rear facing seat no-go 
My wife and I have been considering a CT200H for a few weeks now. Our background: We've been driving a manual-transmission 2003 Matrix for about three years and are totally sold on Toyota reliability and low maintenance cost. In fact, I'm floored at how well put together the Matrix is and how reliable it has been. Especially when you consider that it had 160,000 KM when we got it and it's now over 190,000. But now want to replace the Matrix, mainly because my wife prefers driving automatic (especially with kids strapped in the backseat) but also because I feel that the resale on the Matrix will start dropping exponentially if we hang onto it much longer. So, it's a good time to sell it.
Most importantly, we have a 3-1/2 year old and are expecting our second in Feb/12. So, back seat and cargo space are a priority BUT we do not need a huge SUV or crossover etc - the Matrix has ample space, and with a compact hatchback you simply learn to carry what you need when you need it. I mean, really, 95% of the time the car is barely filled. For the 5% of the time you need to go to Costco, on a road trip, or for a hike etc you just pack accordingly (we also have a new Nissan XTerra, my work vehicle, and can tell you that once you have a vehicle like that you tend to overpack and spend oodles on gas carrying around things you don't need).
I do most of the driving, am into cars, and have been following the progress of hybrid and electric technologies for years now. Waiting for a chance to get on board! So, when I came across the CT200H a few weeks ago (having has stopped at the Lexus dealer researching the 400h - decided against it..) I was taken aback at (a) how "cheap" it is, esp for a Lexus, and (b) how much you get for the money. My first urge was to plan on buying it. Until I opened the hatch, and saw how small it is compared to the Matrix, and sat in the backseat (also smaller). However, once I sat it in my love for it increased and I thought "maybe we can live with less cargo space and also make the two baby seats fixed).
So, I decided to do a real life test. Starting with the test drive of the fully loaded version. Yesterday the dealer let me take it out for over an hour, by myself (the premium package, leather, etc). After driving leisurely by the ocean (here in Vancouver, BC, Canada) and then picking up my wife for her to try it, I was simply devastated by how much I like it!! I haven't a single complaint about how it drives - it's amazing, handles like a dream, is a pleasure to drive, and has the most driver's seat I've even been in (the latter is a HUGE priority for me). Oh, and I forgot to mention that I am 6'2". The bottom line is that if I am going to be stuck in a car for 1-2 hours each day this is the car for me. My wife was neutral with how it drove (she preferred an XTrail we recently tried.. another cool vehicle, but a different breed entirely. Not available in the US, incidentally), and was mostly concerned with the lack of visibility out/around the rear pillars and rear window and cargo and baby seat space.
So, this morning I went back to the dealer with the rear-facing seat and our bugaboo cameleon stroller to see how they would fit. To make a long story short, the baby seat negates our being able to get this car. With the passenger seat moved up about half way, and the seat back reclined more than average (how my wife would sit) the seat will not click into its base. It was very deflating, as I would dearly love to own this car as our next. But, not to the point where I would ask my wife (or I) to sit uncomfortably in it for hours on end just so we could have a CT200h. The only other option would be to see if anyone makes a more compact rear-facing baby seat, but I can't imagine it would make a huge difference.
A photo of the back seat *almost* clicked in is posted here:
http://members.shaw.ca/odwak/Sale/CT200H_babyseat.jpg
I'm holding out some hope that battery/design innovations over the next year allow Lexus to increase the size of the CT200H by 10-20% (making it the size of a Matrix) for 2013 or that they come out with a slightly larger hatchback (but not a crossover). What do we do now? I'm researching the Prius V and plug-in Prius (will it really come out next summer?) and may consider them (I'm only buying Toyota or Nissan. Looked into BMW, Audi, and Mercedes wagons and the operating costs are scary. Esp after the warranty is up. I'm not going to pay through the nose just to look like a big shot. To me German engineering, as far as cars go, now seems like an oxymoron..). The problem now is that I'm sold on the luxury of the Lexus such that getting a Toyota - simply in terms of luxury - may seem like a compromise.
The CT200h is the new benchmark for me, even though we can't justify one. I'll keep you all posted on what we do, but will leave you with this: If you need a car of these specs/size, don't have kids, or have a kid who is already in a forward facing seat (and don't plan on having a second child) then buy this car in a heartbeat. It's in a league of its own in terms of cost, luxury, drive, and (Toyota) reliability!
Hi guys,
Yesterday we went with my wife(who is pregnant to our first baby) to test drive the CT I had orally ordered(meaning I haven't yet payed sth in advance).We were till that time pretty enthusiastic about this car and literally couldn't wait to do it our own!!
I was overwhelmed by the general performances of the car and wanted to buy it immediately,but it not escaped my attention the tears in my wifes face that brought me back to earth.
The reason was that she expected it roomier and at first sight the car doesn't seem to fit with comfort baby stroller(one or even two after 1-2 years) back in the trunk of the car,as the 375 litres of space seem to be causing problems to our needs.Also,she noticed that when in few months we'll set the baby seat in the rear seats of CT,there will not be enough space for the baby feet(I suppose she means when baby becomes a year or so) till they reach the front seats.
I know that one solution is to see for myself if they really fit or not into the car(by having another appointment with my car dealer),but since then do any of you confronted the same issue as me?Do any of you have newborn children and your only family car is CT?At the end, is CT a family car or should I look elsewhere?
I'm really troubled with this guys and I'm really expecting sth positive from all of you
..
Crossing my fingers and wait for answers..Thanks in advance and sorry if I were a chatterbox
