Toyota Matrix, Mazda3, or Subaru Outback?

Jessica&Brett · February 2011

Anyone have one of those? If so, does it comfortably fit a RF convertible? Do you love it/hate it? We are so undecided on new cars!

Anyu2 · February 2011

I have only owned Subarus and I don't see ever switching. The Outback is a great car, terrific in the snow and roomy too. You should have no trouble with your car seat. The Matrix and the Mazda 3 seem quite a bit smaller in comparison. I honestly can't say enough about Subaru. The new body work of the Outback is much sportier than it used to be, and you just and beat the way they handle in any type of weather. So there is my opinion, good luck with your decision.

katpres06 · February 2011

I love my matrix. Alex's pumpkin seat fits in the middle. The only issue is that when DH is in the car he has to put his seat all the way back and it pushes against the car seat, but it still fits. I think it has plenty of space, even for a smaller car. That being said, my sister has an all wheel drive Outback and would live in it if she could. Alex's seat also fits very nicely in there.

jerseygirl81 · February 2011

I absolutely regret buying my current car over the Outback 3 years ago. I'm dying to trade it and get the Subaru, but I don't see that happening any time soon. Would LOVE the AWD.

My old co-worker had twins and fit two RF convertibles in the backseat.

Meg41208 · February 2011

I just got a Forester - it's smaller than an Outback. The outback is quite a bit larger than both the matrix and the Mazda3 DD is FFing now but I checked to see if her seat would fit RFing. She has a Britax Blvd and it would fit in the middle, but would need the passenger seat moved a lot closer to the dash in order to fit that way. I'm not that concerned about it - I know the Blvd is a pretty big seat and we'll just have to find something smaller for hypothetical #2.

That said, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I would recommend Subaru to anyone in a heartbeat.

pinkylu · February 2011

DH drives a Toyota Matrix. It is a stick shift, so I never drive, but I do like riding in it . It has plenty of room for both kids and all of our junk.

My mom has an Outback and it is very nice, too. She says it drives really well in the snow and she has been very happy with it.

steve&heather · February 2011

It's apples and oranges as the Outback is in a different class than the Mazda3.

That said, I own a mazda 3 and mine fit a RF carseat with no problems, both in the center position and in one of the side positions. It's easier with DS now in a FFing seat, but there still is a good amount of room.

Now that we're expecting #3, we're going to be upgrading to a larger vehicle and the outback is on our list as ones to consider.

Jessica&Brett · February 2011

steve&heather:
It's apples and oranges as the Outback is in a different class than the Mazda3.

That's part of the problem

Hard to compare when they are so different, but they are the three we are deciding between.... At least for now, lol. Wish someone would just make the decision for us

Jessica&Brett · February 2011

steve&heather:
It's apples and oranges as the Outback is in a different class than the Mazda3.

That's part of the problem

Hard to compare when they are so different, but they are the three we are deciding between.... At least for now, lol. Wish someone would just make the decision for us

Jessica&Brett · February 2011

steve&heather:
It's apples and oranges as the Outback is in a different class than the Mazda3.

That's part of the problem

Hard to compare when they are so different, but they are the three we are deciding between.... At least for now, lol. Wish someone would just make the decision for us

doodlebug914 · February 2011

We had a Mazda 3 and got rid of it when we found out we were expecting. We didn't exactly think ahead when we bought that car. I felt like it was way too small. On the other hand, we have a Mazda 6 and love it

Jessica&Brett · February 2011

doodlebug914:
We had a Mazda 3 and got rid of it when we found out we were expecting. We didn't exactly think ahead when we bought that car. I felt like it was way too small. On the other hand, we have a Mazda 6 and love it

I should say that we are looking at the hatchback version of the Mazda3, although that doesn't make a huge size difference

doodlebug914 · February 2011

Our Mazda 6 is a hatch. Love, love, love it. It can haul enough as a small truck

I managed to get our wooden swingset (in boxes) in it and we have hauled a huge load of bagged mulch as well! We will drive this car until it no longer drives. We just paid it off and I'm so glad we bought it. I'm not sure how the 3 hatch compares.

Gilene2011 · February 2011

I have a mazda3 (non hatchback)...and I have to have the passenger seat almost all the way in the dash in order for the carseat to fit RF. I feel like since having the baby, the car feels TINY. Maybe the hatchback has a little more room in the rear seat?

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Toyota Matrix, Mazda3, or Subaru Outback?

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