Ask the Car People.SM


Cars for Moms - comments, concerns and wants! - READ ONLY

149 messages,  Last post on Aug 01, 2011 at 6:53 PM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Entertainment System

Messages Page 11 of 16

#96 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [badgerfan] by bobw3

Mar 16, 2006 (8:13 am)

Replying to: badgerfan (Mar 15, 2006 1:17 pm)
I have a Freestyle SE that can be bought for under $25K easily with dealer incentives. The middle seat in the 2nd row does have shoulder harness. I have 25,000 miles on the car and so far zero problems.
 
Other options would probably be in the used car category...a used Sienna with 2nd row bench, Toyota Highlander, or Honda Pilot.

#97 of 149 Re: Infant seat... [mustangmommy] by amandanicole

Mar 16, 2006 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: mustangmommy (Jan 31, 2006 9:22 am)
I have an ’04 Mustang and right after we bought our rear-facing infant seat and tried to install it I came to the realization that I was going to have to buy a new car until my dear hubby realized that the back seat of the mustang has 3 different ways to install the car seat with the LATCH system on either the passenger or driver side ( which is impossible due to the fact that you would have to have the seat up so far no one would be able to fit in it) or you can actually install it in the middle of the two seats, with the added advantage that the two front seats then nestle the car seat nicely and keep it snug. I may be a little harder to get the car seat in and out but beats me having to sell the car I love!

#98 of 149 3 middle seats by suydam

Mar 17, 2006 (3:58 pm)

I think the Buick Lucerne can fit 3 car seats in the back.

#99 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [njmom91] by cpsdarren

Mar 17, 2006 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: njmom91 (Mar 15, 2006 11:49 am)
"I have been looking through the boards and at automakers websites, and I just can't seem to find anything that has the capacity for 7 - don't need it all the time so smaller rear/stow away seats are fine! - with THREE of those seats being in the middle (i.e. a bench with shoulder harnesses -a must!) that at least lists under 25K."
 
Perhaps the most flexible option would be a Toyota Sienna CE 8-passenger model. Those start at about 25k list but are hard to find in many areas.
 
The 4x2 Highlander base model with the third row option is about 26k list, but it does have a 2-3-2 seating arrangement.

#100 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [cpsdarren] by njmom91

Mar 18, 2006 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: cpsdarren (Mar 17, 2006 4:15 pm)
Thanks everyone, I will look at the Ford. Someone also suggest the Toyota RAV4 with the optional third row, so that is now also on the radar.
 
I'll keep checking back, in case someone else has something to add!

#101 of 149 Re: 3 middle seats [suydam] by rockylee

Mar 24, 2006 (5:24 am)

Replying to: suydam (Mar 17, 2006 3:58 pm)
I do believe that would be possible, based on my observation. When I was considering one about 3 or 4 months ago, I needed atleast 2 car seats to fit plus diaper bag that was easily handy. We put it (diaper bag) in the middle of the seats. I do believe 3 car seats would be possible, but if I was a mom and had 3 kids, I'd want to own a SUV.
 
Rocky

#102 of 149 Volvo the big winner in lowest TCO luxury cars by researchqueen

Mar 29, 2006 (5:39 pm)

Warren Clarke just did a ranking of the Top 10 2006 Luxury Cars with the Lowest TCO. Of the ten vehicles, Volvo had a whopping four on the list. No other brand even had two! As a mom, I've always wanted Volvo...maybe now I can justify what seems like the "extra" expense for one.

#103 of 149 Traumatized Mom by temp409

Mar 29, 2006 (5:46 pm)

Stay away from Dodge caravan rear shoulder straps don't catch in crash my daughter was badly injured. Jerk front and rear shoulder straps in ANY dodge caravan or durango something is wrong. Jerk straps in ANY other minivan ALL will catch first jerk.

#104 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [njmom91] by researchqueen

Apr 05, 2006 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: njmom91 (Mar 15, 2006 11:49 am)
If you look at small or mid-size SUVs, you will find that even those that seat "three" in the back are very tight... too tight if you use car seats or sometimes even boosters. It's critical to bring your kids/car seats with you to the test drive.
 
I have a Highlander with the third-row seat but can't imagine getting three across the second row.
 
Also be aware that the third row is very small and difficult to access in a lot of these cars, particularly in the RAV4. I also think the Freestyle would be a good choice.

#105 of 149 Re: Help! 7 passenger, 3 middle seats, under 25K??! [researchqueen] by njmom91

Apr 21, 2006 (11:24 am)

Replying to: researchqueen (Apr 05, 2006 2:47 pm)
Thanks, definitely looking at a Freestyle, for two reasons: the dealership gives a loaner car when it is in for service, and as a single mom I can't be without a car and two: the local toyota dealerships have HORRIBLE reps. Don't want to mess with it. I know third row is tight/difficult, but it's not for constant use, just the occasional ride for friends/play dates.
 
Hope to take two of the three kids with me Monday to see how they fit. Only need two in boosters and one for only a year so short term tight fit in the middle is okay(and my oldest is very skinny!). A year after that my oldest can ride up front, so the younger ones will have more room.
 
So many things to consider!

Messages Page 11 of 16

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement