The wife & I have our first one on the way and as we both drive compact 2 doors we need another car. We are likely selling her 05 civic. I have been browsing 05 and newer Nissan Altimas. Our ceiling is roughly 12k.

I want some family suggestions from those that have had daily use of a car seat. What do you guys like?

I know it sounds like a yuppy thing to suggest but how about a Honda Odyssey, around an 03 model. The are peppy and have a good bit of room for carrying things. The third row folds down in case you don't need it and it is very comfortable to drive and ride in. Power doors on both sides so it makes easy access to either seat and depending on what model you get, can come with navigation, dvd player, heated seats, etc. Just depends on what you are wanting to drive. Definately don't go with an SUV unless is a smaller version like an Escape or something like that.

I just cant see Dave driving a mini van....EVER!

We have considered an SUV. Honda CRV or Nissan Murano or Rogue.

We do not need a lot of bells and whistles but reliability.

Where are the fathers at?

Dave, I don't have a wife or kids, but my parents recently bought a Murano and they love it. I drive the car around a lot myself and I also like it. It's a comfortable yet sporty ride, has plenty of power, and has a roomy interior. It also has a nice big trunk.

My wife has a 96 Nissan maxima w/180,000 miles on it and it still runs like new. The car seat issue is no problem as long as you have anything other than a 2 door.

When I was married we had a 1993 Ford Taurus GL 4dr, model down from the SHO. Very reliable and quick runner but was a gas hog though.

Have you thought about the Hybrids, I've heard they're very reliable and you could claim hybids on your tax return also.

Honda CRV. Ultra reliable, easy maintenance, and last forever.

My vote is for a Toyota Corolla. Also, before I go further, fuck off about the gas pedal, it isnt that big of an issue, just blown out of proportion so lawyers can file giant lawsuits.

With 3 adults, baby in car seat, and all associated gear in it, we still have room for more stuff!

40mpg highway, comfortable, and super reliable.

I agree with Tim about the Corolla. Small car, lots of room and great on gas. I know lots of people that have them. Yeah, the Toyota issue is really no big deal....just blown out of proportion. They are still great cars in my book.

Carseats fit great in the 04 WRX wagon I used to have. You'd have to be over 6'5" to not fit with a carseat in the rear middle. I also used to carry engines in the rear hatch. Rated extremely high in crash tests. We also tested an 05 Outback XT that was just as fun to drive and had even more room. It was just out of our price range compared to the WRX

Safe, roomy, stable as fuck in bad weather and turbo boosted goodness. What more could you want?

Well, to be honest if I were to even think about a WRX I would start looking at Evolutions :p

Originally posted by CODE4
Well, to be honest if I were to even think about a WRX I would start looking at Evolutions :p

Understandable, but you can get into a WRX much cheaper than an EVO. I really think Mitsu missed the mark for a LONG time by not having a turbo AWD car at that price point for so long.

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G

Originally posted by CODE4 Well, to be honest if I were to even think about a WRX I would start looking at Evolutions :p

Understandable, but you can get into a WRX much cheaper than an EVO. I really think Mitsu missed the mark for a LONG time by not having a turbo AWD car at that price point for so long.

How about the 2010 Lancer Sportback.

Dave, V and I are thinking about another car inside of a year. Initially, we were looking at used Forresters, but to my surprise, V said she wanted to get a Mitsubishi. :D

We're leaning towards a 2007ish Galant Ralliart. You can get a lot of nice Mitsubishi for under $12K these days. Sporty, stylish, well appointed too.

Example: http://bit.ly/9KEgRG





Edit: See also TGC thread on AUDM TMR 380 inspiration. Can you say supercharger? (To me, potential down the road.)http://www.thegalantcenter.net/showthread.php?t=29279

My vote goes towards Altima. I drive my coworker's 3.5L a lot and I love the thing. Gobs of power, super comfy, loads of space and a nice interior.

If I had to pick it'd be the Altima.

I dd a 04 Chevy Impala LS...picked it up back in early 07 when I only had the Eclipse and I needed a daily. The wife drives an 08 Mini and believe it or not it's not that bad getting a car seat in and out of along with getting the kid seated. We've swapped the car seat back n forth between or vehicles several times with no real PITA.

Strongly suggest ensuring whatever vehicle you decide on has the LATCH system. It makes installing the seat 10x easier.

I have been partial to the Altima as we have had friends with Altimas (with kids) and it seemed pretty friendly.

After discussing it more with the wife she wants a CR-V. She is big on Hondas for reliability and value retention. We may tough it out for a little bit and find a newer CR-V to jump in on.

Originally posted by xcasbonx
Strongly suggest ensuring whatever vehicle you decide on has the LATCH system. It makes installing the seat 10x easier.

everything newer than 2003 has this.

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G

Originally posted by xcasbonx Strongly suggest ensuring whatever vehicle you decide on has the LATCH system. It makes installing the seat 10x easier.

everything newer than 2003 has this.

Or you just buy a car seat in which it removes from a holster. The holster stays belted in your car at all times. The actual seat just locks into it and is easily removed with the pull of a latch. That's what I had.

I went with the Lincoln LS for the family.

I'm not a dad, but when I still lived in C.T., my wife's Camry was so damn easy to get our nephew's car seat in and out of. It's only problems were the flex section rusting through and driver's side window motor needing replacement. And it's a '97, so no gas pedal problems. :P

Originally posted by Babbz413
Or you just buy a car seat in which it removes from a holster. The holster stays belted in your car at all times. The actual seat just locks into it and is easily removed with the pull of a latch. That's what I had. I went with the Lincoln LS for the family.

We already have this. Interestingly though the convenient latch system is only on the side seats in the back, not in the middle where the car seat is the safest in the event of a side impact. So right now it is in the back of her 2005 Honda Civic coupe, with the cradle/holster mounted in the middle using the middle lap & shoulder belt securing it. The actual car seat clips in and out. Of course for this to occur one of the front seats needs to be slid forward and inclined :/

You're supposed to use the inner brackets for either side with the latch system in the middle. Works great for a rear facing seat. The only issue you might run into is a forward facing seat if there's no middle upper latch bracket, but I have yet to see a car without that.

My WRX only had 4 lower brackets in the back seat and we put the car seat in the middle without any issues

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G
You're supposed to use the inner brackets for either side with the latch system in the middle. Works great for a rear facing seat. The only issue you might run into is a forward facing seat if there's no middle upper latch bracket, but I have yet to see a car without that. My WRX only had 4 lower brackets in the back seat and we put the car seat in the middle without any issues

What a sad day for 2GNT.com. Back in the day we used to talk about brackets for racing seats, bracket racing, how useless the upper intake manifold brackets were... now the biggest discussion is about baby seats. blegh.

Originally posted by djtrickee

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G You're supposed to use the inner brackets for either side with the latch system in the middle. Works great for a rear facing seat. The only issue you might run into is a forward facing seat if there's no middle upper latch bracket, but I have yet to see a car without that. My WRX only had 4 lower brackets in the back seat and we put the car seat in the middle without any issues

What a sad day for 2GNT.com. Back in the day we used to talk about brackets for racing seats, bracket racing, how useless the upper intake manifold brackets were... now the biggest discussion is about baby seats. blegh.

So how much longer until you join us deej? Resistance is Futile...

HA! I still get the lecture that our daughter is not allowed in the eclipse.