About to get a new car

[Ying]

Now that we're preparing for the arrival of our new bub and recently purchased a new car seat for Becky, we realised we have to get a bigger car...

It's not an ideal time to do it as most people are trying to downsize their cars but we're going to the opposite direction. Currently we have a Honda Jazz, perfect for our family of 3 and great fuel economy

The problem is the 2 car seats aren't going to fit in the back together. We have a Safe n Sound Medirian convertible for the baby, and bought a Safe n Sound Maxi Rider for Becky. We couldn't put them next to each other (the baby one in the middle and Becky's on the side). And even if we put them on each side, there is still a problem. We have to move the front seat forward if we put the baby seat facing rearward, and the space in the middle will be too little for my mum to sit and be able to wear a seat belt.

So we're in need of a bigger car...DH is talking about getting a Ford Falcon. Does anyone own this car and have the same car seats arrangement like us? Do they both go ok in the back? Can we put a baby seat in the middle and Becky's seat next to it?

[lindys]

Ying I have a Meridian and 2 Maxiriders in the back of my Adventra (a 4WD version of the Commodore), so I think that you would be fine with a Falcon. Probably best to measure though, just to be sure.

[twinmama]

Ying you don't have to buy a huge car! We have a Mazda 6 - so a 4 cylinder with two maxi riders in the back. We now also own a Honda Accord - another 4 cyclinder - that has two forward facing carseats in. We downsized from a magna - a 6 cylinder - and a wagon - due to fuel costs etc. So no you don't have to buy a big car - you should check out the mid sized cars such as Camry's, Mazda 6, Accord, etc. Much cheaper on fuel and resale will be heaps better.

[*Tracee*]

We have an older (early 90's) model Ford Fairmont and we can fit 2 Maxiriders with soace for a small adult or a larger one (me for eg at a size 16) with their shoulders turned.
I imagine a maxirider and a convertable seat would be fine, we used to fit a regular booster and a convertable with heaps of space.

[Pobie]

We have a maxi rider and a Medirian in the middle of our Magna and a third person can fit on the side. Not a huge person but still an adult. We are not really sure that we can fit another baby car seat in there but we are sure going to try

So, I have to agree with other comments, you dont have to get a big family car to fit 2 car seats and have enough room for an adult passenger.

I fit in my mums Astra the other day in the center seat with a car seat either side and managed to put the seat belt on. I couldn't really breath or move my legs but I fit LOL And thats 6 months pregnant.

[Toria]

My sister used to fit 3 child seats into the back of her tiny little fiat, so I agree with the others that you don't need a huge car. I think with the falcon that you would be able to fit 3 seats if you needed to.

I think my car looks small compared to some others (PT Cruiser) & I fit 2 child seats (one is a maxirider) & a booster into the back of it.

If you're planning on buying a big pram, make sure it will fit in whatever car you buy.

[bamboogal]

Ying, checkout the peugeot 307 if its within budget. we've had a manual diesel one for 9 months and easily fit the 2 car seats side by side like you described and fit a large adult beside them and its not a big car by any means. it also has awesome fuel economy. 5 litres per 100km.

[johT]

it might be cheaper to get a small car carseat - like the saafe n sound compact/compaq?? i have a rather big 4wd, but still have 2 of thoseotherwise jade is more squashed

[Lousmum]

we have a ford falcon station wagon. we purchased a falcon specifically because it is wider than most other vehicles on the road and fits a capsule, a car seat, and a booster comfortably across the back seat. When we contacted the RAA about which car seats they recommended (we upgraded those too) they asked us which car we had bought and were happy when we said Falcon. I think you'd be fine with two car seats and a person in the back with a Falcon.

We used to have a Magna, and we had to car seats in that and an adult could ride in the back (centre) but it was a tight squeeze. Depends on the size of the adult of course (it was usually David and he's tall and man-size LOL).

[mum2one]

I guess it depends if you are having any more Ying and the age spacing you would be considering if you were.

We have a forester with a turn a tot and a booster seat in the same brand (Secure) and I have them on each side because otherwise F would harass S and he wouldn't get a moments peace in the car, and we have a little room available that a small adult could squeeze and i mean squeeze into. I'd definately be looking at a lot of the mid size cars Ying but due to the fact you've bought a maxirider it may be more difficult for you.

You could ring the car seat installer places and see what they recommend with the seats you have for space and then narrow that list down for fuel economy and safety and then try them out?

Just a thought.