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Cars for Moms - comments, concerns and wants! - READ ONLY
149 messages, Last post on Aug 01, 2011 at 6:53 PM
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What is this discussion about? Entertainment System
#112 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [njmom91] by bobw3
May 18, 2006 (9:55 am)
Replying to: njmom91 (May 18, 2006 7:48 am)
Okay...well if you just folded it and climbed over the 2nd row seat, I can see how it was difficult. The whole 2nd row seat flips forward and when you do that it's really easy to get in the 3rd row.
- stmss (May 18, 2006 11:38 am)
Replies to this message:
#113 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [bobw3] by stmss
May 18, 2006 (11:38 am)
Replying to: bobw3 (May 18, 2006 9:55 am)
Concur. As a Freestyle owner with a 2nd row bench, third row and 3 kids, it is one of the easiest vehicles to access the third row (minivans aside where access can be done between the seats). The split bench simply folds up. It is better IMO than Volvo XC90, Pilot or Highlander. The FS also has more usable leg and headroom in the 3rd row than these three - and least expensive. I think you will find that Suzuki, Rav4, Equinox, Torrent etc etc are all much smaller. Suggest a relook - with a salesperson who knows how the seats work.
On another note, all our 3 kids grew up in the middle row of a Volvo wagon (third row in the back) and we are still using it. Even had three child seats across the middle at one time. Doubt it fits the $25k criteria though.
- njmom91 (May 18, 2006 6:24 pm)
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#114 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [stmss] by njmom91
May 18, 2006 (6:24 pm)
Replying to: stmss (May 18, 2006 11:38 am)
Went to another dealership, this time the guy knew what he was doing and not only showed me the flip and fold feature, but how easy it is to put back. Really makes a difference. Got a price quote but I'll post that in the Ford Forum.
Thanks everyone!
#115 of 149 next door by chrisducati
Jun 12, 2006 (7:31 am)
my neighbor just bought a Mazda 5. while it only holds six it is compact enough to get through traffic nicely. Might be a thought of some moms#116 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [njmom91] by mirde98
Oct 10, 2006 (8:51 am)
Replying to: njmom91 (Mar 18, 2006 12:17 pm)
Also try the Mitsubishi Endeavor or Montero. Reliability is a plus on those models.
#117 of 149 Mom needs to Upsize! by songb33
Dec 28, 2006 (12:14 am)
Help, I don't know what to buy. I have 2 toddlers and until lately, the youngest has been in her infant seat and can sit in the middle so we can still take one extra passenger with us. She is now ready for a bigger seat so the two will have to be seperated, plus, my brother-in-law is moving in and will need rides.I need something that has that 3rd set of seats. What do you like, SUV or Van?
- kirstie_h (Dec 28, 2006 8:55 am)
- suydam (Dec 28, 2006 10:36 am)
- njmom91 (Dec 28, 2006 2:49 pm)
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#118 of 149 Re: Mom needs to Upsize! [songb33] by kirstie_h HOST
Dec 28, 2006 (8:55 am)
Replying to: songb33 (Dec 28, 2006 12:14 am)
Personally, I prefer the crossover with 3rd row seating. The one that comes to mind is the Pacifica. 2nd row seats are separate, 3rd row is a bench seat.
#119 of 149 Re: Mom needs to Upsize! [songb33] by suydam
Dec 28, 2006 (10:36 am)
Replying to: songb33 (Dec 28, 2006 12:14 am)
The bliss of have room to separate fighting siblings, plus escorting not just one but probably more of their friends, added to the ease of getting car seats in and out, and the requirement that the 3rd row be something that growing children can sit in, can only be solved by a minivan. Bite the bullet! You'll love yourself. And after they are all in high school and driving themselves around, you can drive something fun again!
#120 of 149 Re: Mom needs to Upsize! [songb33] by njmom91
Dec 28, 2006 (2:49 pm)
Replying to: songb33 (Dec 28, 2006 12:14 am)
Having been there and done that, I'd suggest a minivan for this reason alone: if your back starts to bother you (and mine did after carrying arounda sick toddler all day) you can actually kneel in the minivan and fasten your tykes into their car seats. Better yet, with some, you can put down one of the middle seats and kneel-walk on the floor to put on seat belts instead of the contortions you usually go through with SUV's to put them on. Plus most mini's get much better gas mileage than SUV's.
Now that my kids are older and can put on their own seat belts, I have a Freestyle which is moderately priced AND has a reasonable amount of room behind that third row. And still better mileage, on average, than a full SUV.
Good luck!
#121 of 149 Here are some to consider with THREE rows of seating: by readerreader
Dec 28, 2006 (3:40 pm)
Ford FreestyleNever sat in the third row, but it is very nice inside. The ride is good. This is a very underrated vehicle in my opinion. It is one of the best at what it does.
Saturn Outlook
No need to say anything else about this vehicle and its siblings. Fuel economy as good as minivans. Most space in their respective classes. Only this one is on sale right now.
There is a large real-life gallery of pictures here:
http://familycar.com/RoadTests/SaturnOutlook/Photos.htm
But here is an animation of how the seats work:
I will post pictures later of the GMC Acadia, which should be out later.
Another vehicle to consider would be the Mazda CX-9, something I am surprised I have not heard much about. It looks very good!:
Oh, yes! It's a pretty one for sure.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0f04fa/
I'll look for Pacifica pictures if you want. Those should be easy to get these days. (Both he pictures and the cars.)
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