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Car seats are bullshit,but you can order Euro branded car seats in the US that are way smaller and fit in smaller cars. I have a friend who could get two rear facing seats in a fiesta but they had to go through a fancy kids store who specializes in fancy car seats. Way better to drop $300 on a car seat rather than change cars if you like what you drive.Bank posted:Someone at work is selling a 2016 Kia Sedona. The car's got 50k on the ODO and seems super clean aside from carseat indentations, which are expected from minivans. They're selling it for 13k OBO; it looks like trade-in goes for 13k on KBB. I kinda need to replace my aging SUV, but never considered Kia before. I suspect I can get this for 12-12.5k which would make it a screaming deal. They've been trying to sell it at work for the past month or so but got no bites as everyone is working from home and doesn't need a car. No idea what these things go for but I own a 2018 Sedona and a couple people I know have them too and I haven't heard any complaints. We like ours just fine.
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Aug 19, 2020 16:13
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Applebees Appetizer posted:I wanted to like the iM but it was just too small inside, the cargo area is disappointing to say the least, just like the Corolla hatch that came after it. Interesting, I haven't driven one, but it's the same wheelbase as the xB in a longer OAL. It's less square, so I'm sure it feels less roomy and some of the space is less practical. xB is a decent idea too, I always forget about them as the second generation was kind of unloved. I'll throw in the Soul and Elantra GT as a potential options for Focus-replacer above.
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Aug 19, 2020 16:15
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Cascadia Pirate posted:No idea what these things go for but I own a 2018 Sedona and a couple people I know have them too and I haven't heard any complaints. We like ours just fine. I liked the Sedona I drove as a rental. It was A Van. Pleasant. Inoffensive.
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Aug 19, 2020 16:16
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Cascadia Pirate posted:Car seats are bullshit What's this now?
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Aug 19, 2020 16:45
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KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:Interesting, I haven't driven one, but it's the same wheelbase as the xB in a longer OAL. It's less square, so I'm sure it feels less roomy and some of the space is less practical. xB is a decent idea too, I always forget about them as the second generation was kind of unloved. I maybe could have overlooked the iM being smaller, but the manual transmission was just bad and drove like poo poo, and the automatic is a CVT so that was a hard no. What I like about the xB is the automatic (which I have) is a four speed which may sound archaic these days, but it shifts perfect (no hunting) and is a very reliable transmission so I'm cool with a bit of a hit in mpg for an actually really good automatic. Paired with the 2.4 4cyl it has really good torque and is perfect for urban sprawl driving. It's pretty much the family hauler, with the rear seats down we can fit all kinds of poo poo inside of it, and on top of the roof put even more poo poo. I've had it loaded down with bikes and paddle boards at the same time on multiple occasions.
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Aug 19, 2020 16:53
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Residency Evil posted:What's this now? Obviously they are necessary, but they are expensive and the rules around them are constantly changing and do not always appear to be based on as much research as you would expect. Lots of families I know have replaced cars solely because car seats are so giant. It is not clear to me that they need to be this big to function safely. Also kids have to be in boosters until they are like 14 now which may be necessary, but I haven't seen any real definitive proof on why this is.
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Aug 19, 2020 17:08
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You guys have been amazingly helpful, thank you. The Buick basically won’t fit in our short driveway lol cities, but we’ll definitely add in the Alltrack, Elantra GT, and xB (my dad drove one for a while so I have to work to get over this one) when we go look around. The interior layout is so key at the size we’re looking at, we’re just going to have to haul seats around and shove em in there.KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:the focus' packaging was abysmal so maybe! It’s awful, and unfortunately we got it when we a)didn’t have a lot of options and b)were far enough out from kid-having to naively think ‘hey it’s a 4-door sedan, it should fit car seat(s?) just fine!’. We even bought a US car seat widely regarded as good for small/narrow spaces and it’s really barely crammed in there, to the point that, while it’s properly installed, we’re pushing the dang limits. It’s ridiculous.
