The 1990s were an exciting time. It was a decade in which many of the common aspects of modern life were emerging in their infancy with the rise of the world wide web and mobile phones.

In the motor world, things were getting exciting, too, with companies seeing the success and failures of their builds throughout the 20th century. This was met with a lot of reflection as the 21st century was nearing.

To maintain their customer and enthusiast base, car companies resorted to giving their clients a wide range of choices when it came to car designs. Consequently, convertibles became a rather big hit. With almost every company offering a convertible option for their coupes and sedans, people were spoilt for choice.

However, while the market seemed flooded, there are a couple of convertibles that stand out. These are lightweight sporty convertibles that had a significant impact on the convertible market.

For a good walk down memory lane, we are going to look at some of these cars. These are the best convertible cars from the ‘90s.

1990 Mazda MX-5

The 1990 Mazda MX-5 is a fondly remembered convertible thanks to its show-stopping headlamps, and those who got to drive it could not get over the 50:50 weight balance. Being the first-generation Mazda MX-5, this car went on to achieve what many would consider a cult status.

This was because this convertible was practical. Easy and fun to drive, affordable, lightweight, and it featured a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. After having a taste of success, Mazda settled on having the MX-5 run for four more generations. This first-generation Mazda MX-5 was powered by a 1.6-liter engine that pushed 112 hp.

RELATED: Here's What The 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Costs Today

1995 MGF

The 1995 MGF was a mid-engine convertible that was launched in the autumn of 1995 by the Rover Group company. This was the third car to be launched by the company after the BMW takeover. Considered to be MG Rover’s saving grace, the 1995 MGF quicker gained notoriety among convertible enthusiasts.

This car went on to be one of the few cars that could go on a head-to-head faceoff with the Mazda MX-5. Famous for its looks, this mid-engine convertible proved over time that it had what it takes to go up against many performance convertibles within its category. The 1995 MGF was powered by a 1.8-liter engine that pushed more than 140 hp.

1995 Alfa Romeo Spider

Until recently, many people thought that Alfa Romeo was dead. This was because of the silence and the underperforming cars that this Italian car legend was rolling out. However, all this changed with the debut of the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio and the Giulia.

Before Alfa Romeo went dark, they were known for their striking Ferrari-powered cars. The 1995 Alfa Romeo Spider is one of these cars. This ride was styled by one of the most prolific Italian design houses, Pininfarina.

It featured a new look and style that was thought to be ahead of its time. The edgy but smooth curves on the car coupled with other beautifully designed features that included a V-shaped grille surrounded by two round headlights on each side. The powertrain packed in this car was a 2.0-liter Twin Spark engine that pushed 153 hp. This was later swapped for a V6 option in 1997.

RELATED: This Is What Makes The Alfa Romeo Spider So Cool

1996 Porsche Boxster

While everyone is intrigued by the 911 GT3 and GT series, other Porsche lineups are being dealt the boot by many Porsche enthusiasts. An excellent example of this is the Boxster lineup. But this has not always been the case. In the 1990s, the Boxster lineup was the entry-level car lineup for the Porsche brand.

These cars were affordable and still performed like a Porsche, even if not with much vigor. The 1996 Porsche Boxster was a beautiful ride with everything screaming Porsche. Its performance was one to be in awe of, seeing that it was a lite version of its Porsche counterparts.

Nonetheless, it still featured a decent 2.5-liter engine that pushed about 203 hp. This made it a top contender for affordable sports cars.

1996 Lotus Elise

Lotus is a name that you do not hear much of these days. While the company might be behind the shadows now, that has not always been the case. For a long time, from the 1960s all through to the late 1990s, this England-based company was among the most popular brands in the motor world.

The 1995 Lotus Elise is a beautiful convertible whose raw power and outstanding design saw it gain notoriety faster than other cars within the same category. Weighing a net weight of around 1,600 lbs, this mid-engine car was a favorite for those looking for a lightweight convertible.

It was powered by a 1.8-liter engine that pushed around 120 hp to the car’s rear-wheel-drive drivetrain.