Three convertibles, with a starting price of less than $30,000, received the best test scores for front and side-impact crash tests. They were the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the 2007 Volkswagen Eos and the 2008 Chrysler Sebring.
The 2007 BMW 3-Series convertible and the 2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet received the second lowest score for side-impact tests. The 3-Series has a starting price of $43,200 and the A4 Cabriolet starts at $39,100.
The 2007 Pontiac G6, at a starting price of $29,400, is considered one of the least expensive hard-top convertibles in the market today. It got a score of marginal in side-impact crash tests and the second highest score of acceptable in frontal tests.
More vehicles and their results can be found at the link below. A spokesman for the IIHS cautioned consumers who are in the market for a convertible that they select one with roll bars. They are standard equipment on the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C70.