RichAA

Ok, not random, actually related:

1. The hump is kind of weird too, as an odd balance point for the seat. But try to imagine a side-impact collision with a baby in the car. It's a nightmare scenario anyway, but the center is so much more preferable to either side.

2. You need a safe car, period, and the Audi and Passat are both rated pretty well. I believe they are equal as far as impact protection and design. The Passat Wagon? What's not to like??

3. I had cloth seats back in the baby days and spills and mess weren't a problem. I let the kids bring water and maybe a simple snack like cheerios. Skip the orange fish crackers, froot loops, and those goddam fruit snacks. Put a mat underneath the seat to protect from the edges of the baby seat itself.

4. Think about a mid-sized SUV instead. I had Explorers and Suburbans back then (5-7 years ago. You won't believe the crap you have to haul. Plus, and this was huge: you gotta bend over every time you put the baby, toddler, small child in. And every time you take them out. Lots easier if you're standing up straight.

5. The kids will grow, and when they do, they play in mud and wear soccer shoes. Chevrolets and Fords are good for that.

But they don't let Suburbans out on track days. :-)

6. Get all the cameras. You need video of course, and a digital SLR with telephoto, and a pocket-sized point-and-shoot or two. Buy less car and get way more camera.


Congrats!!

Audi Loyalist

That's my next purchase!

Knid

... now we just have to decide which to believe, "the A4 is fine" or "the A4 is way too small, get an SUV".

Seriously, many thanks all around for the advice and good wishes.

At this point, the heart says A4 (quattro, Audi build, fit and finish, arguably less bang for the buck), while the head says Passat (bigger, cheaper, newish model is apparently semi-plagued by rattles and squeaks has unknown/questionable reliability). We'll also take a look at the Legacy wagon -- thanks for the tip. Fuel efficiency is a matter of principle (not $ per se), and unfortunately all of the smaller SUVs, including the Highlander Hybrid, have fairly lousy real-world efficiency, alas.

If only we hadn't been spoiled by the '02 225 TT Coupe, this would be a lot easier.

In either case, we'll definitely be scoring rubber floor mats and a seat protector, as well as carefully measuring strollers before buying...

Tomasz@Startup

People get spoiled by better things. If you look around you will spee people with baby seats in the back of a two door civics. In europe people have babies and they drive relatively small cars. So, yes - it is possible.

But once you borrow friends Pilot, and take it for a trip... it will be impossibly hard to get back. Lousy driving experience, great utility. I assume you can't have both? TT and a SUV?

Audi Loyalist

just to clear up any confusion. These things are great...worth the 100 bucks or so.

<img src="http://collection.audiusa.com/audi_assets/images/product/1847_z.jpg">

Spacecadet_CC

This is a B6 sedan comment, but I &lt;THINK&gt; it is the same as the B7...
The Peg Perego fits perfectly in the middle and as a bonus the styling matches the Audi - the Euro design and black/grey are absolutely killer and from extensive research the best looking of any of the infant seats.
(BTW - The Peg Perego clips into the Bugaboo Frog for a completely rounded and stylish Euro look - it is the Audi of strollers!)
Like Audi Loyalist said, we have had no problem with the leather. I wouldn't worry about it - and I am a neat-freak with my car - if something spills, I get the leather wipes out and get it looking great again.
We used the Peg Perego for about a year and then switched to a black Cosco which is good, although it needs a knee into it when installing to make the Latch connection on the right or left sides, but easy to install rear-facing in the middle.
Good luck and congrats - I have a second one due in 2 weeks and will be back to the Peg Perego (this time on one side and the other car seat on the other).

jlew

bI don't want a HUGE one, but also nothing too small. Its hard to get an idea of how big/small they are without seeing it on the car.

TIA

TV88

...not sure of the model, but it might be the 1800. It's a nice size and the box works great. The double-hinged feature is really nice.

jlew

BTW, Amulet is the best color made IMHO... we have an Amulet B6 Avant.

Petty dog too

TV88

I think they make a size larger than ours, too.

You're right about Amulet; it's too bad we couldn't get it for our B7 that's on order.

I noticed the red Miata in your pic poster; we've got one of those too! Good taste!