About to get a new car

[Esther]

Originally Posted by kermi

That said, my old Camry fitted 3 seats across the back too.

We love our new Camry Though instead of getting the base model we should of gotten one with ABS. It has 4 cylinders 2.4l

It fits a car seat and booster as well as another person. We had a full car with my SIL in the back when we went down to the Gold Coast on the weekend but was nice and comfy Also it doesn't drive like a large car.

[Lousmum]

Originally Posted by mum2one

Correct me if I'm wrong(I probably am) but I thought if you bought a petrol car and got it converted rather than buying it just gas the tank has to go in the boot??? That'd mean less room for prams and such wouldn't it??

That's correct. And you still have to purchase petrol as well as gas. Although I will say that our falcon is factory gas (no petrol) and we have the spare tyre in the back (wagon) rather than hidden away underneath, so either way there's a loss of space I think. But still, all gas would be preferable to me (now that we have it and don't have to worry about the $1.50+ petrol prices

[Ying]

Very interesting points Trish. I'll mention them to DH tonight

[twinmama]

New carseat laws:

The new proposed Baby Car Seat laws sourced from the National Transport Commission are;
1) Children must use rearward facing child restraints up to six months old.
2) Children six months up to their fourth birthday must use a rearward or forward facing child restraint with in-built harness
3) Children from four years up to their seventh birthday must use a booster seat
4) Children up to their fourth birthday must sit in the rear seat
5) Children up to seventh birthday to sit in rear seat unless all rear seats are already occupied by children under seven.

[kermi]

Originally Posted by mum2one

Correct me if I'm wrong(I probably am) but I thought if you bought a petrol car and got it converted rather than buying it just gas the tank has to go in the boot??? That'd mean less room for prams and such wouldn't it??

And I thought I heard on the news about a month ago with fuel increases the waiting time for a conversion was late in the year???

Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Lousmum

That's correct. And you still have to purchase petrol as well as gas. Although I will say that our falcon is factory gas (no petrol) and we have the spare tyre in the back (wagon) rather than hidden away underneath, so either way there's a loss of space I think. But still, all gas would be preferable to me (now that we have it and don't have to worry about the $1.50+ petrol prices

It is correct for safety reasons but some conversion places can redo your existing petrol tank and add a drop tank for the gas cannister. Often that can affect rear clearance but I think I'd prefer that and get slightly bigger wheels to offset it!

ETA: Julie how does the front seat law stand when most passenger airbags are designed for adults only?

[Narmi060504]

We have a 2002 falcon, which was just over 18000 two years ago with 50 000km on the clock, so I agree that for that price, there'd be a lot of kms. I also doubt you'd get that amount for your jazz - check one of the used car sites like carpoint, or carsales.

That said, the falcon will fit 3 carseats along the back, not that we've done it (yet ), and has a big boot. If you get it converted to gas, you'll still have enough room for a pram, but not much else.

It is not very fuel efficient, particularly around town, so we mainly drive ours when we need the extra space.

If you want something bigger, but more fuel efficient, I'd look at a camry, or even one of the small-medium sized cars. The ford focus, nissan tiida, holden astra are all bigger than a jazz, and would easily fit two car seats.

[johT]

Originally Posted by twinmama

New carseat laws:;
2) Children six months up to their fourth birthday must use a rearward or forward facing child restraint with in-built harness
3) Children from four years up to their seventh birthday must use a booster seat

thanks for that julie. do you know when??
and..will there be more carseats on the market soon?? between 3 and 4 my kids are usually too tall to be in a carseat....is there only the wide maxirider that wont fit in my car with the other seats available??
i dont use a booster for my 6 yo - i feel just the harness is safer...how does that affect the new laws?

[Lousmum]

Joh, we use a booster that has an adjustable headrest for Louis. can't remember the name of it right now, but can come back with it if you're interested. It's got the H harness and an anti-submarine clip. the RAA recommended it because it provides head protection, which you don't have when they are just in a harness.

[johT]

yeah thanks. i found the harness fits best without a booster (havent tried one with anti submarine yet though)

[Toria]

Originally Posted by Ying

DH said with the falcon, we can convert it into LPG in a few months and get subsidided (sp?) by the government so he's very keen

I thought the new Government had cut that subsidy. Maybe it's just going to be cut, but still available at the moment? Anyway, check that it's still available before you commit to doing it.