performance-luxury two-door, little else is left to be desired when it comes to the M6’s incredible combination of excitement and style.

Photo: 2010 BMW M6 CoupeView more 2010 BMW M6 Convertible & M6 Coupe pictures in our 2010 BMW M6 Convertible & M6 Coupe photo gallery

The BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible will continue as 2010 models until the fall of this year and then will go into hiatus in preparation for the next generation. The MY2010 M6 Coupe and Convertible start at $103,225 and $109,025, respectively, including $875 Destination & Handling.

Photo: 2010 BMW M6 Coupe

The third generation of BMW M3 Convertible, to grace US shores is not only the most potent but the most luxurious and advanced as well. Sharing the high-revving 414-horsepower V8 and balanced chassis designed to be “faster than its engine,” the performance arm of the German automaker, BMW M GmbH, offers the most powerful, best performing production M3 ever to the North American market.

Photo: 2010 BMW M3 Convertible -View more 2010 BMW M3 Convertible pictures in our 2010 BMW M3 Convertible photo gallery

The 2010 M3 Convertible features a V8 engine, a first in a production BMW M3 (along with its Coupe and Sedan counterparts) and has an MSRP of $67,925, including $875 Destination & Handling.

Photo: 2010 BMW M3 Convertible

With a profile defined by unique and voluptuous curves, the BMW 6 Series is instantly recognizable like few other motor vehicles. In addition to their provocative silhouettes, the 650i Coupe and Convertible set benchmarks as exemplary driver’s cars, combining performance, luxury and exclusivity in abundance.

Photo: 2010 BMW 650i CoupeView more 2010 BMW 6 Series pictures in our 2010 BMW 6 Series photo gallery

For the BMW 650i Coupe and 650i Convertible introduced as early 2010 models, the enhancements continue. Updates in model years 2008 and 2009 included freshened exterior design and functionality, a new Sport automatic transmission as well as functional and esthetic enhancements to the interior.

Photo: 2010 BMW 650i Coupe

Few automobiles stir emotions quite like a convertible. Whether it's the feeling of freedom created by top-down driving or their seductive shapes, convertibles have long been regarded by many car enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike as providing a one-of-a-kind exhilarating driving experience.

Photo: 2010 BMW 335i ConvertibleView more 2010 BMW 328i and 335i Convertibles pictures in our 2010 BMW 328i and 335i Convertibles photo gallery

However, that experience can come at a price because a traditional fabric roof often does not provide sufficient chassis stiffness necessary for agile handling.

Photo: 2010 BMW 335i Convertible -