#TestDrives

The AutoGuide editorial team will be driving the polar extremes of the automotive market this week. Check it all out, right here on AutoGuide Now.

At one time, prospective new car buyers placed most of their faith in the test drive, but modern-day car shopping is changing all of that. 

While the show is not necessarily a Top Gear spin-off, Richard Hammond’s Crash Course is still an over-the-top experience that challenges Hammond behind the wheel of giant machinery, documenting his adventures, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

The wind in your hair, the tunes blazing, it’s time to hit the beach in your ultra-hot, super sexy convertible. What? You don’t have one? Summer’s right around the corner – what are you waiting for?

If you’ve always dreamed of owning a convertible, but were unsure which one to choose, Consumer Reports has done the homework for you. They’ve test driven some of the hottest convertibles on the market and put their findings together in a handy video so you can make the right decision and make the most of your open-air driving experience.

There are so many things to consider when picking out your ideal convertible. How many seats are you looking for? Do you need a lot of trunk space? Do you want a sporty model? Are you looking for a hard roof or a soft one? Can you drive it in the winter or will it just come out in the summer?

This video contains some great advice to keep in mind while shopping and test driving a convertible. A few great things about newer convertibles are they come with more features and conveniences than ever before. You’ll find convertibles with retractable hardtops that can stow in the trunk with just the push of a button. The also provide better visibility when raised, as well as offer increased security and improved resistance to fading when compared to traditional cloth tops. On the down side, when the hard tops are lowered, they take up a lot of trunk space. You’ll find tips like these, and much more, in the video found after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports]