A lot of people may know me by now, i already feel apart of the family and i don't even own the new TL (YET)!!!!!! Anyway many of you know that i need something bigger and i currently have a 2001 3.2CL-S and w/ a child on the way that's not going to cut it. My concern is that i've heard that there isn't much room in the back seat for a car seat. And when i say car seat i'm referring to the "All-in-One" that ranges from 0-4 or 5 years. Is this true or what? Is there not enough room in the back seat for this type of car seat? Also taken into consideration of how the child has to be rear faced at first. I've been told that you have to put the passenger seat all the way up in order to allow space for the seat. If anyone has a new TL and is in the same perdicament as far as having a baby already could you let me know about this. Also if you know any info. at all regarding this, please let me know.

Thanks in advance

 

I suggest trying yourself in the dealer with your all in one car seat.

 

Dont have any kids so dont know how much space you need. I would just go down to the dealership with a carseat and place in the back of a TL and see if it works out. That way you will know for sure.

 

I have a 2001 TL and the rear seat space is fine. I thought the new TL was just an inch or two shorter in the cabin. I would think it'll be fine. I have a 17 month old who has gone from the rear facing to front facing seat, and really the space is fine.

before I had this TL I had a 1990 Eagle Talon ... now THAT had some space issues!

 

Yeah, you won't have any trouble. I have a rear facing seat right now and theres plenty of room. The only thing to pay attention to is that the handle doesn't scuff up the headliner. Its not as easy as a mini-van, but a mini-van isn't as cool as the TL.

 

Not sure about a baby seat in particular, but the room in the back is pretty limited...less than my CL-S that I had previously.

 

my wife and i tested our rear facing seat before we purchased.

Of course this back seat seems like a cavern compared to the camaro ss that I am trading in.

The seat fit fine, just needed to move the passenger seat up a little. I still fit comfortably in front of it and I am 6 ft tall.

I recommend testing the seat so you are comfortable with it, as a car is a big investment.

 

You, and everyone that rides with you need to go to the dealer and get into the car. Thats how I determinded that the TL is roomy enough for my family.

 

Although I don't get the fold-down rear-seat in 04TL, the space out there is still OK and quite comfortable for two 200+ lbs adults sitting there.

 

I know this isn't the cool answer, but my other 'car' is a Honda Odyssey and nothing is better for hauling around kids and all the accessories that come with them. I wouldn't use a TL as my primary family hauler. You will probably not have the space you want on many occassions, and the beating the car will inevitably take will cause you a lot of stress. Just something to consider...

 

 

OKay thanks guys, for all the comments. I was just a little concerned b/c i noticed that the the TLs are a bit smaller than the 2nd gen. TLs. So i thought i'd bring it up to the forum to get some insight. If anyone else has anything to add please do so

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aegir
I know this isn't the cool answer, but my other 'car' is a Honda Odyssey and nothing is better for hauling around kids and all the accessories that come with them. I wouldn't use a TL as my primary family hauler. You will probably not have the space you want on many occassions, and the beating the car will inevitably take will cause you a lot of stress. Just something to consider...


Um.. i understand what you're saying, the only difference with me is that it wouldn't be a family. It would just be myself, my son, and my fiance if she decides to tag along. She has a sedan all ready. I'm basically doing this for me, b/c i know my CL-S will not be efficient at all. As far as people tagging along it should only be myself (driving), someone in the passenger, and my son in the seat in the back. And that's when i have him w/ me in my car.

 

My wife and I are expecting our first in September and will be using my TL as the primary family hauler (my standard cab pickup doesn't really cut it). We've installed the rear-facing child seat we have in the TL and it fits great. An SUV or minivan would probably be easier to load things into, but the TL should work just fine.

On a side note, her New Beetle is incredibly easy to load the seat into due to its huge amount of headroom - kinda cool...

 

One thing to be considered too. if you wanna carry a lot stuffs for your son such as toys, stroller, etc. You won't have much space left in the trunk or many even be out of trunk space.

 

Mine will be the family car. We are just not ready to go the minivan way yet. Since this is our first child, the TL should work well. We are considering a minivan/wagon to replace our protege in a year or two.

Coming out of a Camaro SS this car is a family car.

 

I personally had hard time putting my infant daughter in and out of TL while the car seat is put in the middle of the back seat w/ or w/o the base due to the long width of the TL back seat and the small opening of the back door.

 

Hey "Pgould" so i'm assuming that you have the 04TL?

 

Yessir - ABP/Quartz/6MT/HPT/non-navi. Got it in January. I love this car!

 

I thought this was a thread about sex

 

With one kid, you shouldn't have a problem. The safest place is in the middle of the back seat, and most car seats will sit somewhat neatly back there regardless of the size/format.

If you put the seat on the passenger side, it may be tight depending on the car seat. I have a big Cosco seat that goes from rear-infant to booster, and it is a big one. Using it as a rear-facing infant seat, you have to move the passenger seat up quite a bit (still comfortable, but limited travel/recline). When the seat is used for a forward-facing child, there is no problem (except getting kicked in the back).

BTW - I had a 97 Prelude throughout my first child. Only when I had a second child did I opt for the 4-door sedan.

 

Just thought i could give some advise in this department. I'm a mom of triplets and a 12yo. WE had the Honda Odessey and traded it for the MDX worked out great for us with the exception of trips they we rented a van. We had no storage space after all the seats where up. But normal everyday driving with the kids in tow it worked excellent for us. So to solve our issue with renting a van and me driving a large SUV all the time we have bought a late model conversion van with all the goodies. We have plenty of room for all the kids and luggage for trips now! So for hauling them to school and me to work we are going the route of the TL. I'm in the car 99% of the time alone so it's gonna be great! Momma has a cool ride and a car that is fuctional for my family. I had to wait on my dd to turn 12 so she could ride in the front with me . I can't wait till she's driving (i say that now). I image she gets a LARGE car when she does.LOL I think the TL is practical for what you need it for and it you are not planning on having more than two more kids your all set for awhile my friend. Congradulations on your upcoming marriage as well. Best of Luck to you guys.

 

Hi Tammy, thanks a lot for the info. I was actually thinking about the MDX myself, but i'm really not crazy about the way they make SUVs now. There isn't enuff space. And if there is enuff space then there isn't room for luggage. So that's why i'm really not jumping on the MDX. You'll prolly be better off with what you guys did as far as a conversion van. That's where you have some space.

All in all i think i'll be okay with the TL, like you i'll be the only one in it most of the time. Oh and to answer your question....This is definitely the only child for ATLEAST 2 and a half to 3 years. When it gets to that point we may look at an SUV. Thanks again for your input.