Top choices for the summer 04/25/2011
The weather's heating up, and as summer approaches it's time to start thinking about summer vehicles. True, cars function pretty much the same no matter what the temperature is, but some are just made to be driven in the summer. Nobody wants to crank the air conditioning all through July and August - especially since it kills the all-important fuel economy. With that in mind, we picked some cars that'll let you take the top down and are just perfect for a day at the beach.
Jeep Wrangler
It's a classic, and rightfully so. The Wrangler seems to have been around for years and it just looks right when it's packed with a cooler and a group of friends headed to the beach. You won't have to worry about air conditioning in this beast, as not only is the top down - there's no top at all. The Wrangler is an affordable option, so even if you can't drive it in the snow or rain, it makes a great second vehicle. Plus, the large size and ample storage room means you won't need to worry about tying down surfboards or other gear.
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Okay, this is an odd choice, but hear us out. The Murano CrossCabriolet is a crossover convertible. It sounds weird, but it's actually quite a practical vehicle for the summer time. There's plenty of space for all your gear, and it gets great gas mileage - something that's going to be on a lot of driver's minds this summer. You might turn some heads when you put the top down, but that's the whole point, isn't it?
Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro
Purists might not like to hear it, but they're essentially the same car at this point, with extremely close performance, price, features and more. So take your pick - just be sure to get the convertible version for a classic summer ride.