Child Car Seats That Fit

fundad

Thanks for all the replies on what to look at. I did look at the Toyota. Very nice looking inside... Outside, I dont know... lol. But for $42,000????? The honda is not what we are looking at as all I hear from people in our area that have them is that the transmition goes out at 30-45,000 miles or so. A service tech at the honda dealer told me the same thing. Gas mileage is somewhat of a concern though. On our 2 different SUVs we can beat the fuel economy figures by 2mpg. Hearing 22-24 mpg on the Toyota. However we do get 19 with our expy. That was only rated at 17. Maybe the Toyota can get 26mpg???? Also... Im a bigger guy. 6 foot, broad shouldered and 230lbs. Would I fit decent in the Toyota?

cpsdarren

If you mean the Sienna, the 8-passenger models don't sell for anywhere near $42k unless you are in Canada. Even loaded up with DVD and everything, you should be out-the-door after taxes and everything at $30k (US) for an 8-passenger right now. With the current deals and rebates on 2006s, it's closer to $25k street price for the most common models and the base model can be had for much less.

If by Honda you mean the Odyssey, the transmissions issues were mostly in 1999-2001 models. The new 5-speed arrived in 2002 and doesn't appear to be problematic, nor has the version in the current models starting in 2005.

If you really need to seat 7-8 passengers regularly or 3-across in the second row, the 8-pass Sienna is a much better choice because of the layout of the 2nd row center seat and width of the third row. If you only seat 7-8 people or 3-across in the second row every once in a while, the Odyssey is a good choice and perhaps a bit more flexible, too.

Can't help you with the fuel economy. It's a good bet if you exceed estimates with other vehicles, you will on a new vehicle because of your driving habits and weather conditions. There's never any guarantee, though. Only way to know about fitting in the Toyota is take an extended test drive or overnight. That shouldn't be a problem on a 2006 model.

odie6l

"Also... Im a bigger guy. 6 foot, broad shouldered and 230lbs."

I myself am 6'3" and 282 lbs. (at last sparring weigh in). My build is more George Forman meets Defensive LB. So comfort is a high priority for me.

Odie
Odie's Carspace

sky23213

Just curious which one you chose. Your comments?

fundad

Well... We desided to go with the 2007 Chev Suburban. The minivan just doesnt fit with 3 car seats and still be able to even go get groceries well enough.

middleseat

I have a 2001 Suburban which has 2nd and 3rd row bench seats (both which have only lap belts in the center position and both which lack a head rest/restraint). I have a 10 year old that typically meets the 5 criteria (over at www.car-seat.org) for not needing a booster but he tends to slouch and I would prefer to error on the side of safety.

As I said though, the center position in the 2nd and 3rd rows have only a lap belt. No shoulder harness. No LATCH system.

I would like a headrest for each of these 2 center seat positions but from what I can tell, there are no booster seats that can be used with only a lap belt. I'd also like a shoulder belt or some other more secure/safe belt system than just a lap belt.

So - three questions I guess:

1) Are there places (buesinesses) on the web that offer some kind of retro-fit kit to add a headrest to these middle seat positions?

2) Is there some kind of booster that can be secured using just a lap belt?

3) Surely this is a common issue and there is some kind of solution that is eluding me. Please let me know what that might be :-)

Sincerely and "Thank You" in advance.

ddunbar

I'm trying to determine if getting the rear curtain side airbags on a Corolla is a safety plus or minus with two kids in Britax carseats. The NHTSA indicates that curtain airbags are probably not harmful but suggests checking with the car manufacturer. I cannot find much on Toyotas website about the issue. Does anyone know what Toyota says about the compatibility of their rear side airbags with car seats?

Thanks.

mcdawgg

I would get them because many new models, such as the Camry, have them standard on all cars. The Corolla has them optional, but they are fairly easy to find with them.

cpsdarren

Side curtain airbags are not known to be a risk to children or any properly restrained passenger. Unless your owner's manual for the vehicle or child restraint states otherwise, installing a child seat next to a side airbag should be OK.

