We figured we'd start test driving with just us, and then bring the girls along. I guess last night he found a Kia (sorento?) and decided he liked that. Apparently it has an optional third row as well. So we'll be researching three cars now.
We figured we'd start test driving with just us, and then bring the girls along. I guess last night he found a Kia (sorento?) and decided he liked that. Apparently it has an optional third row as well. So we'll be researching three cars now.
My SIL is on her second Sorento with the most recent one having a third row. She loves it! I'm not sure how you access the third row though. She has three car seats across her backseat, I think all various cosco brand convertibles.
Chloe 8/2010 Oliver 7/2012
At the beach life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour, but mood to moment.
We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun.
I have many friends with the Mazda5 and have heard nothing but rave reviews. The Kia Sorento gets great reviews too -- but you'll probably get a better deal on a Mazda5.
Regarding the Journey: You have to fold down one of the second-row seats to get to the back so you really can’t have three car seats in that row if you’re going to regularly want access to the third-row. Unless you put two car seats in the third row, one in the second row and keep the other second row seat folded into the floor. That actually what I do with my minivan. Two kids are in the third row and the other child is in the second row captain. The other captain is ALWAYS folded into the floor so we can easily access the third row.
One nice thing about the Journey is that you can opt for second-row child booster seats. It’s fully integrated and fully meets all government requirements. They also have an option called a “second-row child seat presenter,” which allows you to actually slide the second-row closer to the front row for easier reach, like if you want to pass back sippy cups or reach a dropped toy.
DH saw about the integrated booster in the Journey. Which was nice. We thought initially it would just be ODD in the back, but I said YDD might want to be there too. In that case we could have a seat folded down permanently and have ODD sit behind the infant carrier (since she doesn't need us to help her) so we'd have easier access to YDD. And if we have my parents or someone with us, they can flip up the seat and sit there.
Regarding the Journey: You have to fold down one of the second-row seats to get to the back so you really can’t have three car seats in that row if you’re going to regularly want access to the third-row. Unless you put two car seats in the third row, one in the second row and keep the other second row seat folded into the floor. That actually what I do with my minivan. Two kids are in the third row and the other child is in the second row captain. The other captain is ALWAYS folded into the floor so we can easily access the third row.
One nice thing about the Journey is that you can opt for second-row child booster seats. It’s fully integrated and fully meets all government requirements. They also have an option called a “second-row child seat presenter,” which allows you to actually slide the second-row closer to the front row for easier reach, like if you want to pass back sippy cups or reach a dropped toy.
I used to have a Volvo XC90 with an integrated booster seat, as well as the second row seat that you could move up like you described. I bought the car pre-kids, and thought both would be great features. Once I had kids though, I realized that you had to remove the center console between the driver/passanger seat to move the child seat forward, and there was no way to do it if a car seat was attached to it. And even if DS was out of a car seat, there would be no room for his legs. And the integrated booster just didn't look comfortable. I could see using it if you had an extra child to carry somewhere for a short trip, but not on a regular basis. Just my opinion. And I would totally go with captain's chairs in the second row- so much easier for a child to get into a seat on the third row on their own without having to fold a seat down.
Once I had kids though, I realized that you had to remove the center console between the driver/passanger seat to move the child seat forward, and there was no way to do it if a car seat was attached to it. And even if DS was out of a car seat, there would be no room for his legs. And the integrated booster just didn't look comfortable.
I don't know how the Journey works specifically, but if that's the case, that's a not only a design flaw but misleading. It made it seems like you could move the seat up with the carseats attached.
I think we're likely going with the Journey. It fits our budget, fits the family and DH really likes it. I don't mind it - to me a car is a car.
What we're thinking (initially of course) is for the girls to be in the back together. We'd have one set permanently folded down/folded up so they could get in easier. ODD would be behind the "up" seat as she can buckle her own belt. YDD would be behind the "down" seat so we could get her buckled. The baby (upon arrival) would be placed in the 2nd row.
We test drove a 4 cylindar which I immediatley said wasn't enough engine. We're going to get one with a V6. We're not going complete bare bones, but we're not going top of the line either. The one we're considering is #3 out of 5 in terms of the packages. So pretty mid-range. And the pricing is good, even though we haven't really done a ton of negotiations. I will be starting that shortly. Don't want them to think we're too eager - even though DH is!
Chimichanga - My only caution about the Journey is that there are no top tethers in third row. While top tethers aren't necessary, they do greatly improve car seat performance. I would not purchase a vehicle where I could not have all my FF car seats top tethered.
Good to know... then maybe we'd keep YDD in the middle. ODD is in a booster and we don't anticipate her being in one for terribly much longer (a year maybe but in the grand scheme, not terribly long).
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Originally Posted by Chimichanga
Don't want them to think we're too eager - even though DH is!