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Aug 19, 2020 17:15
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Re carseat chat: show me two 6’0+ human beings with two rear facing car seats with two two year olds in the back of a hatchback. If you’re short you can drive whatever you want.
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Aug 19, 2020 17:23
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BadSamaritan posted:You guys have been amazingly helpful, thank you. The Buick basically won’t fit in our short driveway lol cities, but we’ll definitely add in the Alltrack, Elantra GT, and xB (my dad drove one for a while so I have to work to get over this one) Did your dad have the first gen (03-06) or second gen (07-15) car? The second gen is a bigger, more refined and more powerful (50 more HP) car than the first gen, there's people than love the first gen and hate the last and vice versa. I like them both but the latest cars are a lot safer and have more room, power and features. Tbh, I didn't like the styling much at first but it grew on me, the utility and the way it drives is what sold it for me. I would say see if you can find one near you with low miles and take it for a drive.
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Aug 19, 2020 17:30
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Applebees Appetizer posted:Did your dad have the first gen (03-06) or second gen (07-15) car? First gen I think? I do remember it being a very reliable car for him, at least. Yeah, the styling doesn’t wow me but hey we currently drive an ~ice blue~ focus so that clearly doesn’t mean much. We’ll keep an eye on the listings near us.
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Aug 19, 2020 17:50
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Cascadia Pirate posted:Obviously they are necessary, but they are expensive and the rules around them are constantly changing and do not always appear to be based on as much research as you would expect. Fair enough. Yeah, the research and evidence around changing rules/regulations is likely fairly slim, and presumably primarily funded by car seat manufacturers. For a second though, I was imagining you throwing your newborn in the back seat and calling it a day. Residency Evil fucked around with this message at 18:19 on Aug 19, 2020 |
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Aug 19, 2020 18:14
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KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:You could get a sportwagen / alltrack, take it to APR, and drop like two grand on suspension and it would be pretty decent. I Stage 1+'d my SportWagen with Unitronic and the car is night and day. So much more fun, it's basically a more practical, AWD GTI at this point for far less money down.
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Aug 19, 2020 18:30
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Residency Evil posted:Fair enough. Yeah, the research and evidence around changing rules/regulations is likely fairly slim, and presumably primarily funded by car seat manufacturers. Freakonomics had an episode on it and it seems like boosters are (were) being compared to being unrestrained, not using a seatbelt. I think their (small sample) test showed a booster and seatbelt was just as fine as a car seat for kids as young as 6. Not like it's going to stop parents from buying all they can for the perceived safety.
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Aug 19, 2020 18:35
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BadSamaritan posted:First gen I think? I do remember it being a very reliable car for him, at least. Scion is made by Toyota in case you didn't know that already, they are very reliable cars.
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Aug 19, 2020 19:03
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The first gen Xb is in my opinion the best city car ever made. When I have a place with a garage I want to buy one that hasn't been hosed with just to keep it in existence.
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Aug 19, 2020 19:12
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BadSamaritan posted:we’re just going to have to haul seats around and shove em in there. This is honestly the most important thing you can do!
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Aug 19, 2020 19:58
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Applebees Appetizer posted:Scion is made by Toyota in case you didn't know that already, they are very reliable cars. Seriously, those first gens don't die. I see xA's and xB's with +180k miles pop up on CL for like $4k pretty regularly The worst problem that the missus' has had in ~4 years and 40k miles has been rotten battery wires
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Aug 19, 2020 21:56
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Residency Evil posted:Fair enough. Yeah, the research and evidence around changing rules/regulations is likely fairly slim, and presumably primarily funded by car seat manufacturers. Back seat? Well la-de-loving-da. Rear hatch area.
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Aug 20, 2020 01:58
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Can you mount a baby seat to a tie-down rail? Asking for a friend Also: The Door Frame posted:Any reason not to buy a 2010 Mazda5? They're suspiciously cheap around me, but I don't know if that's because almost no one wanted them when they were new, or because there's some deeper issues that I can't find on Google I'm assuming that the lack of response means that the 2010 Mazda5's are solid, right?
