OT: Car seat AND minivan shopping!

[snowy76]

Hope I can make this simple b/c it feels complicated in my head too many decisions at once!

We're shopping for a convertible car seat since DS is reaching the height limit for his infant seat. We plan on buying a Britax Marathon (thanks DISers for all the informational threads!). Coincidentally, we're also looking for a minivan for various reasons. Right now it seems like we like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

What I'd like to know, from anyone who drives one of these and has a car seat installed... where does it go? I've noticed that the seating for some minivans doesn't include a middle seat in the second row OR has a removable one that doubles as an armrest or storage space - that doesn't seem an especially durable place, but I could be wrong.

Every van we're considering has a third row, but I can't see putting the car seat way back there (besides, if we have to lug something around and need to fold down/stow the back seats, where would the car seat go then?)

Help and suggestions appreciated! TIA!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have the Honda minivan. We love it. We also narrowed it down to toyota or honda. We are glad we chose the Honda for many reasons. I currently have 3 carseats in the car. 2 Britax (used to have 3 and will soon again!) and a booster. You cannot install a carseat in the middle of the second row but we have them in the passenger and driver seat sides of the car. They are safe there and if you don't feel comfortable, pop out the center seat and move the seat over. I highly recommend the Honda. HTH.

 

[all4fun]

My parents have an '03 Honda Ody and I've installed three of ds's different seats in the middle row capt's chair (r/fing & f/fing Cosco AO, f/fing Britax Blvd, Evenflo Bolero, and currently they have a Cosco Apex installed there). The only problem with installation I had in their car was the Bolero's tether strap was about 4" too short to reach the anchor, but I consider that a problem with the car seat and not the car. The Ody's seats are tall, but that is a good thing IMO. I've also installed an AO in a Toyota Sienna and it fit there well too.

As far as where to install - always check your vehicles owners manual to make sure you're putting it in a position that is approved by the car mfgr. Otherwise, the safest place is where you get the best fit.

Have fun shopping!

Hth.

 

[snowy76]

Thanks to you both for the information!

all4fun, not to get off topic, but I wanted to mention that I've seen your sig before and your son looks great! (My DS was a preemie -- 3 pounds 13 ounces. He'll be exactly 11 months old at noon tomorrow!)

 

[Gillian]

We have a Sienna, but no infant seat. DD 3 is/was until recently installed in the middle row behind the passenger. I found this the easiest place to keep an eye on her. DS 6 is behind the driver.

My friend has a Grand Caravan without captains chairs, it's a 2 passenger bench behind the driver and the middle. She has a forward facing seat installed in the middle there, which is very convenient for her when driving, and for the other kids to get into the car, lots of space to climb in. I don't know if Honda has the option to move the captains chairs together or even if my van does, but this would be super convenient if you just have one kid or with an infant. My friend has 3 kids (2,4,6).

Some people also totally remove one of the captains chairs so they have a lot of room to get in and out, change a diaper, whatever. If you only have one child at the moment, you may find this easiest. Although I will mention that 2 other friends of mine with 3 kids each have removed one captains chair.

ETA: ok, I see now that you have a big family! I am getting used to DS 6 and his friend riding in the 3rd row. I still think about removing a seat to have a tiny bit of extra room when getting in, but like the 2-2-3 setup.

 

[Oceana]

We too are toying with the idea of a new mini van and also narrowed it down to sienna or odyssy... great minds?

We are leaning towards the Honda because they have a fantastic website for builing the car of my dreams... the toyota site is more difficult to navigate and price stuff and their explainations for extras are too complex

we are also looking to get new seats when we get this van (if)... and I have a marathon and decathalon and roundabout (the round about is due to expire next year)

we are considering the Boulevard because it offers the side impact protection... I hear some kids dont like the wings though... I wonder how much an issue that will be with the DVD player ahead?

so subbing to thread =)

julie

 

[lulugirl]

Our Britax Marathon fits very well in our Odyssy. I have it installed behind the drivers seat. If you want the car seat more in the middle then you can move the second row passenger side seat into the center position.
Honda makes a great minivan, I think you will love it.
Although I don't have any personal experience w/ the Sienna, my inlaws have one and like it very much.

