7 Seaters?

[melissa]

I would have liked to but I have made plans that mean I cant make it - I will send you a PM

[maca]

What about sourcing a RHD Mazda 5 from somewhere?

[gareth_oau]

we had 4 kids, and people suggested we would need to buy a Tarago or similar. I told them i'd rather drown one of the kids than drive a Tarago.

I'm a car/performance fanatic, so your typical people-mover just wasnt going to cut it.

So we bought a Commodore SS wagon, chipped it, big exhaust, CAI, lowered suspension, 6 speed gearbox with quick-shifter - you know, typical mum's school bus type car, then we installed 2 additional seats in the boot and converted into a road-legal 7 seater.

In fact it was probably the world's fastest school bus!!

This option allowed us to have our cake and eat it too.

Oh, and when we sold it, we made a killing, very rare and in high demand!!

[The_Hawk]

What about sourcing a RHD Mazda 5 from somewhere?

They look alright, although there is not information on the child restraint points... oh and I expect them to be stupidly expensive. (and don't seem to be available in Australia).

While looking them up I stumbled on www.familycarguide.com which shows they sell for US$20k ish, mind you the same site says a CX-9 sells for US$30k ish which roughly translates to $60k ish in Australia

[Manaz]

Have you looked at the Subaru Exiga at all?

[The_Hawk]

Have you looked at the Subaru Exiga at all?

It only has two child anchor points and is essentially just a higher spec Liberty Wagon, released 2009 as far as I can see so read $40K+


If you neglect the anchor point thing and just assume everything can be fitted with extra points then consider all the options there still isn't alot out there. The car like wagons have zero luggage space with the back row in place, the larger wagon/van things like the Kia Carnival or Crysler Voyager have luggage space that's getting there...

Mind you the reality seems to be that unless you go full van space will always be an issue. So for the moment it's a little bit of wait and see... if the first ultra sound shows one baby we have more options... if of course it's twins... we have less options... might also need a new house

[Manaz]

It only has two child anchor points and is essentially just a higher spec Liberty Wagon, released 2009 as far as I can see so read $40K+

A bugger that they only have two anchor points. On the price, I figured that by the time you actually need to grab one, the prices would have dropped further (there should be some 2nd hand ones on the market by then). Regarding similarity to the Liberty Wagon, very similar, stretched lengthwise and heightwise I believe.

If you neglect the anchor point thing and just assume everything can be fitted with extra points then consider all the options there still isn't alot out there. The car like wagons have zero luggage space with the back row in place, the larger wagon/van things like the Kia Carnival or Crysler Voyager have luggage space that's getting there...

Mind you the reality seems to be that unless you go full van space will always be an issue. So for the moment it's a little bit of wait and see... if the first ultra sound shows one baby we have more options... if of course it's twins... we have less options... might also need a new house

Yeah, twins would change the equation somewhat. Then you may well end up with a Tarago...

[The_Hawk]

Then you may well end up with a Tarago...

Yeah, but if I can avoid it...

The first ultra sound should hopefully be this week (or next) after which I'll know what's going on and get more serious about a new car. When all is said and done the Kombi or Multivan sounds like the best options for both seating and luggage. Melissa's red Kombi looks almost perfect, so if I can convince the wife to drive manual (which she can do) we are all set

[Spook]

First thing that came to mind is the Kia Rondo 7. Currently driveaway from $24,990 brand new. Brochure says 3 child seat anchorage points (so aftermarket fix needed), and the boot space doesn't look too promising, but a good price for a brand new 7-seater.

All the best with the bub too!

[Golf Loon]

Pity they dont sell the Ford S Max in Oz.
Car of the Year in 2007 and Clarkesons favorite people mover.

[online12793]

Is the new laws for NSW or other states only?

[The_Hawk]

Is the new laws for NSW or other states only?

My wife sent me this:

New rules for using child restraints and booster seats -


VICTORIA - November 9th 2009
NEW SOUTH WALES - MARCH 1ST 2010
QUEENSLAND - March 11th 2010

From 9 November 2009 there will be some changes to Victoria?s road safety rules. These changes include new rules for the use of child restraints and booster seats in vehicles and will help parents and carers ensure their children are in the safest child restraint or booster seat for their age.

The new rules for using child restraints and booster seats
Starting 9 November 2009, children under seven years of age must wear a child restraint or booster seat when travelling in a car for improved safety.

The type of restraint will depend on the age of the child as follows:

?Children aged under six months must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear facing child restraint
?Children aged between six months and under four years must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear facing child restraint OR a forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness
?Children aged between four years and under seven must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

There are also new laws for where children can sit in vehicles.
?If a car has two or more rows of seats, then children under four years must not travel in the front seat
?If all seats, other than the front seats, are being used by children under seven years, children aged between four and six years (inclusive) may travel in the front seat, provided they use an approved restraint or booster seat.

VicRoads also recommends
That you have restraints fitted by an approved child restraint fitter.

