Carseat...kids...and Marriage

[Mykflo]

we just got a dodge caravan. yea i know... i know... but the brz would be my daily driver, the van would be the go to for the family. My wife doesn't mind since the kids are very young and i do most of the driving on my days off.

[BRZebra]

Thanks for sharing the photo, Want.FR-S! Could you please tell me what brand and model of child seat that is? I'm trying to find one that small with a five-point harness.

[moniz]

Originally Posted by Smitty_89

buy your wife a minivan...this is what I would do, have a family car aka wife's car and then have your FR-S/BRZ

That's my plan. We have 2 small kids(4 & 1). We have the family Mazda 5 and I plan on getting the FR-S and can carry the kids in a pinch the odd time they need to jump in with me. Driving is a chore for my wife, where as I love to drive and enjoy a great handling car so she understands my desire for more than just a commuter car for me.

[MVJ1975]

I'm married with a now 8 year old son. The largest car I've ever owned is my Scion tC. I've never owned anything other than a two-door.

When my son was born I had my MX-3, and my wife had her Subie Impreza wagon. Neither were particularly large vehicles. Our son's carseat (even the rear-facing infant seat) fit just fine in the MX-3, and the MX-3 is very similar in size and layout to the FR-S.

Now that my son is older and can get himself in and out, four doors seems even less useful.

Is this optimal? No, certainly not. However, it can be done if you're willing to sacrifice a little creature comfort. I found I hardly ever needed more space than a small car gave, and on those rare occasions I did it made more sense to just rent a truck.

[Philly]

I just got a Raven FR-S and I'm planning to install a child seat. I need a few more months of rear facing before we switch to front facing. If anyone is in a similar situation I would love to share ideas on how to do this.

[moniz]

Originally Posted by Philly

I just got a Raven FR-S and I'm planning to install a child seat. I need a few more months of rear facing before we switch to front facing. If anyone is in a similar situation I would love to share ideas on how to do this.

A bucket rear facing set up would be best if possible that way you can strap your child in the bucket outside the car then plop the seat into the base already mounted in the car. A dedicated rear facing seat ie non bucket is gonna be a lot trickier cause of your ability to put your child in and try and strap them in is gonna be hell since your only option is to mount it on the passenger rear side.

Good luck, you're gonna need it!

[feldy]

I have the Chico fit 30 systems. I have not used the base in my car yet. But the seat belt works fine. The passenger tends to have cramped knees in the front. A front end crash may shatter her poor knees. So be careful.

[excited86]

Originally Posted by MVJ1975

I'm married with a now 8 year old son. The largest car I've ever owned is my Scion tC. I've never owned anything other than a two-door.

When my son was born I had my MX-3, and my wife had her Subie Impreza wagon. Neither were particularly large vehicles. Our son's carseat (even the rear-facing infant seat) fit just fine in the MX-3, and the MX-3 is very similar in size and layout to the FR-S.

Now that my son is older and can get himself in and out, four doors seems even less useful.

Is this optimal? No, certainly not. However, it can be done if you're willing to sacrifice a little creature comfort. I found I hardly ever needed more space than a small car gave, and on those rare occasions I did it made more sense to just rent a truck.

you are my hero. Did not compromise for a sedan.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by mankarn86

This should be helpful for some people. This guy on a 1 series forum managed to find a rear facing child seat that worked in his 135i(which keep the passenger seat usable)...Im guessing the rear seat room should be comparable to the FRS/BRZ

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234395

That's some old info though. That car seat supports toddlers up to 22 lbs, which isn't going to meet current requirements for the AAP. It was changed recently to keep children rear-facing until they're 2. My son just turned 2 and we had to switch him because of height since we went with a compact seat, but even at 25 percentile weight he's still 26 lbs.

Also, I think the 1 series actually has a bit more room in it.

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by BRZ_Hopeful

Thanks for sharing the photo, Want.FR-S! Could you please tell me what brand and model of child seat that is? I'm trying to find one that small with a five-point harness.

Actually, that was not my picture. It was from Khyron686 thread when he test-drove the car. Maybe a Sunshine kids forward facing seats .

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

That's some old info though. That car seat supports toddlers up to 22 lbs, which isn't going to meet current requirements for the AAP. It was changed recently to keep children rear-facing until they're 2. My son just turned 2 and we had to switch him because of height since we went with a compact seat, but even at 25 percentile weight he's still 26 lbs.

Also, I think the 1 series actually has a bit more room in it.

You are correct. I was able to sit behind the driver seat of a 1 series comfortably listening to the sales talking. I can barely fit behind the driver seat of a FR-S while no one was looking. It is definitely tighter in the back for FR-S then 1 series.

[Asterisked Accolade]

I was under the impression that the arrival of marriage and/or children was a sign that the enjoyable portion of one's life was over. My suggestion for what to do in this situation would be the same for someone who'd just been diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, the FRS is just another thing she could potentially take from you in case of a statistically probable divorce. Just sayin.

[86'd]

As much as I love the FRS/BRZ it was just too small for a starting family.

My wife and I want to have at least two kids and my back problems aren't getting any better so I split the difference and got a 2012 SWP WRX.

I tried to rationalize getting the FRS, but I didn't want to make the mistake of buying a new car and then sell it within a year or two.

Eh, I had my bachelor fun in my S2000 years ago, so I don't consider it a total loss. Plus it's not like the WRX isn't fun, just different.

[rikdrt1]

total denial in some of you. just married, and planning for kids - dang guys, just do the wifey/gf/future bigger kid a favor and get her a Camry/Venza/SUV and you will eventually figure it out. so funny. the FR-S engeineers (Mr Tada) wont go out and tell you outright -- hey, those backseats arent really seats... lol

[poormans_LFA]

the WRX is a sweet car. congrats on your purchase. I figure live in the moment, and right now I'm not married nor do I have kids (wheww!!), so I plan on buying an FR-S and having my fun all the while. when I do have kids I'll do one of two thigns: a) use the wife's car as the family vehicle or b) trade the FR-S in on a WRX (hopefully the replacement will be out by that time for the current model). then again, the FR-S could always stay in the family and be the weekend getaway car.