Car and Driver's 2001 convertible shootout pitted five four-seat drop-tops against each other, with the Chevrolet Camaro, Chrysler Sebring, Ford Mustang, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Toyota Camry Solara all vying for supremacy in the affordable convertible segment.
This era marked the tail end of the classic American muscle car convertible renaissance. The Mustang dominated sales and cultural relevance, while the Camaro delivered raw V8 performance for enthusiasts willing to accept its heavier, less refined character. Chrysler's Sebring positioned itself as the practical choice, emphasizing comfort and features over driving thrills. The Eclipse offered Japanese reliability wrapped in a sportier package. Toyota's Camry Solara took a different approach entirely, borrowing the sedan's proven platform and adding a power-convertible roof to create a lifestyle vehicle rather than a pure sports car.
By 2001, the market was shifting. Buyers increasingly wanted convertibles as lifestyle purchases rather than performance machines. The Solara's popularity proved this point. Its smooth four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, and sedan-derived comfort appealed to older, wealthier buyers less interested in lap times.
The Mustang still led in raw appeal and affordable V8 thrills. The Camaro represented the performance alternative, though its aging platform was showing its age. The Sebring filled the mainstream middle ground. The Eclipse attracted import-focused drivers seeking something different.
This comparison captured a pivotal moment. Within a few years, the SUV craze would devour convertible sales. The Camaro would be killed off, the Sebring would fade into irrelevance, and even the Mustang would face existential questions. Only the Solara would soldier on, eventually replaced as Toyota moved fully into