There may be some risk to out-of-position, unrestrained and improperly restrained passengers, though to date I know of no serious injuries or fatalities to children attributed to a side impact airbag. In fact, manufacturers do certify most of their vehicles to a voluntary set of guidelines for side impact interactions. If you find your specific vehicle report at www.safercar.gov, you can see if it meets these guidelines. For example:

http://www.safercar.gov/NCAP/Cars/3583.html

In the bottom section titled "Air Bags" you will see that it "Meets Specifications" for SAB Out Of Position Testing.

I would guess that for babies, toddlers and most kids properly restrained in a carseat with a 5-point harness, side curtain airbags give little plus or minus in terms of safety. On the other hand, older kids in boosters and those wearing seatbelts probably do gain some protection if they are tall enough. Many curtain airbags also cover the entire window area and can also help prevent flying glass, another plus.

famof3kids

We have three kids, each 16 months apart, so, I feel your pain! Ha We went through the same decisions.

We purchased a 2004 Nissan Quest SE and love it. We put the oldest child (6 yo) in the back seat and the two younger ones (4 & 5 yo) in the second row captains chairs. The Quest has a very deep storage area behind the rear seats, so, we've never had a problem with stroller/luggage storage. We got 29MPG last year going to Disney.

You can move the second row captains chairs close to the front seats to help you reach them. The ceiling height in the Quest is enough to walk to the back during travel if need be.

grneyzz

I'm looking for vehicles that will carry 4 child safety seats. 19months, 5 months, and twins on the way due in July. So boosters are not an options at all. :confuse: I dont want to go minivan. I love my Tahoe, but its 3rd seat is NOT rated for holding carseats. Someone on a parenting board I go to said her TB is rated for it...but I am honestly NOT confident, especially since mine in not.

Can anyone take a look for me? To see if thier TB (I dont know what year hers is honestly, I think 05) allows for 2 in the 2nd row and 2 in the 3rd row?

Kirstie_H

Wow, you've got a lot to do besides shopping for a vehicle!

Others have recommended the Hyundai Santa Fe & the Toyota RAV4 with 3rd row option. It sounds like they're not the easiest of vehicles to locate, but it might be worth the effort.

bobw3

Ford Freestyle

odie6l

Mazda5
It has 2 center row seat and 2 3rd row seats, all of which have LATCH. Plus the 2nd row seat slide front / back for more room. The other plus feature is the sliding side doors (A'la minivan) but it is not a minivan. My wife and I were looking at the 5, but got too good a deal on a pilot. The only down side to the 5 is with the 3rd row seat in use, you basically lose your cargo area.

Another option is if you are in an area that you will be close to a car show (ex. Philly Auto Show Detroit Auto Show LA Auto Show, DC Auto Show, NY Auto Show, etc etc.) so you can go in and try every (and I mean EVERY) vehicle on for size, features and so forth. It's really nice to, because there are represenatives from the manufacturer's there to answer any questions you have (not to sell you a vehicle).

Hope this helps

Odie
Odie's Carspace

amib

Hi all,
I have a minivan that I love and have furnished it with 3 carseats in the back row and one in each of the captains chairs. I have heard that they sell a fold down rear facing seat that can go in the trunk area. Has anyone else heard this? Right now when I want to do something with all 6 kids we need to take two cars because everyone needs to be in a carseat and I also need an another adult to come too. If I could fit one more carseat it would save me a lot of time and energy. Any info on this would be great!

odie6l

looks like your heading the way of the Econoline Van / Dodge Sprinter Van / Chevrolet Express Van (i.e - the BIG Vans)

That looks like your only bet to still keep the kids safe.

Odie
Odie's Carspace

bobw3

The Sienna minivan with 2nd row bench would fit 6 carseats.

sassymolassie

As a soon-to-be parent, I am trying to find out where it is safest to install an infant safety seat. I know that it must be installed in the back seat of a vehicle, but is it better in the middle of the seat or on the outside?

