hehe just stiring the shit pot :smoker:

Hey WantedTwo. Here ya go.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...id=91846&stc=1

Put one kid in the front seat. Problem solved.

Most Americans lived with out wearing seatbelts.

Use the damn wifes car. Once again you have sucmbed to her will. Be a Man and roar like a Rotor ZOOM ZOOM 9 grand.

Yeah, it's a lot easier to see his point of view based on when he was writing.

FWIW - The RX-8 has been plenty practical for me and my three daughters (one in a car-seat). All things considered my wife was pretty understanding about me buying a 4-seater car for a 5-person family. Shall I cliche'? Different strokes......

I was going to say something else but DaveCM203 said it best.

plking I think it's hysterically funny that you got the notifications and came back here after 4 years. I'm glad you found a car you like.

I'm so ashamed.

I, too, have 2 kids. 5 and 2 y/o. The 5 year old, he goes with me everywhere and the 2 y/o is a mama's boy. I've taken everyone on a drive in my car and it's not impossible. It is, however, a pain. For all family trips, we take the Accord or rent a car. On a daily basis, it's just me and my eldest and he gets in and out fine. I can sympathize with your complaint about having to do all the doors, but if your REALLY have it for the 8, it shouldn't stop you. If you are only slightly interested in it then maybe a full sedan may suit you better. The G35 is no better as it's back seats are smaller and there are only two doors so the front passenger has to recline as well.

I've found that the center divide is great for the kids. It has a center console to keep wipes, toys, etc. as well as two drink holders. It also keeps child seats & booster seats from slipping around as they fit perfectly inside. I am also able to sit behind "myself" in my driving position. The car is by no means a "Family Car." If you have another car and am willing to compromise for the "fun" factor when you are solo in the car then it is fine. If you must have 2 kids with you everywhere, I'd recommend the MS 3.

I hope this helps you justify (not)buying the car. Let us know what you decide on?

You must not pay attention too much. I have absolutely no idea how you read my post and thought I was upset about it. This thread has become the defintion of people failing at the Internet.

Burned! You should check the dates and read the rest of the thread before you invest that much time in a reply to the first post. ;)

To answer ½mv² (since I've done these things)My 11-year-old is tall enough to be compatible with the airbag. I still like her chair as far back as it can go - but it's not all the way back because the toddler seat is on that side. FWIW, that's the best place for your toddler seat becaues then you can glance at the toddler with a motion similar to checking your blind-spot before merging. Gotta keep an eye on the little buggers you know. ;)Actually, with a child-seat there it's not easy for the 9-year-old to cross-over and I've made that forbidden anyway. I figure if I can walk into the street to get in the driver's door then I can also walk out there holding a child by the hand (yeah, sometimes I hold the middle daughter's hand, just to be sure).

Here's a key point - the RX-8's doors are *perfect* for this kind of 'traffic-side' loading. I can swing open the bigger front door, stand close to it with the child, then swing open the back door without our having to step out into traffic any further than the front door. While she's scrambling into her back-seat I can face the rear of the car and glare at the on-coming traffic before shutting her door for her.

Now, with a regular 4-door I might hold her door open while she climbs into her seat on the other side of the door and thus, out of my reach. Ever imagine a toy rolling out when the door opens and the kid darts after it? You couldn't reach them on the other side of such a door, but with the clam-shell arrangements of the RX-8 door system they're right there.

Allright, so that's reaching, not everyone will be impressed by that, in fact, very few people will find that it applies given they don't stuff a quarter-dozen kids into their RX-8; but plking never really tried it and ½mv² discussed the logistics of it so I'm just adding my $0.02. I'm delighted with it, not because I'm stubbornly trying to make it work; it really does work for me.

whoops! Thanks CBD. Got a case of the lazy eyes and itchy typing fingers... :)

s'cool man - it would be so boring if you didn't care. :cool:

Your old avatar made you seem more jolly. Your new one seems more like you'd punch me across the face if I crossed you.

Yeah? Which one matches my posts? Anyway, don't worry, I've never punched a member of this forum in the face. :icon16:

haha

I dunno. He kinda reminds me of a more mature Bo Bice. Not to offend CBD, don't want to loose any teeth. :icon16: Just a resemblance I noticed.

I bought this car partially because I could have a really neat car AND carry around a kid. I really wanted an 3rd gen rx-7, or even a miata, but I knew I'd have to give them up when I had children. And then I found the RX-8, and my problem was solved! We have an easier time getting my daughter in and out of it than we do in our Volvo station wagon, and until Sunday, when we switched her to a new car seat, she rode in my car as much as she did in the Volvo (and as soon as a I buy another Marathon, we'll go right back to using my car again- too much to switch the seat back and forth atm). We even use the 8 for all of our family trips, because it's more fun for US to drive, and she fits in perfectly. I don't see this changing once we have a second, either. A third- well, that may complicate things a bit, but that's what the Volvo and whatever SUV we buy this year will be for.

So, it worked out perfectly for me. I have a sports car/coupe/whatever the hell you want to label it, AND I've got plenty of room for my family. It was really a perfect solution.

And yes, I know the thread is 5 years old now, but since you guys had to bring it up again...

so my opinion is this:

1. mazda did the whole family package thing in switzerland, saying it be a 4 door, 4 seats, fam. car.

2. with two kids (depending on how old they are) u could also put one in the front seat..

3. with two kids, at school u could hug them before school starts - so u dont get out of the car for no reason ;)

4. is there no school bus or any busses in your area?

5. if u love the 8 enough you could think about getting a electrical door opener put in, though this would cost probably lots of money.... but would be nice....

6. take it as extra exercice ?.

all together i think it is possible to have family and 8 but it comes with a little more effort than just a usual car. think about it either ull have a special car and a little more effort, or ull have a casual car and no effort -----

i dont know how much u liked the 8 but i fell in love with it.

The RX8 doesn't make a great daily family hauler and it's not supposed to be. I'd recommend a used S4, AWD, manual and good power.

I have two kids one almost 4 and one a little over 1 and the RX8 works fine (if you don't mind a 4 year old kicking you in the back). It's not a 5 day a week hauler though but I do have one or both in frequently. I like the fact my little terror can't get out until I get him out even if he is in a booster. Its almost easier to have him in my 8 then my wife's van because he has no where to run.

yeahr but the S4 is in a very different price class ....

You got it backwards.

It's a sportscar that's more practical than touted.

2 Kids and a wife here and the RX-8 holds them well. We do have a Outback as the main family car but I take the kids across the state to visit my parents in the RX. No problems and the truck is great.

PS Cool-Blue-Dad: I have to say I to liked the old picture better, the new one is too "ZZ-Top at NASCAR". :)

Thats why I said used, 04 S4's run about 30-34k with under 50k miles. Plus Audi makes the only wagon I'd buy S4 Avant (manual, V-8 and not bad looking for a wagon)

Just to clarify - is that trunk with or without the spare? Makes a big difference. ;) I had the spare in for a year. Then it fell and rather than rehang it I thought I'd try the trunk without for a while. BOOYA!! It's amazing how much difference that makes.Yeah, that a silly picture - I was goofing around on purpose. I don't *quite* have *that* much attitude in real life; at least, not most days. :cool:

Funny similarity, my wife just sold her Outlander and I tried to get her to get a new one but she wanted the Pathfinder. I have a seven year old and a 12 year old and my RX8 works great for family hauling and for Haulin'. I drop my daughter off, my son opens the door for her and then I drop him off at middle school.

let's revisit this thread when the OP's kids are in high school. And then college. :wiggle: