Last time we drove from Miami to Key West my boyfriend and I rented a Chrysler Sebring convertible and it was great to do the drive top-down. This trip we are taking his 19 yr old daughter and her friend with us. If I can get them to pack carry-ons only do you think we'll have room in a Sebring for all four of us and four carry-ons - or should we go for an SUV?

Four passengers, no luggage-- no problem. The Sebring is quite roomy.

Four passengers, four carry-on bags-- this will be very tight, but it's doable. But ONLY if no one packs a bag larger than a carry-on. If one bag is full-sized, all bets are off.

To be safe, I'd rent either a mid-sized car or a smaller SUV/minivan.

DISCLOSURE: My household owns a Sebring and a small SUV. So I know about luggage space limitations.

Thanks rjw - I knew someone with a Sebring would chime in! Now I just have to convince the girls to fly with one carry on each! How is it that they can pack so much when all they ever seem to wear is flip flops, shorts and t-shits?!

Oh my. Sorry about that. Of course I meant t-shiRts.

On a "girls trip" a few years ago, we drove from the Fort Lauderdale airport to Key West in a Sebring convertible. Four adult women (one who is 5'11"), one full size suitcase and 3 roll-aboards. The luggage was very tight, but fit after a bit of maneuvering. The back seat leg room was also pretty limited. If your 19-y-o's are very tall, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but the pleasure of the fresh air and sunshine on their faces might overcome a little leg cramping .

I say, go for the convertible!

Consider the time of year. We were excited about a convertible reservation for that drive one summer. It was just too hot and we put the top up.

Also, consider that the back seat passengers will get buffeted by the wind more than front seat folks (protected by the windshield). I know some teen girls that would not enjoy the trip in the backseat.

If the people in the back seat don't have any legs, you'll be fine. If they do, there's a bit of a problem there.

While I drive a convertible here in Florida all the time, riding in the back seat of one at higher speeds with the top down is NOT a pleasure, in my book.

Actually we got the Sebring precisely because it has quite a bit more legroom in the back than other convertibles. I'm six feet tall and can sit in the back seat without too much discomfort. Well, until we're over 35 mph. The wind buffetting gets pretty bad back there. If your backseat passengers don't mind showing up everywhere looking like Don King, fine.

Don King - hee!

We're travelling March 17-22 so the weather should be great for a convertible, but who knows right?

Actually - I know for a fact that both of these girls spend hours on their hair each morning (to get it looking like they just got out of bed) so they might not appreciate the wind tunnel back seat. I think I will ask them and see what they prefer.

Thanks!

The season should be right.
The wind tunnel effect may not work.
Perhaps they are willing to consider silk scarves and oversized sunglasses a la Grace Kelly?

I never understood the scarf thing - wouldn't it just blow off your head?

No. I googled and they even show you how to tie the "Grace Kelly scarf" so the scarf stays on and the hair stays put. The link was too long and I was too lazy to do tinyurl.