Small Children and Convertible Cars...

[DoesntChristmasDragOn]

I'm just curious, but do you think these mix? I went off the idea of a convertible when I had children and they suddenly seemed so unsafe with all that bare space above your head. Before then, I hankered after one!

Aren't your children prone to throwing things out of the roof?
Do you equip them with safety helmets?
Doesn't the half-a-ton of unidentified cr*p fly out of the roof when you hit a certain speed?

dd1 lves her grandads convertable. me i hate it, its so low to the round. its a mazda mx5.

We used to have a convertable pre-kids - I won't consider one now

I'm gonna have a fancy 2 seater sports car when the kids grow up though ( will be a pensioner by then)

We had a convertible when DD was tiny, and until she was about 2 I think. She loved it

Nothing ever left the car - eithe by accident or on purpose by DD.

If the car did roll, there are roll bars or protection - your head doesn't touch the ground. If your child is in a car seat then they are fine.

However, as your main car they are not so ideal I don't think. The passengers in the front are very well protected from the elements - air con in the summer, windscreen from the wind, heater in the winter.

Not so much protection in the back. Basically, in the back, you get burnt int he summer or frost bite in the winter. Spring and Autumn are great though

in saying all that we all loved our convertible, and I was really looking forward to getting that 2 seater Smart convertible (sadly no more). Myabe one day

I adored my convertible and though I am really excited to be pregnant - I miss it like mad! However, I used to take friends kids (age 3-ish) out in out all the time - no problems, they loved it.
As soon as this baby is 2 I will definately go back to a convertible. One thing I would advise - get one with an automatic roof or it is a nightmare!

I have to say I have no real reason at all to assume they're more dangerous than a hard top car. It's just the way my perception of lots of things have changed since becoming a parent.

It was your thread that made me think, Hula

Once you are inside the convertible, you do realise that you are quite enclosed and feel safe.

And yes, automatic roof is a must! Especially if it starts to rain

I had an MX5 before dd1 was born and only changed to a boring Audi when I found I was pregnant with dd2. It was a wonderful car and dd1 loved it. It was only a 2 seater so she sat in the front with me. Nothing ever left the car and she really enjoyed having the roof down in the summer. Never really thought about the safety aspect of it, but it was certainly fast

I want this one

Oh yes - I think you should get one in each colour to suit your moods...!

I still have my mx5 - was 13th wedding anniversary present about 5 years ago (not new). Has the hard top on at the moment. Not very practical with 4 kids - spends most of its time in the garage, but I do feel good on the odd occasion I get to drive it. Bit of a change from my regular Grand Voyager! I try to spend a bit of time out with each of the 3 older ones separately (lunch or shopping, or walk on beach for eg) and they love it too. Baby not much good in the front though as she likes to change gear. It reminds me I can still be me, not just wife/mum etc. We've thought of changing it for another impractical car but kids not keen as it's "mummy's present" - they still have the final say!

DH has a convertible CLK. DS1 loves it but DS2 is always complaining that it is too blowy in the back. We keep a blanket in the boot to wrap round their knees but even so he prefers my car.

I love the convertible in the summer (but rarely get to drive it)

We had a blue Audi A4 cabriolet . This thread has reminded me how lovely it was

dw is clinging on for dear life to her Saab convertible... but I fear it's got to go because getting dd in the back of it is a bit of a nightmare....

Approx what age will kids climb into their own seat and strap themselves in reliably ? Maybe dw gets to keep her swanky auto yet... LOL

DD is 3.5 and still can't do her buckle up herself.

Advantage of being short is that to get DD into the car seat is easy - I just stand in the footwell of the car When she was in her baby seat I would often put the roof down to make it easier

I'm not exactly tall, but not a short arse either. Also I have 35 years of accumulated Christmas Puddings around my midriff... now imagine me standing in the rear footwell of the Saab, bending over struggling with dd's car seat and you will PYSLYAO, promise.

Hula - I had the silver version! They are FAB cars aren't they!