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Aug 20, 2020 02:45
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Uthor posted:Freakonomics had an episode on it and it seems like boosters are (were) being compared to being unrestrained, not using a seatbelt. I think their (small sample) test showed a booster and seatbelt was just as fine as a car seat for kids as young as 6. To be fair, once kids go front-facing the amount of room needed for a car seat loving plummets. It's the rear-facing seats that are a nightmare. The booster my now-eight-year-old uses is loving tiny and just serves to lift her up a bit. I still have two of them but honestly the TJ's back seat is so small to begin (and she's so tall) that I think she would be safe without it. Only benefit at that point is making sure the seatbelt goes across the body properly.
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Aug 20, 2020 02:49
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The Door Frame posted:I'm assuming that the lack of response means that the 2010 Mazda5's are solid, right? I don’t have anything other than vague memories, but I don’t remember people saying bad things about them last time they came up. They’re probably cheap because it’s kinda weird and I’m guess a lot of the market would rather have either a minivan or a CUV. I like the weirdness of it myself, but maybe doesn’t get it much action on the used market. I do vaguely recall that they may not have had great crash test results? But “not great” rather than “death trap” I think.
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Aug 20, 2020 04:24
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powderific posted:I don’t have anything other than vague memories, but I don’t remember people saying bad things about them last time they came up. They’re probably cheap because it’s kinda weird and I’m guess a lot of the market would rather have either a minivan or a CUV. I like the weirdness of it myself, but maybe doesn’t get it much action on the used market. I do vaguely recall that they may not have had great crash test results? But “not great” rather than “death trap” I think. That's significantly better than my 93 Capri, so if crash safety is my worst problem, I'm good
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Aug 20, 2020 12:24
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Right at the tail end of one of the Mazda Rust Eras so if you live in a place where that’s a thing, check carefully. Get a PPI as always.
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Aug 20, 2020 12:28
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KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:Right at the tail end of one of the Mazda Rust Eras so if you live in a place where that’s a thing, check carefully. Get a PPI as always. Am I looking for subframe, body, or both?
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Aug 20, 2020 12:51
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The Door Frame posted:I'm assuming that the lack of response means that the 2010 Mazda5's are solid, right? It's not horrible but it's not great either http://dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Mazda_Mazda5.html Looks like you'd need to get a 2012 or newer if you go that route
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Aug 20, 2020 13:33
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My friends upgraded from Mazda 3 to Mazda 5 when they had twins. They're both 6-ft plus, and were supremely uncomfortable in the little sedan. apparently that solved their fitment problems. It's essentially the same car with a bigger shell.
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Aug 20, 2020 13:34
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The Door Frame posted:Am I looking for subframe, body, or both? Both, although I think body / sill rot was the most common.
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Aug 20, 2020 17:07
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Regarding child seat chat (sorry if off topic), you can generally just leave the child seat in the car (assuming you have a stroller or something in the trunk), right? Again, sorry if off topic but my wife and I are trying to get pregnant and I’m too much of a manchild to get rid of my Camaro
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Aug 20, 2020 21:01
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With a baby, you generally have their child carrier that latches into base kept in the car. You'll want this so you can take a sleeping baby to or from a car without waking them up. Those are what are generally rear facing. Once they grow up into a toddler seat, you just leave the whole thing in the car unless you are moving it between cars for some reason. Frankly, I'd get one for each car if that's a concern cause it's a bit of a PITA. Note: this is from observing my sis and her kids, not any personal experience with my own. Getting a baby into the back of my two door GTI one time showed me not to have a two door and a baby for day-to-day driving.
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Aug 20, 2020 21:10
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Uthor posted:With a baby, you generally have their child carrier that latches into base kept in the car. You'll want this so you can take a sleeping baby to or from a car without waking them up. Those are what are generally rear facing. Can confirm. For newborn to six months ish I highly recommend getting the kind that pops in and out and snaps onto a stroller. Great because you can transfer without them waking up. After that it's less of a big deal and all of them stay in the car.
