XKR and child seats
Discussion
I'm in the unfortunate position that my current car (Porsche 996) has just died. For me it was the perfect car, fast, fun, good looking, and I could do the school run in it.
That said, I'm in the fortunate position that I need to shop for a new car, which is always fun. I've lost confidence in Porsche (having an engine destroy itself will do that to you), so I'm casting my gaze elsewhere. I've considered the performance variants of the popular German cars, but they all lack a little magic IMO, which is why I'm seriously considering an XKR (my budget would put me in the 2009/2010 range).
I need to somehow fit my 3 (yes... 3) children into the car. Some background info:
-My wife drives the family bus (Lexus RX300) and we use this whenever we all need to head out together.
-My car will be used for work and for the occasional school run (as was my Porsche).
-I also have a 10 year old Jag X Type which I used during winter and school runs where I wasn't heading anywhere afterwards
-My kids are aged 7, 4, and 2.
So I need a Group 1 (forward facing seat) plus two booster cushions. The best setup would likely be the Group 1 seat in the back, with the 7 year old in the passenger seat (can be moved fwd and shouldn't both him too much) and my 4 year old sitting behind me.
I'd really appreciate any advice from experienced owners. I do plan on heading to a local Jag garage to try for myself, but the seats we currently use aren't the smallest, so I'm prepared to purchase others. Recommendations of good booster seats and Group 1 seats would really be appreciated.
That said, I'm in the fortunate position that I need to shop for a new car, which is always fun. I've lost confidence in Porsche (having an engine destroy itself will do that to you), so I'm casting my gaze elsewhere. I've considered the performance variants of the popular German cars, but they all lack a little magic IMO, which is why I'm seriously considering an XKR (my budget would put me in the 2009/2010 range).
I need to somehow fit my 3 (yes... 3) children into the car. Some background info:
-My wife drives the family bus (Lexus RX300) and we use this whenever we all need to head out together.
-My car will be used for work and for the occasional school run (as was my Porsche).
-I also have a 10 year old Jag X Type which I used during winter and school runs where I wasn't heading anywhere afterwards
-My kids are aged 7, 4, and 2.
So I need a Group 1 (forward facing seat) plus two booster cushions. The best setup would likely be the Group 1 seat in the back, with the 7 year old in the passenger seat (can be moved fwd and shouldn't both him too much) and my 4 year old sitting behind me.
I'd really appreciate any advice from experienced owners. I do plan on heading to a local Jag garage to try for myself, but the seats we currently use aren't the smallest, so I'm prepared to purchase others. Recommendations of good booster seats and Group 1 seats would really be appreciated.
My kids are (a smaller than average) 7 3/4 and (larger than average) 5 3/4. Both fit in the back of my MY2010 XKR without complaint. The older one can't use a booster cushion without her head getting pushed into the roof lining so she sits in the bucket seat without one. The younger fits fine on a small booster seat. I carry the spare booster seat in the boot in case an officious plod gets the hump.
Choice of child seat is critical, IMHO. Use a big seat and it won't fit well over the bucket, but use a small one and it's much better. We use those small, cheap, 10 Halfords ones in the XK and the proper Graco ones for longer journeys in our family cars.
I think you'll therefore struggle to get your group 1 seat in the back.
But it's worth trying. I bought my XKR in June last year and it's just a fantastic car for so many reasons. Your profile doesn't say where you're based but if you're anywhere near Sussex and want a chat, let me know.
Choice of child seat is critical, IMHO. Use a big seat and it won't fit well over the bucket, but use a small one and it's much better. We use those small, cheap, 10 Halfords ones in the XK and the proper Graco ones for longer journeys in our family cars.
I think you'll therefore struggle to get your group 1 seat in the back.
But it's worth trying. I bought my XKR in June last year and it's just a fantastic car for so many reasons. Your profile doesn't say where you're based but if you're anywhere near Sussex and want a chat, let me know.
mr.man said:
Just been out to check out my XKR in the back. Your children will hate it.
It's cramped and dark and they will see nothing. Bad idea. IMHO.
My kids enjoy journeys in mine and can see out just fine.It's cramped and dark and they will see nothing. Bad idea. IMHO.
Edit: and I'm 6'1" so it's not like I have my seat a long way forwards
Edited by threadlock on Sunday 25th May 11:12
Thanks for the pointers. I'm based in Manchester, otherwise I'd definitely take you up on your offer.
My kids were happy enough in the Porsche (which was far from roomy), and the journeys are short and infrequent, so as long as they fit I'm sure we'll all be happy (the boys used to complain when they weren't collected in the 991).
I'll take a look at the booster seats you mentioned, but as you rightly pointed out, it's the Group 1 seat that will be the challenge.
My kids were happy enough in the Porsche (which was far from roomy), and the journeys are short and infrequent, so as long as they fit I'm sure we'll all be happy (the boys used to complain when they weren't collected in the 991).
I'll take a look at the booster seats you mentioned, but as you rightly pointed out, it's the Group 1 seat that will be the challenge.
