Help Mikey get to one car

[Dave]

Well then, I would say Jake may be onto something with the 3.6R Outback. It's even more utilitarian and far more cavernous than an Impreza, but it does lean more toward the appliance-feeling realm. We liked our '11 Legacy a lot (with the 2.5/CVT) and it would have been big enough for 2 kids, but if we wanted to travel anywhere it would've required a luggage rack - that may not be an issue with the wagon version though. We upgraded to a minivan this fall (2nd is due in Jan) and love it, but that has been the plan all along for us...

I would vote for getting something that does everything you guys need but isn't necessarily "fun", and then get a 2nd fun car if/when you have the space and funds.

[Mike]

Subarus are just so... UGLY. I can get over fun factor, but I want to get into something that looks decent. And I've loved my VW (I know, I'm crazy... it's a sickness). I'd jump on a CX-5, but with all the options, they're too pricey. Selling both our cars, we'll have $25k and we don't want to take on a car payment. So we need something a few years old. I think one of our requirements of "have a rear-facing seat behind me and not be uncomfortable or have to move my seat (I'm 6'2)" is a dream. Looks like you need a SERIOUS kiddy hauler for that? If that's the case, I can put the more compact wagons back on the list. I'd really like to go A4 Avant or Jetta Sportwagen. Surely, people get by with those with kids. Of course, we'd need a roof box for any serious travel, but I'm not opposed to that and it is many years away anyway.

So my question to the parents out there: how realistic is it to expect to not be a little cramped with a rear-facing seat installed? Is it something we should really bother shopping for or just get over it and I drive everywhere for the first couple of years (I'd likely anyway because I'm awesome at driving)?

[BLINGMW]

I don't know back room on an A4, but I know a Jetta has more than an E46. And we did rear facing in our E46. I'm the same height as you, and yes, someone's comfort may be sacrificed. In our case, we typically had the rear facing installed in the middle, which worked ok. Then on kid two.... well kid one's in front facing behind driver and rear facing is behind passenger, and yes, that seat isn't going all the way back. :dunno:
And at that point, yeah, you need another car for long trips or a roof rack. Trailer? :thumbup:

[SlimKlim]

And I've loved my VW (I know, I'm crazy... it's a sickness)

I feel you brother.

If you kept an A4 long term, at some point those 47 bushings holding together 4 wishbones and whatever convoluted nonsense holds the front end together would rear its ugly head. I vote for a TDI sportwagen with an APR tune for more fossil burning pleasure, assuming the kiddos fit. Suspension design is far less complicated and the TDIs have proven to be pretty reliable cars by VW standards.

I assume you already have the car seat? Can you just drag it around a carmax and test fit it in some stuff?

[JustinG]

So my question to the parents out there: how realistic is it to expect to not be a little cramped with a rear-facing seat installed? Is it something we should really bother shopping for or just get over it and I drive everywhere for the first couple of years (I'd likely anyway because I'm awesome at driving)?

Had the Aprica/Graco travel system up to 12 months, then upgraded to a convertible car seat that goes Rear/Forward/Booster. It is on the passenger side in the Forester and the Saab. I do most of the driving so I’m not cramped. When sitting shotgun in the either I am fine, I’m 6'3, more comfortable in the Saab cause its bigger. Casey is 5'8 and in the Forester she can sit comfortably in the passenger seat for as long as anyone can in a car. She was fine on our 3hr trip to the OBX or 2.5 to VIR/Summit. Regardless you are gonna have to bump the seat up a bit, even in a suburban. Keep in mind they make different size car seats that work better in smaller cars, all the travel systems are relatively the same though. But you only have to keep them rear facing til they are like 2yrs old.

