I recently just purchased a 05 Nissan 350Z 35th anniversary edition about 5 months ago. I love the car and it took me 3 months to find. The problem is that one week after getting the car, I found out my girlfriend is pregnant. DOH!!! So I am looking at the RX8 but need some help answering some questions.

Can I put a baby seat in the rear seat? I have done some research and I found that a baby seat does fit back there but can I know canada or ontario has different laws because of air bags. so is it allowed to have a new born back there?

This will be my all year round car, how is it in the winter with snows on it?

anyone that can help me out that will be much appreciated. also if there are any pics of a baby seat please post

Thanks

BTW I live in Toronto, Ontario

First of all CONGRATS!

Our Canadian user manual have detailed instructions on how to mount a baby seat at the back so yeah you can definitely mount one.

For winter driving, 17" with good winter tires will be fine.

I am sure there are members on this board with baby seat at the back and can post it for you ...:)

well i live in southern california , so i cant tell you about snow and what not, but i do have a cousin that has a baby and he does own an 8 as his only car, and not once has he had a problem with a car seat in the back, so im pretty sure youll be just fine

Not that I've fathered any kids of my own, but my step-daughter has a young baby and we've done enough driving around with her for me to tell you the issue with the RX-8 is not the baby seat, it's all of the other crap that you need to take with you whenever you haul a baby somewhere. Diaper bags, clothes, a stroller, possibly even a fold-away crib - it's going to be a seriously cramped fit into the 8 and you're going to wish you had more space and easier access than what this car will offer you. I'm not saying it's not doable, I just don't know it's worth the effort. And when you have a baby in the car, you shouldn't be driving the 8 the way it likes to be driven anyway.

If it was me, I'd pick up something more like a MazdaSpeed 3. Just my two cents.

Do a search on babyseat on this forum. There are lots of rx-8 owners who fitted a baby seat at the back easily. ISOFIX latch system is your friend.
The challenge as wargoose mention is carrying all the baby gear. And there are lots. The rx-8's trunk is small and you will have problem fitting a stroller. Our Peg Pereggo Prammette would not fit through the entrance even though there is enough space. The trunk gap is too small. This is perhaps the only negative hit against the rx-8 as a baby carrier. Fortunately we have a more practical Saab 92x Aero for family hauling so it's not a problem for us.
If this will be your only car, I would suggest that you look into getting something that is more spacious (trunk wise). Maybe a regular sedan or hatchback. You will take a bath with the 350z though. But it's worth it. Congrats!

I have used my 8 to carry my kids around without any major problems. The rear facing seats take up more room and will not allow the seat to recline into the usual position. I tried it behind the driver's seat and had to twist a bit to get into the car, but once I was in and driving it was OK. It would be better to put the rear facing seat on the passenger side. After 1 year you can put a forward facing seat and it is perfect. I actually took my seat to Mazda and tried the car to see how it fit before I bought it.

Don't give up and by a mini van!!

I have used my 8 to carry my kids around without any major problems. The rear facing seats take up more room and will not allow the seat to recline into the usual position. I tried it behind the driver's seat and had to twist a bit to get into the car, but once I was in and driving it was OK. It would be better to put the rear facing seat on the passenger side. After 1 year you can put a forward facing seat and it is perfect. I actually took my seat to Mazda and tried the car to see how it fit before I bought it.

Don't give up and by a mini van!!

too late, his current car already shares the same engine as the Nissan Quest minivan.... amongst other things. :uhh:

And the Pathfinder!


S

Since your baby will be in a rear facing car seat, you will have issues. Its a tight fit! It can be done but a tight fit. Along with diaper bag, stroller, cooler for baby milk etc, it all adds up and you will soon notice that the rx8 is not a very baby friendly car at all. Fastforward a year later my 14 month now uses a regular frontward facing car seat and she has more than enough room. It's manageable but will not be very comfortable to whomever will be sitting in the passenger side.

Thanks for all your help guys, but I am not going to get a "man van". I still need my sports car.

Thanks again
Great advice and information!!