RX8 for families with kids
 

Really like the RX8 since I first saw a picture of it. Got to sit in a pre-production model in last year's Rev-It-Up. Finally test drove one on Sunday. I have never driven a rotary before. It feels very different. It is just so smooth. Before I knew it, it was in redline already. Really like the feel of the car, except I had problem shifting to 6th gear. I don't know whether it is just the one I tested.
Probably similar to the_big_h, I am trying to convince myself and my wife that we can live with the back seats. We have a 18-month son and expecting our 2nd child next April. I actually test fit the car with my son's car seat. It will fit in the back while I am driving(I am 6'3" and have to slide the seat all the way back). The problem is he will be kicking the back of my seat all the time. The back seat on the passenger side should fit the rear-facing car seat without any problem. I will need both car seats because I am the one dropping the kid(s) to day care. I really like the car, but not sure whether I should get something more practical, maybe a Mazda6 or the Subaru Legacy GT wagon... I know it is a little extreme since they are very different cars. Any suggestions or opinions are welcome. (Hope I won't get too many "You shouldn't drive a RX8 when you have kids... :p )

Rubbish. The car fits 4 comfortably. I have 3 kids; 14, 11 and 4. The 14 and 11 year old fight for the back seat on long trips because its like " your in a plane". The kicking of the back of your seat is certainly a reality because my daughter does it all the time, despite me asking her a million time not to do that. Honestly, it will do for your family if the need for a "true sports car" and want to accomodate 4 persons. However, if you are prepared to settle for a "sporty" car the 6 or the Subaru are more practical choices for sure. Also if you live in an area that gets snow, I would opt for the 6 or Subaru because I don't intend to take my 8 (with winter tires and all) on bad days because we will use my wife's SUV instead. By the way the 8 fits 4 not 5. So My wife gets left out of the fun when I take the 3 kids!

Well, at least you're not like the guys in the Saturn commerical where you "suddenly" need a SUV with one tiny little baby and an ION isn't enough..

But anyways, IMO, the Rx8 should be more than enough if you can fit the child seats in there, plus with the suicide doors, they're easier to get to than most 2 doors although you might need to scoot the front seat up a bit for easier access.

My 2 year old loves my car. Not sure about 2 kids in the back regularly but shouldn't be an issue, particularly since they're both young. May be a hassle later when you have to take them to an event with lots of gear but worry about that then. If you have a second vehicle already the 8 is a fine kid mover, i do it all the time.

I can tell you're hooked, if only a bit, by the siren sounds of the rotary engine :) . Did you let the wife drive it? That should help... Even mothers can appreciate a good drive LOL!

Otherwise, practical is relative, IOW, depending on your lifestyle, even w/kids, you should be able to use the trunk as a baby bag for all those things you'll need. 4x8 sheets of plywood and furniture are another thing, but that's why there are two car garages!

Have fun deciding what to get :rolleyes:

Well, can't speak to the issue of baby seats, but I've got three boys - 9,9 and 12 and they LOVE my car - and it's a great car for us.

I have had my 2nd son rear and front facing. With rear facing, you do have to scrunch the passenger seat up a bit, but rear facing doesn't last forever. My 5 yr old does kick the back of my seat, while sitting in his booster behind me. It is rare though, and I love the 8 for me and my family. (Mom has a 626.)

You need to borrow a 4-8 year old to sit behind you in a booster seat and see what the kid and you think about the fit.

My kids (19, 12) also love the car and are quite happy in the back when the four of us go out. Extra "stuff" - bags, toys, supplies, strollers are your likely biggest issue. I love my four seat family car :)

Oh yeah, he's got the RX-8 fever. Take the wife out with you so she can get the fever too then is smooth sailing with a new RX-8!!!! The baby will like that rotary sound. Kids love a sports car and this lets them come along for the ride. Geepers don't waist anytime, got out there and get that RX. Oh, don't read the tread on RX-8 station wagon. That's a pipe dream. Go for the RX in the form its in!!!!

