Suggestions for daily driver that can fit three car seats
 

I am looking for suggestions on an enjoyable daily driver that can fit three car seats. Right now I am looking at the Charger and the Magnum but I have no special attraction to the Dodge brand. I want something that doesn't totally suck (already have a mini-van) but I need something with more seats than the Miata if I need to pick the kids up for some reason. Even something like a G35 or other coupe might be acceptable. Used is better for my budget but haven't shopped around for cars in a while. Suggestions?

You can pick up 07 2.0L A4's for under 25k. Thats something I would look at.
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Don't buy a Magnum or Charger, please.

But I'm guessing you want something a little more grown up based on what you've been writing about. I'd recommend something diesel and turbo. Reason being, 50mpg and turbo is fun and responds well to any mods. Even if you don't want to mod, the oodles of torque will be plenty.

Look into find a Jetta TDi. Even that new Jetta TDi Sportwagen is pretty badass. If you want something more upscale, the E320 CDi Mercedes gets 32mpg and does it in style.

These new diesels ain't your grandpas diesels either. Quiet, smokeless, and smooth (clean too if you care). In fact my grandfather has a daily driver Jetta TDi that I am mad jealious of. He gets 50mpg and also put out nearly 300 tq at the wheels. Throw in the solid german feel and awesome leather interior, I'm sold.

I'll bet the G35 is gonna a squeeze on three car seats. Biggest issue is the rear facing - that puts the big part of the car seat(s) into the back of the front seats. I shop for similar type cars, only recreationally since as a family we only drive <5k/year... total. But the one car that I keep checking out is the 200x BMW M5s. I've seen them for sale around ATL under $20k with <100k miles. That's competitive with an 05-07 G35 (less miles) used. But I think that would fit the enjoyable requisite. I had an 02 IS300 and it was very enjoyable, just underpowered and would only fit one car seat, rear facing, if it was centered. I don't think any of the smaller sedans will work with the 3 car seats.

I believe Honda will be releasing a diesel Accord soon. that might be an option as well. My mom has a TDI Golf and it's a good DD.Just don't go auto wit a turbo diesel. Just kills the power delivery.

Buy yourself one of them Mini-Vans.
OOPS - I see that you already have one of them Mini-Vans :bowrofl:
You're in SoCal, so get a HUM - HUM
Or, get a custom-made Side Car for the Miata.

Look into the WRX wagons. I drove a buddy's and it wasn't a bad car stock.

My vote would be a newer wagon like someone else has said

A4
WRX
Jetta

Used caddilac CTS-V. Handles pretty damn good for a sedan, loads of power, and a fun comfy car. I've seen a few for under 30K

As much as I hate to say this, go drive a newer Santa Fe, they're not the nicest looking SUV's in the world but they are cheap, awesome warranty, drive great, comfortable, my mom loves hers and I drive it any chance I get despite how much I say I hate Hyundai. I'd buy one if I was looking at a newer DD and needed an SUV.

How about a little trailer you can pull behind the Miata which has a couple of car seats in it?

Are you wanting to put three car seats in back seat?

As a matter of fact I have one (SANTE FE) --
No problems what-so-ever. The only thing that I don't like is the front wheel drive. Gets about the same mileage as LOLA, and it is suprisingly very solid and comfortable

Its a bit broad since your not really listing a price range. Here are my picks:

1> Used Lexus GS
- the shit is comfy and reliable

2> Caddy CTS - Already said, but probably the best value if your picking up the 08 w/ the GM employee discount. There was an article about this in MT or Autoweek.

3> Subaru Wagon of some sort.
- Damn that shit is ugly, but functional.

My mom had one of the older body style ones and traded it in for some reason on a suzuki SX-4, hated that damn thing and just got a brand new 2008 Santa Fe Limited last week...all leather, sun-roof, tv/entertainment center int he back (cna even hook up PS2,, etc...) 4WD 7 speaker infinity stereo, thing is bad-ass and nicer than some BMW's I've been in.

You need a WAGON. MB E 4-Matic = bad ass kiddie hauler.

DONT FORGET THE VOLVO... v70's wagons 5 cyl turbo. good power/// awd xc.. if necessary. Even some models have rear facing cargo seats, chappys love em... 98-2000 on the cheap now....01-on...very comfortable. Only cause no one mentioned Volvo, and im at work now...

