Chrysler Grand Voyager????

[Willow]

Mel - Sooooo weird that you just posted about your car cause I've been looking at those today too. A school mum friend of mine has one and I was checking it out this morning. What's the seat config like though? Do the very back seats fold down? They were also a bit scarce when I did a search on carsales. She said they stopped making them in about 2006 so maybe that's why.

Mbear - I know EXACTLY what you mean about the interior on the Odyssey. I was just looking at a luxury model for about $20k and was drooling....then I thought about exactly the way the back of my car looks today and cringed. I don't think I could do it!!

The thing with the seat config is though I wouldn't need to use the 7 seats much. But the 60/40 config in the front row won't work I think. What I would have done is the same as Mel - put the two boys in the front row with the middle seat down, then have DD in the back row in her maxi rider.

It's the damn car seats that are the massive problem here...GRRRR! So frustrating.

I think you're right Mbear, I don't think I'm going to find a car that's has enough room for bums on seats AND storage room AND the right seat config. I do need it to fit my double stroller for probably another 6 months though. My friend has a Kluger (which I love) but her double pram doesn't fit in the back?! That's a bit of a deal breaker for me.

Now that I've seen how much you guys have paid for used Voyagers, I'm off to have a look at those....

Explorers are out - my DH would never let me buy a Ford

PS Mbear - Dude, that's impressive saving up $27k to buy a car!! I don't know anyone that's ever done that.

[Krisvee]

Willow - the seating in a voyager is 3 across the very back and 2 singles in the middle row - you can walk from front to back if you like! I have the babies seat in the midde row passenger side, another behind the drivers door, then 2 in the back at each side...so much space and anchor points for them all!
If you do look at grand voyagers look for a lx or limited one though - they are a bit longer I believe with a bit more boot space...

[Lots_of_Love]

I posted on the do-you-have-toyota-troop-carrier-11-seater car thread a bit more info on bigger than 8 seaters, suitable seating for car seats.... Landrover Defender 110 County (1981-1991 models only) 10 seats (6 forward facing), Ford Transit BUS - seat 12, Merc-Benz Sprinter seat up to 14. The last 2 also have plenty of room behind rear seats for shopping, prams etc. Only down side is the last 2 are bigger, so don't fit in standard car parks (takes up 1.5 car park lengths). We have an ex-tourist 14 seater troopy that is still 4wd, so we get the best of all worlds, Oka's can be found too that still have all seats... up to 16. These are good for the Super-Sized families!

[Arimeh]

Mel - Sooooo weird that you just posted about your car cause I've been looking at those today too. A school mum friend of mine has one and I was checking it out this afternoon. What's the seat config like though? Do the very back seats fold down? They were also a bit scarce when I did a search on carsales. She said they stopped making them in about 2006 so maybe that's why.

Yeah they make the 9 seater or whatever it is now, so they are scarce - but well worth the find. The very back seats either fold down or come out completely. Actually, we read that its the only 7 seater on the market that ALL car seats can be removed from the car. so when we aren't using the very back ones, we just take them out. It was handy when we moved too cos we took out the very back ones, and the 3 in the back seat - wah-lah - its a van! lol

[cathie5]

I have one and I love it, All 5 children fit really well. I have the 3 older ones at the back and the twins in the two captain seats. There is a walk way in the middle and the boot fits the double pram and I love the electric sliding doors that open with a push of a button.