My current situation is that I ma expecting a baby girl in February. Even though the 8 is a practical car there are some worries I have. My main worry is the side airbags in the rear. The way they are positioned they will blow right in the face of my baby girl :) , this has me and my wife worried. I have three options at this point, Option 1: Remove the fuse for the airbags, Option 2: Cut the wire to the rear airbag where the baby will be, that way the fronts stay working and the other rear one as well, or Option 3: Get a new car :icon_no2: I test drove a 335i coupe yesterday and it felt great. It’s more practical then the 8, more power, handles great. It is a deffinit upgrade but I've put so much time and money into my 8 that hurts me to let her go. I like the first two options because of the $$ I will be saving and I get to keep my 8. The latter option will raise my payments up by $100 not including the 5K down payment. In the end I need to do what is best for my baby firl. I guess my question goes out to all those who already have kids and have an 8, what would you guys do? Having a grown kid in the back won’t be to bad but an infant and those bags just worry me.

You seriously think cutting the airbag wires is a better option :Eyecrazy:

I've never personally seen the RX8 as a family car, and always get flamed for it, but I just dont see it being big enough, nor the back seats all that fuctional with me being 6'5 and having the seat slid all the way back. As far as the cutting of the wires, would that actually work? I would think it might cause the bags to go off? Also, your payments go up $100 dollars, but what will your insurance do? How about gas money? There are other factors to think about.

do you have a second car in the family that you could use when you are transporting the baby or is it just the 8?

You seriously think cutting the airbag wires is a better option :Eyecrazy:

Not sure that's why I'm asking. I havn't spoken to the dealer what doing this will cause. I assume that cutting the wire for the bag will just disable it, but like I said I'm justr assuming.

I've never personally seen the RX8 as a family car, and always get flamed for it, but I just dont see it being big enough, nor the back seats all that fuctional with me being 6'5 and having the seat slid all the way back. As far as the cutting of the wires, would that actually work? I would think it might cause the bags to go off? Also, your payments go up $100 dollars, but what will your insurance do? How about gas money? There are other factors to think about.

I spoke to my agent about this last week and she said our payments will stay the same. Due to the fact thta we have a house two cars and two life insuarance policies. Fuel milage is rated at 19/28, so not much of a difference there.

do you have a second car in the family that you could use when you are transporting the baby or is it just the 8?

Yea we do, ny wife has a 4dr wrangler. The problem is that there will be times when I would have to ferry the baby around. The odds of an accident are slim but even a 1% chance is to much for me and my wife.

Thats a hard decision than! heh.

My current situation is that I ma expecting a baby girl in February. Even though the 8 is a practical car there are some worries I have. My main worry is the side airbags in the rear. The way they are positioned they will blow right in the face of my baby girl :) , this has me and my wife worried. I have three options at this point, Option 1: Remove the fuse for the airbags, Option 2: Cut the wire to the rear airbag where the baby will be, that way the fronts stay working and the other rear one as well, or Option 3: Get a new car :icon_no2: I test drove a 335i coupe yesterday and it felt great. It’s more practical then the 8, more power, handles great. It is a deffinit upgrade but I've put so much time and money into my 8 that hurts me to let her go. I like the first two options because of the $$ I will be saving and I get to keep my 8. The latter option will raise my payments up by $100 not including the 5K down payment. In the end I need to do what is best for my baby firl. I guess my question goes out to all those who already have kids and have an 8, what would you guys do? Having a grown kid in the back won’t be to bad but an infant and those bags just worry me.

What is the likelihood of an airbag exploding on your baby girls face? How safely do you drive? What happens if the airbag does blow in your baby girl's face? Will it cause any serious injuries? Do you think cutting of the airbags is safer than letting the airbags blow on your baby's face?

These are the questions you need to answer first (to yourself).

I can't see how disabling safety items is ever a good idea. The 335ci also has side airbags and in some areas the RX-8 has more room in the rear than a 335ci. I have a 4 year old son that has been in my 8 since I bought it. Its a very safe car crash wise and will handle emergency maneuvers better than a Minivan / SUV. Would I drive it 1,000 miles with the whole family, no. But simple trips with the kids are no problem.

Thats a hard decision than! heh.