The Forester has the same leg room as the STI/WRX, just has more head and Cargo room. Cargo room IMO is a bigger issue over "will my car seat fit". You don’t realize how much shit you have to carry with you when going for a weekend somewhere. Especially if where you are going is a friend’s place who doesn't have kids (toys, playard/crib, bottles, food, stroller, highchair etc, etc). Cargo space also becomes an issue when your dog is coming with as well. The absolute best purchase I have made since we had Averie was my Yakima Rocketbox 11. We drive the Forester more often because the Saab doesn't have crossbars.

Cliffnotes: Passenger side rear facing. I’m 6'3, do most of the driving, when riding shotgun I fit with rear facing. Wife is 5’8 and comfy in whatever we drive. Find the seat that fits your car. My Forester is awesome. Buy a roof box.

[CaptainHenreh]

we'll have $25k and we don't want to take on a car payment.

Heated leather, 26k otd.

[SlimKlim]

Heated leather, 26k otd.

Subarus are just so... UGLY.

[CaptainHenreh]

Heated leather, 26k otd.

Subarus are just so... UGLY.

I get what you're saying but like, I dunno man. Let's look at his requirements:

30ish mpg
Auto trans
wagon
"fun"
under 25k

Remove one of those and you might get a real live car. Remove two and it's easy. Dear mikey, when you find this magic mobile and if it isn't german, call me so I can buy one.

[SlimKlim]

My guess is he shops around until he gives up and takes this home.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...3396&Log=0

[CaptainHenreh]

My guess is he shops around until he gives up and takes this home.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...3396&Log=0

Good assessment.

[Evan]

Heated leather, 26k otd.

Subarus are just so... UGLY.

I get what you're saying but like, I dunno man. Let's look at his requirements:

30ish mpg
Auto trans
wagon
"fun"
under 25k

Remove one of those and you might get a real live car. Remove two and it's easy. Dear mikey, when you find this magic mobile and if it isn't german, call me so I can buy one.

*sigh*
what could have been

[Apoc]

^ I'd hit it.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Just to troll you a bit.

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[CaptainHenreh]

Just to troll you a bit.

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If it weren't "too old", and "rwd a definite no" this is a great answer.

The 5 speed auto is not the worst transmission ever made, there's adequate power (and a nice sound!) and great handling. I carry Hannahbanana in mine every day, so it'll at least solo baby.

Ugh, those cars were so good. Katayama-san, what happened?!?!

[ScottyB]

so the idea of putting good, modern snow tires on a 2WD vehicle is out of the question? i feel like the positives of that would outweigh the negatives...but then again i don't know what west coast winters are like.

i have fond memories of JayRay's Si on blizzaks, with an open diff and about 2 inches of ground clearance, literally plowing its own road through about 8 inches of snow on the way up Massanothin' and never missed a beat.

[Apoc]

Many people out here use 2WD when they head into the mountains. If you're going up into them, you're usually talking studded tires or chains. It's not uncommon to hear studded tires rolling down the street in Seattle. Not because we get snow, but because people go play in it on the weekends.

FWIW, I had AWD my last two cars in VA and felt no need for it here. I'm also not parking in the middle of a muddy field to ride my bike, so there's that.

[Mike]

AWD is nice to have. Not required. RWD is a no.

[JustinG]

Anyone say tsx wagon? Can get a '12 in your price range with under 15k, claim 22/30mpg. And its a Honda....so just change the oil.

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[Mike]

Yep, it's on the list.

[Mike]

So the hybrid version of the Subaru thingie that Rex has just came out. Note: Rex's thing doesn't get the typical terrible Subaru mileage.

For 3k, you get a 3MPG improvement!

I don't get it.

Anyway, current list of test drives in order of how realistically I may purchase them:

1. VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI - slow, questionable quality
2. Audi A4 Avant - pricey, questionable quality
3. Acura TSX Sport Wagon - snooze
4. Mazda CX-5 - pricey due to being new
5. VW Tiguan - old design, questionable quality
--- don't really want to go below this line
6. BMW 3-series Wagon
7. Volvo V50 or V70
8. Subaru Forester
9. Subaru Crossthing
10. Subaru Legacy Wagon
11. Audi All-Road