yupididit wrote:
scardeal wrote:
In reply to darkbuddha:
Is a fusion a decent handler?
Not at all lol
Yeah, stock, not terriffic, but it's a modern car, so it simply isn't completely miserable either. More importantantly, there are parts to significantly improve their handling, for relatively reasonable coin, and none of which should destroy daily driving manners. Check out Steeda for Springs, dampers, sway bars, camber arms, etc...
https://www.steeda.com/2010-2012-suspension
BTW, most of the cars I listed are in that 10-15 year old range, and most are well under the $5k price. I chose them with the understanding that even a pretty decent one is probably going to need some maintenance and upgrades.
BTW, here is the kinda thing I was thinking:
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/6100905088.html
Stampie wrote:
The four door answer is Q45.
All the cool kids are doing it.
Actually, those kids are not cool and no one is doing it.
Shopping for a $5k 4-5 door DD for myself, that can also be a fun autocrosser and I've narrowed it down to a Mazda 3, Ford Focus, or Civic.
I'm curious if the Fit is actually large enough. Before getting the RX-8, I recall looking at a 1st-gen Fit, and that didn't cut it in terms of rear seat room. 2nd gen is a little bigger, but that's definitely one where you need to test fit the seat.
TGMF wrote:
How tall is the driver? I'm in the same situation myself, but Im 6'4. Every car i get in the drivers seat is slid all the way back. That being the case, very few of the cars listed in this thread have leg room for a child, much less a car seat.
I'm just a little shorter than that, and opted for a Buick Regal with the 3800 SC. Plenty of room up front with enough room to put a front-facing child seat behind the driver (apparently the related Grand Prix GTP is a few inches longer and gives even more room). I wish they came in stick shift, but you can get a really nice one under the $5K budget. It's got decent power with the supercharger, and surprisingly less terrible handling than you'd expect with a Buick. Although like a lot of FWD GM products they tend to want to swap ends if you drive them in anger and don't give it some gas through the corner.
A stick shift Accord might not be too bad a family car choice, either.
Our Mazda 6s wagon has been fun to drive and the rear facing seat fits behind the passenger just fine. v6, 5-speed manual, decent handling. My wife is only 5'2" so she doesn't need a ton of leg room. $5k will buy you a very nice one.
Why do people always forget about the GTI? MkV or newer, please.
smokindav wrote:
Why do people always forget about the GTI? MkV or newer, please.
When trying to put a rear-facing car seat behind a normal-sized adult the GTI doesn't even close to being a reasonable choice. Nor do any of the other compact 4-doors being mentioned.
The E38 mentioned earlier in this thread would do it, although I don't think I'd care to own a $5K example of such, it's likely to involve a lot of deferred maintenance. Chargers and Tauruses and other full-size sedans would do it as well. The GS400 and Q45 sound promising, although I've never actually sat in either. Some mid-sizes have surprisingly small amounts of rear legroom (I'm looking at you E39 5-series). An A6 would do it, although again, a $5K example of that is scary.
Honestly? I'd buy a minivan for a couple years and just live with it until you're out of the rear-facing stage. It's the right tool for the job, that's what they're for.
I love my Acura TL with the 6 speed, fits your params
Matt B
SuperDork
5/4/17 12:27 p.m.
If you want to autocross with it, I'd be looking for what comes with a manual. Probably your two best options are the Acura TL and G35. The Infiniti looks more cramped, but honestly I'm not sure. If you don't want something huge then test-fitting those seats is going to be a must of course.
Personally, I'm not a believer that kids just absolutely necessitate huge cars. I drive my twins to daycare everyday in rear-facing seats in a WRX hatchback. I'm 5'11" so the seating position is just a little more upright than I'd do otherwise, but perfectly comfortable. As always, YMMV.
In reply to Matt B:
Product of the '00s and fearful parents. Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s my parents and all their friends drove us around in crap can Fords, Hondas, and Chevys. They're philosophy was not to buy nice vehicles as long they're kids were gonna mess them up with spilled milk, Cheerios, and unspeakable body fluids.
I heard the Malibu Maxx has an enormous amount of rear seat leg room.
In reply to codrus:
I have a rear facing in the back of my Mazda6 right now. It also fit in my GS430 just fine. I wouldn't enjoy sitting in front of it, at 6' tall, but my 5'2" wife has no problem fitting comfortably.
penultimeta wrote:
In reply to Matt B:
Product of the '00s and fearful parents. Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s my parents and all their friends drove us around in crap can Fords, Hondas, and Chevys. They're philosophy was not to buy nice vehicles as long they're kids were gonna mess them up with spilled milk, Cheerios, and unspeakable body fluids.
Seems like car seats have also gotten much larger since the 80s, and kids are in them much longer too.
penultimeta wrote:
In reply to Matt B:
Product of the '00s and fearful parents. Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s my parents and all their friends drove us around in crap can Fords, Hondas, and Chevys. They're philosophy was not to buy nice vehicles as long they're kids were gonna mess them up with spilled milk, Cheerios, and unspeakable body fluids.
I try not to transport my kid in my crapcans. I want him to be in the safest car we own. He never been on the street in my w123 just looped around the cul-de-sac.
Brian
MegaDork
5/4/17 3:42 p.m.
+1 on a 7th gen Accord with a 5 speed.
Incorrect. There are threads all over the VW forums about this topic and rear facing child seats fit just fine. In fact, I had one in my MKV Jetta when my son was born.
codrus wrote:
smokindav wrote:
Why do people always forget about the GTI? MkV or newer, please.
When trying to put a rear-facing car seat behind a normal-sized adult the GTI doesn't even close to being a reasonable choice. Nor do any of the other compact 4-doors being mentioned.
The E38 mentioned earlier in this thread would do it, although I don't think I'd care to own a $5K example of such, it's likely to involve a lot of deferred maintenance. Chargers and Tauruses and other full-size sedans would do it as well. The GS400 and Q45 sound promising, although I've never actually sat in either. Some mid-sizes have surprisingly small amounts of rear legroom (I'm looking at you E39 5-series). An A6 would do it, although again, a $5K example of that is scary.
Honestly? I'd buy a minivan for a couple years and just live with it until you're out of the rear-facing stage. It's the right tool for the job, that's what they're for.
Because there is truth in the statement "it doesn't matter what you drive as long as you drive it on the edge," I suggest a long-wheelbase E38, and I know where you can get one that is caught up on maintenance. And it will be enough below your $5k cap that you can buy dedicated autocross wheels/tires.
Bam!
Couldn't give my V away for $6k.
In reply to Smarta$$ McPoopyPants:
For reals? What did you do with it?
Grizz
UltraDork
5/4/17 5:58 p.m.
codrus wrote:
Honestly? I'd buy a minivan for a couple years and just live with it until you're out of the rear-facing stage. It's the right tool for the job, that's what they're for.
Look for a turbo one and autocross it.
