Convertibles and young children. Bad idea?
Discussion
Bluebarge said:
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.
Try having long hair, no hairband, then sitting in the back of one and trying to eat an ice lolly.
Herman Toothrot said:
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 they don't. They take stupid risks and as a result have a considerably higher number of deaths on the roads than we do.billzeebub said:
Buy it..enjoy, simples. The risk averse never really enjoy life. It is a minuscule risk of any issue arising with a Convertible that wouldn't affect a tintop. Long as kids are always belted in then great. The average child will also love it and it will enrich their childhoods and life memories. If in doubt get a commensurately priced 3 series with the folding hardtop.
Absolutely, I know a bloke is so risk averse he does nothing outside his limited comfort zone, I suggested buying some property in the late nineties as he had cash, he said "Its not the right time", he wont ride his bike as it is too risky and now has Diabetes due to his weight, still lives with his parents.I would say get one, I used drive an Etype round with my 2 year old in a car seat in it.
The reason I posted this is because my wife apparently dropped it into conversation with her peers and they were all in agreement with her. I was incredulous because any attempt I made to justify it (as per much of the above!) fell on deaf ears. I basically wanted to gauge from 'my peers' (you lot) whether I was on my own. Hence the reason for asking with no bias. Don't get me wrong I agree with most of what's been posted, IMO any increased risks should be balanced against the potential frequency of that risk occurring. In respect of 'doing what I want' I think even the most self centred have to concede that I have to be considerate that she's the child's mother!
I understand where your wife is coming from, although I don't neccesarily agree. A convertible will not be as safe in a crash and for all people make comments like "just don't crash" etc they are kind off missing the point and not really understanding where mothers tend to be comming from. You might as well argue that it would be ok to drive with a 6" nail sticking out of the steering wheel, after all when was the last time your head hit it...
My wife feels the same and any discussion based on logic fails completely. To be honest, it's not worth the hassle IMHO. Learn to choose your battles wisely. There are plenty of nice tintops out there. Save a convertible for when the kids are a bit older
My wife feels the same and any discussion based on logic fails completely. To be honest, it's not worth the hassle IMHO. Learn to choose your battles wisely. There are plenty of nice tintops out there. Save a convertible for when the kids are a bit older
That's the whole basis of robust risk assessment though, potential likelihood vs potential severity.
What are the chances of a crash (low), and what is the severity...actually, very low in most accidents (I realize I'm conflating probability and severity there, which is misleading)
More relevantly, what are the chances of a crash in which the fact that a car is a convertible will have any bearing on the severity of the outcome...this is even lower.
I'm not the most rational person in the world but even I can see this is stretching emotive argument a bit far, but it looks like you're stuck with it.
What are the chances of a crash (low), and what is the severity...actually, very low in most accidents (I realize I'm conflating probability and severity there, which is misleading)
More relevantly, what are the chances of a crash in which the fact that a car is a convertible will have any bearing on the severity of the outcome...this is even lower.
I'm not the most rational person in the world but even I can see this is stretching emotive argument a bit far, but it looks like you're stuck with it.
Tell you what, get an Audi Q7 as that is what people do to protect their kids, with this they are protecting them from experiencing an open car, instead sat cocooned in a leather lined tank.
I am the first to look at the safety element, I wasnt keen on my wife driving our three aorunbd in her old school, Fiat 500 as it had no safety features, was liable to combust or gas them and if they did have even a minor bump it would be very dangerous, plus the car isnt big enough for three teenage boys plus their mother, ok up and down the road but not a 5 mile trip to her mums, however a modern cabrio is not a massive risk, it is very rare for a car to turn over, I suspect the aforementioned SUV is more liable to. Perhaps tell your missus that not having a cabrio will end up with the kids having a Vitamin D deficiency and you arent doing your job if you have a car with a roof.
I think people mix up actual and perceived risk, some people wont ride rollercoasters and hate flying but will drive round half cut or on the phone, they will avoid cyclign on the road as it is dangerous yet eat s
t every day of their lives, do no exercise, drink too much and smoke fags, we seem to be comfortable with a slow lingering death but not so comfortable with instant death, and even then we over state the possibility.
