What Car? Q&A - Which cabriolets can seat our children?

Q: My husband and I are looking to buy a convertible, but it has to have a rear seat for our two children. It doesn't have to be huge, because it will be our second car.
Nuala Doherty

A: There are masses of models for you to choose already, and more to come later in the year.

Supermini-based cars include the Citroen C3 Pluriel, Mitsubishi Colt Convertible, Nissan Micra C+C and Peugeot 206 CC. All have electrically folding roofs, but space is tight, so your children might complain. The same goes for the Mini Convertible, even if it is great fun to drive.

Next are the electrically folding, metal-roofed Peugeot 307CC and Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet, which you can buy from just under £16,000 – each offers reasonable space for children in the back. The Renault is probably the one we'd go for.

This year, they'll be joined by the Vauxhall Astra Twintop, a metal-roofed convertible replacement for the current Convertible, Ford Focus Vignale, Volkswagen Eos and right-hand drive Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabriolet in 2006. Look out for a group test in What Car? later in the year.

Over the £20,000 mark, you can choose from the new Volvo C70, BMW 3 Series Convertible (to be replaced late this year or early in 2007), Mercedes CLK Cabriolet and Saab 9-3.

If you've more to spend you might want to take a look at the BMW , from a modest £51,865. If budget isn't a concern, the £112,000 Aston Martin DB9 Volante also has four seats, but you don't get much rear legroom for your money.