Is is silly to rent a convertible??

[danda22]

family of 4 with a 10&11 yr old. will be staying offsite 5/31-6/7. kinda thought it would be a little fun since we are very practical at home. I am thinking the kids will love riding around with a top down. anyone?

 

[bumbershoot]

In a place that has big huge thunderstorms seemingly at random, you couldn't pay me to drive a convertible.

Not Orlando, but once while driving in Georgia it went from a bright beautiful sunny day to a huge, massive BLACK thunderstorm in a matter of minutes. I had a car with manual window and sunroof controls, and just barely got the windows and sunroof closed (while driving on the highway!) before it hit. I cannot imagine trying to figure out the controls to a convertible, IF that can even be done while driving, on the fly like that.

 

[myramsy]

I would think it would be really fun! I am sure your kids would think its pretty cool, I know my ds would
For me it would depend on getting a good deal but if you can swing it I would say "go for it"!

 

[wiigirl]

lol....never a bad idea.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm with Bumbershoot - Florida is so prone to thunderstorms/rainstorms on a near daily basis in the summer, plus it's very not and humid. I would much prefer to have an enclosed car, safe from the rain and able to make good use of the air conditioning. (Also, the "wind whipping through you hair" sounds romantic, but it's really a pain unless you have tied up/back securely.)

 

[I Love Pluto]

Never enjoyed convertibles. It's like riding on the roof of the car!

 

[Ed J]

I have rented a convertible and it was fun. We drove from the AP to where we were staying on arrival night with top down and the heat on, I'd recommend getting one if you like the idea.

Be warned that the trunk space is smaller on a convertible, so keep that in mind when you make your resi.

 

[beachbunny]

Since you're going in the summer, I'd also bring lots of sunscreen. You'll need it.

 

[a1tinkfans]

family of 4 with a 10&11 yr old. will be staying offsite 5/31-6/7. kinda thought it would be a little fun since we are very practical at home. I am thinking the kids will love riding around with a top down. anyone?

may/June, not so much....you have to think about the rain issues, the fact that they are rather "targets" for vandalism and the kids are young...no if it were an adult trip, maybe...But Id spend my $$ elsewhere
Have a great trip whatever you decide....

 

[tobikaye]

A lot of it depends on the temperatures as well. A convertible in 90 degree weather with lots of sun can make a convertible uncomfortable. You would need to watch that everyone has good sunscreen.

 

[danda22]

thanks for helping me make my decision.... we will stick with the standard size 4 door rental after all.

 

[hinodis]

Its a great idea if there was only the two of you going. DH and I always rent a convertible. Our luggage has never all fit in the trunk. We end up using the whole back seat for luggage. We usually have 2 carry ons and 2 regular size suitcases. The trunks are very small. Before you rent one go look at on at a car lot and check out the trunk space!

 

[conniehar90]

We ended up with one on one trip (didn't preorder it, but it was in the lot for our choosing). We found we didn't use it as much as we thought. The drive from our offsite condo to the parks is not that long and it seemed more of a pain than it was worth. Personally, I hate convertibles. I just can't stand the wind blowing my hair every which way. But, the kids enjoyed it. I just felt like we didn't get good use out of it. If the price is right and you think your kids would get a kick out it, then go for it!

 

[robinb]

In a place that has big huge thunderstorms seemingly at random, you couldn't pay me to drive a convertible.

Meh. I have a convertible and I drive through thunderstorms *and* snow storms. It doesn't take long to put a top up if it starts raining and then the car is the same as any other car. I've had one since before my DD was born and the newer models are safer with rollover protection ... my old 1995 Celica, not so much. I have also never had my convertible broken into, even on my many trips to Chicago.

The only issue I would see with a convertible and 4 people is trunk size and luggage space. Trunks on most convertibles are quite tiny and the OP won't be able to put many bags in back with both seats filled with kids. Maybe the OP can take ME to their resort and pick up a convertible from one of the local LBV car rental locations.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We rented a convertable once when our kids were around that age....it was a spring trip maybe April or may ...it was a lot of fun...no issues with rain.....we did have to put some luggage in the back seat with the kids

 

[DebbieB]

I agree, luggage space will be an issue. I would only do it if you are renting it after checking it at the hotel. I got a convertible one time on a business trip and barely had room for my one piece of luggage.

 

[rewok]

Yes! We rented the convertible Sebring a few times, and even if the car was boring, driving with the top down was awesome. If you get a Mustang or Sebring (do they still have them?), you should have enough space in the trunk with the top up for the drive from/to the airport, and the rest of time, without the luggage, trunk space won't be an issue.

We rented in September, in the high heat & humidity: hats firmly attached & sunscreen for the sun, and air conditioning on for the heat. Yes, we had to stop on the side of the road to push the button and wait for the top to close a few times when the sky was black, but really, it is a 2 minutes thing! We would always rent convertible if it wasn't so expensive.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

On a hot humid summer day in Florida I would rather have the A/C on not a car with the top down. And the time of year you are going, its going to be HOT HOT HOT.

 

[robinb]

On a hot humid summer day in Florida I would rather have the A/C on not a car with the top down. And the time of year you are going, its going to be HOT HOT HOT.

Pssssst! You can run the A/C and have the top down at the same time!