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Aug 20, 2020 23:54
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FilthyImp posted:Mazda Loan Dusty Road posted:Pontiac G8 GT Pontiac Solstice GXP I found several under 20k within 400 miles of me, and one sub 4000 mile garage queen for 35k.
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Aug 22, 2020 16:10
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nm posted:Back seat? Well la-de-loving-da. Rear hatch area.
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Aug 22, 2020 16:40
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Rock My Socks! posted:Regarding child seat chat (sorry if off topic), you can generally just leave the child seat in the car (assuming you have a stroller or something in the trunk), right? Do you plan on driving anywhere with the kid in the Camaro? I hope not, because the first 4 years are going to suck. Watch the following video when he puts the car seat in, now imagine there's 12 to 15 pounds of infant in the carrier. It's not fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lTQxMS7y58 I mean it can be done, but I wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis.
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Aug 22, 2020 19:50
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Hi carthread- on our car seat journey, we checked out a few different models and decided on the VW SportWagen. The Crosstrek was a good option but it mostly came down to the (more fun) ride and finishes. The VW had a crazy amount of cargo space while fitting car seats, although the cabin was a little smaller. Plus, we got a great deal on the VW so we’re ending up out the door on the top trim for under the car-only budget. Guess that’s the plus of a weirdo discontinued station wagon model.
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Aug 24, 2020 22:49
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BadSamaritan posted:Hi carthread- on our car seat journey, we checked out a few different models and decided on the VW SportWagen. The Crosstrek was a good option but it mostly came down to the (more fun) ride and finishes. The VW had a crazy amount of cargo space while fitting car seats, although the cabin was a little smaller. Congrats! Post some pics. I thought the SEL interior/seats felt a lot better the the other trims when I was looking at them.
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Aug 24, 2020 23:28
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Been out of the automotive loop for a while, and am looking to replace my mustang with something a bit more practical. My husband wants something less ostentatious and, well, more practical, but I still want something fun to drive with a stick, which leaves us at a manual wagon/hatchback I’m assuming. Are the options still basically Ford, Subaru, bmw, and vw? We’d be looking used, and in the 25kish range, so what’s the ai consensus on best, fun, yet practical wagon these days? Or other non-wagon options that may fit the bill, with an emphasis on stick being a sticking point. e: oh I guess Mazda and Audi too? Like I said, been out of the car loop a while, besides the Chicago auto show as a gay placating for my dad Pontius Pilate fucked around with this message at 06:22 on Aug 25, 2020 |
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Aug 25, 2020 06:12
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Weirdly I have a sneaking suspicion the Golf R might be the most reliable car in its class these days. Maybe the CTR, but not going to be 25k yet.
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Aug 25, 2020 06:26
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Corolla Hatch
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Aug 25, 2020 12:35
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Pontius Pilate posted:Been out of the automotive loop for a while, and am looking to replace my mustang with something a bit more practical. My husband wants something less ostentatious and, well, more practical, but I still want something fun to drive with a stick, which leaves us at a manual wagon/hatchback I’m assuming. Are the options still basically Ford, Subaru, bmw, and vw? We’d be looking used, and in the 25kish range, so what’s the ai consensus on best, fun, yet practical wagon these days? Or other non-wagon options that may fit the bill, with an emphasis on stick being a sticking point. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...e&numRecords=25
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Aug 25, 2020 14:24
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Throatwarbler posted:Corolla Hatch what fun version of the corolla hatch exists? nobody makes a wagon in stick except VW and it's dead now, but if you really want a fun wagon you could probably buy a SW/Alltrack and drop ~4 grand on it to make it faster and handle better. If you can tolerate chopping about a foot out of the back the Golf R or GTI is a better choice. Mazda3 is good handling but slow. Audi doesn't make hatchbacks in stick unless you find an older A3 and you give up Quattro for essentially a four-ringed GTI. Civic Type R exists, Focus ST, FiST, prior-gen WRX. Curveball Hyundai Veloster N choice, I guess? They're new so the used market is not well developed but you could squeeze in right around your price range on a new one.
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Aug 25, 2020 14:30
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