It is also down to how often and for how long, I know someone who wouldnt ride a short distance in a classic as it didnt have seatbelts, three miles in a car with no belts, people used to manage to survive a lifetime without, I wouldnt recommend that as a policy as they do save lives but for an exception it is worth the risk.
Would like to see the relative injury statistics, I would be cabrio drivers on average are more aware of not having a roof and are perhaps more cautious and tin top drivers may put too much store in what is generally a fairly flimsy roof, usually with a hole for a sunroof, a lot of cabrios have active roll bars.
I am the first to look at the safety element, I wasnt keen on my wife driving our three aorunbd in her old school, Fiat 500 as it had no safety features, was liable to combust or gas them and if they did have even a minor bump it would be very dangerous, plus the car isnt big enough for three teenage boys plus their mother, ok up and down the road but not a 5 mile trip to her mums, however a modern cabrio is not a massive risk, it is very rare for a car to turn over, I suspect the aforementioned SUV is more liable to. Perhaps tell your missus that not having a cabrio will end up with the kids having a Vitamin D deficiency and you arent doing your job if you have a car with a roof.
I think people mix up actual and perceived risk, some people wont ride rollercoasters and hate flying but will drive round half cut or on the phone, they will avoid cyclign on the road as it is dangerous yet eat s
t every day of their lives, do no exercise, drink too much and smoke fags, we seem to be comfortable with a slow lingering death but not so comfortable with instant death, and even then we over state the possibility.It is also down to how often and for how long, I know someone who wouldnt ride a short distance in a classic as it didnt have seatbelts, three miles in a car with no belts, people used to manage to survive a lifetime without, I wouldnt recommend that as a policy as they do save lives but for an exception it is worth the risk.
Would like to see the relative injury statistics, I would be cabrio drivers on average are more aware of not having a roof and are perhaps more cautious and tin top drivers may put too much store in what is generally a fairly flimsy roof, usually with a hole for a sunroof, a lot of cabrios have active roll bars.
Of all the potential worries surrounding kids and convertibles the one I hadn't considered was debris following a roll. Bugs, wind, noise are all valid, even sunburn and heat (possibly not here...) Could you explain to here that with the roof down the car would have less glass about, so in fact convertibles are safer 
My brothers twins are growing older and hes told me in a few months I can take them out for the day etc
I did ask wasnt he worried with them in the 205 he said well you know what stheaps we were carted about in and we're still here 
I wouldn't worry modern soft tops are alot safer than older ones and probally have been through rigorus safety tests esps rollover testing.
I did ask wasnt he worried with them in the 205 he said well you know what s
theaps we were carted about in and we're still here I wouldn't worry modern soft tops are alot safer than older ones and probally have been through rigorus safety tests esps rollover testing.
Being in the back of a convertible with the roof down is generally not a nice experience. However, the few days when you can pop out as a family on a nice day for a gentle drive make it worthwhile. Sitting in the front wrapped up with the heater on is a different proposition altogether. Most of the posts on here have been how children enjoy being out in a 2 seater.
Go for it but be prepared that your dream of fun family days out with the roof down will be few and far between.
Go for it but be prepared that your dream of fun family days out with the roof down will be few and far between.
Maxus said:
Being in the back of a convertible with the roof down is generally not a nice experience. However, the few days when you can pop out as a family on a nice day for a gentle drive make it worthwhile. Sitting in the front wrapped up with the heater on is a different proposition altogether. Most of the posts on here have been how children enjoy being out in a 2 seater.
Go for it but be prepared that your dream of fun family days out with the roof down will be few and far between.
I agree, being in a 2 seater is very different than being in the back of a 4 seater. My kids (3 and 1) only like being in the back of mine with the roof down at speeds below 50mph - anything above that and they moan like you would not believe. They both love sitting in the front with the roof down, but that is a rare occurance these days, most of the time there are at least 3 of us in the car.Go for it but be prepared that your dream of fun family days out with the roof down will be few and far between.
The only time I really get to enjoy having the roof down with the kids in tow, is when we go over to the IOW as you rarely get above 50mph there. I am pretty sure when they are old enough to understand that by wearing a basball cap and sunnies it makes the whole experience more pleasent, they will have it down more often. That said it'll always go up if the intention is to drive on a motorway - that is just not pleasent.
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