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convertable that has 3 seat belts in the back seat - Page 2

post #16 of 29
12/6/07 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS View Post
Back on topic: between the Volvo and the BMW, I would get the BMW. It has a much better warranty and frankly I would expect it (based on past performance) to hold up better than the Volvo. Also, it's going to be a lot more fun to drive than the Volvo (RWD vs. FWD), and as a bonus you aren't buying a dressed-up Ford.

Jon.
If he's looking to occasionally carry 3 children around, the Volvo would probably be the better bet. The new BMW is hideous, and reliability is really no better than the Volvo (the Germans aren't known for their reliable cars). I would agree that the 3 series is better a performing car.
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post #17 of 29
12/6/07 at 6:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe View Post
If he's looking to occasionally carry 3 children around, the Volvo would probably be the better bet. The new BMW is hideous, and reliability is really no better than the Volvo (the Germans aren't known for their reliable cars). I would agree that the 3 series is better a performing car.

I'd tend to disagree. I have experience with a fairly wide array of models and the only one that ever gave any trouble was a power window in an ML55 and that stupid I-drive thing which was a bit difficult to figure out right away.

The cheap stuff isn't as good as it used to be (which I wouldn't be able to comment on), but their higher end models are still excellent buys in terms of reliability. However, if I were in the market for a great luxury car right now, it would probably be a Lexus.
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post #18 of 29
12/6/07 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Violinist View Post
I'd tend to disagree. I have experience with a fairly wide array of models and the only one that ever gave any trouble was a power window in an ML55 and that stupid I-drive thing which was a bit difficult to figure out right away.

The cheap stuff isn't as good as it used to be (which I wouldn't be able to comment on), but their higher end models are still excellent buys in terms of reliability. However, if I were in the market for a great luxury car right now, it would probably be a Lexus.
You're a lucky man, my mother-in-law didn't have the best experiences with her E class, she has since switched to a Volvo S-80. Maybe some German cars are more problematic than others, especially the entry level autos.

It's funny you mention Lexus, my wife currently drives a 2004 GS300, it may be extremely reliable, but it's definately boring to drive.
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post #19 of 29
12/6/07 at 7:27pm
I do think that violinist has a point. I know many israelis that would not step into a BMW. Considering your G.I. JOE background, I am quite surprised.
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post #20 of 29
12/6/07 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe View Post
You're a lucky man, my mother-in-law didn't have the best experiences with her E class, she has since switched to a Volvo S-80. Maybe some German cars are more problematic than others, especially the entry level autos.

It's funny you mention Lexus, my wife currently drives a 2004 GS300, it may be extremely reliable, but it's definately boring to drive.

I mean, if you look historically, German cars have been THE cars to have. Traditionally the engineering and manufacturing was very sound. It has started to disintegrate to meet demand for more accessible luxury cars. The death of Jaguar in this way was very sad to see.

The boring thing I do hear a lot about Lexus, which might be why we never got one. I do like the long wheelbase LS though, very comfortable.
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post #21 of 29
12/6/07 at 8:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincent View Post
I do think that violinist has a point. I know many israelis that would not step into a BMW. Considering your G.I. JOE background, I am quite surprised.

oh, fuck, ok - sure, some jews and/or israelis don't like german cars, some do. I don't have a problem with german cars, beer, or women. I have lived in germany, and one or two of my favorite people are german. I haven't yet owned a german car, but I own a german iron and a german toothbrush, and I see no major problem with owning a german car.

ok, are we done now?
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post #22 of 29
12/6/07 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imageWIS View Post
Huh?

Jon.

Well, it's practically impossible to squeeze three children seats in the back of a BMW convertible. What about it that's so hard to understand?
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post #23 of 29
12/6/07 at 9:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by globetrotter View Post
oh, fuck, ok - sure, some jews and/or israelis don't like german cars, some do. I don't have a problem with german cars, beer, or women. I have lived in germany, and one or two of my favorite people are german. I haven't yet owned a german car, but I own a german iron and a german toothbrush, and I see no major problem with owning a german car.

ok, are we done now?

Yeah, this is getting pretty fucking silly. It'd be obvious to these people if they had actually been to a big American city that Jews and German cars aren't incongruous. If anything, I can't really think of one successful Jewish person that I've met who didn't own either a Merc, a BMW, or a Porsche.