Yea it is, I love this car and I love taking her to the track. It's an addiction now. My other option is to buy a 23K car and spend 7K on a used miata and use that for the track. But I don't see myself driving around town in anything less then my 8.

I can't see how disabling safety items is ever a good idea. The 335ci also has side airbags and in some areas the RX-8 has more room in the rear than a 335ci. I have a 4 year old son that has been in my 8 since I bought it. Its a very safe car crash wise and will handle emergency maneuvers better than a Minivan / SUV. Would I drive it 1,000 miles with the whole family, no. But simple trips with the kids are no problem.

In the 335i the seat can go in the middle. If the 8 had a middle spot then I wouldn't even be contiplating this. You also need to remember that my wife is also a big driver in this decision. I need to convince her of the safety of it. I e-mailed Mazda to get their take on the safty of baby seats in the back, hoping they did some kind of testing on it.

While not a great photo of the bags I do not see how a kid in a child seat is going to be hit by an air bag in a way that whould hurt. Your concerns are not valid. Mazda is also only going to say to you that the RX-8 meets all mandated safey requirements. Anything more would be a risk for them legally.

What is the likelihood of an airbag exploding on your baby girls face? How safely do you drive? What happens if the airbag does blow in your baby girl's face? Will it cause any serious injuries? Do you think cutting of the airbags is safer than letting the airbags blow on your baby's face?

These are the questions you need to answer first (to yourself).

It's not how safe I drive it's how stupi other people drive. Alone I am a bit aggresive but with my pregnant wife in the car I am like an old lady. Not sure what the effects of it going off would hve on her since I don't know of anyone who has ever had it happened to them. I e-mailed Mazda to see if they did any tests of this type.

While not a great photo of the bags I do not see how a kid in a child seat is going to be hit by an air bag in a way that whould hurt. Your concerns are not valid.

I agree. Devildog seems to claim that Mazda-RX8 has placed a dangerous device to discourage people from carrying their kids!!

While not a great photo of the bags I do not see how a kid in a child seat is going to be hit by an air bag in a way that whould hurt. Your concerns are not valid.

Now this something I can show my wife, from the pic it seems the airbag does not blow far inward enough to hit the seat. Thanks for the pic. I'm still going to ask the dealer about the cutting wire deal. Now I'm just curious what are the effects.

Most better new cars will have the same side impact bag. I don't see this as much of a problem.
The bigger problem would getting a baby out of the rear facing baby seat in the back seat. The "Freestyle" rear doors will make getting the baby in and out of the seat more difficult.

The rear seats have anchors for child seats... you think they would "make" the car for that if it wasnt safe?

I agree. Devildog seems to claim that Mazda-RX8 has placed a dangerous device to discourage people from carrying their kids!!

I never claimed anything, it's a concern I have and for the safety of my child I want to be 100% sure. Airbags are dangerous for young kids hence all the warning signs on them. I just want to be 100% sure that my kid is safe in the back. Beleive me any excuse I can come up with to keep my 8 I will use. But like I said my wife needs to be convinced as well.

Yea, that's when the whole practicality issue comes into play.

The rear seats have anchors for child seats... you think they would "make" the car for that if it wasnt safe?

Seeing the pic posted by Expo I agree that it does seem safe. What is safer though is the question now. No doubt the the 335 is more practicle but which one is safer for my family is the true question now.

If there is any issue with any 1 of the air bags, you will set off the airbag light. If the brain does not see an airbag, its puts out this warning. Thus cutting the wire will do this. Just ask anyone who has replaced their stearing wheel...I know firsthand because for the first year of driving, the stupid thing kept having issues with "seeing" the driver airbag.

Basically, cutting the lead would compromise the safety system, PERIOD.

Now, here's something to think about. Airbags are designed as suplemental safety systems, not primary. They will only go off in the most extreme/appropriate circumstance...and only the appropriate bags. Thus, in a front crash, the front bags. In a side crash, the side curtain, and side seat...the ones in question. So...would you rather have the airbag cushion your daughter/baby seat, or the actual side of the car. I am very serious when I say, please, leave the system in place and let it do its job. I believe it would be an extremely safe vehicle for your child. This car has a very high, 4 star for the rear passanger in side impact. Here is a link: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/3534.html

Being completely non-biased, make your choice based on the safety criteria. Look up on nhtsa. (Edit: look at http://www.safercar.gov and you can look at the safety ratings of any car.)