 

[ctjsowens]

If youre set between the Honda and the Sienna I would take the Honda. We were in this same situation back in Dec when we were looking for a minivan. The Honda is excellent when it comes to retaining its value. We wound up not buying either one of these though but got a Ford Freestar Limited. Just couldnt pass up the deal of saving several thousand over the Honda. Whatever kind that you get I would invest in the DVD player option. Our children really enjoy ours. Dont really think you could go wrong with any minivan on the market nowdays. They've really come along a lot in the past few years. Our first was a 96 Nissan Quest and in no ways does it compare with whats out there now. Good luck with your purchase!!

 

[TheDizMom]

I have the Grand Caravan special edition which comes with a DVD player and 6 disc changer as part of it's standard equipment. I absolutely love it!! Thought I would put my 2 cents in. If you want a DVD player this is a good way to do it without spending a fortune. The Town & Country has one this way too, a totally loaded one of those is about $28,000, a loaded Caravan even less. I personally am looking forward to the 2008 Caravan/ Town&Country which will have a table that folds under the floor and rotating captains chairs in the middle row for those trips to the cabin. I personally prefer the captains chairs route to the bench type thing because it gives some seperation to the kids for less fighting, but then again I only have 2 kids. I am not generally a foreign car person either, but that's just me. I think if you are set on the 2 that the Sienna has gotten better crash test ratings then I think any other van on the road, but don't quote me on it.

BTW those DVD players are great especially on long trips but I have to say after a while you really start to miss the radio. I've never been able to get the headphones to work darn it. I finally had to set some ground rules. The trip must be at least 20 minutes before they can watch a DVD.

 

[mericletwins]

We have the Honda. We got it when our twins were 2.5 and the baby was about 16 months. We have had car seats configured every which way over the years. We have taken out the two Captains chairs and had all three in the back row. We have taken out one Captains Chair and have had two in the back and one in the middle row. We have left all seats in and had two in the middle row and one in the middle of the back row. All have worked at various times and various reasons. The way we had it for the longest time was middle row out and three in the back row. We also had a DVD/VCR?game system converter installed after we bought it from a car/audio place. The best money we have ever spent. They only use it when we are going to be in the car an hour or more. It is a lifesaver for long car trips!

 

[hvivona]

We have the 2005 Kia Sedona and we love it!!! There is plenty of room for the kids and it received to top safety ratings! Plus the price is awesome! Can't help with the car seat, kids are too old.

 

[bjakmom]

Just wanted to say that my Odyssey was the best car I have ever owned - and I've owned quite a few - just passed it down to DS last year when he got his license - I replaced it with a new CRV - also a great ride, but I still miss my Odyssey!!!

 

[TheDizDad]

If you can wait for it...

http://www.allpar.com/model/m/2008-minivans.html

The Gr Caravan and T&C are the benchmark in the Minivan industry. We have never had a problem with 2 different Gr Caravans. For under 28K we have leather, DVD, moonroof, power tailgate, HTD seats, remote entry, 6-disc CD/DVD, Stow N Go seating, quad captains chairs, privacy glass, and a lot more that I forget. We have all this for $300 a month and we put nothing down. We watch for the Chrysler special deals to come around and I believe it is usually in March that this happens. We traded out of an '05 to get our '06...at the same payment still nothing out of pocket at signing.

 

[snowy76]

Our Britax Marathon fits very well in our Odyssy. I have it installed behind the drivers seat. If you want the car seat more in the middle then you can move the second row passenger side seat into the center position.

This is exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about. Thanks!

I would say the vast majority of the time it's just me and the baby in the van. However, when we are all together, my car is soooooooo cramped. We'd like to take a road trip somewhere soon with them. And with the older two always having friends over or some kind of activity to go to, it would be nice to have the space to have a friend tag along, etc.

DizDad, you must be using spyware because I was just looking at an article about the new models . DH likes the Caravan's features but isn't a fan of the body (he likes the boxier, more SUV-looking bodies) I wish we could hold out that long... but it looks like DH is going to be driving a lot for his second job this summer - up to two hours away some Saturdays - and that would leave me without a car because there's no way we can trust his clunker for those trips.

 

[happypooh]

OMG! That new 2008 model Town and country with the swivel seats and table looks awesome! Now, to save those pennies! Me want one of those!

 

[mtemm]

we have an odyssey and have a marathon in the rear passanger for my eldest, and roundabouts in the captains chairs for the twins.