yeah the 04's dont have the passenger airbag deal.. mine are always on.

 

Glad i am not the only parent with an RX8, this thread destroys any thoughts of me trading it in for a camry or accord.

My two year old son sits in the back, baby seat fits fine back there as well.

 

The kids come in handy also ( that was taken 8/2004)

 

expo1, that is great!

I have a very similar picture! I even made a thread: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/putting-kid-work-144639/

 

i brought both my boys- Henry now 4 and Oliver now 6months home in the 8 after their births . they have both spent more time riding in it than any other car.

 

^^now that a heck of a dad!!! my wife insisted against bringing my first born son ome in the 8, instead he was brought home in the 06 Freestyle..which i have affectionatly nicknamed, "******* wagon"...my year and a half old daughter loves riding in the RX-8. she's all smiles when she's in the car. i cant wait until she's old enough to be in the front seat..by then my son will be wanting to ride up front with dad. then some years later the kids will want to drive my RX-8...

 

I don't get the rationalization "well, if were in a really big accident, there will be a few more inches of space to keep body parts from getting crushed."

If you you're in a accident where the cabin gets so deformed and mangled that you have to worry about space, you were just in a huge accident. Huge. I've been in a couple accidents like that. I've been lucky. It's a total crap shoot. You can't guess which seat is going to get completely crushed or which is going to look like nothing ever happened. You can't control that.

Put the kiddos in the backseat with a highly rated properly bolstered booster that has some protection for them. Find one that keeps the seatbelt fitting correctly, and is comfortable and well made. Drive safe and keep your children safe. Always predict what the other stupid *** "red light running, talking texting on cellphones, not paying attention, can't drive in the rain, recklessly speeding" drivers might do, so you don't tangled up with one. Well, that's my approach.

 

As a parent I can understand wanting to give their child every bit of protection they can. There is nothing I wouldnt do to protect my son.
I agree though that you (driver) driving as careful/watchful as possible is the best prevention. I got nice Recaro child seats for my son, for both me and the wifes car.

I also have 3 different driving styles.
1. Me solo. 8/10s + this is where I push the car and have fun. Not in residential areas....
2. with adult passengers 6/10s
3. with child in car 4/10s
My rational for that is if I get in horrible accident solo its only me that is hurt. I dont feel guilty if I hurt myself.
I'd feel very bad about hurting a passenger.
I dont think I could live with myself if my actions hurt a child.