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Smart Shopper Used Vehicles Best Values
948 messages, Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM
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Replying to: smittynyc (Jan 10, 2007 11:56 am) I'm sure your son was able to appreciate Dad pointing out a train (can't see where you are pointing). He was probably sitting there looking up at the ceiling trying to see the train. It probably took him to age 5 to realize a train is not a white puffy ball in the sky.  Seriously, either way the kids are safe and that is the important part. I know my kids appreciated being able to see where we were driving. Plus it was tons easier to load them into the car.
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Replying to: dtownfb (Jan 10, 2007 12:37 pm) It is the most important part, and kids are certainly much safer in a front-facing seat than none at all. However, kids are safest sitting rearward as opposed to not, assuming they are in a properly sized and secured seat. Look at how few toddlers/infants die in car crashes in Europe, where children sit rearward until 5 or 6. Communicating with a rearward facing toddler really isn't that complicated -- "Wow, pretty waterfall on Daddy's side!", "Cool, check out that Excursion stretch limo on your left," etc. |
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I am a Child Passenger Safety Technician, and SmittyNYC is absolutely correct - children should remain rear-facing as long as the carseat they are sitting in will allow - most convertible seats rear-face now to 33-35 pounds. The AAP has been recommending this since i believe 2002. The old mantra of 1 year/20 pounds is NOT the current recommended best practice. The differences are that a forward facing child, in a crash, will likely suffer neck/abdominal/chest injuries, same as an adult, as their bodies absorb the impact of a crash. Whereas with a rear-facing child, the CARSEAT absorbs the impact. We use a phrase, it is better to receive a broken leg in a crash sitting rear-facing, than a broken NECK in a crash sitting forward-facing. If you would like to view crash test footage that shows a forward-facing child and a rear-facing child in the same test, please view the following link: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx Scroll to the bottom and you will see a link to the crash test footage. Also, the most important thing is the safety of the child, not being able to show him/her objects you're passing. My child was rear-facing until 3 years old, and had no problems seeing anything, or communicating with us. Please keep your children rear-facing until the child has surpassed the rear-facing weight limit of the seat. Every "graduation" of seats is a DEMOTION in safety - ie - forward-facing is LESS safe than rear-facing, and being in a booster is LESS safe than being harnessed. There are also new seats available that will keep your child harnessed forward-facing beyond the standard 40 pounds (if you have a 3-in-1 seat that says it is good to 80 pounds, that only means with the seatbelt! You have to take out the harness at 40 pounds and use it as a booster seat only!) These new seats are the Cosco Apex, Sunshine Kids Radian, and the Britax Regent, Marathon, Decathlon and Boulevard. I posted this information for anyone who may be reading this thread, it is not intended for one person only. Thank you for reading, and for keeping your kids safe. Jodie CPST and mom to 2 boys (and is looking for a new-to-us car to haul everyone around in!)
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Replying to: jrosales (Jan 10, 2007 1:16 pm) anyway, i am wondering if what you are saying only applies to crashes involving the front of your car. I mean, if you get slammed in the rear, a rear-facing carseat isn't going to fare better, is it? Or how about side impact? Our seat is, I believe, a 3 stage. I know it has 3 tilting positions and 3 harness positions. The first tilt is for rear facing only. I believe the directions read something like "keep child rear-facing until 1 year old, or 28 lbs (i'm not confident of that number, but its definitely higher than 20. could be 30), or until xx inches tall." So it gives 3 criteria. Our child hit the weight and height criteria before 1 year. edit: ah, i just went and read that site. They are talking about frontal crashes. They do say that most accidents are frontal. oddly enough, out of 5 accidents I've had, 2 were side and 3 were rear. So my personal experience is different. I tend not to run into things. they also comment about the height and weight of the child. They say 30 lbs, so I think that must be what my childseat instructions call for.
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Replying to: dtownfb (Jan 10, 2007 11:03 am) We have no problem talking to each other. I also think the focus is on frontal crashes since those are the most serious & most common. Rear end crashes usually aren't cause for as serious injuries, esp. spinal. Sorry everybody-I didn't mean to start such a heated discussion.  I do need a "new" used minivan. Any suggestions for one in the $10-12,000 range?
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 10, 2007 2:11 pm) If I were in your shoes, I'd look at 2/3 year-old Chrysler and Dodge minivans, or 2002-2003 Siennas/Odysseys.
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Replying to: smittynyc (Jan 10, 2007 2:49 pm) The Oddessy and Sienna are hardly "mini" vans. They are bigger than some full size vans. That said, given their size they are very easy to drive. I don't care for the Sienna before that, it has the turning circle of a bus and I found it hard to see. I also didn't like how I had to look down to change the radio. It does have a smooth ride and powertrain though. |
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 10, 2007 2:11 pm) The Mazda MPV can also be had pretty cheap, and has some features the Chrysler products do not have. Like 2nd row windows that go down and a storage well behind the rear seats. As far as child seats go, I think the main thing is to just use them, and use them properly. My oldest is 7 1/2 and almost 5 foot tall and she complains that many of her friends don't use them anymore. Good thing the law here is 8 and 80 or I don't think any of them would be using them by that age. |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 10, 2007 1:57 pm) alltogether: a 2-3 year used GM minivan is also an option. The MPV is a great size and value but you do sacrifice significant interior space. If you have 1 or 2 small kids, it's probably not a problem. Plus there is no gas mileage savings or driving advantage over the larger "minivans". You can get a leftover 2006 for around $17-$18k. |
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 10, 2007 1:57 pm) How about - Child Car Seats that Fit or Air bags: are they safe for children & children in car seats? Those pretty much cover the topic. |
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