E30's Too Small for Kids. Suggestions?

[word is bond]

V70R? Legacy Wagon? How new do you want it? Maybe something CPO, so it's covered under warranty, and its the car you don't have to think about? Might be some nice E60 wagons with a warranty.

[Eddie Lives On]

There really is only one reasonable choice here:

Oh god, yes.

[einhander]

This is the true American thought process these days: "Well I need something that holds more than me and my backpack, so I better get an SUV"

Do you have kids, slick?

[thebutterson]

How much room do people need these days?! I'm 5' 11" 220lb and I've sat comfortably in the back of an e30. How much room does a baby need?!

This is the true American thought process these days: "Well I need something that holds more than me and my backpack, so I better get an SUV"

[einhander]

There really is only one reasonable choice here:

[808e30325i]

E30 Touring ftw!

[Eddie Lives On]

My main choice would be E39 touring, just because the E46 isn't as reliable as the E39. Non-BMW, you could get a Honda CR-V? I don't know if you absolutely need a touring/hatchback type of car, but you could also find a really nice Grand Marquis or Town Car for less than the 12k you are talking about. They're roomy, comfy and not that expensive to maintain since they've got Ford's Modular 4.6L V8 under the hood.

[mulletman]

I call shenanigans. a teenager, a 10 year old, and a 6 year old in a child seat can all fit comfy in the back seat. With another adult in the passenger seat. I know, I've done it, for long trips. With everything they packed in the trunk.

I heard no complaints.

But, if you must. E34 touring. Hands down. 16mpg means something is very, very wrong.

This.

The two cars my parents had when my sister and I were growing up were a Mazda GLC, which they sold to buy a '93 Ford Escort wagon. It just depends on your desired level of effort.

But an E34 is a nice car.

[TurboJake]

I call shenanigans. a teenager, a 10 year old, and a 6 year old in a child seat can all fit comfy in the back seat. With another adult in the passenger seat. I know, I've done it, for long trips. With everything they packed in the trunk.

I heard no complaints.

But, if you must. E34 touring. Hands down. 16mpg means something is very, very wrong.

[tcheb]

I have a child seat in the back of my E30 and I'm still able to back the front seats almost all the way even with the seat rear facing.

Get yourself a Klek Foonf seat. It takes less space and is very stable. I tested many other child seats and they're all piles of cheap chinese plastic junk (Yes! Even the Recaros and the expensive italian ones)

[Restoman]

Something like a Toyota Highlander size. The problem is that the auto industry focus the last 5-10 years has not been on cars, but SUV's. I have a 1 and 3 year old. They just trash cars if you let them. I have a company truck that my son has never damaged. The wives Rav4 on the other hand is nasty. That's her doing, by not keeping it clean. This is a time in your life where you don't want a nice car, but a safe one that is reliable that you don't care too much about. Life of a parent\

[slammin.e28]

Those boosta seats, do need!

[AndrewBird]

Damn, my wife's boss drives an E34 Touring and we both are less than pleased with it. Of course, he doesn't take care of it, but I'm still a little non-plussed with the fuel economy (average is something like 16mpg around here).

Anyone have experience with an E39 Touring?

I get ~20 in town and 30 on the highway with my AWD e34 touring. Something is wrong with his.

E34 touring would be an awesome family car. They even came with rear child seats as an option.

[Stephen]

I have an '03 525i Touring 5-speed. Absolutely one of the best cars i've owned. For an underpowered wagon, its still quite entertaining in corners, the sport interior is extremely comfortable for me, and i get a solid 23 or 24mpg mixed.

They are more complicated than e34 tourings, but the interior and driving experience is better IMO, and while manuals are pretty rare, they at least exist.

[ArtClassShank]

4th Gen Legacy Wagon. If you're into Subarus.