The road safety reasons

?On average, nearly 300 children under the age of seven are injured or killed as passengers in vehicles on Victorian roads each year
?Parents are generally moving their children into adult seatbelts from about the age of five and a half years - research suggests this is simply too early
?Children up to seven years are at least four times more likely to sustain a head injury in a crash when sitting in an adult seatbelt only
?Other research shows seating children aged four to seven years old in an appropriate booster seat reduces their risk of injury in a crash by almost 60 per cent, compared to if they were sitting in an adult seatbelt without a booster seat.

What you have to do
To comply with the new child restraint rules you:

?have to know which is the correct child restraint(s) to use
?have to ensure that each child passenger is wearing a properly fitted and fastened child restraint or booster seat suitable for their age every time they travel in a vehicle.

Exemptions
Taxis will continue to be exempt from the child restraint requirements. However, parents are encouraged to use their own restraints in taxis where possible. When there is no suitable child restraint available a seatbelt must be worn.

Frequently asked questions

1.What can I do if my child is too big for the restraint for their age?
The new laws aim to cater for the majority of children, however there is a provision to allow a child who is too tall or heavy for the recommended restraint to use the restraint in the next age category.


2.What should I look for when purchasing a child restraint?
All child restraints sold in Australia must meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754. However, independent testing has shown that some restraints provide more protection and are easier to use than others. When purchasing a restraint consider the following:


?its suitability for the child in relation to their age, weight and height
?the size of the seat space and vehicle (where possible take your car with you to test that the restraint/booster fits).

Child restraints

1. What can I do if my child is too big for a booster seat?
While the new laws aim to cater for the majority of children, a provision will be included to ensure a child is not required to use a restraint unsuitable for their height and weight. A child, who is too heavy for the restraint recommended for their age, should use a restraint for the next age category (see table below). For example, if a child is too big for a booster (greater than 26kg), a seatbelt can be worn or an approved child safety harness can be used in conjunction with a lap belt or lap/sash seatbelt. In addition there are products such as SafeFit which can help achieve good seatbelt fit. Rear facing child restraint (inbuilt harness) Products are available for children up to 9kg or 12kg.

Approved child restraint (inbuilt harness) Suitable for children up to a maximum weight of 18kg.

Approved booster seat(additional child safety harness optional) Suitable for children up to a maximum weight of 26kg


2. If my child is in a booster seat do they also need to be in a child safety harness?
Booster seats do not come with a child safety harness. Booster seats are designed to be used with a lap/sash seatbelt. However, if your child is using a seating position fitted with a lap-only belt then they must use a child safety harness.

3. What's the difference between inbuilt harness and a child safety harness?
An inbuilt harness is made at the time of manufacture as part of the child restraint. It is suitable for children up to 18kg. There are no inbuilt harnesses available for children over 18kg. A child safety harness is purchased separately. It is suitable for children that are between 18kg up to 32kg.

4. Does the booster seat have to be anchored?
If the booster seat comes with a tether strap it must be anchored. However, there are some booster seats that meet the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1754) that do not need to be anchored in a vehicle.

5. Is it possible to fit three child restraints across the back seat of my car?
There is considerable variation in the types of child restraints and booster seats available. It will depend on the type chosen, as well as the combination of restraints required, and the make and model of your car. Don't forget - you will also need to find out whether there are enough anchorage points in your vehicle with which to fit the restraints. If you are unsure where the anchorage points are located in your vehicle, refer to the vehicle owner's manual under the section of "Child Restraints" or "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems".

6. If I can't fit my three children in three restraints in the back, is it OK if one sits in the front?
Yes. If there are two child restraints or booster seats in the rear and there is not enough space to put a third restraint or booster in the rear seat then a passenger aged four to less than seven years can be in a booster seat in the front seat. You will need to use a booster seat that does not need to be anchored.

7. Can I still use the additional seat (d|ckie seat) that I have in the back of my station wagon?
d|ckie seats will be permitted for use for children aged four and less than seven years provided the seat is suitable for children's height and weight and a lap sash seatbelt or seatbelt with a child safety harness is used.

Source: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/...ter-seats.html

[shogun2]

But to the Multivan! It has 5 mount points! (Mind you I found this out myself when I got home, not through the sales guy) The middle row actualy swivel (which is cool) and have a little table. Space in the back looks pretty good (altough I would want to see one in the flesh to be sure). (that and I'm hoping the older models have the same sort of features as the current ones...)

The real downside is that even second hand they are $35k+ (and closer to $40k at that) so are getting outside what I really want to spend.

Sorry I didn't read this before Xmas.

Had my Multivan Highline over in Sydney visiting, so could have let you see how it's put together, and how much space it has.

I was speaking with the local (Adelaide) dealer just before Xmas, as I was looking at trading in on one of the new ones coming out shortly. When we started discussing trades whilst he didn't give me an exaxct figure, the intimation was that around the $25K would be close to the mark. I said I had an offer of around the $35K privately, and he said "take it". So you may be lucky in finding an early (2005) Multivan privately for the right sort of money. Mine has only done 55K in four and a half years.
BTW - the dealer didn't even bother getting back to me, so we are buying a commercial property instead ...
It's the perfect baby buggy.
Good hunting!