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Buick Enclave Child Seats

14 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2008 at 1:21 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Enclave, SUV


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#1 of 14
Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers by rookie22
Oct 03, 2007 (3:54 pm)
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Is there anyone on this forum who has two infant car seats in the second row of the Enclave and another booster in the back seat ? We have a 2-1/2 old with twins on the way and are considering the Buick Enclave (along with Mazda CX-9 & Ford Expedition). We would like to have the twins in the second row seat and the toddler in the back seat. I'm not sure if I'll be able to fit two rear facing car seats in the 60% portion of the second row and be able to move the 40% portion to gain access to the third row. Also, would a twin stroller fit in the cargo with all rows up ? Preferably I would like to have the twin stroller along with an umbrella stroller also in the cargo.
#2 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [rookie22] by lwolf99
Oct 06, 2007 (4:13 pm)
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Replying to: rookie22 (Oct 03, 2007 3:54 pm)

Have you thought about possibly getting the captains chairs in the 2nd row instead of the bench seat? Your 2 1/2 year old could just walk between the 2 captains chairs and easily enter the 3rd row - without the need for folding and flipping the 2nd row bend seat.
 
I have a fully loaded CXL AWD Enclave that I purchased in June. I also test drove a Mazda CX9. I thought the Mazda drove a liitle better, but I loved the 2nd row captains chairs for easy access to the 3rd row. My kids are a little older now (6 years and 11 years). When we haul friends and family, the easy access to the 3rd row is super!
#3 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [lwolf99] by rookie22
Oct 10, 2007 (3:09 pm)
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Replying to: lwolf99 (Oct 06, 2007 4:13 pm)

I haven't tried that yet. I was thinking that with the infant car seat base in the captains chair, I won't be able to move it forward at all for adults to get back to the 3rd row (to buckle up the toddler or if there are other adults travelling with us). It's quite difficult for an adult to squeeze in through the center aisle to get to the 3rd row.
#4 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [rookie22] by lwolf99
Oct 11, 2007 (3:47 am)
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Replying to: rookie22 (Oct 10, 2007 3:09 pm)

rookie22,
 
I feel differently about the ability for an adult to get through the center asile to get to the 3rd row. My 12-year old and her friends sit back there all the time. Twice each week, I take a crew of people from my office to lunch, and at least 1 or 2 people sit in the third row. It is very easy to pass between the two captains chairs - there is plenty of room between the two seats. I jus measured, and there is about 7.5" of space between the arms rests. You don't have to slide the seats or anything, just walk past the front of the capatins chairs, then walk between them.
 
I test drove a Merdeze Benz something CUV when looking at vehicles in June. Now that was tight. I literally had to squeeze my leg though a 3-4" space betwen their capatins chairs armrests. Extremely tight - almost impossible.
 
On the otherhand, I think it is much harder to slide and flip the seats (bench or captains), and squeeze between the folded seat and the doorway to try and get into the back row. There is much less than 7.5" of cpace in that case, and in that scenerio, you are trying to fit your whole body - not just your knees and downward.
 
I can tell you that legroom in the third row and ease of access to the third row was a top priority for me. After looking at a dozen vehicles or so, I chose the Enclave with the captains chairs.
 
Just my opinion - for whatever its worth.
#5 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [rookie22] by budi
Oct 11, 2007 (6:57 am)
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Replying to: rookie22 (Oct 03, 2007 3:54 pm)

I am in a very similar situation. We have an Enclave w/captains and have a 2 year old and newborn twins as of yesterday. My two year old is still in a forward-facing car seat. What we are thinking about doing is putting one of the twins in the captain chair behind the drivers seat and the 2 year old and the other twin in the 3rd row. This would leave the other captain chair available for access to the third row or another adult. I'm going to install the seats/carrier this weekend. I will try to post my results.
#6 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [budi] by rookie22
Oct 11, 2007 (9:06 am)
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Replying to: budi (Oct 11, 2007 6:57 am)

lwolf99,
 
I really appreaciate your input on this matter. I will definitely try out what you've suggested on our next trip to the dealership.
 
budi,
 
First of all, Congratulations on the new additions to your family ! Looking forward to your test result with the car seats. Maybe you can try what lwolf99 was suggesting and see if that works for you.
#7 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [rookie22] by lwolf99
Oct 11, 2007 (4:59 pm)
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Replying to: rookie22 (Oct 11, 2007 9:06 am)

rookie22,
Best of luck to you. If you have time, post back your thoughts after visiting the dealership. I am curious about your findings.
#8 of 14
Re: Buick Enclave - three kids and strollers [rookie22] by budi
Oct 15, 2007 (5:50 pm)
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Replying to: rookie22 (Oct 11, 2007 9:06 am)

Here is my experience so far with installing a Britax Boulevard and a Britax companion infant carrier. I'll break down my experience so far using the third row and captains chairs.
The infant carrier is very deep and it hangs off both the captain chairs and 3rd row seat, more so in the third row. I gave a short amount of time trying to use the center seatbelt to get the infant carrier base secured. I could not. Mind you I was doing this at night in limited light. Anyways, I'm going to see if a
pro can get it installed nice and tight. Getting the Boulevard installed in the third row is/more of a challenge than in the captains chairs only for the reason of anchoring the upper strap.
The only upper anchor in the third row is behind the center position. I am using that anchor for my toddler seat which is probably a no-no.
Captain chairs installs
It is a snap to use the LATCH system for the Boulevard. I did not try the belt or plan to.
For the infant carrier the only thing that works is using the LATCH method. What I found using the belt is that the stop button on the lower part of the belt gets in the way of the "lock off" mechanism (prevents belt from moving) of the infant carrier base. Bottom line is that I can not get the base super snug using the belt unless i remove that stop button. Like I said before the infant carrier base hangs off the seat but is very secure using the LATCH method. I would be curious to know if the other infant carrier bases are not as deep as the Britax companion. I might look into exchanging the Companion for a more compact one.
#9 of 14
I need advice by nflguy
Oct 16, 2007 (7:12 pm)
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I know this is the wrong forumn but the topic discussed relates to my problem. We are expecting our first child in Feb. We have decided to get a 2007 Tahoe but all the ones we have looked at have captains chairs in the 2nd row and a two peice fold down bench in the 3rd row.
 
Is it safe to place the carseat in a second row captains chair? Also, is it safe to put the carseat in the 3rd row?
 
The Tahoe comes with side airbags for all rows if that makes a difference.
#10 of 14
Re: I need advice [nflguy] by tidester HOST
Oct 16, 2007 (8:47 pm)
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Replying to: nflguy (Oct 16, 2007 7:12 pm)

You may want to pose that question in the Child Car Seats That Fit discussion.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

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