1) should i get the factory roof rails? what are the advantages of disadvantages of them? i eventually would like to carry a kayak, but that would be an occasional thing.

2) should i get the rear air bags? adults and children (no infants and no car seats) would be in the back -- figure 10-years old and up. recent tests have shown that cars with side airbags did best in crash tests for front seat occupants...would the same be true for rear seat occupants? what is the down-side of having rear seat air bags?

thanks very much!

My priorties would be the factory rack for kayaks. I am an avid kayaker and I'm still waiting locally for backorderd thules. The spread of the bars on the thules is about 28 inches. The cockpits on my seakyaks are 32-36. I am assuming with the factory roof rails, you may be able to spread the support towers further apart. I'd really; prefer not to have the straps snugged down over the cockpit lip. Better to have it over the strong part of the hull nearer to the bulkheads.

I hardly ever have anyone in the back seat. If I did on a regular basis, I'd splurge for the airbags.

The dealer sales guy told me they were dangerous for kids.

I wouldn't get the rails: They make the car look more like a wagon and less like a hatchback. IMHO.

there aren't any documented cases of injuries with rear airbags and kids, but there is a risk if they are leaning over them when they go off. but a number of car manufacturers have gotten together with the government to unofficially certify that their rear bags are safe even if a little person in the back is in the "wrong" position. audi has certified all of the variants of the A4 (certifications only through 05), so the A3 is probably good as well.

it comes down to the odds of a problem in a side collision -- i would bet the rear torso bag in conjunction with the side curtain would provide better protection to a kid in the back than the side curtain would alone. but my research isn't complete yet.

thanks for your thoughts on this.

Congrats on the order (Saw it on TTTalk). Nice color combo.

Hopefully I can find one before then.