First of all...thank god for this site...I've already got a lot information on car seats, leather protection, etc. I was hoping to get some more info on infant car seats, trunk space, and if this car can work as a family sedan.

My situation is that my wife is expecting twins. We need a new car/SUV, but my condo in Chicago only has one parking spot, so whatever we get will have to be an all in one vehicle. We both really love the 2007 G35 Sedan 6MT. My wife is the one that wants the manual tranny! We know that our rear facing car seat (I bought one just to take on test drives) will fit in the back seat. We have to go with the Graco Snugride because only Graco and Peg Perego make a double stroller that fits two infant car seats. My wife and I aren't that tall, so I'm not worried about putting two rear facing seats in the back. However, I'm very worried about hauling two kids, a double stroller, baby gear, and all our other stuff around on weekend trips.

Can anyone provide some advice on how they handle multiple children (at least two car seats), baby gear, strollers, etc.? How is the trunk space and any hints on overall cargo space? I know the trunk will fit the double stroller, but it may not hold anything more than that.

My other option is an Acura RDX which guzzles more gas, is not as fun, but may be more practical. I'm going to buy the RDX this Saturday unless I can find some real people that are using the G35 as their only family car.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated, cause I really want the G35...but I just can't justify it!

 

Might better double check on the guzzle gas thing. The G35 doesn't do as well as the sticker leads you to believe. It's definitely more fun, though!

 

The biggest issue with using the 07 G as an all in one vehicle is the other stuff. I have no problem fitting two carseats in the G, even the britax regent which is a very large booster/carseat. The problem will be fitting the dual stroller in the trunk along with the other stuff. If I remeber, I'll see if our dual will fit in the trunk.

Oh yeah, and the gas thing.... Don't even get the G if you want to get over 20 mpg in the city, it ain't going to happen.

 

If you do very much in the way of driving travel I would discourage you greatly from a G if you have twins on the way. Even if not, I think it would be a difficult road ahead. The G has great trunk space but you guys are going to have so many things that first year to carry around that unless you don't ever take the kids to the grocery store or shopping, you are going to have some space problems. Yes, the car will hold all the "baby gear" but you aren't going to have much room otherwise.

I would encourage you to get an FX or something of sort. Don't think anyone makes one in a manual - but don't quote me on that - but you will be much more comfortable in the end.

 

I second everything Cheryl wrote. You'll fit everything, but it will be a tight fit. Other than that: Why RDX? Why not FX?

 

I personally think the truck is pretty small for the size of the car. It is one of the things I am dissapointed in wiht the G

 

+2 on Cheryl's comments. The G's trunk is definitely a decent size, but factoring in a double stroller, diaper bags, and all the other stuff that is required it may be quite tight on space. I think it's doable, but not optimal. As the others mentioned, why not look at an FX35?

 

Btw, congrats on your upcoming twins!!

 

I feel somewhat qualified to offer my inputs since I have a baby girl and my wife and I have been on day trips with her.

bottom line:
a. while the car seats will fit comfortably
b. you will need a small stroller, from what I see in the malls today, all those huge strollers for twins are probably not going to fit
c. car is not baby friendly... maybe its my driving, but the stiffer suspension, the super sensitive brakes and throttle, mean that passengers have a slightly jerky ride because of the awesome power and braking capacity on tap. My wife had a tough time feeding her in the back seat while the car was moving. something we do routinely in my other SUV.
d. moreover baby + wife + baby items = scratches on car. its just hard not to be super careful to make sure any zippers, strollers, wife's handbag etc. dont scratch the paint.

the other day the wife placed a coffee cup on the trunk... and when it began to slide she moved it back up (sliding it all the way). I was emotionally scarred.

 

Oh dear God! That's painful to read! Let's assume that was a symptom of mommy brain.

 

Thirded. When I have my seat, wheel, and seat back all adjusted to the way I want, I can barely reach down to tie my shoelaces.

The FX would probably be much more suited to what you're looking for.

I believe FX's are auto. There is nothing wrong with the RDX however.

 

Thanks for all the comments/inputs/thoughts. The FX35 is above my price point. I admit that it is a very nice SUV and would suit my needs. I did a quick compare on Edmunds.com and it seems like they are very comparable according to the specs. However, the FX35 seems a bit bulky for my parking spot. If I start creeping up in price, I’m going to start thinking about the M35! I’ve done quite a bit of research on the RDX, and even though it isn’t the vehicle I REALLY want, it’ll have to make due. RAV4, CRV, CX-7, etc. all don’t have the style and substance that I’m looking for. The MDX, Lexus, BMW are all too high in price.

Even with all of your input, I still feel the urge to buy the G35 sports sedan. I’m a former Bimmer guy, and the G35 seems all the car that my 328Ci was for a much better price.

Can anybody give me positive feedback to buy the G35?!?

I tried, but I’m now no longer 50/50 on the choice. I’m more like 80/20 in favor of the RDX. I guess my 6MT black on black will have to wait…so sad.

 

I encourage you to go drive an FX. I think you will be surprised at how much like a car it really is. You may well be able to find a used one in a reasonable price range. I'd personally rather go used than drive something that drives like a truck again.

 

how about a nissan murano. you can get a full loaded SE(and i mean to the brim) for a couple grand less than an rdx. plus you'll have tonnes of room and you're children will have room to grow. we've had to and the guys on the murano forum that have purchased 07's say it's absolutely solid now(as compared to the squeek and rattle prone murano's of earlier years). seriously go check it out. it's probably one of the most usable sav's on the market at the moment.

 

Although I don't have a G35 yet my wife has an RDX, base model. I have a two year old boy and the seat (Britax Bouleard) fits nicely. Cargo room is adequate. I would suggest that you buy the stroller first and take it with you to the dealer and check out the fit. Overall the RDX is a very nice vehicle. Performance is good. Interiors are nice.

I have the Peg Perego stroller and Infant seat combo, the quality is top notch. As for the seats do a search for safety ratings. The Graco seats are not rated among the safest. On the other hand, the Peg-Peregos are always rated among the best.

On the fuel economy aspect, in the RDX we’ve been averaging around 19 MPG, mostly city driving and pretty brisk driving when I’m at the helm. I love that Turbo sound.

William