nala

Hey all -

So my wife is way pregnant, and she's thinking that the Fit is insufficient to carry the newborn in. Apparently she thinks it's safe enough for me, just not the baby.

So we're looking at options. Safety is #1, Fun to drive #2, Practicality #3. We're not really into "luxury" cars

I'm thinking the top candidate is a 2009 WRX. It will have 265 horsepwer and revised firmer suspension. Also the practicality of a hatch and very safe.

I've never looked at an RX-8, which seems to be the closest thing to the S2000 (which I really miss) with a backseat - anyone have experience with those?

Mazdaspeed3 was in consideration but ruled out because trumped by the new WRX for around the same price...

Kind of ruled out STI/Evo for the time being because of price, insurance, attention,
etc..

Anything else come to mind that's safe, fun, relatively inexpensive and fits a car seat?

Oh, and anybody want to buy a modded Fit?

David1

What about the BMW 328 Touring. I am looking at one of those to replace the X3 in a few months. Drove an RX8 a while back and it didn't do anything for me. Is the WRX the new GT model? I would also look at the Cadillac CTS with employee pricing right now. Drive it and it will surprise you. I also like the new Mazda 6. You can also get into an MB C class.

MyOldDC2

rx8 is rear wheel drive (I think) - not good for winter. IMO the Fit is perfect for families ... small, fuel efficient and safe enough for Honda to put their stamp on. The WRX would be a fine upgrade though.

Congrats and good luck!

Ubetit

Over-priced civic

nala

Hard for me to justify the price of a 328, c-class or cts at the moment (though I admit I haven't looked at hte employee pricing of the cts. Kind of on an anti-luxury kick now. Trying to keep it relatively simple.

The GT version of the Impreza is like last year's WRX with an automatic transmission. The 2009 WRX gets a lot more power and upgraded suspension and summer tires - that's the one I would go for.

I definitely don't mind rear wheel drive - I would put winter tires on anything I get and had no problems in winters in the S2000.

David1

JCW Mini Clubman

S2K_Cincy

Check out the new 09 Mazda6....that seems like its one heck of a car.

Mchester

Safety being your #1 concern, you should check out this website.

http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/saferc...0002fd17898RCRD

I'd recommend the CRV as Hondas best overall family vehicle. Great safety (5 stars across the board), very good handling (for an SUV), great driver visibility, plenty of space for the kid and all their stuff, fuel economy isn't bad, and it looks pretty good too (again, for an SUV).

The ONLY issue with the Fit is the 3 star rating it received for rear passenger side impact. This is no doubt being addressed, but since that's where the car seat would likely go, I'd wait to see how well this was addressed in the 09M FMC.

nala

Thanks all. JCW Clubman sounds cool, but for the price.

Should have also mentioned, it has to have a manual tranny (does Mazda 6?) - otherwise we may very well just get a CRV and call it a day. My wife still LOVES her manual Element SC.

The rear crash test ratings on our Fit are indeed what're worrying us (it's not just her), particularly considering the Fit is otherwise so small and light.

thebig33tuna

mazdaspeed6? great performance, AWD, manual...

edit: nevermind, too expensive. WRX is my vote.