- #686 of 948
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Re: Which one? [alltogetherook]
by smittynyc
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Jan 10, 2007 (2:49 pm)
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 10, 2007 2:11 pm)
This discussion's been pretty civil, alltogether. And child safety and safety in general is a lot of people's main focus when shopping for a car, so it's natural for it to intersect with a lot of other topics.
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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- #687 of 948
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Re: Which one? [smittynyc]
by lilengineerboy
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Jan 10, 2007 (7:31 pm)
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Replying to: smittynyc (Jan 10, 2007 2:49 pm)
If you are at a point in your life where you could do a lease, new Chysler minivans are very very inexpensive. That said, the market is pretty flooded with 2-5 year old ones now off lease. A quick survey of my friends at work who have them came up with 4 people love them and they have been very reliable, and 1 person has the minivan from hell, but it was that way from the start(and that person still loved everything else about it and is getting another one in the spring).
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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- #688 of 948
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Re: Which one? [alltogetherook]
by guss
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Jan 11, 2007 (5:05 am)
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 10, 2007 2:11 pm)
I can recommend the Chrysler, we have a 2003 with 44k mile and have not had any problem with it yet. While we bought ours new, I think you can get a great deal on a used one , especially if you go with the short version. You won't get the stow and go seats, but if you ever have to take them out they come out pretty easily. I like ours so much, sometimes I think about getting one for our second vehicle(if only I could get get that mini-van image).
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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- #689 of 948
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Re: Backing up SmittyNYC [qbrozen]
by dtownfb
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Jan 11, 2007 (7:13 am)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 10, 2007 1:57 pm)
My kids are in the same boat as yours so I find it hard to fathom having a 3 year old in rear facing seat. If all accidents were front impact, I would completley agree but as you illustrated that is not real llife. Again, the importatn thing is to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines and make sure the seat is installed properly.
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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- #690 of 948
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Re: Backing up SmittyNYC [qbrozen]
by kirstie_h HOST
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Jan 11, 2007 (7:41 am)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 10, 2007 1:57 pm)
hmmm... maybe we need a new dedicated thread for this.
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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- #691 of 948
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Re: Which one? [guss]
by alltogetherook
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Jan 11, 2007 (2:59 pm)
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Replying to: guss (Jan 11, 2007 5:05 am)
Thanks for the suggestions. How heavy is the third row seat in the Chrysler? Can one person remove it easily?
I did check out the MPV but didn't like how it drove-weird for a mazda. I haven't driven a GM-I'm thinking there is more usable space in the Chryslers?
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- #692 of 948
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Re: Which one? [alltogetherook]
by cccompson
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Jan 11, 2007 (4:13 pm)
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 11, 2007 2:59 pm)
I don't know about the newer ones but, damn, the third row seat in our '96 T&C was a heavy mother. I'm a big guy and seem to recall that the first time taking it out myself was the last.
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- #693 of 948
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Re: Which one? [cccompson]
by alltogetherook
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Jan 11, 2007 (7:12 pm)
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Replying to: cccompson (Jan 11, 2007 4:13 pm)
Afraid of that. Bummer. I'm just a average lady-probably couldn't handle that. That means I'd have to look at '05+ for the fold flat third seat.
Hey, did your '96 have the ability to take the third row and move it to the second row so you can sit three, after removing the second row seats? I thought I read that somewhere...
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- #694 of 948
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Re: Which one? [alltogetherook]
by lilengineerboy
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Jan 11, 2007 (7:52 pm)
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 11, 2007 7:12 pm)
My folks '89 could do that. We would pile all the mtn bikes in the back and move the 3rd row seat to the second row and the 5 of us would head to the trails.
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- #695 of 948
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Re: Which one? [alltogetherook]
by guss
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Jan 12, 2007 (3:38 am)
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Replying to: alltogetherook (Jan 11, 2007 2:59 pm)
The '03 has a split bench that sits 2 on a seat and 1 on the other so it is not too heavy. I just back up to the garage and drop it on the floor.I think a woman could do it, but I would not want to do it every day.
My wife did not like the Mazda for that reason also. She said it was too narrow.
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