Thanks for all the input. I am going to show all these replies to my wife. ;)
I did test drive with my wife, unfortunately she doesn't know how to drive a stick. Actually even she noticed the engine sounded very different.
Weather is not an issue since we live in Texas. Like ChrisP said, bags, supplies and strollers are the bigger issue. With the kids I probably will need the spare tire kit which leaves much less room in the trunk. We do have a small SUV. That is the car I drive when the whole family goes out. The thing is that I do have to drive the kid(s) to day care every morning and probably drive them around at times.
We test drove the Mazda6 wagon too, and my wife hinted that "this one has lots for room and very practical". Another worry of her is that if we buy the RX8, 2 out of our 3 cars (the 3rd one being my beloved Miata which I plan to keep as long as I can) are stick shift. If our SUV needs work done, she will be without a car. At first I thought about just leasing the RX8, after the test drive, I kind of thinking this is a car I want to keep for a longer time... Maybe I have to give up my Miata :(

Rather than sacrificing precious trunk space and $350 for the spare tire kit, why not just use the tire repair goo that comes standard with the RX-8?

It will wreck the tire ($200-250) and the TPMS sensor ($100), but only if you actually use it. In that case you're out the same money as if you bought the spare, but you got to use the trunk and make huge interest income on the $350 in the meantime.

If your roads are filled with stuff that makes really big holes in tires then maybe you have to play it safe. Armadilloes are pretty tough, right? :D

How often does an SUV need repairing? 2-3 times a year max? Rent a car for $30 on those days. No big deal. Getting a station wagon is like getting another SUV in my opinion. In view of your dilema, I propose the following rules and procedures for your situation:


1) Remind the wife that she's the best thing that ever happened to you and say it with a very serious, yet emotional face.

2) Miata: reserved for you and her to go out on dates or saturday night light cruises eith alone or with her.

3) SUV: Used for the family outings; she can drive if she wishes and you will never complain.

4) RX-8 GT 6 speed: Used for:

1) going to work

2) dropping off the kids at daycare (by you)

3) shattering long standing time records getting to work

4) fun afternoons for the family when major shopping or long hauls are not anticapted

5) Going to the track with or without her

6) Sneaking out in the middle of the night and taking it on the highway to see what this baby can really do and when in fact does the rev and speed limiter really come into effect

7) cruise with a buddy any time any where.

8) (a) Your wife can go to the mall and a coffee in style with her best girlfreind as long as she abides by rule 8 (b) which is: When she takes the car she must find a parking spot that doesn't have a car within 300 feet of her

9) Insist to teach her to drive standard on a rental or send her to driving school because you love her so much and you know she can do it because she is so much smarter and yintelligent than her freinds.

After all is said and done, you'll use this car the most and enjoy your life more. Do not, REPEAT, do not by a station wagon or some basic sedan. They depreciate faster and you both won't have as much fun as the RX-8 because it can do all the things a sedan can do.

You'll thank me in the end because you will not find a better all around car for that price or 10K more. Good luck.

You really don't need that spare tire in there. 2 golf bags and then some fit in the trunk just fine and your kids won't be in strollers forever!

Also, show your wife this:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/baby-friendly-7621/

We put our 3 month old in a infant rear-facing car seat in the rear, no problem. We use an interchangeable base because we use both cars. The rear facing seat won't let you push the seat back all the way, but this isn't an issue for her - only for me. Baby loves the rotary.. puts her right to sleep.

Three kids: 10, 7 and 5. Perfect car when it's just one adult with the kids, plus we have a minivan for when all five are together. Very happy with it. Kids love it. I have a hunch that the bucket seats in back make them feel very grown up and, well, almost in control, somehow.

At the risk of getting flamed...is there any interest in a clamp on Miata like chrome trunk luggage rack? I use my 8 as my prime car and while the trunk is fantastic...there are occasions when a luggage rack might come in handy ...thoughts?