I hope this helps, good luck, and congratulations to all 3 of you! ;)

I never claimed anything, it's a concern I have and for the safety of my child I want to be 100% sure. Airbags are dangerous for young kids hence all the warning signs on them. I just want to be 100% sure that my kid is safe in the back. Beleive me any excuse I can come up with to keep my 8 I will use. But like I said my wife needs to be convinced as well.

The airbag danger is for kids (and small adults) in the front seat. That's why the warnings tell you to put the kid seats and kids in the back.

The back seat has always been safer for child seats, even before the air bag problem in the front.

Why don't you go to NHTSA's web site and look up the crash ratings for the 8 and for whatever you might buy to replace it? Also check out the ratings on the Wrangler. You may very well find yourself replacing that.

Ken

I bet your farther and Grandfather lived without any child seats at all.

Is this paranoia on your part?

Like Ken said, it's a front seat issue not rear.

I bet your farther and Grandfather lived without any chid seats at all.

Is this paranoia on your part?

Like Ken said, it's a front seat issue not rear.


The guy just wants his kid to be safe, who cares if its paranoia? Think some of you are being a bit aggressive against the fact he was unsure of the safety.

I would rather pull the fuse to all if i was able to then go cutting wires. with a cut wire you may not know when the air-bag might just pop out.

The guy just wants his kid to be safe, who cares if its paranoia? Think some of you are being a bit aggressive against the fact he was unsure of the safety.

Thank You.

I bet your farther and Grandfather lived without any chid seats at all.

Is this paranoia on your part?

Am I being paranoid yes, with a child I want to be 100% sure. My grandmother delivered her own kids with help from a neighbor, that doesn't mean I'm goping to ask the lady next door to deliver my kid:lol2:

If there is any issue with any 1 of the air bags, you will set off the airbag light. If the brain does not see an airbag, its puts out this warning. Thus cutting the wire will do this. Just ask anyone who has replaced their stearing wheel...I know firsthand because for the first year of driving, the stupid thing kept having issues with "seeing" the driver airbag.

Basically, cutting the lead would compromise the safety system, PERIOD.

Now, here's something to think about. Airbags are designed as suplemental safety systems, not primary. They will only go off in the most extreme/appropriate circumstance...and only the appropriate bags. Thus, in a front crash, the front bags. In a side crash, the side curtain, and side seat...the ones in question. So...would you rather have the airbag cushion your daughter/baby seat, or the actual side of the car. I am very serious when I say, please, leave the system in place and let it do its job. I believe it would be an extremely safe vehicle for your child. This car has a very high, 4 star for the rear passanger in side impact. Here is a link: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/3534.html


Being completely non-biased, make your choice based on the safety criteria. Look up on nhtsa. (Edit: look at http://www.safercar.gov and you can look at the safety ratings of any car.)

I hope this helps, good luck, and congratulations to all 3 of you! ;)

Thanks, I'll look at this.

The airbag danger is for kids (and small adults) in the front seat. That's why the warnings tell you to put the kid seats and kids in the back.

The back seat has always been safer for child seats, even before the air bag problem in the front.

Why don't you go to NHTSA's web site and look up the crash ratings for the 8 and for whatever you might buy to replace it? Also check out the ratings on the Wrangler. You may very well find yourself replacing that.

Ken

The wrangler gets 5 stars all around. So much for getting rid of her car:icon_no2: I guess we'll just have to weigh all our options, practicality also comes into place.

If you have a carseat in the back, if you happen to get into a accident where the air bags would pop out , wont the airbags hit a carseat and not the baby.

If you have a carseat in the back, if you happen to get into a accident where the air bags would pop out , wont the airbags hit a carseat and not the baby.

It all depends on how they deploy. My wife wants me to find a video showing the air bags deploying. Not sure if there is one but I'm looking.

The wrangler gets 5 stars all around. So much for getting rid of her car:icon_no2: I guess we'll just have to weigh all our options, practicality also comes into place.

