Kids in the Back of a 997
Kids in the Back of a 997
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Discussion

jackwood

Original Poster:

2,963 posts

237 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi,

I'm looking at a couple of options at the moment to replace my daily driver and a nice 997 GTS is one those. I just have a bit of a concern about the practicality of it as an everyday car.

So a quick question: I have to do a regular school run with 3 kids in my car. A 9 year old and two 6 year olds. Obviously they are going to get bigger and older, but that's the current situation.
Does anyone here use a 997 on a regular basis for transporting sprogs of this number and age?

Do the hard-back seats in the GTS make much difference to the usability of the rear seats?

Cheers

Jack

WindyMiller67

443 posts

169 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
My sons are 17 and 14 and only now is the 14 year old struggling to get in the the back of the 997 behind his brother in the passenger seat.
So if there were two kids you've got plenty of time - it's the second 6-year old who is the problem!
Dare I ask if the GTS has PDK? If it does, I'd say you could pull your seat forward just for the school run. I have done this with three 17-year olds on board (on 9 mile runs) and it was quite safe. However, I wouldn't have been able to drive a manual like that... There has to be a way!

Magic919

14,480 posts

230 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
I'll say 'it depends'. We carry kids aged 4,5 & 9, but none of them are the biggest in their class. The 9 year old goes on the back happily, but we stick him in the front if the other two are onboard.

Only time it is a pain is when my wife and I are both in the car. That leaves just two seats for the kids. We either take both 911s or jump in the family bus.

For GTS money you can just about get a 991. I've not tried it, but they apparently have better space in the back.

mrdemon

21,146 posts

294 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
It's not so much the Space imo,(although that is a factor if you are more than 4.5foot tall ) it's the time and hassle to get in the back, the kicking of the seats etc etc.

Once saw a baby seat in the back of a 911, must have took the couple 20 minutes of twisting and bending to get the baby in and out.

I always think ok to get home on a night out 3 or 4 times a year ,but every day use, would be tiring.

slodge

513 posts

191 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
It's absolutely no problem from my experience. Used 911s of various varieties (inc. 997 GTS) as daily drivers, school run, commuting, shopping etc etc for years. Had a kids bike in the back on Saturday! Our children are 4 and 6 and love being in the rear seats - quite nice and cosy I guess. I'm 6ft and don't need to pull my seat forward with them behind me. It's no more painful getting them in and out than an M3 coupe.

HTH

Cheers

Slodge

rob.kellock

2,248 posts

221 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
I had a 996 C4 for 5 years from when my children were 6 and 3.

That worked well but before the time I sold it, we couldn't comfortably fit 4 of us in the car with them in the back. Given that it was a 200 mile round trip to see my Dad for example, it wasn't practical to use it for that purpose so I bought an old 5 series too.

Ironically, now aged 16 and 13 they begged to go in a 991 S I was recently loaned - with just 3 of us in the car that still worked OK with my daughter in the front passenger seat well forward.


lingus75

1,705 posts

251 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
My 2.5 yr old daughter loves going in my turbo. I took the seat squabs out (really easy) for extra space. No problems with hardback seat backs as I take her shoes off!

I now need a seat which fits well for my 8 month old boy. Any ideas?

Koln-RS

4,122 posts

241 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
The rear seats in a 996/997 do work and have always been the 911s great USP. In an emergency you can get two adults in the back, but best for under 15s.

991 seems slightly better.

hondansx

4,700 posts

254 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
mrdemon said:
It's not so much the Space imo,(although that is a factor if you are more than 4.5foot tall ) it's the time and hassle to get in the back, the kicking of the seats etc etc.

Once saw a baby seat in the back of a 911, must have took the couple 20 minutes of twisting and bending to get the baby in and out.

I always think ok to get home on a night out 3 or 4 times a year ,but every day use, would be tiring.
That is my issue. Adults are a no-no. I am 5'10 and for a similar sized person behind me i have to go so far forward i'd consider it bordering on dangerous as a driving decision.

For kids, the issue is they have to clamber into the back and they will inevitably be kicking your seat. At a certain age, this can't be helped as their little legs will stick straight out!

I'd get either a fast saloon, or based on experience, go for an M3 CSL. Loads of space in the back relatively speaking and a cracking car.

krallicious

4,312 posts

234 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
I managed to squeeze 4 adults and luggage in mine for a 1.5 hour drive. It wasn't the most comfortable journey but with chilren you will be fine.

jackwood

Original Poster:

2,963 posts

237 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm not too bothered about the hassle of climbing in and out etc

With younger kids in the back, do you use booster seats still?

LordHaveMurci

12,336 posts

198 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
I've had my 996 Coupe for just over 5yrs, my kids are now 14 & 11 and my 14yr old daughter is quite tall (as tall as her mum!). It's just getting to the stage where she mentions it's tight, still did a 4hr journey each way recently with no issues though.

A mate of mine is 6"1' & sat in the back for 2.5hrs each way when we did FoS, it was a tight squeeze but it was just about do-able!


mrdemon

21,146 posts

294 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
I've had my 996 Coupe for just over 5yrs, my kids are now 14 & 11 and my 14yr old daughter is quite tall (as tall as her mum!). It's just getting to the stage where she mentions it's tight, still did a 4hr journey each way recently with no issues though.

A mate of mine is 6"1' & sat in the back for 2.5hrs each way when we did FoS, it was a tight squeeze but it was just about do-able!
do you do the school run every day in it though.

LordHaveMurci

12,336 posts

198 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
mrdemon said:
do you do the school run every day in it though.
Three days a week, yes. Down to one child now which makes it easier, do have two dogs as well though smile

To be fair, I do use my 172 sometimes just because it's easier with the dogs.

stuno1

1,361 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Good topic. Sorry for the thread jack but my wife is 5 foot 7 inches. Would a toddler in a baby seat be ok behind her?

Stu

LordHaveMurci

12,336 posts

198 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
stuno1 said:
Good topic. Sorry for the thread jack but my wife is 5 foot 7 inches. Would a toddler in a baby seat be ok behind her?

Stu
Should be plenty of room but it may be a hassle getting the nipper in & out.

stuno1

1,361 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
Should be plenty of room but it may be a hassle getting the nipper in & out.
That's good to know. Would only be a weekend car so that's ok. Assume seat back and base can be removed to create more room for baby seat?

LordHaveMurci

12,336 posts

198 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
stuno1 said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Should be plenty of room but it may be a hassle getting the nipper in & out.
That's good to know. Would only be a weekend car so that's ok. Assume seat back and base can be removed to create more room for baby seat?
I believe so, only removed the base when mine were in boosters, never removed the backs but sure I've read others have done so.

stuno1

1,361 posts

224 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
I believe so, only removed the base when mine were in boosters, never removed the backs but sure I've read others have done so.
Thats good and would provide a substantial amount of extra room.

Stu

outnumbered

4,868 posts

263 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Magic919 said:
We either take both 911s or ...
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