Vehicles that can handle 3 car seats

[fredr123]

I know your wife is adamant that a minivan is out of the question. My wife said the same thing. However, we went out and test drove a Sienna and an Odyssey anyway and my wife quickly came around on the idea.

First of all, the nice minivans of today look nothing like the photo you posted and are so far removed from what your parents might have owned growing up that they may as well be in a new category of automobile. Granted, they are still not as cool as a sweet SUV, but they certainly aren't as lame as what you might think.

Second, they are super convenient. Ours transports two adults, three kids, a large dog and all the accoutrements with ease. We can even fit an extra adult or two from time to time without complaint. Lots of room and it's really easy to get the kids in an out with the sliding door and the height of the vehicle.

Third, you can get some really comfortable minivans with really convenient options. Automatic doors, backup cameras, rear seat entertainment, etc.

Fourth, a nice minivan is probably going to be a lot cheaper than a comparable SUV. It'll probably be better on gas too.

We decided to bite the bullet and go with a minivan for a few years. Once the kids are in booster seats and beyond, I think it's easier to fit them in an SUV of reasonable size and we will reassess our options.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by fotze

How the fata did you get so many kids so soon? All our 3 kid family friends drive the Canyonero/Sequoia.

Well, I inherited a step son, then suddenly found out that my wife and I are ungodly compatible (genetics wise) and can produce offspring with a passing glance at each other.

2 years ago I was a single guy with more money than I knew what to do with.

Now I'm considering buying a minivan.

FML

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Ace

The regular size yukon does not work for three car seats IF you need all three rear facing. In looking at vehicles in this class: the Sequoia was the only one where the 2nd row seats were not fixed (can slide back and forth), I think this could help a lot with various car seat arrangements. Also count me in as super disappointed that there are no latch connections in the third row of the Yukon (2008)...

well the six year old should just have a booster right?

I have 3 kids and the yukon is awesome...only one is rear facing though

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by ernie

Provinces and states have different car seat laws. It is typically done by a combo of age, weight and height. This is because a seat belt can do considerable damage and/or provide no help whatsoever if it isn't hitting a person in the proper spot.

Where we are a child under 4 or under 40 pounds has to be restrained with an appropriate restraint system (i.e. rear facing for kids under 20 lbs and forward facing until 40 pounds). Under 8 years of age and between 40-80 pounds and under 4'9" must be in a child restraint system or booster seat (everyone will use the booster). 8 years old and atleast 80 pounds or over 4'9" can use regular belts if they can be adjusted to fit correctly (pretty much all can).

I don't think this is correct. In Canada, child seat regulations are federal and mandated by Transport Canada.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehicle...y-index-53.htm

[Tron_fdc]

Yep, 6yr old is in a booster. 2 others would be rear facing.

I have a thing about cars though, in that I can't stand it when they get treated like a trash receptacle. If the 6yr old is climbing over the seats all the time it's going to look like a war zone back there.

I need easy access for the 2 car seats, a 3rd row for the booster and access to the 3rd row that doesn't require the 6yr old to do an impression of a muddy chimpanzee.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Now I'm considering buying a minivan.

FML

Dude, if it makes you feel better, you're in common company. Several of my friend group fought minivans like an allergic reaction. The more they thrashed against it, the more they realized - "Hey life will be a lot easier and cheaper) if I just get a minivan".

The issue is the damn car seats, the one after the baby bucket but before the booster. These throne like objects don't bend well so the slide and tilt 2nd rows don't do either well and thus restrict access to the 3rd row. Turns a trip to the 3rd row into a contortionist routine.

One simple test usually tells all. Setup all three seats in an SUV and then in a minivan and watch your willpower crater as you realize this and how much easier your daily routine will be.

Toyota Sienna is the only minivan with AWD by the way, at least for now. Rumours are that the new Chrysler T&C will have AWD.

[Canehdianman]

Just went through this with my wife.

She HATES minivans. We only have one kid (4 weeks old), so it isn't really an issue, but the plan is for at least one more so I thought it might be easier to go straight to a minivan now. Nope, that wasn't gonna happen.

I grew up with minivans (in fact at one point we had two Ford Aerostars as the family cars). Things were awesome. Could take 7 friends camping and tow the tent trailer.

Instead, I'm picking up my 43k Highlander on the weekend.

[Table 5]

How is a Crossover/SUV any more cool than a minivan? If you look at who drives what these days, pretty much every soccer mom out there has a CUV/SUV, while it's mostly older dudes driving vans now.

Neither one is cool, so stop worrying about it, and get the one that's the most practical.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Yep, 6yr old is in a booster. 2 others would be rear facing.

I have a thing about cars though, in that I can't stand it when they get treated like a trash receptacle. If the 6yr old is climbing over the seats all the time it's going to look like a war zone back there.

I need easy access for the 2 car seats, a 3rd row for the booster and access to the 3rd row that doesn't require the 6yr old to do an impression of a muddy chimpanzee.

Can't speak for the bigger SUV's but most minivans come in multiple configurations and not just bench seating. We have the two captains chairs for the second row so there is a nice wide path (for a car anyways) to gain access to the third row. Our 3rd row split so we will often leave one down and my 5 year will climb though the back. No climbing whatsoever.

[northcrunk]

I have a navigator and 2 kids. The captain seats in the back are great for getting the kids in and out and the bench seat at the back is easy to remove. I wouldn't pay 80k for one though. Pick up a used one.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Just to touch on the '88 Caprice Wagon a little more. It also had the flip down reverse facing rear seats, leather as well. These were great, as your two daughters sit in the middle row being lame and listening to Kylie Minogue over and over, your twin sons can sit in the back, flipping people off as your parents are none the wiser.

Highly recommend.

[nik-]

Just give in and buy a minivan.

It's over man.

[4X4]

Go with a crew cab truck. Pretty hard to go bush camping in a minivan.

[DoubleF]

Buy a minivan with the snazzy options. The electric sliding doors on many minivans (controlled by remote) still confuse people to this day and make you lazy. Easy removal of middle seats is nice if you have to access the back seat. Ample trunk space with full seating is great too.

Also works well to get some of those spontaneous couch purchases on Kijiji too...

[Wormius]

Remember that in anything other than a mini-van or cargo-van, the third row of an SUV or whatever is going to be tight as hell to maneuver kids in an out of.

[GGG]

Get a sunshine radian XT car seat or multiples of them. You can fit a booster and 2 sunshines in a cavilier.

http://www.amazon.ca/Sunshine-Kids-R.../dp/B001O5CM7E

It is the narrowist carseat on the market and goes frm rear facing infant to 80lbs forward facing.

On the new car front the new Chevy Traverse and a few of the other seats now are designed to access the 3rd row with car seats installed without the crawling over the seat.

[photon]

I was sure I saw a wagon recently that had the rear facing 3rd row seat, that would be cool.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Buy a Sienna, slap some 20"s on it, put in an Aero Kit. Compared to a slab sided Ford Expedition that handles like a barge - I'd take this anyday.

[Table 5]

If you want to be cooler than your average bear, you can get an E-Class wagon with a third-row rear-facing seat.

If you REALLY want to be the coolest mofo in town, get the E63 AMG Wagon. 550hp, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, and 550 hp. The only downside is one kid has to stay home because there's no third-row.

If you just care about being a good dad and doing what's best for your family despite what society thinks, get a van.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by photon

I was sure I saw a wagon recently that had the rear facing 3rd row seat, that would be cool.

Yep, E-class wagon.