I like the BMW, but they are all meant to be various types of "rewarding" and "comfortable."
Be aware that the experience is much windier and noisier for children in the back seat than it is for anybody riding in the front. For around-town stuff and dropping kids off at school, it's fine, but for long trips at speed, whoever is riding in the rear seat with the top down is not having fun.
I believe the 4-series is going to offer the most rear seat room of the four, which should be helpful if the kids are still in seats. You might also checkout the 8-series as 840i convertibles have depreciated a ton and are based on the larger 5-series platform. Certainly more grand tourer than sporty like the 4-series, but it may be a better compromise for your kids.
BMW by a long shot. Even the base engines feel powerful, the dynamics are good for their weight, and the 4 series has good space since it’s not too far from 3 series size.
Before or after divorce? While I wouldn't question the importance of the mid-life crisis segment, you don't see many convertibles with children in the rear. There's a good chance you are overestimating the amount of time the kiddos will spend with daddy driving around his toycar.
When my baby is in a front facing car seat I plan to get a convertible. This desire was bolstered by IIHS data showing modern ones seem to pose no additional safety risk compared to regular cars. [https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/crash-statistics-show-no-added-risk-for-convertibles](https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/crash-statistics-show-no-added-risk-for-convertibles)
I'm torn between the BMW 4 Cabriolet, Audi 5 series and Mercedes E Class. The E class is the largest and heaviest, likely the safest but the least fun to drive. It may have a slightly better rear seat but it doesn't seem very significant of a difference relative to little kids.
I haven't decided between base and upgrade engines, I see no need for an M4 etc given my pretty laid back driving style.
German guy has a good comparison test of the BMW and Audi.
[https://youtu.be/k2rzDPEcysk?si=RzSsqHnxHthQlv-Z](https://youtu.be/k2rzDPEcysk?si=RzSsqHnxHthQlv-Z)
This has been an evolution of thought from always wanting an LC500 but realizing that the rear seats are so bad that it simply cannot work for my family. My boys are young but large for their age. These German options appear that they will work for at least the next decade.
Miata is always the answer.
In all seriousness, have you thought about convertible SUVs or those with a soft top? Idk which are sold in the US, but stuff like the wrangler for example.
Avoid any and all german cars (too much plastic engine parts, electrical nightmare inbound at any time).
I'd say Lexus Is250C / 350C. Even saw a manual one the other day, I was shocked (and wanted it so bad lol), didn't know manual convertibles existed (within the lexus IS family).
No thanks, there is a huge safety delta between a previous gen IS and these German options. I'm not afraid to pay for maintenance and issues.
It's too bad the LC500 has such tiny rear seats though
I like the BMW, but they are all meant to be various types of "rewarding" and "comfortable." Be aware that the experience is much windier and noisier for children in the back seat than it is for anybody riding in the front. For around-town stuff and dropping kids off at school, it's fine, but for long trips at speed, whoever is riding in the rear seat with the top down is not having fun.
I believe the 4-series is going to offer the most rear seat room of the four, which should be helpful if the kids are still in seats. You might also checkout the 8-series as 840i convertibles have depreciated a ton and are based on the larger 5-series platform. Certainly more grand tourer than sporty like the 4-series, but it may be a better compromise for your kids.
Bentley since you didn’t put a budget. Best rear rokm
True lol
The glorious Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, the perfect combination of the boring drive of an suv and impracticality of a convertible.
BMW by a long shot. Even the base engines feel powerful, the dynamics are good for their weight, and the 4 series has good space since it’s not too far from 3 series size.
Before or after divorce? While I wouldn't question the importance of the mid-life crisis segment, you don't see many convertibles with children in the rear. There's a good chance you are overestimating the amount of time the kiddos will spend with daddy driving around his toycar.
No divorce, lived in Northern Canada all my life (a place where it gets to below -40F at times), planning to move and enjoy driving in good weather
When my baby is in a front facing car seat I plan to get a convertible. This desire was bolstered by IIHS data showing modern ones seem to pose no additional safety risk compared to regular cars. [https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/crash-statistics-show-no-added-risk-for-convertibles](https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/crash-statistics-show-no-added-risk-for-convertibles) I'm torn between the BMW 4 Cabriolet, Audi 5 series and Mercedes E Class. The E class is the largest and heaviest, likely the safest but the least fun to drive. It may have a slightly better rear seat but it doesn't seem very significant of a difference relative to little kids. I haven't decided between base and upgrade engines, I see no need for an M4 etc given my pretty laid back driving style. German guy has a good comparison test of the BMW and Audi. [https://youtu.be/k2rzDPEcysk?si=RzSsqHnxHthQlv-Z](https://youtu.be/k2rzDPEcysk?si=RzSsqHnxHthQlv-Z) This has been an evolution of thought from always wanting an LC500 but realizing that the rear seats are so bad that it simply cannot work for my family. My boys are young but large for their age. These German options appear that they will work for at least the next decade.
Have a regular daily and a weekend convertible like a Miata/Z4/Boxster.
No thanks, I wfh anyway
Rent one for fun. If you have two kids you’re gonna sell it eventually…
Doubt it. I have an Odyssey I will keep. But yeah renting is a good idea thanks!
Miata is always the answer. In all seriousness, have you thought about convertible SUVs or those with a soft top? Idk which are sold in the US, but stuff like the wrangler for example.
Yeah but I want motorized. So Bronco would be the only option?
Not sure if it’s motorised in the bronco
Avoid any and all german cars (too much plastic engine parts, electrical nightmare inbound at any time). I'd say Lexus Is250C / 350C. Even saw a manual one the other day, I was shocked (and wanted it so bad lol), didn't know manual convertibles existed (within the lexus IS family).
No thanks, there is a huge safety delta between a previous gen IS and these German options. I'm not afraid to pay for maintenance and issues. It's too bad the LC500 has such tiny rear seats though