I am 15 weeks pregnant and soon my husband and I will need to purchase a new (or used) vehicle. I am interested in one that will last us through the baby stage (car seat facing backwards) and into toddler stage (forward facing car seat).
we prefer a car or small SUV/Van/Wagon that has excellent safety ratings, an easily accessible back seat (for putting babies in and out), affordable, and ALSO gets great gas mileage (a lot to ask!) The problem with our car now is a rear facing baby seat would require the front seats to be pushed all the way up!
I assume by posting this question in the toddler stage of pregnancy, moms and dads will have some good suggestions of what works and doesn't work for them. SO, if you have a particular car that you like (or hate), please tell me about it. I am very interested in ease of use and gas mileage.
Thanks for all your help
2007-03-28 09:06:00 · 10 answers · asked by theoutcrop 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I drive a 2004 Passat sedan with automatic transmission that I paid $22k for (brand new). It gets about 25-32 mpg (city/hwy), depending on how I drive (I have a lead foot).
LATCH installs in the backseat are very easy. There are only two sets of LATCH anchors - they're outboard, and the inner anchors cannot be used to install a carseat with LATCH in the center position. All three seating positions have locking seatbelts, so you can put a seat in any of the three positions. All three seating positions have a top tether.
I have installed the Britax Marathon rear-facing behind the driver seat with LATCH, forward-facing in both outboard positions with LATCH, and it is currently forward-facing in the center position with the seatbelt.
I have installed the Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 forward-facing in the center position. The seat tilted to the side a little because there's a little bump in the center of the rear seat, but it was in there tight. I had to remove the base on the 3-in-1. And, I could not get it installed as tightly as I would have liked, in either outboard position. Then again, this is not my favorite seat.
I have installed the Evenflo Triumph forward-facing outboard with LATCH. I could not get it in as tightly as I would have liked it to be - my leather seats did not want to grip on to that flat base on the Triumph.
I have installed the Sunshine Kids Radian forward-facing outboard with LATCH. This seat is in our other vehicle so I've not had a lot of experience with it in the center, or with the seatbelt.
If you have more questions, check out www.car-seat.org. There are certified child passenger safety technicians on the forum who will be happy to help! hth!
2007-03-28 15:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by drey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in the same situation, so we got a great deal on a new KIA sorento. I used to the kind of person that would not buy anything other then a Honda or Toyota, then living in Africa I see how people ran these KIA's and Hyundai' s to the ground, so I did the research and the Sorento got good results, and I love it, smooth riding and it even got us though the blizzard that we had and it was not even in 4 wheel drive. I feel secure driving with my baby in the car.
Plenty of room and 10 year warranty. Gas mileage, well it is a SUV so it is not as great as our sports car but it's not breaking us. Hope this helps. Good luck and God bless.
2007-03-28 16:18:03 · answer #2 · answered by Ama A 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a dodge caravan, 3 rows and the last one folds down for more storage. Honda pilot or Odyssey actually holds high on all safety rating and has the best warranty, so when you buy even used off a Joe Schmo lot, the warranty will still be good most of the time.
2007-03-28 17:47:58 · answer #3 · answered by Spring loaded horsie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a nissan quest with 4 kids - ages 8, 3, 2, 1 and it is perfect!! It has doors on both sides which makes access really easy, but I think they are making most minivans with that now. SUV are not the safest to me, so I think some kind of mini van would be perfect for you.
2007-03-28 16:20:57 · answer #4 · answered by brog 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a toyota matrix and I love it. i have a five year old that has a booster set and I am trying for number 2. They have a lot of run in them and the truck has so much room for everything. don't get me started on the gas. It only cost me $34 to fill up and that last me about 2 weeks and i drive a lot.
2007-03-28 16:57:37 · answer #5 · answered by smilebig27 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Minny van
2007-03-28 16:13:27 · answer #6 · answered by jim m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Chevy Trailblazer that I love but prob to big for you...but I think those Saturn SUV's are cute and they are compact too.
2007-03-28 17:37:15 · answer #7 · answered by Mom of two boys 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely a minivan. You will appreciate the roominess for all the stuff you will need to start carrying when going on trips, etc..
2007-03-28 16:16:14 · answer #8 · answered by rmonigle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Honda Pilot! I love ours!! Also if you travel a lot at all, I would go for a DVD player, it has been lifesaver and worth it!
2007-03-28 16:15:41 · answer #9 · answered by Michelle 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I love my honda odyssey, so roomy for my 3-year old & newborn!
2007-03-28 16:10:02 · answer #10 · answered by sharkyincanada 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