From the looks of the pic expo posted the bags don't deploy in the fashion we thought. Looks like that bag should be perfectly fine for a child in a seat in the event...

Obviously that's not the ONLY factor here thought.

if you look here.....http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=RX8&providertag=MazdaSEM&servicetag=NationalRX8&sem=1&s_kwcid=mazda%20rx8|1084222243&bhcp=1


dont look like airbag would hit a carseat at all.. just hit saftey button then airbags

DevilDog the second reason I bought my 8 was because it is a "family" car (note the quotation marks) and has decent rear seats for the crumb muncher. The side curtain airbags keep your head from smashing through the side glass or frame work of the car, there is no way it shoud ever touch the carseat.
Your views may be different, just my outlook on things.

The first reason was it is a Mazda Rotary powered car.

Thank You all, I am now convinced the baby will be OK. Now I have to convince thw wife. Not that I need to get her apoproval on anything:icon_no2:

The wrangler gets 5 stars all around. So much for getting rid of her car:icon_no2: I guess we'll just have to weigh all our options, practicality also comes into place.

So much for my intuition that the Wrangler might not be safe. :) Data tends to beat the crap out of intuition.

Don't forget to research child seats before you buy one of those. Search here for threads that talk about which ones fit the 8, and any particular problems with using the anchors.

Ken

Show her the pic that expo had and the site that i linked. She should be able to see that the airbag is mostly out of the way.

So much for my intuition that the Wrangler might not be safe. :) Data tends to beat the crap out of intuition.

Don't forget to research child seats before you buy one of those. Search here for threads that talk about which ones fit the 8, and any particular problems with using the anchors.

Ken

Did that already, fit pretty good actually.

Show her the pic that expo had and the site that i linked. She should be able to see that the airbag is mostly out of the way.

Planning on it, widh me luck:fingersx:
By the way I use to live in OceanSide

I have carried both of my boys in my 8 since they were days old and never felt there was any danger. If you are in an accident that is bad enough to cause a side air bag to go off I would worry about intrusion into the car and the 8 has several devices to prevent that.

I would recommend trying several car seats to see which fits best for you and in the car. The only drawback I found was the passenger seat has to be slid forward to allow the cars seat into the right position and it renders the passenger seat basically useless while the carrier is there.

Oh and congratulations on the baby!

My parents hauled me around in a '49 Ford and later, a '58 Volkswagen Bus. Neither had seatbelts, let alone airbags. Obviously, I survived. But then again, we were fortunate enough to never get in a wreck.

Having raised two children of my own, I can assure you that they traveled in the most appropriate vehicle we could afford at the time. I love the 8, but I do not consider it a family car.

Take care of your child; buy a car that will best protect her. Your fun car can come later.

1.3L

All I can say is this.
I'd rather have the airbags go off and save the child with the possiblity of bruising than having no airbags go off and breaking the childs neck or worse.

Our airbag system is pretty smart (or stupid depending on your view of things) as in it doesnt go off unless its really really necessary. So if your worried it will go off from a minor side impact that just barely dents the door dont worry it wont.

I have carried both of my boys in my 8 since they were days old and never felt there was any danger. If you are in an accident that is bad enough to cause a side air bag to go off I would worry about intrusion into the car and the 8 has several devices to prevent that.

I would recommend trying several car seats to see which fits best for you and in the car. The only drawback I found was the passenger seat has to be slid forward to allow the cars seat into the right position and it renders the passenger seat basically useless while the carrier is there.

Oh and congratulations on the baby!

Thank You, this is wanted I wanted to hear. Now I just need to work on my wife. I wouldn't mind getting the 335i but it just seems like an unnecessary expense at this point.

Seeing the pic posted by Expo I agree that it does seem safe. What is safer though is the question now. No doubt the the 335 is more practicle but which one is safer for my family is the true question now.


True question?

Looks like you should go for volvo cars. I think they have the best safety rating! Looks like you are very confused and dont know what issue it is that needs addressing.

1) You /Safety about your car
2) Your wife has asked you to get rid of the car
3) More safer car?
4) Want a new car like 335.

