Thanks to an unlicensed driver (and what looked a hell of a lot like a scam to me), we might be looking for a new car.
I'd love to drive something that: a) can fit 3 car seats reasonably well, b) gets good gas mileage, and c) has a trunk area sealed away from the passenger area so things can't fly up and injure my kids in case of an accident.
Ideas?
(C is non-negotiable. When I drive the kids in DH's prius I don't like the hatch back. I keep fearing we'll be in an accident and flying groceries will blind my baby.)
Can you have a barrier installed - either mesh or if you're really concerned, wire- to keep items in the rear of an SUV or minivan from flying forward? I think 3 car seats and no hatch back or rear cargo space will be challenging.
We have a Toyota Avalon and love it (it's my H's car). It is big and roomy, the back seat is huge compared to my Acura. It's the car we take on trips because we can fit everything in it. It could definitely fit three seats in the back, although I only have one so you would want to check for yourself for sure. It get great gas mileage and drives smoothly and quietly. We will keep it until it falls apart.
Post by penguingrrl on Nov 18, 2015 8:21:13 GMT -5
With the right car seats you can definitely get three in many sedans. We have gotten three kids across MILs civic several times. FIL drives an accord and getting three in there is very easy.
Will you need/want the ability to drive extra kids in the time you own this car? I carpool with a neighbor and the kids like to have friends come home from school with them pretty often. We also like the ability to carpool for sports practices and birthday parties on the weekends, so only having enough seats for my kids would be too limiting for my lifestyle.
And I did love my Honda Accord, it was fantastic. I don't know if you can get 3 convertible rear facing car seats in it though (I don't know what stage of car seats you need).
I'm also a fan of my Nissan Quest. It's a mini van, BUT it also has a very deep covered area in the back for storage.
Are the car seats all full-sized/rear facing? or are some of the kids in boosters? We both have a Hyundai Sonata; I have the 2013, DH has the 2015. The 2015 is incredibly spacious inside, great trunk space; can put the back seats down if you needed. When C was still in a 5 point highback, 2 people could still sit in the backseat relatively comfortably. 3 carseats would probably be tight; and don't bother looking at the Tuscon. We just test drove that one and it's pretty compact, felt smaller than the Sonata.
I have the Camry Hybrid and LOVE it. I looked at the prius (I was coming from a yaris), but I also was starting to get uneasy about loose crap in the cargo area after I'd had the accident, plus I wanted a little more room. I have the giant chicco nextfit rearfacing in the middle seat and can pretty comfortably fit 2 passengers back there as well, so I'd assume you could fit 3 child seats.
Can you have a barrier installed - either mesh or if you're really concerned, wire- to keep items in the rear of an SUV or minivan from flying forward? I think 3 car seats and no hatch back or rear cargo space will be challenging.
You can also buy one (or some vehicles already have them) where it pulls across like a pick-up truck topper or roll shade. So the groceries go under the divider, but you can roll it back for easier access or larger things.
3 rows of seating (though the third row is tight), sliding van doors, a nice fold away table between the second row seats. And I don't feel like I'm driving a tank.
Most SUVs have a touneau cover for the cargo area. Both of the ones I've had came with the vehicle. So I wouldn't discount an SUV if that's what you want. Dh had a hatchback and there is an optional cover for the cargo area. His is a 4-seater so not an option for you but something to check into if you find a hatchback you like.
Post by lilafowler on Nov 18, 2015 10:08:17 GMT -5
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu. I actually like the newer Malibu (FIL has a 2012?). But it's better for a family of 3-more kids and there wouldn't be as much room.
I just bought at 2015 Jeep Renegade. It's boxy, and I have fit three (slim) car seats across. It doesn't have a trunk sealed off, because it's an SUV, but the back seat is really high. I get 30mpg on the highway and about 20-22 in the city.
To answer your question, tamb: 3 car seats because we keep cars forever and are still in the "you never know" phase of family planning. Plus it would be good for carpool.
I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu. I actually like the newer Malibu (FIL has a 2012?). But it's better for a family of 3-more kids and there wouldn't be as much room.
I have a 2015 Malibu. I love it but I wouldn't want to jam another car seat in the middle. My kids can never have a friend.
Post by wesleycrusher4ever on Nov 18, 2015 20:13:53 GMT -5
I love my Nissan Altima. The back seat is very roomy and the trunk is huge! The only thing I don't like is that it's hard to see over the hood (similar to driving a big Buick or something), but I think the newer ones have a shorter hood. I have a 2011 and get about 30-35 mpg. I am partial to Nissans!
Whatever car you choose, make sure it doesn't have overlapping seat belts. You won't be able to install 3 car seats if the car has them. At least a few of the cars mentioned in this thread have overlapping seat belts and wouldn't work. It will specify in the cars manual which two seats could be used at the same time. And don't take a salespersons word for it. They see three seatbelt and assume they could all be used at the same time. There is a list of cars in one of my CPST groups and it's a surprisingly common issue.
I have a 2015 Passat, and you could easily fit 3 seats across, and there is no seat belt issue.
Post by textbookcase on Nov 19, 2015 1:04:59 GMT -5
I have a Honda Pilot and I love it, but there isn't a barrier between the trunk area and back seats. It has a 3rd row, so it can fit a lot of extras. It gets much better gas mileage than I thought it would.