Does this mean if the carset don't fit the little tyke gets to ride on the bumper? Sorry, cheap shot... lol.

 

As of sometime last year, infant seats sold in the US needed to have the lower tethers too (technically, those manufactured after a certain date - I think you could still sell old tether-less stock until you ran out). The requirement for car manufacturers started a year or two prior to that.

 

Well, we survived our first road trip (300mi). Rear facing infant seat and all. My wife at 5'6" was ok in the passenger seat even though it was not optimal. Thank God for the nav system which kept her entertained for most of the trip (it's really cool and worth th price). I packed our peg perego venezia which is a decent sized stroller. It took a little maneuvering to get it into the trunk without scratching anything. Very tight fit getting it over the lip of the trunk but it did go in. I was also able to squeeze 2 overnight bags and the diaper bag in as well.

Once everything is packed, the ride is great. The car is incredibly smooth on the highway at any speed. Not a hint of vibration and dead on tracking. I don't know which sounded better -- the rotory or the bose.

This car allows me to have it all -- family and a sports car!

 

That is another reason why the RX8 is a better car then a 350Z!!!

 

What a difference a generation makes. MY '83 RX-7 had a 2 plus 2 (I added a back seat by taking out the storage containers.) MY two little girls(already out of baby seats) rode there until I bought the Miata in '90 (by then they were not little kids anymore.) With the roadster I needed an OTM and went through a series of family cars and now have a Tribute (a Mazda-Ford mini sport ute with airbags everwhere ) to complement the Miata and 2 RX-7s in the family. You guys are making me think the 8 could be a good substitute so I can (now safely) transport the littles in the family.

 

Hey Barb:

Are you the same Barb Beach of Miata Magazine and miata.net. I recognize that name from somewhere. I'm acutally considering trading in my M2 for the 8 as we just had our first kid who's now almost 7 mos old. Ahh, if only I could afford to have both.

 

Same Barb of Miata Magazine (Miata.net is Gary Fishman). Watch for a change...we are launching MazdaSport Magazine which will include Miata Magazine and Rotary as well. (It seems the natural progression and we have so much support in the community and at Mazda for the idea. There is a nice guy on this forum also doing a Rotary Tuner magazine so you will want to check this out as well. Look at it this way...get the RX-8 for the bay-E and then buy him (her) a neat Miata in 15 years

 

I have had my two year old in my 8 everyday for over a week now. We have a black Cosco model that fits very well (it's a little tight getting it installed, but managable). Works great compared to my old integra, where I had to climb in and heft her in behind the driver seat. The suicide doors are such a bonus for this. One thing to note: Since there isn't a tremendous amount of room between her feet and the back of the front seats, she tends to kick and push the seats. This has resulted in the leather coming loose from under the molded plastic "head rest". I haven't try to fix it yet, but I hope to be able to push it back underneath (until she knocks it out again).

One other note. Everytime we stop (at a light or whatever) she asks me "ready"? And as soon as we pull away she squeals in delight. She never did this in the Integra.

 

Trying to find which brands of convertible seats will fit the best in the 8. Right now I have an Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 for my Xterra, but I dont think it will fit in the rx-8. The seat needs to be rear facing. My daughter has out grown her infant seat, but still too young to forward face the larger seat.

Has anyone managed to fit one in without rendering the front passenger seat useless. (too far forward)?