Keep the 8. You'll regret it!! I travel with my kids all the time. I have a van and still take my kids in my car!!

pull fuse

the rear doors in the 8 is so much better than a traditional 4dr because of it's opposite hinges. Makes for easy ingress/egress of the baby. But best spot is always the centre if you can help it. Although I do find we'd have to bend more to get to the baby when the baby seat is in the centre location of our main family hauler.

My only real concern was the bags blowing in the babies face, but looking at pics it seems that won't happen. The reality is that my car won't be used to often anyway to transport the baby. I feel perfectly fine with it now but you know that mothers are harder to convince.

Keep the car the way it is. I have had my daughter in my car since she was a year old and there has never been any issues.
1. An infant carseat sits low and laid slightly back so it would miss your child completely. Not to mention that you leave the carrier arm upright so if it WERE to hit something, it would be that arm.
2. When your child hits a year or so old, she will then go into a sitting upright childseat. I have one that has comes out a little by the childs head, kinda like our seats form around us. She leans her lil head on there when she gets tired, anyway, that would also help deflect the airbag, though I don't think it would even come near her.

Good luck with what you decide, but I'm a mom and I completely approve of the 8.
Plus the doors are very convenient.

im pretty sure mazda engineers already thought of this. and further to the point, your girl will sit in a hard shell car seat that will further protect her. i wouldnt worry about it all.

mazda knows what they are doing. the rx8 has high safety standards. im pretty sure infants in car seats are taken into account.

When I babysit my buddy's little baby girl and have to go for a ride, she's safely tucked behind my driver seat in her baby seat and I really don't see how she could be struck by the airbag deploying especially considering how the baby seat "centers" her in the seatand keeps her there very tighly if you've secured the seat correctly.

The only way I could see her getting in contact with the airbag would be a MAJOR collision where the car would distort enough under impact so that her position in the car would change. That would probably mean the seat or the metal rod securing it broke. In that case, I REALLY REALLY prefer the airbar to deploy and give her some minor skin burns from deployment (worst scenario) than having her hit the door or window directly.

When I carry kids around, I always take the 8 instead of my other car just because I want to have those big brakes at the 4 corners and those 6 airbags all around in case something happens. I don't think the 8 is "unsafe" enough for you to actually change cars over this. If this is really the reason, go get a Volvo. Those things are built like TANKS... and I mean it... like 3in by 3in steel reinforcement bars in the B-pillars (my dad owns an S60).

my 2 cents!

While not a great photo of the bags I do not see how a kid in a child seat is going to be hit by an air bag in a way that whould hurt. Your concerns are not valid. Mazda is also only going to say to you that the RX-8 meets all mandated safey requirements. Anything more would be a risk for them legally.

I was gonna say the same thing. I have no idea (unless I'm missing something) how the rear airbags can harm a properly harnessed child, especially a newborn rear-facing one.

i think cutting the wires wont work, cause i think if you cut the wires, itz just gonna disable the whole airbag system and will cause the airbag light on!

Keep the car the way it is. I have had my daughter in my car since she was a year old and there has never been any issues.
1. An infant carseat sits low and laid slightly back so it would miss your child completely. Not to mention that you leave the carrier arm upright so if it WERE to hit something, it would be that arm.
2. When your child hits a year or so old, she will then go into a sitting upright childseat. I have one that has comes out a little by the childs head, kinda like our seats form around us. She leans her lil head on there when she gets tired, anyway, that would also help deflect the airbag, though I don't think it would even come near her.

Good luck with what you decide, but I'm a mom and I completely approve of the 8.
Plus the doors are very convenient.

You mind telling my wife that :) I'll show her this thread then she should be convinced.

Once again thank you all.

devildog, hey man, I'm beating a dead horse now, but I was where you are 4 years ago, and I get the dynamics of the little woman with her nesting instincts raging. :lol2: Man up, dawg! Don't let yourself or her be "one of those kind of parents." The kind that child proof their homes from top to bottom, remove everything, lock down every cabinet, and have a rubber cover on everything that doesn't have rounded corner or is remotely hard. :icon_no2: Guide and teach, don't just prevent.

Point is, keep your RX8, don't cut any damn wires, and don't think twice about it. In a couple of years, I bet you'll look back and say, "what the heck was I worried about?"

Just my thoughts...:) Congrats on the baby!

