Less practical than touted: not getting rx-8 now (more)
01-03-2007 | 11:14 PM
#53
Mu ha.. ha...
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
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From: Cali
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.
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.
01-03-2007 | 11:30 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by DaveCM203
I must learn to look at the post dates. 
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.
01-03-2007 | 11:39 PM
#56
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From: The Bay Area
Originally Posted by plking
I need a 4-door car as I have two small children and am now having to take them to school, etc.
Originally Posted by plking
oI realized this and was OK with it, but then I saw that the back seat is divided...So, my conclusion is that Mazda is being somewhat deceptive when describing the RX-8 as seating "4 adults." Most people are interpreting this as a statement of large back seat size but i think the hidden message is that it really doesn't work for someone who wants a sports car but has to take kids along.
I hope this helps you justify (not)buying the car. Let us know what you decide on?
01-03-2007 | 11:39 PM
#57
i pwn therefore i am
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,332
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From: Delaware, USA
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
couple of suggestions:
a) lighten up
b) learn to have a little fun
a) lighten up
b) learn to have a little fun
Last edited by saturn; 01-03-2007 at 11:42 PM.
01-03-2007 | 11:46 PM
#58
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Originally Posted by Phantom Menace
I hope this helps you justify (not)buying the car. Let us know what you decide on?
01-03-2007 | 11:57 PM
#59
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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.
Originally Posted by ½mv²
If you don't trust the spacing between the airbag and your child,
Originally Posted by ½mv²
If they aren't in child seats, just have them get in on the same side and have one of them climb over the center console.
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.
01-03-2007 | 11:59 PM
#60
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From: The Bay Area
Originally Posted by Cool-Blue-Dad
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.
01-04-2007 | 01:53 AM
#62
i pwn therefore i am
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From: Delaware, USA
Originally Posted by Cool-Blue-Dad
s'cool man - it would be so boring if you didn't care. 
01-04-2007 | 02:04 AM
#63
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Originally Posted by saturn
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.
01-04-2007 | 03:07 AM
#65
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From: The Bay Area
Originally Posted by saturn
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.
Just a resemblance I noticed.
01-04-2007 | 12:18 PM
#66
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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, 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...
01-04-2007 | 12:43 PM
#67
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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.
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.
01-04-2007 | 01:33 PM
#68
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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.
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.
01-05-2007 | 02:06 PM
#71
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From: Chicago
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".
PS Cool-Blue-Dad: I have to say I to liked the old picture better, the new one is too "ZZ-Top at NASCAR".
01-05-2007 | 11:23 PM
#72
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Originally Posted by andone
yeahr but the S4 is in a very different price class ....
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)
01-05-2007 | 11:38 PM
#73
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Originally Posted by Raptor75
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.
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.
Originally Posted by Raptor75
PS Cool-Blue-Dad: I have to say I to liked the old picture better, the new one is too "ZZ-Top at NASCAR".
01-06-2007 | 12:30 AM
#74
Guns, God, and Country
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 603
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From: Hidalgo
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.
