7 seater vehicle recommendations

Hi, I know there have been similar topics before but I cant seem to find them.

We are looking for a 7 seater that is automatic, economical around town, and probably in the $11-14 000 price range.

Ideally we want to fit all 3 kids in the middle seats , so that when we do travel we can fold the back seats down for more storage space, and keep the back seats for when we take extra people in the car.

How do you attach anchor bolts for the middle row of seats? To the roof?

Would love any tips on things to consider when getting a 7 seater to fit 3 kids (all in carseats) and 2 adults.

TIA

Cool yeah my dad suggested looking at an Ipsum cos hes heard of Odyssesys having engine problems, but weve not looked at any yet.

We had thought of getting Isla a half booster and having her in the middle seat with the lab belt and an anchor bolted safety harness - which is what is suggested on the childsafety nz website- it was the only way we can possibly fit 3 in a row- mega tight squeeze tho, especially since the capsule we have needs to be clipped in with the belt each time.
Once out of capsule we would get abby a radian ( cos they are narrow) and Aiden would be in Isla's current full booster with a safety harness too.
If we can get a 7 seater where they all fit in a row, will keep Isla in a full booster for longer- shes almost 6 but short.

Be keen to hear how u get on, thanks

Yeah ideally I was her still in a full booster too, but not possible if we keep this current car. Hopefully we will be able to get a new one,..and it will *hopefully* mean a shopping trip to Auck to get it, as the ones in car yards are at least $3000 more than we can get up there!

Oh cool, thanks, thats good to know.

From what we've seen a smaller version of the MPV

i had an Odyssey and have an Ipsum and i much rather prefer the Odyssey. I got anchor bolts put in it years ago and they put them on the floor behind the seat. I used to have the boys in the back and fold one of the seats in the middle row back up and Eden would be in the middle. The middle seats in the Ipsum dont split at all and is a pain in the backside! It takes a lot more than you would expect and was really good gas wise. It didnt feel like a van or people mover, just like a big car. I miss my Odyssey! *sigh*

Rexy, which odyssey did you have? I've only looked in the 2007 one (found a cheap one with higher kms) and it looks like it will fit my MB, so crossing fingers it will. Forgot to go into day and try the car seats.

AandC's Mum, we have the 2000 Model, bit older than what you've been looking at, so it doesn't look quite as flashy, but specs are the same. Looks like a bit more boot room in the newer ones, though come to think of it, my pram doesn't fold down very much!

I agree with Bizzy, its great to drive, not like a van at all.

Oh dumb, that sucks.

Liking the car we are testdriving, so far, although with the carseats in, it seems a lot less spacious! Going to Cheeycherubs soon to try the radian in it- which is what we wanna get for baby. The seat belts are not long enough to fit around our capsule so we will have to get a seatbelt extension. Still happy with the car tho- short of getting a big proper van, we are never gonna have tonnes of space.
Weird getting used to it being quite high off the ground when Im driving tho!

Edited by Kellz - 06 October 2012 at 9:15am

Oh just looked at the Odyssey - they are so nice :-) Looks like a big sporty station wagon rather than a people-mover!