Back to your original question, I'm not sure any of the small convertibles would allow you to put in three car seats in the back--not for the lack of restraints, but because of the lack of space. The center space is basically useless in the back seat of any small convertible, even more so than the so-called seats.
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post #24 of 29
12/6/07 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkNWorn View Post
Yeah, this is getting pretty fucking silly. It'd be obvious to these people if they had actually been to a big American city that Jews and German cars aren't incongruous. If anything, I can't really think of one successful Jewish person that I've met who didn't own either a Merc, a BMW, or a Porsche.

Back to your original question, I'm not sure any of the small convertibles would allow you to put in three car seats in the back--not for the lack of restraints, but because of the lack of space. The center space is basically useless in the back seat of any small convertible, even more so than the so-called seats.

well, today I have a matrix, and you can just barely fit 3 seats in the back, but you can. I havent ever actually had to carry the 3 kids in my car, but I got the car with the knowledge that I could. it seems stupid to buy a car that I couldn't use in an even that I had to carry the whole family, that's what I am thinking.

but I would like to get a smaller convertable, I am going into a 45 minute each way commute, I would like to enjoy my time in the car.
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post #25 of 29
12/7/07 at 12:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Violinist View Post
I mean, if you look historically, German cars have been THE cars to have. Traditionally the engineering and manufacturing was very sound. It has started to disintegrate to meet demand for more accessible luxury cars. The death of Jaguar in this way was very sad to see.

The boring thing I do hear a lot about Lexus, which might be why we never got one. I do like the long wheelbase LS though, very comfortable.
Jaguar is funny, outside of the XKR's, the company has been fairly noninnovative over the last 15 years. Oddly enough, 98's and up (the Ford years) have been their more reliable years.

At the same time Land Rover was the opposite, they absolutely flourished underneath Fords financial management. I continously see Range Rovers, Sports and LR3's on a daily basis.
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post #26 of 29
12/7/07 at 12:50am
I was going through the same search a few years ago.

This is what I found out but my memory is not the best anymore:

Cars like the Saab 900 that come with three seatbelts in the hardtop have only two in the converible.
I was told that the E-Class mercedes convt (older and rare) MAY have three belts. Never found out for sure.

I have several old generation (pre 1994) Saab 900. These were amazing cars in their times and are still fun to drive. One path I considered going down was to buy a Pre 1994 convt and then get a spare rear seat from a saab junk yard. Many of these cars died due to tranny problems.

I know that in my 2 door, the rear belts were probably used a dozen times total. So I would buy the rear seat from the saab specialist junk yard and transfer the two belt anchors (for the shoulder belts ) and the central lap belt to the new car. I had looked at it in detail and yes by using new fasteners it would meet the safety specs just like a new saab of that time. So the rear seat would have two shoulder belts and four places to click these in, along with a loop belt. The anchors not needed can be easily pushed into the seat/backrest opening.

This may be the path to go.

Better do it quick, cause once the fourth kid comes, you join the minivan brigade.

-
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post #27 of 29
12/7/07 at 1:29am
The current 3-series convertible only has two seatbelts and two seats in the back.

Check out the overhead view on page 2 of the car here:

http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/6..._catalogue.pdf

I'm not sure there are many (any?) fun convertibles with 3 seats in the back.

--Andre
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post #28 of 29
12/7/07 at 2:05am
just out of curiosity, but imageWIS, is your name "Jon?"
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post #29 of 29
12/7/07 at 2:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by oscarthewild View Post
I was going through the same search a few years ago.

This is what I found out but my memory is not the best anymore:

Cars like the Saab 900 that come with three seatbelts in the hardtop have only two in the converible.
I was told that the E-Class mercedes convt (older and rare) MAY have three belts. Never found out for sure.

I have several old generation (pre 1994) Saab 900. These were amazing cars in their times and are still fun to drive. One path I considered going down was to buy a Pre 1994 convt and then get a spare rear seat from a saab junk yard. Many of these cars died due to tranny problems.

I know that in my 2 door, the rear belts were probably used a dozen times total. So I would buy the rear seat from the saab specialist junk yard and transfer the two belt anchors (for the shoulder belts ) and the central lap belt to the new car. I had looked at it in detail and yes by using new fasteners it would meet the safety specs just like a new saab of that time. So the rear seat would have two shoulder belts and four places to click these in, along with a loop belt. The anchors not needed can be easily pushed into the seat/backrest opening.

This may be the path to go.

Better do it quick, cause once the fourth kid comes, you join the minivan brigade.

-


thanks - this is a great idea


and, the other car is a minivan, and if my wife gets pregnant again either she or my urologist has a lot of explaining to do.....
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