Question about backseat usability

[MikeK2]

Okay, don't laugh, but is anyone using a Mustang as a daily driver with a child seat in the back?

I test drove a GT the other day, and loved the car. The backseat seemed acceptable for my 5'8" body, but I wonder how well a mustang would work with a child seat in back. I realize one will fit just fine, and that it has the LATCH system, but how big of a pain is it to use a Mustang to haul a child in a child seat around?

First hand experience is the best thing I can ask for. I realize a four door car would be ideal, but I like the Mustang a lot. If I buy a Mustang then we would have two two-door coupes in the family and no four doors.

Great forum, BTW. I've been lurking for a while now.

Mike

 

[duner]

Welcome to Stangnet

I'd be careful using the back seat for passengers. They (passengers) don't fair well in a rear-end collisions.

I'm trying to find some pics of a wreck. I'll post then if I find them. A full size P/U rear ended an '05 and the back seat was crushed under the front of the truck.

 

[celticstanger]

Welcome to Stangnet

I'd be careful using the back seat for passengers. They (passengers) don't fair well in a rear-end collisions.

I'm trying to find some pics of a wreck. I'll post then if I find them. A full size P/U rear ended an '05 and the back seat was crushed under the front of the truck.

I saw those pics - I think it was a lifted F350 which did the damage. Any smaller car would prolly have suffered a similar end.

As for baby seats, I've got 2 in the back of mine and it's not too tough getting the kids in and out (one's 2 and one's 3).

 

[Humboldt Stang]

I gave up my Camaro (hey, call it youthfull ignorance) when we had the kid.
The car handled a baby seat just fine, but it became a PITA to reach in to lift her in and out.
So, sold it and got a Lumina.
Then moved up to a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Then a Tahoe.
Thought I'd have to get a Hummer next, but........

Daughter is 10, and she rides in front of the Mustang with me most of the time.
She can sit behind my wife when we're all in there, no room behind me.

So, it seems like it would work for a child seat, just could strain the back a bit.

 

[tom281]

I've got a 6 year old and a 3 year old....only the younger one sits in a car seat though, and it's not bad. Having the seatback lever up high helps.

 

[wht-v6-vert]

I put my 5 year old grandaughter in the back of my convertable without a struggle. The only pain in the ass is the seat back lever. I can't imagine what Ford was thinking when they came up with that.

 

[black05stang]

I have always had a car that was not considered practical. I had a Firebird when my son was born. There was no way I was giving it up. I just made due. He is now 14 years old, and 6 foot tall. I am still "making due" with the Stang and still not practical!
I figure, if I really love a car, I will find a way.
Yes, my son is a little cramped when he rides in the back, but he ( and I ) will put up with it.
I just laugh at all the "comfortable" families with the notorious mini-vans!!

 

[JL_Tampa]

My wife is a nanny and the vert makes it easy to drop the kid seat in back. I could see it as a bit of a PITA with a coupe.

 

[LIZARDKING]

2 adults in my car. I use the backseat to toss the roadmap into.

 

[MikeK2]

Thank you all for your valuable insight. I still have a while before buying something, but this helps a lot. It seems that I could probably handle a Mustang as a daily car - even with children.

This kind of info, and having it in one place, is invaluable on a site like this. It'll be much easier for people to come and find this kind of info in the future using the search function.

Mike

 

[FSUgly]

Just remember, you're talking to a bunch of Mustang enthusiasts. If you are trying to justify buying the Mustang, then this site will convince you of it. You need to find a neutral site that reviews, or gives opinions on the comfort and ease of use of child seats in the rear seats.

I can tell you that I very much dislike having to buckle my son into his booster seat (he's 4), and my daughters seat (rear facing for 2 more months) will not allow a passenger to sit in the front seat safely or comfortably. Plus, putting her into it is a royal PITA! BTW, mine is a 98 model.

 

[ANGELMAV]

I guess thats why dodge made the charger a 4dr. A muscle car for people with kids.

 

[JL_Tampa]

the `05 & `06 are alot bigger than the earlier Mustangs

Just remember, you're talking to a bunch of Mustang enthusiasts. If you are trying to justify buying the Mustang, then this site will convince you of it. You need to find a neutral site that reviews, or gives opinions on the comfort and ease of use of child seats in the rear seats.

I can tell you that I very much dislike having to buckle my son into his booster seat (he's 4), and my daughters seat (rear facing for 2 more months) will not allow a passenger to sit in the front seat safely or comfortably. Plus, putting her into it is a royal PITA! BTW, mine is a 98 model.

`98's were smaller

 

[strokedandblown]

i think these are the pix your looking for, it looks scary but i think they said everyone was ok

 

[Big-Foot]

2 adults in my car. I use the backseat to toss the roadmap into.

I tried that and the map bounced back and landed on the console...

Back-seat is worthless if the driver / passenger are taller than about 5'10"... I'm 6'3" and the seat is all the way back...

 

[The Fang]

Ah man that is frickin unbelievable!!!!
Thats it, I just made a new rule for my car. " No Backseat Passengers"

 

[66Satellite]

Ah man that is frickin unbelievable!!!!
Thats it, I just made a new rule for my car. " No Backseat Passengers"

What, you think a four door sedan would have done any better in that wreck?

 

[GusinCA]

The problem with that wreck wasn't the Mustang, it was the raised truck.
From what I remember reading in the original post, the truck was illegal for having to high of a bumper...

The Mustang is a strong, heavy, safe car.

As far as kids in the back, I put my baby daughter (18 mos) in her car seat in the back of my 2000 GT vert. Of course it has a rollbar built into it, but I tell you she loves it. Actually cries sometimes if I put the top up...

 

[wjc cards]

I have a 3 yr old with a baby seat behind the passenger and it works great. I also use my car as a daily driver and put about 80-100 miles a day on it, but you know what, if I wanted a classic that only drove on weekends, I'd have bought an original 69! My son loves the mustang....in fact, the first weekend, I had it, he wanted to kiss it good night!!! that's my boy

 

[celticstanger]

The problem with that wreck wasn't the Mustang, it was the raised truck.
From what I remember reading in the original post, the truck was illegal for having to high of a bumper...

Exactly. Any regular-sized car would've suffered the same fate, with maybe the bigger-trunked cars sparing the rear seats the close encounter with the trucks front bumper.

As for the rear seats, I just wanted to add that I'm not giving you an 'opinion' as a Mustang enthusiast (fair comment, though, FSUgly) - when I'm home for the weekend, I drive my car any excuse I get, and usually take the kids with me. It just just isn't a problem, though it was when I had one seat face the rear. Also, I'm 6'3" and 230lbs, so it's not like I'm a small guy.

Typically, 2 door cars aren't ideal kid transporters, but the Mustang probably isn't any worse than most.