Car for baby duties

raised by monkeys · 06-07-2016, 09:57 PM

I want a car with some street credability but reliable, safe and baby appropriate. My partner has a 2011 SR5 so I guess if we go away and need the space we have that. Guessing leather is a good option because it's easier to keep clean?

Keen to hear opinions from members using baby seats.

AndyXR6T · 06-07-2016, 10:01 PM

I had the good old FG xr6t for a couple years with 3 kids in the back. Only 2 needed seats but still they all bunched in neatly. Now I have a PX ranger dual cab, even more room again!

Yellow_Festiva · 06-07-2016, 10:42 PM

I was going to suggest a SUV or similar with a little extra ride height.

The extra height is a blessing when you need to contort your body in all sorts of angles to remove a baby from the car - even harder when they are asleep!

I have an Outlander and the 2nd row with the baby seat is able to slide back and forth a good half foot. Slide it fwd and bubs is able to play with the toys hanging off the back of the front seat, slide it back and you have a ton of room to reach in and do your stuff.

FPV+fteT3 · 06-07-2016, 10:51 PM

My Forrester arrives tomorrow daughter said I needed a sensible car for my new grandson to ride in. The ute and Lotus dont do baby seats. Had a subie impreza a few years ago very reliable got the forester to have the ability to go over the beach and odd bush track. IMO the problem with a high SUV is bench pressing the kids up and into the seats.

vztrt · 06-07-2016, 10:52 PM

Falcons are good. Terri is better. My Falcon ute is the second car for my daughter.

Im impressed with the Focus in terms of space. Might be a good excuse to get an st!

raised by monkeys · 06-07-2016, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Falcons are good. Terri is better. My Falcon ute is the second car for my daughter.

Im impressed with the Focus in terms of space. Might be a good excuse to get an st!

Funny you say that, was looking at xr5t and st's which seem to be well priced

vztrt · 06-07-2016, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Funny you say that, was looking at xr5t and st's which seem to be well priced

Actually thought about replacing the ute with a new st when it got serviced.....but not really keen on losing a 270kw engine.

The thing is with them is it will take a full size pram with extra room. The car seat i have now fits well (same in is in the mil's focus) in one. For my family it works well as a second family car. With the st it would go well if you wanna have some fun.

Pepscobra · 06-07-2016, 11:53 PM

We have 3 kids under 3 yrs old and for us, there's no better choice than the Territory.
Depends on what you wish to spend of course and what size vehicle you are comfortable with.
For some, the Terry may be too big. We also have a Ford Escape and I think it is an awesome all round package; not too big, not too small, powerful, decent looking, safe and capable off road.

raised by monkeys · 07-07-2016, 12:05 AM

As I say, we have an SR5. I think half the problem is I'm not quite willing to give up the toys just yet so it'd need to be a well rounded car. ST's do look good the more I look and (hopefully) little gap from the ute.

XR6WGN · 07-07-2016, 12:20 AM

Most people would disagree with me but I believe most cars on the road today are absolutely useless for Family / Baby duties. Yeah they may look big inside but once you have two or three kids across the back seat, strollers and necessary clothing etc in the back, there is not much room for anything else. Daughter had a 7 seat Territory - only one kid at the moment but one trip up to the Barossa, 6 + bubs - just enough room for a yuppie pusher and a bag behind the third row seats. I did not feel comfortable at all. (I'm not anti-suv, I just feel that for their size, they just don't have the usable space for a large family)

I took my three kids / wife and two Old English Sheepdogs everywhere in my EF XR Wagon - boy you could pile some gear in those - one reason while I still have it.

arronm · 07-07-2016, 12:30 AM

Territory Ghia turbo.. Leather, comfort, and smoke SS commodores...... ( while carrying motorbikes)

STEALTHY · 07-07-2016, 01:12 AM

F6X. Leather, comfort, looks, and smokes Territory Ghia turbo's ;)

arronm · 07-07-2016, 01:19 AM

Wont smoke mine, But F6-X now, old, crap front suspension and ugly interior. Was close to buying one until I looked inside and then found out about MK2 suspension.

SY MK2 is the territory to buy..

STEALTHY · 07-07-2016, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arronm

Wont smoke mine, But F6-X now, old, crap front suspension and ugly interior. Was close to buying one until I looked inside and then found out about MK2 suspension.