Shamblerock.....spot-on!

94medition, don't let the spare tyre issue dissuade you. The can of goop will get you out of 95% of the situations you will find yourself in. Just keep your tyre pressures up and the tread above minimum and you'll be fine. I haven't carried a spare, in this or any of my other cars, for years.

My two boys (11 and 9) love the car, so does my wife.

Gomez.

I am a single father of 2 kids, 6 and 9 years old. They love the car, and it is better than any 2-door in car pool. They are both very comfortable, and can get in and out witrh ease. And what a way to pick up the single moms at the same time.(don't tell that to your wife)

I have a 6 year old. The only problem I've had so far has been telling him NOT to put his muddy shoes on the leather seats.

I guess I just need to bring a stick of pain and remind him I can beat him while driving if he keeps kicking my chair with dirty shoes.





Just kidding. He loves the car, and has been pretty good with it.

98medition - if the response hasn't convinced you to go for it yet, here's some advice off the UK RX8 site:

So go on Dad - your kids will love you for it :)

94 ...
I got my Rx-8 last week , I flew to Dallas and pick it up . I had my mother with me , and in Dallas I picked up my nephew and niece ( 7yrs old and 9yrs old) . We drove to Waco and saw my son play football and then drove the next day about 8 hours home, with all 4 of us in the car . I'll second whomever mentioned the "kicking" in the back seat , my niece did that the whole trip with me telling her to stop ! I was however , amazed that everyone was comfortable for the trip . The kids even crashed in the back for a while . I wouldn't want to take them on a cross country trip ! But we had all out stuff , stuff we bought and it all fit in the trunk . I don't think you would have a problem...actually , you would be the coolest dad in town dropping them off at day car ...other dads will be pissed at you ! :)

I routinely use the car with my three girls - backseat is not a problem.

My son's teachers always ask about the car when I drop him off at school. Today I dropped him off with a Saturn and his teacher wanted to know what happened to the RX-8. heh

Thanks again for all the replies. Just showed my wife this forum. She thought some of them are pretty entertaining. Well, She is not 100% convinced since she thinks some responses are probably bias. However, I did kind of get her okay on getting the RX8 under one condition - I have to give up my Miata in the near future. She is uncomfortable with not being able to drive the other cars in case she needs to. She doesn't enjoy driving to begin with, so, teaching her or sending her to school to learn stick shift is out of the question. I hate to give up my Miata, but in reality I rarely get to drive it since I started to drop my son to daycare. I actually thought about saving it for my son. Well, looks that is not going to happen.

DrRockin99, which dealer in Dallas did you get your RX8? '04 or '05? Do you mind telling me how much you paid for it? I think I probably will get the '05. However, since '05 just came in not long ago, I don't think the dealers are willing to deal. I checked the inventory on Mazda website, there is only one '05 with the exact option I wanted. I may have to wait for a couple of months.

I was in a similar position about a year ago- I had a '96M-Edition that I loved dearly, and my wife has an Explorer. I started feeling the waters with her and the RX8, and she warmed up to it pretty quickly... especially being able to cart both of our daughters around in it (compared to the Miata), one being in a car seat. I was hooked after the test drive, and decided that rather than try to juggle 3 cars with a 2 car garage, I sold my Miata. I thought I would miss it more, but the RX8 is so much fun the only times I miss the Miata is at the autocross track, and the occasional summer day when I pass a Miata with their top down.

Anyway, a year later and my wife now loves the RX8 (especially driving it), and now that all the safety data is out on rollover and crash protection it's really a no-brainer. In fact in the snow, with good snow tires, the RX8 is more capable than our 4WD SUV.

As for your wife not driving stick, are you being asked to get an auto RX8? If so, be sure to test them both... they're very different in their power and gearing. I'm assuming your Miata is a 5sp, and I personally think half the fun of the rotary is having 9500rpm to shift through 6 gears with... I can't imagine it without an MT.

