Ask the Car People.SM


Best Convertible for Young Family

4 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2012 at 6:26 PM

You are in the Coupes & Convertibles Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Solara, BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Car Comparisons, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed

#1 of 4 Best Convertible for Young Family by jgoepel

Jun 19, 2009 (1:41 pm)

I've had two different BMW 3-series (2000 and 2006), and my lease is about to expire (November of this year) on my current 3-series. I like the car a lot, but I've convinced my wife that a convertible would be fun for us. We're looking at purchasing this car with the intent to keep it as a "fun" car for the family since we live within about two hours of the beach.
 
Cars on our current "to-drive" list include the Toyota Solara, Mercedes CLK, BMW 6-series, and VW Eos. Did we leave any off that you'd recommend? We can't decide between new and used (though the budget-associated flexibility that a used car would afford makes for strong arguments in that direction), so any feedback on even slightly older models is appreciated.
 
A little background about us:
We have two young boys, so we need something that can readily accomodate kids in booster seats and there has to be enough "leg room" that they can sit comfortably even with me sitting in the driver's seat (I'm 5'10", with 32" inseam). We're also buying this car with the expectation that we'll have it long enough that the boys will grow out of the seats and need "real" leg room. I find the rear leg room measurments provided by some car manufacturers to be confusing/disingenuous, so I'd appreciate some feedback on just how much rear leg room there REALLY is in your convertible. For example, can four "normal" height adults ride comfortably in there for a few hours? Also, how 'bout the trunk; is it big enough to hold the luggage and "stuff" a family of four typically takes on a long weekend/week at the beach, especially with the top down?
 
Thanks in advance for any feedback!

#2 of 4 Re: Best Convertible for Young Family [jgoepel] by joeauburn

Jul 19, 2009 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: jgoepel (Jun 19, 2009 1:41 pm)
I have 645 CI. Drove for 4 yrs w/6yr old and 9yr old. I am 6'5 and wife is 5'7. We did take two and three hour trips w/car and it was fun. The problem w/younger kids is their hips are not long enough for deep rear seats so that the back of their knees do not reach edge of seat. With older child not a problem but w/younger child legs would stick straight forward. Now that they are older it is a litle more difficult. When we take car out around town, I actually sit in back and put front seat forward. (6'5")
Trunk space is very deep and large with the "bangle" bump in trunk lid. It is especially large w/top up and in trunk "space saver" retracted. This is area lowered top is typically stored. Fun, large car. Short trips (2 hrs) are possible and kids love top down. Hope this helps.
 
I am moving forward to midsize saloon, to get larger rearseat. My kids are medium to large for their age.

#3 of 4 Re: Best Convertible for Young Family [joeauburn] by jgoepel

Jul 23, 2009 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: joeauburn (Jul 19, 2009 3:14 pm)
Thanks Joe, that was very helpful!

#4 of 4 Just test drove the new 6 Convertible (June 2012) by vb_bay_area

Jun 19, 2012 (6:26 pm)

I don't know why anyone with a family of more than 2 would by this car. While it is a very, very nice car the rear seat legroom is terrible. I'm 5'9 and have short legs. The salesman could not ride behind me during the test drive because there was not enough room. What a darn shame!!!!

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement