Is it worth the money to rent a convertible??

[Leigha]

I've had my heart set on a convertible for our June 3-12 trip. I think it would be the icing on the cake for my 2 DD! The cheapest I can find is to book through Southwest with code WN917 through Dollar for $367. That's a lot of money for a person who ususally wants to go the cheapest route. Will this even be worth it? Does a convertible make that much difference? We're starting off at Universal, on to Disney then Vero Beach. Opinions, please!!

 

[CarolA]

I will put it this way.

I love my convertible. However, if the tempature gets much over 90 it gets VERY hot and the A/C has to struggle to keep up. THe back seat is just plain hot! LOL! I live with it, but it is something to consider.

I have been known to put both a regular car and convertible on "hold" and cancel one once I get the weather forecast (rain is really bad!)


If I were you and you really want one, I would try Priceline.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
I will put it this way.

I love my convertible. However, if the tempature gets much over 90 it gets VERY hot and the A/C has to struggle to keep up. THe back seat is just plain hot! LOL! I live with it, but it is something to consider.

I have been known to put both a regular car and convertible on "hold" and cancel one once I get the weather forecast (rain is really bad!)


If I were you and you really want one, I would try Priceline.

Carol,
If you go REALLY REALLY fast, you don't notice the heat and you don't need the AC.
I am really beginning to LOVE the rate I got from Alamo. 8 days, all taxes and fees, 241.89.

 

[JKanownik]

DH and I rented a Sebring convertible when we drove from WDW to Cocoa Beach for our May 2002 honeymoon. It was nice to have the convertible and we have some great pictures. Unfortunately, it was in the 90's every day and way to hot to take advantage of leaving the top down too often. I would say that if you have children, you may want to reconsider and save your money. They would probably be miserable without the A/C and have a greater risk of getting sunburned. DH and I were sunburned and we applied sunscreen before we left the airport.

 

[ducklite]

I just had one this past weekend--flew into Tampa, drove up to the Orlando area, back to the Zephyr Hills area, and back to Tampa. It was a glorious day, high's in the upper 80's, and it was wonderful to have the rag top. I wasn't hot at all.

I did get sunburned from just driving around.

Keep in mind that you lose a LOT of trunk space with a convertible. It was just me with my tote bag (24 hour trip!) so no worries. But that trunk isn't going to hold more than a couple roll-on bags and a couple tote bags.

I had a Mustang, which is a little smaller than the Sebring, but even the Sebring is going to have limited trunk space.

Also, your DD's will not be able to have any activities, toys, etc. in the back seat with them. At 70 mph with that top down, even an empty cup in the cup holder will start to fly around!

You need to make the decision yourself, but those are some experiences to think about.

Have fun!

Anne

 

[CarolA]

The problem is that the Orlando traffic rarely lets you whip around that fast LOL!

New question... how old are the DDs? Do they need car seats and/or boosters. I ask becuase getting a kid in car seat in and out of my car with the top up would be HARD! There is not much room to wiggle around back there! I have to help the kids from my Browine troop in the back seat with the seat belts (since they rarely get used they are kind of tough) and there just is not much space to work in. I don't know if I could do a car seat.

 

[TZMOM]

I used to live in Clearwater and owned a convertible Camaro. It used to get hot as you know what and Gail is right - no trunk space at all - but I did get a good tan. If you want to spend that many $$$, get a car w/a roof & good air + your DD is only 2 & will never remember the car. If you have your heart set on that type of car, wait until she's at least 10 soe at least you'll get "credit" for the memory.

 

[Dodie]

I think the primary thing to think about when considering renting a convertible on vacation is TRUNK SPACE!

I know it's been mentioned before, but the trunk space in most convertibles is QUITE small. I'm talking one or two thin suitcases small.

 

[JKanownik]

Originally posted by Dodie
I think the primary thing to think about when considering renting a convertible on vacation is TRUNK SPACE!

I know it's been mentioned before, but the trunk space in most convertibles is QUITE small. I'm talking one or two thin suitcases small.

DW & I had to put our large suitcases in the back seat because they wouldn't all fit in the trunk.

-DH

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Dodie
I think the primary thing to think about when considering renting a convertible on vacation is TRUNK SPACE!

I know it's been mentioned before, but the trunk space in most convertibles is QUITE small. I'm talking one or two thin suitcases small.