I doubt you could get three car seats in the back of a WRX, maybe a legacy... I have fit three in the back of an Accord and myCar, but three seats were a no go in an Audi A4.

http://www.miata.net/misc/mx5fun.html

crown vic

Saab Aero Wagon. Buy one 3 years old with 30,000 miles for about 1/3 original cost. Reliable, handle pretty well, comfortable, get 30+ mpg on the freeway, has some "cache", keeps you in a 4cyl turbo car with 250hp. For the features and the money they are tough to beat as a used car. You can buy a really good low mile newer one for well under 20k.

Don't like the wagon, the sedan is great too. That's what I had. Huge trunk, rear seats fold flat and open to the trunk to create a huge area for carrying crap. Our FX35 doesn't have nearly the interior room or loading space that that car had.

My first choice would be a subaru legacy - not too expensive, very functional, looks decent, and plenty of power/torque not to mention pretty roomy.

audi a4's are very nice too, but tend to be higher in price.

you're really not being specific about this, with the post you made the amount of cars that COULD work for you would exceed a list of 200+ so be more specific if you want good honest opinions

No, I really only need to fit two front facing car seats in the back as my youngest is 9 months old right now. I won't be buying this for at least another 6 months or so. The big reason is so I have a car to pick up all the kids in if the wife (with the minivan) is unavailable for some reason. My oldest is 4 right now and he can sit in the front seat with a booster and if I can turn the airbag off.

Good points. Let me clarify, I don't want to spend a ton on this car as we are going to be buying our first house when we move and probably won't have much of a downpayment available at that time.

I do like the A4 and I rode in one of the Volvo S70s and I was VERY impressed for a 5 cylinder :) The Jetta TDI is also interesting but I don't know much about them. I want something a little bigger than the Miata but not something huge. A smaller size sedan like what has been discussed is more what I am looking for. Keep the discussion coming.

used expedition, they are dirt ass cheap now.

holy shit you can find ~2003s for an average of $4000 on craigslist. wow lol. Alittle more that what I paid for my miata for more than double the car :eek5:

I hate vw's myself so the jetta is a no no in my book. if you are considering used/cheap that makes it pretty easy since lots of cars are for sale right now with no buyers due to economy, so people are willing to sell for great prices. Id hit up some sites like cl or autotrader or what not, see what's readily available, then do research on a car that is common for a good price, see if you would be ok with that. if you dont narrow down your own selection, you are more likely to find a good deal. once you narrow it down, you will be more inclined to pay more for a certain car over another one. thats just my .02

thats because they are gas guzzling huge peices of diarrheal shit

Mazda3. I've got a rear and a front facing car seat in the back. Fit is "snug" but there is enough room.

When gas is 10 dollars a gallon, you'll love your 600 mile range in a 12 gallon tank with the Jetta.

Honestly if I could have any car right now it would be a BMW 135d. Diesel has been a way of life in europe for a while now. Now that we're experiencing the same energy prices they've had for years, diesel is more appealing than a gas car.

335d and the 535d are the only diesels BMW is bringing here though :-/.

+1 for a Jetta, +1 for a Mazda3

I sold my 350z Vert for a Jetta due to having a newborn...I went for the safety factor mostly..

What?!? No one is suggesting a McLaren F1?

stfu retard. so he should spend 10k more to save $1000 a year in gas? look at how many are on the road, they are pretty damn good trucks.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...craigslist.jpg

After you better defined what you want, I am going to restate my choice. Saab 9-5 Aero. Good size but not a huge car. Has great interior room and versatility. I like the look and they aren't so common that you pass yourself all the time.

These are one of the most aerodynamic cars on the road. Because of that you get 25mpg around town. On the highway you'll easily get 30+. One road trip we got 550 miles on one tank.

They have every bell and whistle and are a fantastic buy used. The one pictured here is a 2004, one owner, 39K miles, still under warranty and they are asking 16,900. These are very reliable, safe and fairly fun to drive. Really strong turbo 4 banger in them.

Classy but just a little different. People don't know it's a cheap car used. I'd much rather drive that than an accord or camry. Much cheaper than a comparable audi or bmw. Far more reliable than any vw.

fuck you too bitch...and I still stand by my previous statement.

your statement sucks more dick than you do, and that's a lot.

oh wow.....very witty:jerkit:

they are giant pieces of shit...get absolute shit gas mileage, break down all the time, look like shit, and pretty much a pos to buy...and before you ramble on like the drama queen you are: my brother worked for ford 10 years and many friends families owned one, so yes I do know a little bit about them.

I think this is what that ^^^^ is in reference to, maybe not though :dunno:

+1 for Kplafin.

Maybe you guys missed this statement.

