Convertibles and young children. Bad idea?
Discussion
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
LooneyTunes said:
The only thing I'd be considering is that wind noise in the back of a convertible is usually much higher than in the front.
It may be a little paranoid, but given that hearing damage to accrue (they can do it themselves in later years!), I'd probably only put mine in the back at lowish speeds, and would want one with the option to fold the roof up/down with the kids in situ in case the route involved a higher speed stretch.
Some worrying going on here !It may be a little paranoid, but given that hearing damage to accrue (they can do it themselves in later years!), I'd probably only put mine in the back at lowish speeds, and would want one with the option to fold the roof up/down with the kids in situ in case the route involved a higher speed stretch.
I'm happy for them to ride in an aeroscreened car. Just need to wear earplugs like I do.
I know more than a couple of others with such cars who attribute their hearing issues to neglecting to consider the effects of wind noise.
OP should ask your wife what cars she thinks would be safe and throw in a few people carrier/7 seeter options. Then point out that your kids would sitting in the rear crumple zone and so a convertible is much safer than a car she previously thought was ok.
Also get her the watch the fifth gear segment where tiff tries to flip a modern car and its near impossible (with stability control). I think it was the first or second episode of the current series.
Also get her the watch the fifth gear segment where tiff tries to flip a modern car and its near impossible (with stability control). I think it was the first or second episode of the current series.
Really can't believe it's even a slight concern, worrying about things like this we will have a nation of pansies. A friend got a bit of a b
king for putting his 7 year old on the parcel shelf of his MGB roadster and his 5 year old in the passenger seat and taking them for a spin by his wife, kids loved it. Everyone should spend some time in Asia to have a reality check, you'll frequently see mum dad and the two kids on a moped no helmets etc they just do what half the drivers in the uk fail to do - look where they are going and take care.
king for putting his 7 year old on the parcel shelf of his MGB roadster and his 5 year old in the passenger seat and taking them for a spin by his wife, kids loved it. Everyone should spend some time in Asia to have a reality check, you'll frequently see mum dad and the two kids on a moped no helmets etc they just do what half the drivers in the uk fail to do - look where they are going and take care.No problems with kids & convertibles at all.
when my lad was 3, I had a Boxster S that he & I drove everywhere with the roof down. He was strapped into his child seat in the front with the airbag turned off & I never gave it the beans with him in the car. He loved it. The only slight downside was that he had a penchant for playing "500 miles" by The Proclaimers at full blast, which was somewhat embarrassing!
Fast forward a few years, he is 9 now & I now have an Audi S4 Cab that we sometimes use as a family car (my wife's car is much more suited to family duties). In the summer time, we drop the roof when we can. It gets a little blowy in the back at speed, so generally put it up when going onto motorways, but he absolutely loves it. Again, I never take the car anywhere near my limits (which, to be fari are about 50% of of the car's limits at best) so have no safety worries over and above general driving.
I would say go for it. Kids love the feel of the breeze as you're driving along and they think it's so coooool when they get dropped off at school with the roolf down!
when my lad was 3, I had a Boxster S that he & I drove everywhere with the roof down. He was strapped into his child seat in the front with the airbag turned off & I never gave it the beans with him in the car. He loved it. The only slight downside was that he had a penchant for playing "500 miles" by The Proclaimers at full blast, which was somewhat embarrassing!
Fast forward a few years, he is 9 now & I now have an Audi S4 Cab that we sometimes use as a family car (my wife's car is much more suited to family duties). In the summer time, we drop the roof when we can. It gets a little blowy in the back at speed, so generally put it up when going onto motorways, but he absolutely loves it. Again, I never take the car anywhere near my limits (which, to be fari are about 50% of of the car's limits at best) so have no safety worries over and above general driving.
I would say go for it. Kids love the feel of the breeze as you're driving along and they think it's so coooool when they get dropped off at school with the roolf down!
Hub said:
Tumbler said:
For years the family car was a TVR and an MX5, now my eldest daughter is 18 her car is an MG Midget, all still alive and well here.
Haha, I have visions of a family outing consisting of a convoy of two seater cars! Fish981 said:
In the front they love it, in the back they whinge about the turbulence.
What he said. If you've ever sat in the back of a 4-seater convertible at speed with the hood down, it's like wing-walking - exhilarating for 10 minutes, but not how you'd want to cross the Atlantic. Great for short, low-speed journeys in nice weather, otherwise stick the kids in the front or hood up.rix said:
My sentiments indeed...
Have been seriously considering a M135i (5 door) which was initially met with spousal approval. Since considered the financial benefits of a 135i or 335i convertible; big saving, the extra thrill (IMO) of roofless motoring, and probably 85% of the performance of the M135i. Not really interested in the coupe alternatives.
Unfortunately Mrs Rix has an opinion and seemingly cant be swayed: 'You can have any car but not a convertible'. Suggestions as to how to 'educate'? Stats?
Tin roofed hardtop like the latest BM's?Have been seriously considering a M135i (5 door) which was initially met with spousal approval. Since considered the financial benefits of a 135i or 335i convertible; big saving, the extra thrill (IMO) of roofless motoring, and probably 85% of the performance of the M135i. Not really interested in the coupe alternatives.
Unfortunately Mrs Rix has an opinion and seemingly cant be swayed: 'You can have any car but not a convertible'. Suggestions as to how to 'educate'? Stats?
rix said:
A theoretical combo of a 4 year old and a E88 135i
As a second car?
With promises not to drop the top on motorways etc?
Madness to consider one... or a mollycoddle too far not too?
Any horror stories from owners?
I understand the issues with buffeting, its more about the safety implications both top up/down.
You are going to put CHILDREN in an open top car? As a second car?
With promises not to drop the top on motorways etc?
Madness to consider one... or a mollycoddle too far not too?
Any horror stories from owners?
I understand the issues with buffeting, its more about the safety implications both top up/down.
This is near to child abuse. I suggest you wrap them up in cotton wool and place then in a padded room, where they will be safe.horror stories? - yes there are loads of fat, mentally poorly adjusted kids with no understanding of risk and self discipline because their parents view it as their jobs to shield them from the real world and stop them growing up.
Some young people want to bring there parents to job interviews now - I guess at 22 they aren't allowed out on their own.
I had to sign a disclaimer to allow my children to walk home from school, lucky they never saw me collect my 5 year old in a car which didn't have a roof or windscreen. I would have been jailed.
OK sorry I know this is a rant, but FFS.
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