SY MK2 is the territory to buy..

lol come on mate, we cant play stock vs modified ;)

arronm · 07-07-2016, 01:30 AM

What about the enemy. VE or VF wagon, depending on how much you want to spend

arronm · 07-07-2016, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHY

lol come on mate, we cant play stock vs modified ;)

True. I used to think a territory was a box on wheels, now I reckon its an awesome car.

xisled · 07-07-2016, 11:15 AM

VE or VF wagon.

I have a VE wagon, the good thing is, we can put everything in the back of the wagon, Pram, car seat, baby bags around 2 plus at a time and still have plenty of room.

Also even the base model has good safety features.

xurbanx · 07-07-2016, 12:31 PM

What about a manual turbo Forester?
It's got room, street cred and you'll still be able to have fun

Tassie f100 · 07-07-2016, 01:45 PM

A single cab ute would be good.You can put the little darlings in the back and turn up the stereo,and have a peaceful drive

SB076 · 07-07-2016, 01:50 PM

Another vote for a Territory - great to drive, I have three kids (ages 6 and under) Have three baby seats in the middle, can throw a pram and the kids bikes in the back and still have room for nappy bags, change of clothes helmets, eskies etc

XB GS 351 Coupe · 07-07-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEALTHY

F6X. Leather, comfort, looks, and smokes Territory Ghia turbo's ;)

image

I would take one of these over any of the other cars mentioned here.

Any car is good for babies, we had a TE Cortina when my daughter was born, then an EL XR8, both were fine.

Just buy what ever car you like.

adumb · 07-07-2016, 02:20 PM

My vote for a SUV, mainly for the height, plus its much easier getting a pram etc out of a hatch than a boot.

Don't be fooled though, boots/cargo space looks big until there is a pram in there

tranquilized · 07-07-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xisled

VE or VF wagon.

I have a VE wagon, the good thing is, we can put everything in the back of the wagon, Pram, car seat, baby bags around 2 plus at a time and still have plenty of room.

Also even the base model has good safety features.

+1 for the Holden wagons.

The load space/opening of wagons/SUV's/Hatches are pretty much essential for prams and other baby stuff - a sedan would be a pain.

Everyone talks about the height of an SUV as an advantage but I know my partner for one has no interest in lifting the pram any higher than she must.

But the biggest benefit of a VE/VF wagon I reckon is when the baby is safe at home and you're in the mood for a little fun - there's a bit of mongrel lurking in them and they handle like a car, not a tractor.

sr71 · 07-07-2016, 05:46 PM

My suggestion is to go for 5 Star NCAP ( EuroNCAP,NHTSA,etc) Crash Safety Rating.
Precious Cargo!

**Polyal** · 07-07-2016, 05:58 PM

I think people put t much thought into this. Unless you are buying a sports coupe pretty much any modern car is big enough for 2-3 kids. We have had many cars whether owned, hired, borrowed and you only have issues if you have 4+ kids.

bernbo · 07-07-2016, 08:45 PM

Both my sister and I have territory's, can't speak highly enough. Heap of space, probably the best use of internal space than any of SUVS and so easy to load bubs and gear. A good mate had 4 kids under 5 years old and was happy to pay over 100 grand for a car but the only one that could fit 3 baby seats in the middle row was the territory. He still has it now, well over 10 years and had done huge kms, with just regular servicing as far as I know. Just puts a pod on top when he travels for some extra luggage room.

XB GS 351 Coupe · 07-07-2016, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sr71

My suggestion is to go for 5 Star NCAP ( EuroNCAP,NHTSA,etc) Crash Safety Rating.
Precious Cargo!

I think people are too precious these days, seriously, I survived just fine without 5 star NCAP, my kids survived just fine without and we are still doing great without it.

Adamz Ghia · 07-07-2016, 11:03 PM

A VFII SSV wagon. Can't go wrong with those things.

arronm · 07-07-2016, 11:11 PM

I agree, but depends how much you want to spend. May as well get SSV-R

vztrt · 07-07-2016, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adumb

My vote for a SUV, mainly for the height, plus its much easier getting a pram etc out of a hatch than a boot.

Don't be fooled though, boots/cargo space looks big until there is a pram in there

The pram will pretty much show how rubbish cargo space is in a car. These mid and small suvs are ordinary when you need space....same goes for the commodore hatch.