I have scoped out the Sebring's trunk, and for the 30 mins. each way, that the luggage will be in the car, we will make do. Brook is tiny, so we can stash her in the corner in the back or make room for her in the front (if there are seatbelts) and what does not fit in the trunk, will be in the back.
I have had a Camaro hardtop and the trunk was tiny, I can only imagine what a convert would be like. I now have a miata and I am amazed at how much I can fit in that tiny trunk.
As to Brook, well, she is 27, so, I think the car seat will be ok to pass on.
As to sunburns, Sunscreen needs to be applied at LEAST 20 minutes before you hit the sun, otherwise it is useless.

 

[CarolA]

Gail,
You have me laughing!

I was actually asking about the OP's DDs.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
Gail,
You have me laughing!

I was actually asking about the OP's DDs.

I knew that, but, I like to toss in a bit of humor here and there.

 

[sandyneck]

We have rented a convertible three times, mainly because my husband loves it. It is great for those riding in the front, and fairly miserable for those in the back. The kids had to ride with their heads in their laps most of the time because it was so windy. We did a lot of driving though, I guess if you are just tooling around it would be OK. I agree also with the AC dilemma. The Sebring had plenty of room for 4 carryons.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sandyneck
We have rented a convertible three times, mainly because my husband loves it. It is great for those riding in the front, and fairly miserable for those in the back. The kids had to ride with their heads in their laps most of the time because it was so windy. We did a lot of driving though, I guess if you are just tooling around it would be OK. I agree also with the AC dilemma. The Sebring had plenty of room for 4 carryons.

My Miata has A/C and I have yet to see the logic in a convertable having A/C. Possibly because I detest A/C period. Never use it in the car and rarely in the house.

 

[Poly Pal]

We rented a Mustang convertible on our first trip to Disney World in 1987. Our suitcase would not fit in the trunk so we decided to put it in the backseat (obviously before we had kids!) We could not get the suitcase into the small backseat through the door. We had to put the roof down in the MCO parking garage in order to lift the suitcase over the side of the car into the back seat!

My wife complained that with the top down, her hair got messed up! So, never again since!

 

[Leigha]

Thanks for all the great input! I think we'll go for it!!! My DD are 10 and 14. That's old enough to get the credit - which I do consider - and old enough to fit with a possible suitcase too if we had to. I think they are old enough not to complain about the heat and if it gets too bad, we'll just put the top on again, right?!We'll be doing enough short and long trips this time between Universal, Orlando and Vero that we can do it all! I think they'll sacrifice the things they would normally do while driving for an hour to Veo for the pleasure of the convertible. It will most likely be a once in a lifetime thing. I'm considering the size of my suitcase and plan on - famouse last words - packing light. We'll be staying at the BCV which has free laundry. I'm usually up before the kids and don't mind throwing a load in and going to sit by the pool to read while waiting. That brings me to considering Priceline. What are the odds that this could turn out bad? What is the worst that could happen? Off site pick up, small or awful cars?? I've considered Priceline but haven't done it enough to really know about it. I don't want my "once in a lifetime" to turn out badly! I'm not telling the girls, just in case something happens as it is. Please advise on Priceline and thank you SO much for all your input up to this point!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The only problem I could see with that Priceline plan is that you end up with a small convertable, like a Mustang. Which is a great car, but, less trunk than a Sebring.
I have run a few bids through priceline, hoping to beat my rate at Alamo, and absolutely NO dice, they won't even look at a 30.00 a day bid. At that rate, it exceeds my rental without even adding the taxes and fees.

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I detest A/C period. Never use it in the car and rarely in the house.

But do you use it in Orlando (room)?
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_1_9.gif' border=0></a>

I had a convertible for about 20 years - in CA and TX. Didn't need the a/c in CA most of the time but boy did I ever need in it TX.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by arminnie
But do you use it in Orlando (room)?
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_1_9.gif' border=0></a>

I had a convertible for about 20 years - in CA and TX. Didn't need the a/c in CA most of the time but boy did I ever need in it TX.

Yes, we do and only because the windows don't open.

 

[LauraLea]

I got a rate of $199/wk for a convertable from National for our Sept "honeymoon" trip. Just me and DH, but we will have a set of golf clubs with us.

Can we get these in the back seat? How much space will be left for luggage?

We are staying at WL concierge level, and I have considered shipping a box of clothes down early if space in the car will be limited.

I have never even ridden in a convertable, so help from those with experience would be much appreciated.

Thanks........Laura