socalJD

I have 2 pre-K boys using 2 Britax marathons in the back seat. At this point they have just enough room, with the driver's seat in my normal 'driving' position (I'm 5'10" 200lbs). In another year, I'll switch them into booster seats which will give them more room and they should be good for the next 5 years. That said, there's no way you can get 3 kids in the back seat, so if you have a newborn on the way, you're better off with a bigger car. IMHO, there's no difference in backseat room b/w the IS and Bmw 3 series, so you really need a larger backseat. If your wife doesn't like the new ES, you should look at the GS. You can try to talk yourself into the IS, but in a true emergency, if you had to take all 3 kids at once, you can't safely do so in the IS or the 3 series . . .

rodgermorales

thanks for the responses. I went to drive the 325 just now and, like socaljd said, there is no improvement in back seat room. Driving japanese cars my whole life I think conditioned me because didn't care for the vaunted ride of the 325.

Ramon

Another vehicle to keep an eye out on is the 2007 G35 Sedan. Looks a LOT nicer than the current model and I belive the back seat is noticably roomier than the IS. It's performance figures should be right up there with the IS350 as well.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

The one thing I like about the upcoming G35 is the 7500rpm, but prefer the 2IS overall.
The way the controls look in relation to the brushed aluminum (or plastic...whatever it is). It just looks like they took a blank canvas and just started throwing stuff at it. It doesn't look particularly well integrated at all. This is the thing you normally sit in kit-car interiors where they'll take controls from an existing car and place them on a pretty barren surface.

socalJD

The G35 is still a 'compact sedan', like the IS, 3 series, A4, C class, S40 - they will not accomodate 3 kids (newborn - 5yr) at once. The OP said he had a 3 and 1.5 yr old with a newborn on the way - that's 2 child seats w/an infant carrier for the next 2 years, minimum - NO WAY that will fit in the backseat of any compact sedan. Kids cannot safely sit in the front seat until they're >75lbs and over 54". IMHO the OP is looking at midsized sedans, ie: ES, GS, M35, E350, etc . . .

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Kids can safely sit in the front seat IF the front airbag(s) are disabled.

socalJD

I do not know of any button, LPS settings or factory sequence (like the Navi hack) that can disable the front & side airbags on a temporary basis to allow kids to sit in the front passenger seat. Please enlighten me . . .

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Some cars have a button (or key switch) to disable it, and some don't. The 2IS does not, but my brother's Lincolm LS does. Even if it does not have a factory disable switch, one can be added. It is rather expensive though (~$400 I think), since the shop has to be certified by the DOT to do it.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

'07 IS have a gel pad to disable the airbags for small occupants. See my post on the official '07 update thread.