YES, there are cars answering such a description, however prefers the term 'Affordable 4-seater'.

If the 'Buying an Affordable Family Convertible' title to this piece leads you to believe one of these cars to be practical, then you’ve been misled.

There are convertibles you can buy that comfortably seat two adults in the back but you won’t find them among the ranks of converted drop-top family hatchbacks, the cars we’re considering here.

Convertibles in the larger so-called 'Sports' or 'Luxury' classes are based on the underpinnings of much larger executive cars. Which is why models like the Saab 9-3 Convertible or Volvo’s C70 Cabriolet can claim to be genuine long distance four-seaters.

The problem is that these are cars that will generally cost you an awful lot more money - both to buy and to own.

If you want something more affordable, you could consider one of those cheap out-and-out sports cars, a convertible in the so-called 'Roadster' class - something like an MGTF or indeed a Mazda MX-5.

But these are tiny, compromised two-seaters, unable even to cope with a weekend couple’s luggage, let alone kids or the weekly shop. The noise and the rock-hard sports suspension set-up can get irritating too if you’re wanting an everyday car.

Which of course is why the market for 'Affordable Convertibles' has sprung up, popularised by cabriolet versions of the Vauxhall Astra, the Renault Megane and the Peugeot 206.

We’ve called them ‘Affordable 4-Seaters’ here to differentiate them from Roadsters, a class which needs to be addressed separately. While Roadsters are generally bought as second or third cars, these hatchback-based Cabrios are usually expected to function as everyday tools, come wind, rain or snow.

So what’s on offer on the new market? Well, Renault’s Megane Cabriolet, though old in years is tight in price and well equipped.

Newer fare comes in the form of Vauxhall’s Astra Convertible and Peugeot’s 206 CC. The Vauxhall, now available with a choice of 1.6, 1.8, 2.2 and 2.0-litre turbocharged engines at prices starting from £17,390, is the better all-rounder, but the cheaper 206 (from £14,700) has a charm of its own and a clever power-folding metal roof.

From the outside, the Astra looks like the classiest affordable open-topped car you can buy - and looks in this case don’t deceive. Unlike the old Astra Convertible, there’s no ugly roll-over bar to spoil the pretty lines, nor is there any need for a fiddly tonneau cover.

Instead, the hood is properly concealed beneath a metal cover behind the rear bulkhead. This hydraulically opens and closes to swallow both the roof and the glass rear window - plus the whole process is completely automated with no clips, catches or poppers to worry about. Just as you’d find in only of those prestigiously-badged soft-tops.

In fact, Vauxhall has even stolen a march on some of those rivals by offering the owner the option of raising and lowering the roof without being in the car at all. This comes courtesy of buttons on the remote key fob.

At present, you can order either of three Convertible models, with the 1.8 and 2.2-litre engines borrowed from the Astra Coupe on which this car is based.

A £17,390 1.6-litre version heads up the range, but most buyers choose the 1.8-litre version with its 112bhp 1.8-litre powerplant.

At the top of the range, there’s a 2.2-litre 145bhp variant. Neither of the three engines, in truth, have the guts to make this car feel really rapid. The extra 120kg added to the Coupe’s 1283kg kerb weight takes its toll here. Which is why Vauxhall offer the top Astra Coupe’s 190bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine to open-top customers.

In summary, a car that largely succeeds in bringing lottery-winning values to the affordable cabriolet sector. Buy one, close your eyes and you can almost imagine that winning ticket...

The recipe for Peugeot’s 206 CC is meanwhile is reasonably familiar. The massively popular 206GTi acts as a basis before undergoing some rather serious surgery.

Offered at surprisingly reasonable prices starting from £14,700, the 206 CC offers performance and panache in a package that’s put a big dent in Mazda MX-5 sales.

Aside from the way the roof levers itself into the boot, the recipe will be familiar to most 206 owners.

The 138bhp 2.0-litre 16-valve engine used in the top 2.0-litre GTi model certainly helps with the fun factor, although in this instance there’s a bit more weight to haul about, so the edge is taken off outright acceleration.

Nonetheless, a rest to 60 time of 8.7 seconds is pretty swift, and a top speed of 127mph should be enough for most. A more affordable 1.6-litre 16v variant is available should your budget be tight.

Whatever you decide upon, choose soon - and make the most of it.