I need some help.

[sturs6]

December 24 we went on a road trip that lasted for about four hours and then came back yesterday the 25 and it took aabout the same time. It was the first trip into the twisty mountain raods I have taken in my RS6 and man I fell in deeper love with the car then it happen. My wife started talking about how the car had no room in it (she was probably comparing it to the suburban I had before the RS6). We have a 2 1/2 year old that hangs out in the backseat saying faster daddy faster and she is wanting to try to have another child about this time next year so she said she things we need a bigger car. She told me I should try to swap the RS6 out for an A8L. What do you guys think should I stay in this until the other child comes along and possibly loose more money on the RS6 or go ahead and get the A8. I thought maybe if I waited there could be a S8 or something of that nature in the future.
Let me know what you guys think.

-Stuart

[iconcls]

We had a discussion similar to this on AudiWorld just the other day:

Kids vs. Cars (http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/326554.phtml)

and I don't understand why people need/think they need barges when they have a kid or two. I have a 9 year old and a 7yo that reside in the back--in Recaro car-seats--and I have never heard them complain, nor have I, about the amount of space in C5 platform. Mind you, we even do extensive backpacking camping trips in this car; it's the perfect compromise of performance and family needs IMO.

[Erik]

Originally posted by sturs6
We have a 2 1/2 year old that hangs out in the backseat saying faster daddy faster :race:

Not sure how much the A8 would help in terms of space.
Maybe wait and get the pikes peak quattro?

Until then, persuade your children and have a vote
:addict:

[GoFastKindaGuy]

Put the kid(s) in the back seats of a Porsche Turbo. They can scream "faster daddy" all day long. With the space you free up in the RS6, your wife can bounce around like a stone in a hub cap and still bring all your family packing.

Or you could trade wives instead of cars. (Sorry, that would be my priority.)
:king:

[sturs6]

Or you could trade wives instead of cars.
GoFast I thought about that option too.

[Audihead]

Stu, I see in your Sig. that you have an ML55. If you do then you don't need anything bigger. If you don't have it anymore just get the wife the kiddie hauler and stick with the car you have. Most of the Dads I know have the sports ride and the SUV combo. It seems to be a good compromise and working well for all.
:s4addict: -Bimmerhead

[sturs6]

We do still have the ML55. I told her that from now on that is what we will take on trips because I am not trading this car in until the Avant RS6 makes it state side.:addict:
:p

[Audihead]

Right On!
:addict: Forever
:s4addict: -Bimmerhead

[srosie]

My wife's allroad has ample enough space for 2 baby seats and plenty of "easy access" storage in back. My RS6 is fine for trips with 2 baby seats although I usually only have one baby seat permanently installed in the back. The trunk space is more than adequate for supermarket trips and suitcases, but for the most part we use the allroad for longer trips.

Basically, it's the spilled sippy cups and crumbs everywhere that bother me and that would happen whether it was an RS6, A8 or A4 for that matter.

The only thing the allroad is missing that I would enjoy are those built-in dvd players I see in SUV's. They are awesome pacifiers for toddlers on long trips. My laptop is just so-so for this job and the car stereo music only does the trick for a little while.

Perhaps there's a way to patch the audio from the laptop into the car speakers, get battery operated external PC speakers and/or use the cig lighter with an ac adapter with my current external speakers. All these projects seem weak in comparison to those built-in DVD players, however.

[JAXRS6]

The RS6 or ML55 should be OK for a couple of small children, I would think. The main thing you would gain in an A8L would be more rear seat legroom, and how will a 3-year-old & an infant benefit from that?

Back when I was a young whippersnapper (whatever that is but it sounds good), couples with up to two kids seemed to get along fine on trips in mid-size-to-large 4-door sedans. More kids justified a station wagon, the 60s version of a van or SUV. But today everyone seems to have more stuff, so if the RS6 or ML55 won't be enough, you might consider swapping one of them for a sporty SUV (or don't swap if you can afford to keep all three & have parking). Or, to go a cheaper route, get a 2-year-old van as the family hauler.

Your idea of using the ML55 sounds good, tho, as long as it has the space you need. You can always get something else later, after determining if your family's newest arrival truly justifies going bigger.

[sturs6]

I think I am going to buy a Piper Mirage (http://www.newpiper.com/fleet/mirage/index.asp) and keep both cars.
Forget this driving on trips stuff. That is the ultimate SUV...

