Beetle Juice VW Convertible Attractive and Sporty Little Package Traditionally, convertibles and cabriolets have gotten a bad reputation. Seen as impractical, expensive and generally less safe than their hard-top counterparts, convertibles are often viewed as somewhat frivolous. However, a quick glance at the list of car models currently available suggests that convertibles are increasingly being viewed as viable alternatives to the stodgier hard top. In the last few years, dozens of convertible models have made it onto the market. Often, they are pitched to the well-heeled consumer, and Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and Porsche all have high-end convertible sports cars leading the charge. But convertibles are not always prohibitively expensive. Witness one of the latest arrivals: the new Beetle Convertible recently launched by Volkswagen. Starting at $21,850, it rivals its hard-top counterpart in price and does not sacrifice extras to do it. For starters, the Beetleís roof is almost fully automatic. Simply unlock and turn a latch to release it, and then push a button while cleverly hidden electric motors do the restóall in about 30 seconds. To se cure the roof, simply reverse the process. Itís all quite effortless. The Beetle is also well packaged. For a relatively small car, the interior space proves more than adequate. The distance between the dash and the windscreen takes some getting used to and can make parking a little challenging, with the car taking up much less space than what your senses tell you. Nevertheless, itís roomy and comfortable. Little things, such as the placement of the CD changer in the center compartment, are well thought out and make for a very user-friendly interior. Access to the rear is excellent, even for tall people, as the seats spring up and forward. Once in the back, however, passengers might find the legroom a tad short and the seat back a touch upright. But for short journeys, itís more than adequate. Even the trunk, which is modestly sized at best, does a good job of swallowing luggage, which we discovered firsthand after a trip to Costco. The 2.0-liter, 115-horsepower engine is a willing workhorse that provides good, if not exceptional, performance. The test car came equipped with a standard transmission, which would be my pick over the automatic version. Perhaps the biggest draw of the Beetle Convertible is its appearance. It might not suit the upwardly mobile executive trying to project a particular image, but everyone else will think itís the cutest thing around. Particular attention to detail, such as the chrome surrounding on the lip of the passenger area, makes for quite an attractive car. Even the folded roof, which sits above the C-pillar, manages to provide character rather than merely looking untidy. Of course, there are those who prefer not to compromise, in which case Mercedes could have the vehicle for you. Starting with the SLK, and now available on the SL model, Mercedes offers the best of both worlds: a convertible with a folding hard top. Such a technical tour de force doesnít come cheap though. An SLK32 AMG will set you back $55,000 plus, while an SL500 starts at $85,000. Indeed, the 2004 Mercedes SL600, which arrives in the United States in October and comes equipped with a V12 engine that develops a massive 500 horsepower, is likely to cost a whopping $120,000. Although convertibles clearly do not suit everyoneís lifestyle, and likewise not everyone will appreciate the added bumps and jolts that inevitably come with a car that has lost its roofóparticularly on Washington, D.C.ís less than billiard table-smooth roadsóconvertibles do make an attractive alternative. Once youíve driven one, itís hard not to be a convert for the convertible. óKarl Ferguson