Ours are 2 and 4. They fit in a Cerbera ok but the XK is tiny compared to the Cerb so we've had to get an XF for my wife instead. The XK is inferior to the Cerb mostly because the front seat backs are so thick that even when well forward they obstruct access to the rear footwells. They could be squeezed in, but it's a massive ballache. We're fairly optimistic sorts and keen MPV/SUV avoiders. I also think estate cars are wholly unnecessary for children but as we stood at the dealers looking to actually buy we had to concede that there was simply no way we could make an XK(R) work as a car our children could regularly travel in.
I recently had to sell my XKR due to the kids no longer being able to fit in the back. Mine are 7 & 9. The 9 year olds head touched the roof (without car seat, and she is on the small petite side) . They were ok for about 10 minutes in the back then found it very uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Moved to XFS and much happier kiddies buy daddy still occasionally misses the XKR...
Once again, thanks for the input. I guess the only way forward is to try for myself. I plan on popping over to a dealer either tomorrow or Tuesday to investigate further. Again, the kids fitted into the 911 fine, but the seats were actually quite thin and very well molded giving a few extra inches of legroom.
I'm 5' 8" tall and there is only about 2" of legroom behind my seat. I really don't think that there is room for any human being in the rear without a lot of compromise!
Having said that, if you are only doing it occasionally and you are happy to sit forward further than usual then it may work. Can you stretch to a car with the performance seat option? these are slightly thinner (only available 2011 onwards I think?). The 5.0 XKR is a bargain and the best all round package in its class I think.
Having said that, if you are only doing it occasionally and you are happy to sit forward further than usual then it may work. Can you stretch to a car with the performance seat option? these are slightly thinner (only available 2011 onwards I think?). The 5.0 XKR is a bargain and the best all round package in its class I think.
A Maserati Granturismo would be where I was looking next, fwiw.
Hopefully with the F-Type on the market, the next gen XK will be more GT car like the Maserati with useable rear seats. Nobody expects to carry 4 adults in comfort for a length of time, but being able to get real-life children in with the fairly universal western world requirement for booster seats would make these cars a possibility for many young professional families.
Hopefully with the F-Type on the market, the next gen XK will be more GT car like the Maserati with useable rear seats. Nobody expects to carry 4 adults in comfort for a length of time, but being able to get real-life children in with the fairly universal western world requirement for booster seats would make these cars a possibility for many young professional families.
Well we (myself and my eldest (7)) had a test drive in an XKR today.
Wow... Just wow. I mean the power available is unreal, I thought the 996 was fast, but this thing was something else. Even more surprising than the power was the level of comfort. I'm not sure if the model we tried was particularly well spaced, but infinitely adjustable seats, with inflatable side bolsters and lumbar support, heated and cooled seats, lovely leather, it was pure luxury, certainly compared to the Porsche which was comparatively basic and not as comfortable (but more sporty/connected).
Most importantly, we didn't have any issues with space (ish). I set the drivers seat to a comfortable position, and then put my son behind and he had plenty of room. Don't get me wrong, he won't be swinging any cats in the back, but he still had a good few inches of room, so my 4 year old will definitely be fine in the back. The issue we did have was with my group 2 Car seat as the base was too big and the back was too tall for it to fit properly. The hunt for a suitable seat begins.
Honestly, I was that impressed that I would've bought that car on the spot, had I not disliked the colour (silver).
I've considered a Maserati, but after the trouble with the Porsche I really want something reliable, I've heard too many horror stories about Maserati for me to seriously consider one as an option.
Wow... Just wow. I mean the power available is unreal, I thought the 996 was fast, but this thing was something else. Even more surprising than the power was the level of comfort. I'm not sure if the model we tried was particularly well spaced, but infinitely adjustable seats, with inflatable side bolsters and lumbar support, heated and cooled seats, lovely leather, it was pure luxury, certainly compared to the Porsche which was comparatively basic and not as comfortable (but more sporty/connected).
Most importantly, we didn't have any issues with space (ish). I set the drivers seat to a comfortable position, and then put my son behind and he had plenty of room. Don't get me wrong, he won't be swinging any cats in the back, but he still had a good few inches of room, so my 4 year old will definitely be fine in the back. The issue we did have was with my group 2 Car seat as the base was too big and the back was too tall for it to fit properly. The hunt for a suitable seat begins.
Honestly, I was that impressed that I would've bought that car on the spot, had I not disliked the colour (silver).
I've considered a Maserati, but after the trouble with the Porsche I really want something reliable, I've heard too many horror stories about Maserati for me to seriously consider one as an option.
Two hits in that thread alone:
Recaro Young Sport
Britax Evolva 123 Plus
So thanks a mil.
Also, when going through the literature last night I noticed that a range of car seats are listed as accessories for the XK (despite the sales guy assuring me that they had no such thing). I'll give them a call back later today to confirm that these actually fit in the back of an XKR (logic dicates they should!). They're expensive, as you can imagine, but it forms a solid 'plan b'.
Recaro Young Sport
Britax Evolva 123 Plus
So thanks a mil.
Also, when going through the literature last night I noticed that a range of car seats are listed as accessories for the XK (despite the sales guy assuring me that they had no such thing). I'll give them a call back later today to confirm that these actually fit in the back of an XKR (logic dicates they should!). They're expensive, as you can imagine, but it forms a solid 'plan b'.
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