"A smaller size sedan like what has been discussed is more what I am looking for."

The guy isn't interested in an SUV. Your weinie waggling is unrelated to his thread. Why don't you start another one if you need to continue to discuss the various merits of big SUV's!

except you're missing THIS part:


and Im actually AGAINST the big suv idea while bryan is trying to push it....
oh well w/e....

Don't be too literal about your interpretations of the warning. We reserve considerable leeway in interpretation. This is a serious thread about picking out a family car. Once posidon42 picks out his car, then the two of you can post 1:1 scans of your dicks so we can all compare for ourselves. Until that goal is accomplished, stow the ------ry.

Besides, if you are going to insult someone, at least be creative about it. "fuck you too bitch" isn't very original. Around here, we pride ourselves on top-shelf insults, not this humdrum BS you can get at ClubRoadster... We enjoy seeing original, clever, well thought-out attacks that make us laugh.

For the record, Ford Expeditions are in fact gas guzzling huge pieces of diarrheal shit. Let it go.

i am not pro-suv by any means. but where else are you going to get a 4-5 year old car for $4000 that has more than enough room and is safe?

my dad also worked for ford for a long time. and my driveway right now is full of ford products, f-250, ranger, mark viii, and a 500. and every single one of them has been nothing but great, includeing our past fords.

noted. thank you:D

My vote would be either a MS3, or a nice WRX wagon.

07 wrx wagons are very cheap this time of year, (and pretty much every summer), and are much better looking than the 08's imo....torquey, very easy to drive, roomy, and with something as simple as turboback and tune can run low 13's....VERY nice car for what you are looking for

Back on topic, I have looked at the Mazda3 as a possible solution. We almost bought one two years ago but bought a Tribute instead. Wish I would have bought the 3 :) Still looking around and trying to figure out what would work. Any thoughts on a 2+2 like a G35 or something similar. I would LOVE to get a 135d or maybe a used 3 or 5 series withouth the darn iDrive. Wish I had the dough for it.

I say either the Mazda 3 or the Speed 3. I bought my 09' MS3 and it is definately a fun DD. I needed the extra room for when I do have kids and needed the room for the pets. Handling in the MS3 is unlike any FWD car I have driven. Very nimble and controllable. An intake will give you 11hp and 16lb tq. for the short ram. You wont be dissapointd in either.

Posiedon... I think people are giving you advice all over the place because they're all thinking you might value performance equally along the lines of a kid-hauler. A minivan is a good compromise of versatility and price... but lacks any measure of performance (which is also a measure of safety). When it comes down to a serious-god-damn-how-did-anybody-walk-away-from-that-accident, bigger and heavier is better... but it's also contrary to performance. I think you can find a happy medium.

I think if you were a little more clear about how much performance means to you, then it would narrow down the choices. If you're looking at G35's (even used)... I think we're talking in the $30k neighborhood.

A Mazda3 is a good COMPROMISE of price and performance... and is decently large enough in the back for 2 kids. Both the sedan and the 5door have plenty of room behind the seats or in the trunk for all the mandatory kid peripherals. They are however small... and even with some great safety features, might not be as safe as some other choices.

I've ridden in several years of WRX and no way in fucking hell would that make my short-list of performance kid-haulers. They exude cheapness in build quality.. the new models are a little better, but I'd be afraid to slam the door too hard for fear it would fall off.

And since we're talking short list... how about AWD, 40airbags, stability control, traction control, antilock, turbo(s), great stereo, looks like sex, big enough for the kids or 5 adults, good trunk, not too big, turning radius like a Miata... and your parents will be proud, all for $30k or less.

You'll have to settle for an '07 trade-in... but Volvo people trade-in for the latest model like wine&cheese NC drivers do... too bad they didn't import the wagon model to the states.

S60-R:

i still suggest getting a used car that you can pay cash for. a new car is nice, but if something was to happen, it is one less bill you have to worry about. newer taurus's, impalas, crown vics, and any suv are cheap as hell right now.

I can come up with about 1800 reasons why "newer taurus's, impalas, crown vics, and any suv are cheap as hell right now".

Yes that Volvo looks great, but I am looking for something a bit cheaper than that. If I bought something like that, I might not ever drive the Miata :) I drove behind a S60-R a couple of months ago. It looked awesome and I loved the forced induction smell from the exhaust, but he couldn't shake the itty bitty car riding his butt through the corners :D

I heard they have uber granny ecus which cut power the second the temp goes over 70 degrees too. And that even despite that they were overrated on power from the factory.