Devildog, I had my best friends daughter from 3 months on in the back seat of my 8 on a regular basis. Never did it cause a problem. You also have to consider how car seats are designed within themselves. I drove like I normally drove and spirited when the need came for it, adjusting to traffic and such. You mentioned driving differently with your wife in the car and that is expected to a point. However don't let your worry overpower you to the point where you are over compensating and lose focus on your driving skills. First babies are hard first pregnant wives are hard too....there's no manual, and you can only learn from reading and listening to others advise, but the responsibility is huge and I understand your worries......I'm a mom, raised three, and half the neighborhood as well. All you can be expected to do is your best....and the rest will fall into place. If you don't want to get rid of your 8, then my advice is to keep it.. My only problem was a stroller....but you do have another vehicle..

I'm trying Guys I'm convinced but the littlw women still needs some convincing.

I'm trying Guys I'm convinced but the littlw women still needs some convincing.

If she needs any more convincing on the safety of the 8 do some searches on the accidents people from this site have been in. There are some pictures of some VERY mangled cars that the occupants walked away from INJURY FREE!

Also check out the ratings on the Wrangler. You may very well find yourself replacing that.

Ken

God, yeah, those things are horrendously unsafe. Think of what a side impact would do right through those removable doors.

God, yeah, those things are horrendously unsafe. Think of what a side impact would do right through those removable doors.

Might want to re-think your thoughts on that: I did a 2006 Jeep Wrangler just for shits & giggles.. 4 Stars.. Cant complain about that, unless you need 5 stars?

http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm?myClass=SUV&myYear=2006&myMake=Jeep&myModel=Wrangler&GoButton=View+specific+vehicle

The side curtain airbags do not deploy with the same force nor nearly as far as a side or front airbag. Actually your daughter in a properly installed child seat would be more safe as in a side impact her head would hit the cushioned side of her seat and never come in contact with the curtain itself (unless you have a massive impact on the side she is on either way she is safer with a bag than without).

Side curtain bags are to help with a passengers head hitting the side glass. Children have a 4 point harness in a child seat and won't move nearly as much as someone using the 3 point seatbelt.

Your wife's fears are unfounded. I bought my 8 when my son was 3 and daughter was nine months and rear facing. I wouldn't have bought it if it was unsafe for my children.

I'm trying Guys I'm convinced but the littlw women still needs some convincing.

Maybe she just wants another car? From my experience, you can't convince a woman through logic. A woman's logic is her intuition and emotion.

- ducks - :)

Maybe she just wants another car? From my experience, you can't convince a woman through logic. A woman's logic is her intuition and emotion.

- ducks - :)

That's it I need to put my foot down:mad:

Doooooeeeeeeeet!

Devildog......Have your wife read what we have posted, and make her own decision....Neither of you can live your lives with the what if's because you will not be living it, just going through the motions....you two need to just come together and trust your own judgement. Learning that will help you in every decision that you have to make with your daughter. Believe me, deciding on what kind of car to drive her in is the least of your worries....................

doesn't seem to me a rear-facing car seat will work in an 8, unless you and the baby are the only two people in the car, and the car seat is behind the front passenger seat, with the front passenger seat cranked all the way forward.

to sum it all up, keep the 8, your baby is going to be fine in it, the bag will not blow in ur baby's face, her little seat will protect her, she will not be harmed.........

done

^^Pretty cocky for someone with no children.

I'm just summing up everything in this thread in which u all have said

doesn't seem to me a rear-facing car seat will work in an 8, unless you and the baby are the only two people in the car, and the car seat is behind the front passenger seat, with the front passenger seat cranked all the way forward.

It's a little tight on the passenger but not bad. Don't plan on putting someone over 6' in the passenger seat until the baby is forward facing.

WOW!!! really funny I found this thread....being that I just found out my lady is expecting (5 days ago):Eyecrazy: :shocking: :spew:
Haha in the same shoes OP...was actually considereing the BMW 3 series

WOW!!! really funny I found this thread....being that I just found out my lady is expecting (5 days ago):Eyecrazy: :shocking: :spew:
Haha in the same shoes OP...was actually considereing the BMW 3 series

Welcome to the club, by the way I tested the 335i copue and it was great. Maybe in a year or two but for now I feel safe with my 8.

