After a week of driving these four drop-tops, nobody on staff was surprised that the winner of this affordable, four-seat convertible test was the Camry Solara, because it’s the car we’d recommend to anyone looking for this type of ragtop. But when it comes to choosing what we’d personally stow in our own garages, fun is a huge factor, because while we might evaluate and write to best inform the general consumer, our team of editors is comprised of enthusiasts. We love to drive – and the Camry Solara inspires virtually zero passion from behind the wheel.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy the Toyota. The Chrysler PT Cruiser GT is tempting, however, despite its chintzy interior and styling that, though handsome, is quickly approaching its expiration date. Why? Because it’s cheap, comfortable, and fun. I drove our test car to Phoenix from Los Angeles, and it had plenty of room for two and a long weekend’s worth of luggage. During my stay in the Valley of the Sun, the Arizona Republic was littered with advertisements for the PT Cruiser GT Convertible touting discounts of more than $10,000 off the sticker price. That is a compelling argument for purchase, especially in combination with an impressive powertrain warranty.

The Mini Cooper S is a blast to drive, just like the hatchback version. But the convertible suffers visibility problems, size issues, and significantly diminished structural rigidity. Plus, a mid-week afternoon visit to my local Mini store in Long Beach, Calif., revealed an indifferent 20-something sales staff that responded apathetically after learning that all I wanted was to learn more about how the convertible top and its integrated sunroof feature worked. I’d rather own the Cooper S hatchback, spend the difference on a John Cooper Works package to boost the horsepower, add the sunroof option, and buy it from a dealer located somewhere other than Long Beach.

That leaves the Ford Mustang convertible, which, even with a V6, is the car I’d drive home.

4th Place – 2005 Toyota Camry Solara SLE Convertible
Despite the fact that the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara convertible is an excellent choice for the general consumer looking for a fun-in-the-sun, four-seat ragtop, this is my least favorite of the bunch mainly because it’s not engaging to drive. What makes it perfect for people who don’t care about quarter-mile acceleration times, skidpad adhesion, or thrills on twisty roads is the comfort of the cabin, the quality of the materials, and the refinement that every Toyota product exudes. And don’t forget that Toyotas have a great reputation for delivering years of dependable service while retaining a significant chunk of original value. Of our quartet, the Toyota Camry Solara convertible had the roomiest and most comfortable back seat, Lexus-quality interior décor, a smooth and cushy ride quality, the biggest trunk, and a powerful V6 engine that got decent gas mileage even when driven hard. But with ride-biased tires, a wiggly body structure, flat front seats, and significant suspension movement when asked to handle more than a trip to the mall, the Solara reveals its Camry sedan roots. Part of convertible ownership is about having fun, and the Solara is the least entertaining of the group.

3rd Place – 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Convertible
More engaging than the Toyota, the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, even in turbocharged GT form, is my third-place pick simply because it’s got too many rough edges. It’s quicker than the Mini Cooper S, but the driver fights torque steer every step of the way. It handles better than the Toyota, but the body rolls significantly and the seats don’t hold occupants still. The interior is stylishly retro, but assembled with lower-grade materials than others in the test. The manual transmission features long throws and notchy engagement, the clutch is soft, and the brake pedal is stiff with little feedback about what the calipers and pads are doing. And frankly, though still quite handsome, the PT Cruiser’s already old-school design is aging rapidly. But in terms of fun for four, the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Convertible cannot be beat. It holds four six-foot-tall adults, though rear seat riders enjoy a smidge less shoulder room than in the Solara. It’s fun to look at, fun to drive, and fun to be seen in. Plus, it’s the least expensive of our tested vehicles, and that’s before generous rebates. If you like the styling of the PT Cruiser, you’ll love the Cruiser Convertible.

2nd Place – 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible
Driving a Mini Cooper S is like driving a go-kart. Point the wheel in the direction you wish to travel, press the gas, and you’ll shoot toward your target, making life a heck of a lot more enjoyable behind the wheel. Plus, the Mini transmits plenty of information to the driver about road surface conditions, both through the steering and the suspension. And let’s not forget what a treat the supercharged four is – especially on a nice, cool day. But the Mini is small. The Mini is expensive. The Mini has lots of flimsy parts inside. The Mini has no trunk space. And with the top chopped off, the Mini lacks structural integrity. Really, this car ought to be compared to roadsters like the upcoming Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky, so useless is the rear seat for anyone but the offspring of height-challenged adults. Yet, I’d choose this over the Chrysler and Toyota, simply because it puts a big, fat, sloppy grin on my face every time I drive it, whether in the country or the city.

1st Place – 2005 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
How predictable. One of the hottest new cars of 2005 lands at the top of my personal choice list. It’s not even the most fun to drive, the roomiest, or constructed of the highest quality materials. And please don’t assume that the Mustang is my pick solely for its 300-horsepower V8’s melodic exhaust burble, its retro styling inside and out, its excellent outward visibility with the top raised or lowered, or its thundering Shaker 1000 audio system. Rather, I choose the Mustang because it’s the best compromise of the vehicles we gathered for the test. But mostly it’s because every time I climb behind the wheel of Ford’s new Mustang, I’m transported back in time to a simpler era free of crushing responsibilities. Indeed, the 2005 Ford Mustang makes me feel like a kid again, and the convertible top simply adds to the joy of revisited youth. Call it escapism if you must, but somehow, a drive in a 2005 Ford Mustang makes everything right with the world. And doesn’t everyone need a way to escape every once in awhile?

Photos courtesy of Ron Perry and Christian Wardlaw