Good luck...

I don't have kids, but that would be so cool to drop your kids off at school in an RX-8. Their friends would go crazy, especially when that suicide door opens! Personally, I wouldn't want to sit in that back seat for any length of time. But I'm the driver, so I guess I don't have to! :D

The seat is comfortable enough. The headroom and legroom are decent for a car in this class. But you can't see a thing back there.

G8rboy, thanks for sharing your experience. Your wife knows how to drive a stick? Good for you (and her)! Maybe I will teach my wife to drive stick with the Miata before I sell it. I will only get a RX8 with MT (no offense). This is one compromise I will not make. If I am force to buy an AT, I frankly will not consider RX8.
Like many of you, I have to say I am hooked after the test drive. I think I will go with just the Sport package. I first sat in a GT at the showroom and even after lowered the seat all the way down, my hair still touched the top (don't like to recline the seat too much). The one I test drive was also a GT, but it was ok. Maybe its seat just got a little more travel? Besides IMO the Sport package is the most bang-for-the-buck :)

Yeah- I taught her back in college many years ago... she loves it. The grin on her face when she chirps the tires in 2nd and 3rd is priceless : ). Good idea about teaching her on the Miata... it's such an effortless clutch and transmission, not to mention bulletproof. I agree about the headroom in the GT... I'm only 5'6'', but also like to sit fairly upright- there's not that much headroom with the moonroof in there.

No offence to our AT brethren but IMO this is a wise choice. IMO there are better AT cars out there...

Single father here too. Good terms with the ex - she went cruising in my 8 the other night (and got a parking ticket lol)

Anyway - i can attest to this comment. Cute kid & the 8 = drooling women...single mums, singles, taken but bored etc...i've had more women come up to me and coo when the tyke is in the back or even when they notice the carseat. They come to look at the car, notice the kid/seat, check ring finger...man it's crazy.

I'm on a sabatical from women but that may have to end soon...

Cute kid & 8 = drooling women? I hope my wife is not reading this. I better make sure I don't forget to wear my ring. :D

Now that's the right attitude 94Medition! Your starting to see the benefits clearly!

The second baby seat will be a problem.

Check to see how a infant seat works behind you.

Then the problem comes when the kid gets bigger and you have to use a regular car seat.

If there is enough room now for the kid behind you for his legs and feat, then buy the car.

Get some velcro and black vinal or black cloth. Use that on your seat and you get zero scuffs and scratches.

I think the Mazda 6 is your best bet and you won't regret it.

http://www.stopngo.com/plugger.htm

With this kit and/or the goo you should be just fine. Without the spare, the trunk is surprisingly large, the challenge is the opening is a bit narrow.

I have two young kids (4 and 6) they love the car. I find it easy to get them into their seats.......no matter what car you get, the kids will always kick the back of your seat if they can reach it.

Does it have to be your kid? I wonder if I could pay some kid to sit in the back seat!

I have a 3-year-old son and another one on the way. No regrets or problems with the 8 here.

However, if my wife didn't have a Forester (or other wagon), I might not have bought the 8... sometimes we need to haul more stuff than can fit in the 8, like when taking our trash/recycling to the dump every couple weeks or buying something large that needs to go in the hatch or on top of the car (like a large TV, bunk-bed mattress or xmas tree... though honestly, that only happens once every year or so).

Other than that, we can use either vehicle pretty much everytime we need a car... We routinely fit a shopping cart's worth of groceries (along with all of us) and have gone on weekend trips in the 8 (though once we have 2 kids, I think the Forester will be better suited for that). I even fit a computer desk (disassembled) into the passenger side of the 8... in fact, I couldn't have carried it in my wife's Forester without folding down the rear seats, which can't be done with a child-seat in place. So the 8 can actually be more functional than a station wagon (thanks to the suicide doors).

Anyway, my son loves riding in the car and it's roomier than it looks. Good luck!