I actually drove my 1 month old infant son (he was in the NICU before that) home from the hospital in the back seat of my 8. The infant car seat works very well, just don't expect to have someone sitting on the passenger side since the passenger seat needs to be moved up quite a bit to make room for the rear facing car seat.

One other concern is the stroller. My stroller *barely* fits into the trunk of the 8, you may want to shop around to see which one fits.

Having said all these, I'm actually selling my 8 to a friend of mine since I have now 3 children and my wife told me to get a car which can carry the whole family :( Have been checking out the MS3 and the CX-9 recently....

Jasper

I have the same prob with the stroller. I bought a smaller one in red to match my car(Sears). Works great and fits!!


I actually drove my 1 month old infant son (he was in the NICU before that) home from the hospital in the back seat of my 8. The infant car seat works very well, just don't expect to have someone sitting on the passenger side since the passenger seat needs to be moved up quite a bit to make room for the rear facing car seat.

One other concern is the stroller. My stroller *barely* fits into the trunk of the 8, you may want to shop around to see which one fits.

Having said all these, I'm actually selling my 8 to a friend of mine since I have now 3 children and my wife told me to get a car which can carry the whole family :( Have been checking out the MS3 and the CX-9 recently....

Jasper

My current situation is that I ma expecting a baby girl in February. Even though the 8 is a practical car there are some worries I have. My main worry is the side airbags in the rear. The way they are positioned they will blow right in the face of my baby girl :) , this has me and my wife worried. I have three options at this point, Option 1: Remove the fuse for the airbags, Option 2: Cut the wire to the rear airbag where the baby will be, that way the fronts stay working and the other rear one as well, or Option 3: Get a new car :icon_no2: I test drove a 335i coupe yesterday and it felt great. It’s more practical then the 8, more power, handles great. It is a deffinit upgrade but I've put so much time and money into my 8 that hurts me to let her go. I like the first two options because of the $$ I will be saving and I get to keep my 8. The latter option will raise my payments up by $100 not including the 5K down payment. In the end I need to do what is best for my baby firl. I guess my question goes out to all those who already have kids and have an 8, what would you guys do? Having a grown kid in the back won’t be to bad but an infant and those bags just worry me.



keep the car...sell the baby:lol2:

Welcome to the club, by the way I tested the 335i copue and it was great. Maybe in a year or two but for now I feel safe with my 8.

Yeah man just finished reading this thread and most of my concerns have died now as well....The pic was a big help...Only complaint seems to be the stroller issue.

Going to have to share you alls experiences & thoughts with the ole lady....With my suspension setup it makes for a really rough ride which she does not like @ all..she got nauseated the other day...Imma have to soften my shocks.

Well, congrats to you too!

Wow, how did I miss this thread- the 8 has been our "family" car since my daughter was born two years ago. Even now, when she's in a Britax Marathon in the back seat, I don't see how the airbag could possibly go off and hit her. When we get around to the next one, we'll just put the other baby seat in the other back seat. No problem. Yes, big strollers, like the Graco Quattro, aren't going to fit, but smaller strollers, like the McLarens and regular umbrella strollers, work just fine.

The worst problem I've run into now is that she can finally almost reach the back of the front seats with her feet, and she likes to kick. For now, I've got an atlas blocking direct contact, but I'm sure she'll eventually be able to grab and move it just to annoy me.

And yes, rear facing is a little tight at first, but it's doable. Just make your wife ride in the passenger seat. And in spite of what people say, you don't need a ton of gear dragged around with a baby. The 8 works just fine. Maybe not for a week-long vacation packed full of stuff for two adults and two kids, but for everything else, yes.

Yes, big strollers, like the Graco Quattro, aren't going to fit

Great we got one of those strollers that are huge which include the car seat. Guess that won't fit. The truth is her car will be the one that we will use most of the time to ferry the little one around. She'll only be in my car when I need to drope her off some where. Beleive me no family trips in the 8, that's what the wrangler is for.