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_116.gif' border=0></a>


-Stuart:addict: :addict:

[rs6w]

I've got two teenagers that we do cross country road trips in. Granted that little ones you have to pack cribs etc it shouldn't be that much more.

We (4) of us drove around about 5K worth this summer in the S6 with no complaints. Even when the kids were toddlers we never had anything bigger than a Taurus wagon.

My wife's E320 wagon has way more usable room than nearly any SUV available.

The only thing that would make the RS6 a poor travler in terms of storage capacity is the battery in the US model.

[REplica]

wait for the A8l W12 with 450hp

[noushy]

Stu,
I can understand the grief, but I think your wife is really missing the point. My wife drives an S6 avant, and loves it. Two car seats in the back (recaro and some expensive german one) and there is still room for an adult if you have too. She uses the trunk for everything, and loves it. We have an SUV too, an X5 which is about the same size as your ML. We have the DVD player installed (factory) and you are right, it entertains the kids well. We have a 5 year old and an 18month old. Anyways, I see no reason the sell the car, unless you really want something different. Enjoy it, you will regret selling it.

[sturs6]

Thanks noushy,
I am going to keep it but I think I need to start another thread in off topic about the Recaro car seat because you are the second one to say that you have one. Are they good car seats? the one we have now is real wide.

[Erik]

Originally posted by sturs6
Are they good car seats? the one we have now is real wide.

The Recaros are much firmer and offer more side grip.
The also offer adjustable support for your legs (lengthwise).

In my opinion the are very good. However for long driving I think they were a bit thight over the back which doesn't help the ventilation for the back = transpiration. Also they were a bit tight
in the long run for the legs. I'm 186 cm tall and probably need to loose some weight. :360:

[iconcls]

Erik, I had no idea you rode in one of these

http://64.95.118.51/images/opti/01/14/Baby_Trend_Child_Seat_The_Recaro_Start_Car_Seats1-resized200.jpg

I think we are talking Recaro child seats here. ;)

[Erik]

Originally posted by iconcls
I think we are talking Recaro child seats here. ;)

:blush:

[Klint]

Keep the Rs6 for the meantime, then wait till the next sprog comes along...way too early to be thinking about ditching the Rs6.

:hihi: :hihi: In regards to the Recaroes..:D

:cheers:

[sturs6]

Erik I like that analysis of the Recaro seat when I first read I thought why would my two 1/2 year old near more side grip then I read on . That was my fault for not specifing what I was talking about.

Icon you were the other that said you had the Recaro CHILD seat.. what do you think of it?
-Stuart

[iconcls]

Originally posted by sturs6
Icon you were the other that said you had the Recaro CHILD seat.. what do you think of it?
-Stuart

Comfy kids make happy kids and happy kids make sane parents at the helm. What makes them standout is they are so adjustable and have really good lateral support.

Here's a link I quickly googled:
Recaro Start Child Seat (http://www.elitecarseats.com/recaro-start.shtml?engine=adwords!346&keyword=recaro+child+seats)

[noushy]

Stu,
The seats are very well made, and they certainly look and work like nothing else. There is one drawback though, they do not recline much and it is hard for the kids to sleep in them. They have amazing support, and are built like a race seat with an aluminum frame. They do not work well with small kids, they are really booster seats for kids 35-70 pounds. They sell for around $400 unless you find a good deal ($350 or less). We have three of them, one is the sport colored seat (two tone fabric) and the other two are solid colors. We bought the solid colored ones at a going out of business sale for $180 each (FAO Schwartz). Hope you can find them still.

[Erik]

OK, now that I know what you all are talking about :D may I present this interesting link:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4987

[sturs6]

ICON,
I saw that same web page. I like the one on the front page it would match the silver interior. :D :D
:addict:
Erik,
Nice work on that find. That is funny seeing that infant seat in a Turbo.
-Stuart

[Bauer]

My wife and I have had this converstaion. We dont have kids yet but see them comming very soon. We have agreed we will NEVER get a Suburban or anything that size and my wife would drive a minivan off a cliff before she would use it as a daily driver. So, leaves us with a smaller SUV or wagon. I would love an RS6 avant but would take a 4.2 Allroad when the kids come. My wife has even said screw that lets a RS8 when Audi comes out with it and throw a rocket box on the roof, should be pleanty of space. Anyway, I think there is always a compromise that can be had and keep everyone happy....which means I am glad your keeping the RS6:cheers:

BTW...I am getting the kid Recaros for sure:hihi: