LawTalkers - Cars and Other Driving Machines

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Yes. I recommend that you stick with the TL if it works in other respects. The rear seat space of a compact SUV is not going to be much better than the TL, and the cars you're looking at will be a quality downgrade from the Acura in every respect. The baby will be out of the infant carrier in six months, and will be in a forward-facing carseat by her first birthday. Even as a lease, it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Oh, and ditch the travel system stroller. Just keep a high quality umbrella stroller in your wife's trunk at all times.

Well, we still live in the city, so a sturdy stroller is necessary (although bringing it on trips is not). Is a Honda really a quality downgrade from an Acura? Don't get me wrong, I like the Acura and want to keep it.

NotFromHere

03-26-2008 05:04 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by John Phoenix
Model, options?

Um, I pretty much had to take it as it was ordered. They won't be doing special orders this year I don't think.
135i - pretty much fully loaded:
3.0L 24 valve, twin turbo, 306 hp, top speed 155.
sport package
Nav
premium package
paddle shifting
ipod connection
sirius connection - haven't paid for subscription yet.
upgraded stereo

Montego blue with taupe leather.
Like this one!!!!
http://www.2guysreview.com/images/BMW-135i.jpg

Atticus Grinch

03-26-2008 05:07 PM

Other thought: best practices dictate the center of the back seat. People with two kids instantly realize that with two carseat, neither one will fit in the middle position. Of course, people with two kids have one to spare, but don't kill yourself just to keep the baby in the middle. You'd be AMAZED at the QOL improvement by putting the kid on one side.

NotFromHere

03-26-2008 05:12 PM

Honda CRV? Toyota RAV4?

Quote:

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Well, we still live in the city, so a sturdy stroller is necessary (although bringing it on trips is not). Is a Honda really a quality downgrade from an Acura? Don't get me wrong, I like the Acura and want to keep it.

Only get the RAV if you don't mind cheezy plastic interior and paper-thin doors and seeing that every other driver in a RAV is a 16 year old girl. The CRV is closer to what you're used to. It's not perfect, but it's better.

Did you just call me Coltrane?

03-26-2008 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Other thought: best practices dictate the center of the back seat. People with two kids instantly realize that with two carseat, neither one will fit in the middle position. Of course, people with two kids have one to spare, but don't kill yourself just to keep the baby in the middle. You'd be AMAZED at the QOL improvement by putting the kid on one side.

I completely agree. However, it seems that the seat is much tighter and more stable in the middle (of the Acura). It moved around significantly when I had it installed on the left. That's probably user error, but I installed it where it seemed most stable.

Did you just call me Coltrane?

03-26-2008 05:22 PM

Honda CRV? Toyota RAV4?

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Only get the RAV if you don't mind cheezy plastic interior and paper-thin doors and seeing that every other driver in a RAV is a 16 year old girl. The CRV is closer to what you're used to. It's not perfect, but it's better.

Are you saying that a RAV4 will attract 16-year old girls?

Sweet.

bold_n_brazen

03-26-2008 05:38 PM

Quote:

Baby seat and booster seat fit just fine side by side with the baby seat in the middle.

Nonetheless, I agree with Atticus. It won't be easier to get the kid into an SUV. And the kid will only get easier to move around, not harder. Plus, those travel stroller things suck.

notcasesensitive

03-26-2008 05:42 PM

Honda CRV? Toyota RAV4?

Quote:

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Are you saying that a RAV4 will attract 16-year old girls?

Sweet.

Mr. Man had a CRV for 5 or so years. It was perfectly fine. And I couldn't even make fun of him for having an SUV because it got better gas mileage than my compact car. Sigh.

He grew annoyed with it when his commute changed to a 35-mile-each-way sort of endeavor, but before that it worked out quite well. Not particularly fun to drive, but comfortable for driver and passengers (and I would think far easier to maneuver a car seat in than the TL, though we never tested that purpose).

Of course, there are costs in changing cars as opposed to sticking with what you have, but you already knew that, I'm sure.

John Phoenix

03-26-2008 05:42 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Um, I pretty much had to take it as it was ordered. They won't be doing special orders this year I don't think.
135i - pretty much fully loaded:
3.0L 24 valve, twin turbo, 306 hp, top speed 155.
sport package
Nav
premium package
paddle shifting
ipod connection
sirius connection - haven't paid for subscription yet.
upgraded stereo

Montego blue with taupe leather.

Sounds good. What happened that you went to the dark side and got the automatic? (Flinty was right.)

It's a pretty fun engine, and you wouldn't know that it's a turbo from performance alone.

NotFromHere

03-26-2008 05:49 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by John Phoenix
Sounds good. What happened that you went to the dark side and got the automatic? (Flinty was right.)

It's a pretty fun engine, and you wouldn't know that it's a turbo from performance alone.

I had to. My commute is currently 45 mi/each way in Northern California traffic and I didn't want to develop an enormous left quadricep.
That said, it's the best automatic I've ever driven - it shifts exactly where I would and I always have the paddle option if I want to have more control. I drove one when they hit the dealership on the 15th, but the one I drove did not have the sport package or the sport seats. That said, it still kicked the shit out of the 335i coupe similarly equipped and kicked the entire shit out of the Mercedes C350.

What I really like is that there's really no acceleration curve. It's very linear and I still have ample pull at 80 mph (if I need it - which I do).

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)

03-26-2008 05:50 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I had to.

Bullshit. The only person who has that excuse is Alex Zanardi. Besides chicks with quads are hot.

Atticus Grinch

03-26-2008 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
Baby seat and booster seat fit just fine side by side with the baby seat in the middle.

This wasn't true of our Passat Wagon, nor of my sister's V70, nor of my mom's Grand Cherokee. I don't think it's even true of our Odyssey when the (admittedly narrow) removable center seat is installed. Maybe we have an infant carrier for fat babies. Fat babies have no pride.

Atticus Grinch

03-26-2008 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
I completely agree. However, it seems that the seat is much tighter and more stable in the middle (of the Acura). It moved around significantly when I had it installed on the left. That's probably user error, but I installed it where it seemed most stable.

I don't have a TL's back seat clearly in mind, but some executive sedans have a commodious ass-dimple. We rolled up a small towel to support the edge of the infant carrier's plastic shell base, and it worked quite well to stabilize and level.

They should sell custom bean bags for this purpose.

Flinty_McFlint

03-26-2008 08:00 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I had to. My commute is currently 45 mi/each way in Northern California traffic and I didn't want to develop an enormous left quadricep.
That said, it's the best automatic I've ever driven - it shifts exactly where I would and I always have the paddle option if I want to have more control. I drove one when they hit the dealership on the 15th, but the one I drove did not have the sport package or the sport seats. That said, it still kicked the shit out of the 335i coupe similarly equipped and kicked the entire shit out of the Mercedes C350.

What I really like is that there's really no acceleration curve. It's very linear and I still have ample pull at 80 mph (if I need it - which I do).

This makes me cry a little on the inside. On the outside, I am just pissed.

John Phoenix

03-26-2008 08:47 PM

Yay!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I had to. My commute is currently 45 mi/each way in Northern California traffic and I didn't want to develop an enormous left quadricep.

When do you get to enjoy what the car can do, if that's the majority of your driving? How long does 45 miles take in Northern California commuting? I'd ask if it's the reverse commute, but is there such a thing around there?

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