Also, is LATCH considered safer than seatbelt installation (I know it's easier). I realize that cars and infant seats vary, but there has to be some data out there with answers to these questions. The seat makers don't reference it specifically and I couldn't find it on the NHTSA or on seatcheck.org or any websites similar to those.

bobw3

Middle rear seat is always the safest...common sense when you think about the side impact damage on any car. And LATCH is better because it's a direct connection, rather than relying on the seat belt tensioner. Plus the latch points are better positioned on the carseat. You may want to look on Google for actual references, but this is my understanding from what I've read in the past.

jb_shin

But, in many cars, the middle seats do not have latch mounting point. It may be possible to connect to the two inboard mounting point from the each side if the babyseat has enough slack.

bobw3

may be possible to connect to the two inboard mounting point from the each side if the babyseat has enough slack

that's how I do it in the Fit.

jim002001

I am considering buying a Honda Element but I have a newborn on the way and was wondering if it would be hard to get a car seat in the back.

Does anyone have any experience with this or have any suggestions.

Thanks

jb_shin

I had an Integra hatchback and would not recommend 2-door cars to anyone if child seat will be in the back. Since Element does have a door for the back, I can't imagine it would be too difficult. Not sure if one can open the back door without opening the front, though. Probably best to take the car seat and check it out yourself.

lab88

I have an Element and a four month old baby, and his Snugride fits fine in the Element. I have an easier time getting it in there than in the Accord. You have to work out a plan for how to get the carseat into the back seat, but once you figure it out it's easy. It's just new at first. The trick is that the back seat have to get filled up and emptied first. There's no middle seat, so he has to ride on the side, though. If we have another baby I'll probably eventually get a bigger car since the Element only seats four. I'll be sad if I have to get a different car, since I love my Element.

Test drive any car you're thinking of and take it to Babies R us or another baby store. They'll let you test out potential car seats in the car.

stever

9/22/07 - 9 am to noon - for all makes and models. Limited areas.

Child seat safety inspections
NHTSA 4 car seat installation guidelines
education training on installation
latch system

See the link below for locations.

Plus there's a contest at the link - prize is a VW Passat 2.0T - 50 US states/DC, 21 yrs. old.

Safety Saturday

davidhoffman19

Here is a an article I found helpful in choosing a car seat that fit:

Which Type of Carseat to Buy?

ccostable

That article is a decent start. But what many people fail to consider besides age and weight of the child in the seat is also their length. And above all, the instructions that come with the seat should be taken as law, next to your car owner's manual. I worked for two years helping people find a seat that was good for them. There is no seat that is perfect for everyone. People are different, children are different, and cars are different. It takes a little bit of time to try a bunch out then make the decision.

nflguy

We are expecting our first child in Feb. We have decided to get a 2007 Tahoe but all the ones we have looked at have captains chairs in the 2nd row and a two peice fold down bench in the 3rd row.

Is it safe to place the carseat/Infant in a second row captains chair? Also, is it safe to put the carseat in the 3rd row?

The Tahoe comes with side airbags for all rows if that makes a difference.

jb_shin

What is the concern over putting the seats in the 2nd row captains chair? We have a Sienna with captains chair and that is where we have our 2 younger kids in their car seats. Our 7 year old sits in his booster seat in the 3rd row. The only concern with 3rd row is during a rear-end collision, if distance b/w the rear hatch/glass to the 3rd row seat is too close.

ccostable

There should be no problem with the captains seats in the Tahoe. So unless the car or carseat manuals specifically say not to do it, then it's okay. I've never seen one that has. The only other thing you might want to look into further if you are going to use the 3rd row is, I know at some point there were seat manufacturers who were picky about where you put a seat on a bench that splits depending on where the split is.

davidhoffman19

For those of you shopping for an Infant Seat, there is an helpful article I found that highlights Top Features for an Infant Seat

snapcracklepop

Wow, I never knew that choosing a car seat was such an extensive process. This is good information to be aware of-- thanks!

ccostable

Yeah, picking a seat can take a little bit of time but you only really do it a few times and it is well worth the effort. I used to see people who really didn't care about a child seat or be bothered to put any kind of effort into it. Which was sad because it would be the kids that suffer and when you talk to people who lost children in accidents due to seat issues, it's pretty hard.

davidhoffman19

I found this exhaustive spreadsheet that provide detail car seat info for all 2007 car seat models from all manufacturers.

ccostable

davidhoffman19
Your link looks interesting but I can't get to that page/excel sheet. Can you post it again? Thanks.

stever

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday introduced a new five-star government rating system that grades child safety seats on how easy they are to properly install."

Federal Government Kicks Off Child Car Seat Rating System (Inside Line)