I hauled my baby for 2 years in the back seat of my 8, it was great. But I too wanted something a little more practicle for family use and got the 328i sedan. My 8 was dying and would soon need a new engine. But if your 8 is fine, I say keep it and save the money.

just so you know I purchased the RX-8 BECAUSE i could safely put my son back there. I purchased the car BEFORE my son was born. I brought him home from the hospital in the RX-8. Our other car is a Subaru wagon.

Not only is it my daily driver and grocery getter(were going to the grocery store this mornign actually, we never take the subie for groceries)He's been in my car for long trips of a day or 2 driving. he's comfortable and safe. he will even point out the airbags to you now. The side curtain will not intrude on his space and in fact will help keep flying debris/glass from getting to him during an accident.

With you being so tall you will want to put your baby in the rear passenger side because for the first few months you need a rear facing seat. that takes extra room. besides its much easier to reach things to him/her this way when you are stopped at a light etc.

This is the car peopel buy BECAUSE they can safely put their children - even newborns- back there.

There are like 50 or 100 people on here who have had babies after purchasing their 8s - men and women. Have your wife talk to them. PM Elara, one of the other admins- she's a mother and an 8 owner.

Don't forget the 8 can still handle them when they are bigger.

Mines 12 and we don't have a problem.

like 3in by 3in steel reinforcement bars in the B-pillars (my dad owns an S60).

my 2 cents!


you will find those beams on the inside of the rx-8 doors as well

doesn't seem to me a rear-facing car seat will work in an 8, unless you and the baby are the only two people in the car, and the car seat is behind the front passenger seat, with the front passenger seat cranked all the way forward.


works quite well actually. the rear facer we have fits perfectly behind me when im driving. taller than me would just put it in the passenger seat. mine even has a rotary shaped handle

Wow, how did I miss this thread- the 8 has been our "family" car since my daughter was born two years ago. Even now, when she's in a Britax Marathon in the back seat, I don't see how the airbag could possibly go off and hit her. When we get around to the next one, we'll just put the other baby seat in the other back seat. No problem. Yes, big strollers, like the Graco Quattro, aren't going to fit, but smaller strollers, like the McLarens and regular umbrella strollers, work just fine.

The worst problem I've run into now is that she can finally almost reach the back of the front seats with her feet, and she likes to kick. For now, I've got an atlas blocking direct contact, but I'm sure she'll eventually be able to grab and move it just to annoy me.

And yes, rear facing is a little tight at first, but it's doable. Just make your wife ride in the passenger seat. And in spite of what people say, you don't need a ton of gear dragged around with a baby. The 8 works just fine. Maybe not for a week-long vacation packed full of stuff for two adults and two kids, but for everything else, yes.


ah there she is HI E:). yep henry kicks as well but the atlas works just fine. have been using the umbrella stroller since day one as well. BUT if you dont want a stroller you can always go with a sling http://babysling.com/ or other carrier- babies like them better anyway.

That was a very cute pic!!!!

thanks hough- i have lots more but i dont want to overwhelm you with his cuteness

you can always go with a sling http://babysling.com/ or other carrier- babies like them better anyway.

How many babies did you ask to figure that out?:lol2:

My baby told me she liked the sling better.....shes a genius ya know.

17 and i have pics of all of them too.

serously just spend a day out here at festivals or parks etc where families gather and you can see kids struggling to get out of their strollers or just sitting there crying and then loads of kids sitting contentedly in their slings watching everything thats going on around them. being up at eye level with other people and so close to mama or daddy makes for a much happier baby.

Oh, yah- slings are great- just put the kid in, and off you go. And they roll up nicely and fit pretty much anywhere. And they're really comfortable to wear.

http://www.hotslings.com/- all different colors, etc. I've even seen camoflage.

Don't cut the wire... sell the baby.








Seriously though. Sell the baby.

I almost hate to write this....but isn't that a pic of the seat bag deployed? I would think you'd be as worried about the rear curtain....? I can't remember what that looks like deployed though, maybe just along the roofline?

no thats the side curtain - you can see the piece that connects to the a and c pillers

Ah, so is the seat bag just the little one right about elbow level?

Either way doesn't look anywhere close to the kid, but I understand the concern!

Never new so many 8 owners also had little ones. This is good, my wife will be reading this thread this weekend. I'll make her sit and read the whoile thing.

If she needs reassurance pm me and I'll talk with her too.