My wife is pregnant with our first. She is due at the end of the year.

My question is, I am itching for a new car. If I get something with two doors, will I regret it? Think M6, DB9, M3 Coupe, 997 Turbo - not sure on exactly which car yet but I want to know if I should totally rule out anything without four doors.

I will most likely be taking a 36 month lease so that means I will only have the car until the baby is 2.5 years old. My concern is that it will just generally be such a paid getting him/her into and out of the back seat and fitting the stroller and assorted paraphernalia that I will regret not having the rear doors.

School me please.

 

I wouldn't get into a coupe unless it's your 2nd car. I never even bothered putting a car seat in my M6 back seat. I'm sure it's possible to install a car seat in the front of any of the above cars, but it wouldn't be as safe and I wouldn't do it.
Wait for the new M5

PS: congrats

 

Thanks!

No I definitely would not put it in the front seat. Eliminating all 2-doors certainly makes the search smaller...

 

I wouldn't eliminate ALL 2-doors, but certainly the sportier coupes you mentioned are probably out. Consider a CLK (E coupe) with a V8, maybe a Mercedes CL or something like that. Something with mass and interior volume.

 

Congratulations Steve!!!

I have a 9 yr old daughter. When she was first born, I had a 2 door SUV. I quickly got rid of that and moved into a 4 door SUV. Moving the baby around with the car seat, and all the accessories will definitely be a lot easier in a 4 door.

I can't imagine the past 9 years without an SUV....It has been so easy just to pack up and go places....bikes, toys, even her little electric car fit in the back of my truck.

I recommend a 4 door SUV.

But if you are totally against an SUV, then get a 4 door sedan. I think you'd definitely regret a 2-door coupe. Not saying it couldn't be done, but with a baby, it's all about comfort and ease....especially when you only get 1 1/2 hours of sleep and need to strap the baby into her car-seat in the early morning. It'll be much easier with a 4 door.

Get some rest now, because in 6 mths, you'll be begging for a nap!

 

Congrats! We're having our first at the end of the year as well.
Just watching friends and family negotiate a child and a car seat in a four door car, I would never solely rely on a two door.
Got rid of my Mini and got an Audi wagon. Wife has her SUV, and I have my 2 door for the weekends

 

I don't have any experience, but wanted to say congrats Steve.

 

First of all, congrats! My 11 month old loves sitting in the back of the M6. My wife has an X5 for the times that we need more space, so I don't think a 2-door is an issue for you if you guys have another car also. In the M6, the stroller fits nicely in the trunk and the rear-facing car seat fits ok in the rear, but not much room for a tall front passenger. I think once she is forward facing it will be a bit better for the front passenger. I sold my M3 when my daughter was born and bought an M5 thinking I would need more space. In reality we use the X5 most of the time anyway. It is a bit tougher getting her in her car seat in the 6, but it's no big deal. I'm sure things would be a bit tougher in an M3 or a P-car though.

 

Congrats Steve!

 

Never put a child in a 2-door car. Ever. The main reason for this is simple safety. If you're in an accident, and need to get your child out of the car, there are any number of scenarios where this becomes impossible if there's no door to access the 2nd row directly. If you're injured, you may not be able to get to the back of the car. If you're trapped in the front of the car, your child is trapped until you're free. 2-dr cars tend to have be shorter, placing less energy-absorbing bodywork around your child when the 18-wheeler smacks into the back of you. The moment you clap eyes on your child, protecting them is the first, middle, and last thought that goes through your head.

When my kids were born, the 911 went away, and a nice sensible family sedan (OK, an E60 M5) took its place. I sold that a month back, and replaced it with a Cayenne Turbo, which is a wonderful family car, and a vastly superior daily driver than the M5 (and I say this as a big fan of the M5). Would I prefer a GT3 in the driveway? Of course, but there will be time for that once the kids are older. For now, the kids' needs come first. All other considerations secondary.

On a practical note, the first time you get the little bugger asleep in his/her carseat, load him/her into the car, and wake him/her up by banging the car seat against the back of the seat trying to contort your way into the back of a 2-door car, you'll rue the day you bought the damn thing.