Question for Minivan Owners

[Deebs]

I have the Odyssey. The doors definitely retract for little arms. My 3 and 5 year old have tested this feature many times. A Rav4 is a notoriously tough fit for any car seats, let alone three. I went from a fairly large SUV to the minivan, and it's a world easier with three kids in three car seats.

[spotty_dog]

BTW, if anyone has good advise about getting three carseats in the second row of a 2007 RAV4, I'm all ears. I'm reading on the carseat blogs that the 2nd row seatbelts in the 2007 RAV4 overlap in a weird way that renders it impossible to install three carseats. I wish that it was practical to use the 3rd row but we need the trunk space for the stroller. K2 will be 2.5yo when the baby arrives so we'll still be in double stroller territory.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=129887
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=126569

"You can not install 3 seats in that row. Period. No way, no how. The only way would be to put one in the center with borrowed LATCH, which is obviously neither allowed nor safe."

Wow, bummer.

If you have some car money saved, it looks like the trade-in on the Rav4 wouldn't be too bad, like $7-8k? Can you get a nice 2009-2010 T&C and keep the Acura?

Good luck!!

[MrsK]

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=129887
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=126569

"You can not install 3 seats in that row. Period. No way, no how. The only way would be to put one in the center with borrowed LATCH, which is obviously neither allowed nor safe."

Wow, bummer.

If you have some car money saved, it looks like the trade-in on the Rav4 wouldn't be too bad, like $7-8k? Can you get a nice 2009-2010 T&C and keep the Acura?

Good luck!!

The RAV is newer and in even better shape than the Acura. We just finished paying that one off a couple months ago. Also it fits my husband and the two carseats we've got better than the Acura does. The Acura TSX is really a tiny car. If we are replacing one, it will be the Acura.

[spotty_dog]

The RAV is newer and in even better shape than the Acura. We just finished paying that one off a couple months ago. Also it fits my husband and the two carseats we've got better than the Acura does. The Acura TSX is really a tiny car. If we are replacing one, it will be the Acura.

Ah, gotcha. Come to think of it, we didn't even put a car seat into our second car (Camry sedan) until DD was about two. We didn't need to transport the whole family in any situation where we couldn't just use the family car. Hope you find a great van!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

We are going to have this problem too. DH can't fit with a car seat behind him without D being able to kick the car seat and touch daddy's head. And a RF car seat can't go behind him.

Only we can't afford a new (even new to us) car. I'm hoping maybe in Dec. We shall see. He's going to love me having to drive him everywhere bc he can't physically drive the car...

[SoonerTexan]

After all my whining, we are planning to take the minivan plunge around or after Christmas. The sliding doors sold me...our garage is small and getting in and out with kids with normal doors is a big pain.

I want an Odyssey, but used the T&C seems to give the most bang for the buck. We aren't considering the Hyundai and Kia. Didn't like em.

Man though, my MIL has the touring odyssey and it is one sweet ride.

[houseelf]

I want an Odyssey, but used the T&C seems to give the most bang for the buck.

This was us. I am on my second T & C and I am happy. I just couldn't justify the surcharge for an Odyssey when my last T and C van had zero mechanical issues over the span of 185,000 miles in 7.5 years. My husband drives a used Porsche so really I could have justified any car I want but I just don't get jazzed by cars. A lot of my friends make fun of my minivan but I love it. There goes my cool hipster image. Yeah right. I have a lego house elf on my key chain. Who's kidding who?

[SoonerTexan]

Anyone have a Routan? We may be taking the minivan plunge a little sooner than expected and are going to look at this one tomorrow:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...52141477&Log=0

Normally I'd stay away from VWs because it's harder to get non-dealer maintenance and parts, but I've read this is essentially a Town & Country with a little different look rebranded by VW.

[Thirteen]

Anyone have a Routan? We may be taking the minivan plunge a little sooner than expected and are going to look at this one tomorrow:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...52141477&Log=0

Normally I'd stay away from VWs because it's harder to get non-dealer maintenance and parts, but I've read this is essentially a Town & Country with a little different look rebranded by VW.

That's what I would have said -- any maintenance, even oil changes, seem to be very pricey on VW. My roommate had a Jetta, and another college friend had a Golf: $$$.
I'm not sure if it would be worth the hassle, considering both the price and sometimes problems of finding a good mechanic/dealership to work on it, should there be a need.


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[rainbabies]

We had the Volvo xc90...
Not a mini van but, just wanted to throw out there what a giant PAIN in the ASS it was to get it fixed. And wicked expensive, too. I had to take it to the dealership for many things. It was over an hour away, so I'd spend a whole day sitting. I finally found a local Midas that would do some of the work when needed. At 50K the transmission went. So...just be careful with a Volvo. I did love it tho
Not as much as my current SUV, though!!

[SoonerTexan]

My thought is since it is essentially a Chrysler, our local mechanic could work on it/get parts easily. The engine itself is a Chrysler.

[v-girl]

It is a Chrylser, but does not drive as well as my T&C. Or at least the one we test drove didn't. My mechanic could work on one (DH checked with him).

[PrincessFiona]

I drive a 2003 Eurovan.

I have steered clear of the Routan, tbh. Why pay extra for what is basically a chrysler.

I'm following this thread carefully. We'll be in the market for a mini-van soon, I fear.

kris

[SoonerTexan]

And that's the beauty of it...it's discontinued and the car is now used so the price is pretty good for the features!

[peggyfromwastate]

I'm really wishing I had a minivan. Maybe when dd goes to college. The suburban is such a pita to park and gets like 4 miles to a gallon. I exaggerate but still. I'm nostalgic for my minivan days when the kids were little.

We rent minivans and I like the sienna and the T&C is really slick. I'd prob go with a sienna though.