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iTrader: (3)

Ever seen SC430 back seats?

It boggles my mind why some cars even have back seats. In the case of SC430, because of the back seat you couldn't have the seat all the way back and reclined. If you wanted the seat reclined, it would automatically move forward, and if you moved all the way back, it would automatically go into upright position - so if you're no 40" tall there's no way to get comfortable inside it. I really wanted to get SC430 a few years back, but since I'm not 40" tall I could barely fit in the seat, and the metal pillar? on top of the windshield was right at my eye level.

That combined with no ventilated seats and still no AUX, I had to pass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbdyg7xxZ6g

mmarshall

You may (?) have missed my point. I agree that less weight in the ragtop and more weight underneath in chassis stiffening won't necessarily prevent rollovers...nor is it designed solely for occupant-protection. But, from the laws of physics, it does make rollovers less-likely. That's all I was saying.

mmarshall

I have to agree...the SC430's rear seats are among the most worthless I've ever encountered.....except maybe on the old Mazda MX-3 coupe of the early 90's.

But, let's be honest....are there ANY small or smallish convertibles out there that have seats fit for adults? Outside of the Chrysler Sebring ragtop and possibly the now-discontinued Solara convertible, I haven't seen any....and the Solara and Sebring ragtops were done off mid-sized platforms, not a pony-car like a Camaro.

IS-SV

We know that, even without the fake physics lesson (mainly an assumption about decreased chance of rollover due to insignificant assumed changes in CG, not taking into account the decreased capabilities of the chassis that could actually increase the chance of rollover which just adds to the guessing) . Nobody missed your point.

None of above changes the fact that Camaro convertible has no rollover protection by design. It's that simple.

mmarshall

Yes, true, but the Camaro does meet NHTSA convertible-safety standards...or else it wouldn't be on sale in the U.S. Are you saying, then, that NHTSA/DOT needs to toughen up the convertible-rollover standards to require pop-up rollover devices like on Porsches, or a fixed U-Bar like on the PT Cruiser ragtop? If so, then I understand your point.

IS-SV

And the Porsche 911 simulated back seats too.

IS-SV

No, convertibles are exempt from rollover safety regs in the United States, so from a rollover safety standpoint, nothing to comply with.

The US government does not tell or require Porsche, BMW, Mercedes to achieve rollover safety with convertibles (being responsible and safety-oriented they figure it out on their own and use both fixed roll bars and pop up roll bars depending on model and configuration). For example, the Porsche Boxster rollover safety mechanisms (windshield frame and fixed roll hoops specifically) are designed to support 2.5 times the cars weight.

mmarshall

I understand that. My question, though, is if that is what you yourself were advocating....stricter government standards for convertible rolllovers? If so, you are not alone in that desire.

Anyhow, back to the specific Camaro convertible. Now that both the Mustang and Camaro have born-again retro ragtops, it will be interesting to see if the Challenger follows suit. I remember the purple (Dodge....Plum Crazy/Plymouth....In-Violet) Challenger and Barracuda convertibles from 1970....they were especially neat-looking with the white-vinyl interior.

IS-SV

Not so much an question of advocating, just increasing the awareness with factual info for convertible shoppers here at CL. CL convertible shoppers have many choices and this is one important safety aspect to be aware of. I know many car shoppers do consider safety as part of the buying decision.

Yes, we have discussed the white interiors for convertibles on Car Chat threads before. Personally after owning several convertibles, I find a very light colored interior (especially white) to be hard to keep clean.

mmarshall

I think light-colored convertible interiors were done for when the car is out in the sun with the top down. Dark colored-vinyl or leather, sitting in a high sun, is a good formula for burnt legs, especially with short pants on.

Light-colored seats, with a little care, are generally easier to care for than carpeting (I know, I have an Outback with very light-beige seats and carpet). If you don't eat/drink or smoke in the car, and you get in and out with clean dry clothes on, the seats will generally stay nice a long time. But light carpeting definitely needs protection, especially in wet weather or dirty shoes. The best way to do that is with all-rubber floor mats, care in where you place your feet, and occasional scrubbing around the edges.

Fizzboy7

At first they said no convertible. Then they announced at a later date there would be one.

I8ABMR

I happy to hear that the drop top is coming. I loved the super sport I rented for a week in Hawaii last year and I know that the loss of the roof is only going to make that motor sound that much sweeter. I can imagine one dropped on a set of 22's with an exhaust. DAMN!!! that would be cool to drive

lamar411

looks good in black/black.

bagwell

wrong, they work damn good at throwing a bag or two of groceries back there


and I like the gauges....!!

but I would never, ever buy a ragtop.....hardtop FTW!

mmarshall

True, they aren't necessarily worthless as a package shelf (I mentioned that in one of my earlier posts), but bitkahuna is right....................you can pretty forget about putting adult-sized humans back there. As credible car seats, they are pretty much worthless.