It's been an unusually beautiful British summer this year, with long unbroken periods of blazing sunshine up and down the country putting people in a cheery, carefree mood.
For car enthusiasts, the brightness and warmth may well have gotten them thinking about the idea of buying a convertible or soft-top car – not something that always seems the best idea in rainy Britain, but can be extremely tempting during bouts of genuinely summery weather.
Before rushing straight down to a dealership to purchase the newest, fastest model, it's worth considering a few factors that might influence your decision and help you choose the car that's right for you.
When to buy?
As mentioned, summer is the time when buying a convertible is going to seem the most tempting, but it may not be the most economical time to do so.
It follows logically, but it does not always occur to buyers that soft-tops are actually more expensive during the summer than at any other point during the year, due to the basic principle of supply and demand.
If you can resist the temptation of an impulse buy, then it may be much more affordable to wait until the end of the year to make the purchase in order to get great deals as traders seek to clear out their stock.
Consider the newest, flashiest options…
Convertibles are inherently eye-catching cars, so it's likely that people seeking these types of vehicle will be drawn to the latest and flashiest models on the market.
In 2015, these include the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5, with its light build and aggressive styling, as well as the turbocharged 2015 Ford Mustang, the sleek Porsche GTS and sporty Audi TT.
These models may not necessarily come cheap, but for those with the available funds they'll look great and handle even better.
…but also the cost-effective choices
For those operating on a tighter budget, there are plenty of cost-effective choices on the market that will still look stylish on the road, but without breaking the bank.
According to analysis from car data provider CAP, models such as the Fiat 500C, Smart Fortwo Cabrio, Citroen DS3 Cabrio and Mini Convertible are not only affordable to purchase, but can also offer long-term savings when taking depreciation, servicing, maintenance and fuel economy into account.
Think about short and long-term costs
Typically, convertibles are associated with higher upfront costs than traditional roofed models, but there are a number of factors to consider that can influence your financial decision in various ways.
For example, fuel consumption is often higher on sports cars, but insurance costs are not necessarily elevated unless that model is particularly prone to theft. Often, convertibles can actually be cheaper to get covered.
Additionally, the rate at which soft-tops depreciate in value varies by model type, with older classic cars tending to hold their value for longer. This might be an influential factor for those who anticipate selling the vehicle on in future to offset their costs.
Learn what's different about driving a sports car
Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that driving convertibles and other sports cars differ in a number of ways from other vehicles, and that it's worth learning about this before getting behind the wheel.
For example, many sports cars offer rear-wheel drive, which can affect the way it handles, while removing the roof also reduces the overall weight of the car, thus affecting its manoeuvrability in subtle ways.
Making sure you're aware of these factors can make all the difference in ensuring your time on the road in your open-top car is as pleasurable as you've been dreaming.