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Last post on Aug 01, 2011 at 6:53 PM
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#24 of 149 Some great discussions...
by Sylvia
Dec 21, 2004 (7:58 am)
There are a number of great comparison discussions in the Forums. So we can keep this discussion on-topic of "Cars for Moms..." here are some places to discuss specific vehicles or class comparisons:
Help me select a Wagon
Upcoming Wagons & Crossovers
#26 of 149 Some general thoughts
by lancerfixer
Dec 22, 2004 (9:12 pm)
Today I saw a Mercedes E-Class wagon with three child seats (not baby seats...belt positioning boosters) across the back. They seemed to fit just fine.
As far as cars for moms; well, it's been four years since our first child; we've now got two, and there is NOTHING I can say or do to get my wife to give up her Honda Accord coupe!
Actually, the two car seats fit in the back seat of the Accord just fine. For family trips we take my Volvo S70, but we've never wanted for passenger or cargo space in either car (and this includes family trips from Iowa to Massachusetts at least annually.) I'd like to get her a wagon (or get me a wagon and have her drive my car...either way is fine by me) I guess I've always been mystified by people who have one kid and decide they need a Honda Odyssey or Chevy Tahoe.
#27 of 149 lancerfixer
by lexusguy
Dec 24, 2004 (12:51 am)
Or a Suburban or 'slade.
#28 of 149 Should this car exist?
by researchqueen
Jan 12, 2005 (2:30 pm)
My friend has four kids (three are triplets), and she says that what she really wants is a minivan, or any reasonable-looking car, that has a total of four rows of seating. Sure, she could get a passenger van, but those things are WAY ugly. Does anyone else feel the same way?
#29 of 149 Re: Should this car exist? [researchqueen]
by KCRam@Edmunds HOST
Jan 12, 2005 (6:36 pm)
For 4 rows of seats to be A) remotely comfortable, and B) relatively accessible, nothing will work except a full-size van. A minivan or SUV would have major entry/exit issues unless they had three doors per side - that huge slider on a full size Econoline-Club Wagon, Express/Savana, or Sprinter allows safe, easy access for all passenger rows. That level of access would also be imperative in an emergency situation - yoiu're never in a seat that requires climbing over or folding down another seat to get to a door.
kcram
Host - Wagons
#30 of 149 Re: Should this car exist? [researchqueen]
by guss
Jan 13, 2005 (5:22 am)
We have three kids and while the mini-van works excellent, for looks I think the passenger vans are much nicer. My neighbor has 3 kids and he has a Ford as a third vehicle, he's not giving up his Porsche. It has tons of room and looks more manly than a mini-van.
The downside he gets killed at the pumps, 8-9 mpg.
Before we got our mini-van I joked to my wife about buying a used limo. Think how cool the kids would look pulling up to school in that.
#31 of 149 Should this car exist?
by researchqueen
Jan 13, 2005 (4:30 pm)
Guss -- Limo? Only in Beverly Hills! (And I don't doubt that happens.)
kram -- You're right about the safety issue. But isn't that already an issue in many minivans and SUVs, where you have to fold and flip a seat to get to the third row? I shudder to think of what would happen in an accident... I've never really thought about it before, but it's a serious question.
I have my minivan configured for my convenience -- the second row seats have the space in the middle, which makes it easier for me to load my daughter in her carseat (because it's right next to the open door). The carpool kids have to climb into the second row, and cross to the third row by squeezing between the two second-row seats. I had been thinking about putting the second row seats together to make it easier on the carpool kids (especially now that my daughter is almost 3). Now that I think about the difficulties of exiting the car with my current configuration, I'm even more likely to make that change. Thanks!
Jan 13, 2005 (8:17 pm)
My dad has an 01 Dodge Grand Caravan as his "retirement Winnebago". He has the 4 bucket seats and the third row bench, which is an absolute nightmare to get to from the sides... almost easier to climb in from the rear hatch and flop over the seatback!
kcram
Host - Wagons