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View Full Version : Help! trying to pick new cars (LONG)


jewlsvern
12-09-2008, 01:11 AM
Okay, we are trying to figure out what cars we need. We currently drive a Mazda 5 and a Mazda CX-9.

Background information: DH works for Mazda therefore we need to get 2 Mazda's. We can keep them for 1 year max, we will get them in Feb/Mar, and all we be the new 09 models.We have to pick out our new cars this week so they can be ordered in time for us to get them before our year is up on our current cars. I have an EFTA (DD), Avenue (in DH's car) and a SR (new baby).

Here is my dilemma: I just found out we are expecting #2 in August so this effects what cars we can fit in. Yeah, we will only have 2 kids but we transport many other people. My mom lives with us and so she rides with us very frequently. She also watches my niece and nephew (in booster seats) after school so they also ride with us often (at least 4 days a week with my mom and I while DH is at work).

We were orignally thinking a Mazda 5 and a Mazda 3, but now with the new one coming it might change things.
So mom, my 2 kids and I will all fit in the Mazda 5 together, but there is no room for DH or a double stroller. I also can send the older 2 through to the back before the infant seat is in the base.

If we get a CX-9 we have one extra spot but the access to the third row is inhibited if I put 2 car seats in the 2nd row and I can't fit a RF seat in the third row. I thought about folding the 40% fold flat and putting a RF seat in the third row, but then I am back to only 6 spots, but a double stroller would probably fit in the back. Also wondering if an 8 yr old could fit next to a EFTA if the 40% part of the seat is folded flat.

We are also considering the new Mazda 6. It would be DH's car for work and stuff, but I am wondering if I can get a EFTA and a SR in and have a spot for an adult on the outboard side.

I think this will only be an issue for a while because I might turn DD FF when she turns 3 and new baby will be 7 months. I will probably get a GN for DD and move the new baby to the EFTA. But DD is only 22 lbs and she is 21 months old. I think at 3 she will still be small.
OH what do I do?

BW1426
12-09-2008, 02:08 AM
If you could swing the money for a radian, using a radian in place of the EFTA would most likely free up a lot of space.

I'd go with the CX-9 and a sedan or the Mazda 5.

vonfirmath
12-09-2008, 04:23 PM
Note: what we have is one car that fits the kiddo and one that doesn't. Parent with the kid gets the car that fits the kid. Perhaps you could go with a car that does not fit all of you and one that does?

emandbri
12-10-2008, 10:06 AM
How do you get to the back row on the CX-9? Does a side seat flip up? If it does from the pictures it looks like you could put one seat in the middle and one on the side and still get to the back. You might need smaller seats to make it work though.

jewlsvern
12-10-2008, 12:12 PM
How do you get to the back row on the CX-9? Does a side seat flip up? If it does from the pictures it looks like you could put one seat in the middle and one on the side and still get to the back. You might need smaller seats to make it work though.

When I put my niece's NBB in the middle spot the seat will not move enough to allow access to the back row. I guess 2 kids could climb back there, but I couldn't get there when I need to.

I'm sure the SR and base would not allow enough room either.

My EFTA is only a few months old. I really do not want to have to buy a new seat. It is from 8-08.