If there’s one thing a convertible must have, it’s a top that’s easy to operate. Since inclement weather can arise as quickly as the urge to bask in the sun, buyers want simple controls that respond quickly.

You’re best bet is the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. With a simple latch and one button, the PT’s top lowers faster than any of the others, and takes only 18 seconds to raise. It’s quick and easy, as is the Solara’s top. However, the Solara has two latches instead of one, and takes an extra second to lower. The Mustang convertible requires more time for both lowering and raising, and the electric motor is noticeably louder than the Solara’s. Despite offering the only fully-automatic top (no latches), the Mini Cooper convertible comes in last mainly because of the 30 seconds it takes to completely lower the top.

4th Place: 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible
Operating the Mini Cooper convertible’s power top is a very simple operation, provided you’re familiar with the placement of the relevant buttons. Sure, owners will soon remember what button to push, but that’s after the adventure of discovering where everything is. Oh, those mischievous Mini engineers (why, I oughta…if I had five minutes with those nuts…).

Under a flip-open lid on the overhead console reside the buttons for the power top. Also on the overhead console are the buttons for the rear side windows, which, if you press long enough, will also operate the front windows. Front windows may also be controlled using two toggle switches on the lower dash.

Once all of the appropriate buttons and switches have been found, the Cooper convertible’s top is easy to use, and even offers a “sunroof” feature. Press the top-down button, and the front half of the roof retracts to a point just behind the front seats; press the button again, and the entire top lowers and stacks up behind the rear seats.

The Mini had the slowest top operation of the tested vehicles. It takes about 30 seconds to lower the top completely; raising the top takes about 17 seconds. There is no tonneau cover to place over the lowered top (as is available with all of the others), and the motor that operates the top is quite loud.

Most importantly, however, and perhaps the only thing that matters to some buyers, the 2005 Mini Cooper convertible was the only vehicle that had a fully automatic top, whereas the PT, Mustang, and Solara included manual latches. But clearly, we don’t mind latches.

3rd Place: 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible
Much faster to lower but a bit slower to raise than the Mini’s top, the 2005 Ford Mustang convertible features a power top that includes driver- and passenger-side manual latches. Fold down the visors, undo the latches, and then depress the convertible top button located on the overhead console. The Mustang’s top takes about 16 seconds to lower and about 20 to raise.

Unlike the Mini Cooper, a tonneau cover can be placed over the folded top when retracted, or stored in the trunk when not in use. This cumbersome cover clips under the molding around the convertible top, requiring about one minute to put in place and about 20 seconds to remove. Power window switches are intuitively placed on the doors and easy to use simultaneously, with a single switch for both rear windows.

2nd Place: 2005 Toyota Camry Solara Convertible
Like the Ford Mustang, the 2005 Toyota Camry Solara convertible features two manual latches that must be released before the power top is operated. Once unlatched, depressing a button on the left side of the dash lowers the top completely. Next to the power top button is a switch for raising and lowering all four windows simultaneously, something not offered on any of the competitors. Front power window buttons are also located on the door panels.

At 12 seconds, the Solara drops its top just one second slower than the fastest of the group, the PT Cruiser convertible. But, the Solara’s convertible top motor is by far the quietest. Raising the top takes 18 seconds, equal to the PT Cruiser. Snapping the boot cover into place takes about 45 seconds; removing it takes about 10 seconds.

1st Place: 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible wins this segment of the test because its top was the easiest to operate. There’s only one center latch to release on the PT, and even though the Mini requires no unlatching, the PT Cruiser’s top still operates much quicker than the Cooper’s. Lowering the top only takes 11 seconds, while raising it takes 18 seconds. Each front and rear side window has its own switch at the top of the center dash.

As with the Mustang convertible, there’s a bulky, awkward boot cover that takes at least a minute to put on, though we were never able to get it to sit correctly. Frankly, we’d skip boot covers all together, especially with the PT Cruiser convertible. But, if you want the finished look that these add-ons provide, leave yourself a little extra time for installation.