What would you do? What would you suggest to help my oldest?
I am not sure. I have a Camry and before that an Altima and although at times it was a tight squeeze we just told them that they since buying a more expensive vehicle wasn't an option that it was just something that they were going to have to deal with. We did just buy the Camry last year while my daughter was still in a booster seat and it fit all three comfortably (buying a more expensive vehicle that got bad gas mileage and had higher insurance was not feasible). We even took them on a 1200 mile (2400 mile round trip) road trip in one and they never complained.
Do they have larger booster seats? If so can you get them smaller, more streamlined ones or are they smaller built girls? My dd has always been tall for her age so at 6 she went to a booster seat that just had a bottom because the one with the back was uncomfortable (and the seat belt fit her where it needed to in this kind of booster seat).
I would upgrade to a vehicle with a larger back seat. We went thru the same thing when I drove my Neon. My oldest DD had to sit between the carseats until it became basically unsafe to wedge her in their. We ended up taking our income tax money and picked up a used Grand Voyager.
Quoting our3:I would upgrade to a vehicle with a larger back seat. We went thru the same thing when I drove my Neon. My oldest DD had to sit between the carseats until it became basically unsafe to wedge her in their. We ended up taking our income tax money and picked up a used Grand Voyager.
My DH drives an hour and before when I worked I drove an hour. Our minivan did just as well in gas as the neon. Also why not get the Sequoia a tune up, it shouldnt be a gas hog and have him drive the camry and you the suv to fit the kids.
Quoting M4LG5:
Unfortunately, its just not an option...we need one car that is good on gas since both of us travel 20-25 minutes for work. We have a Sequoia which my husband drives but its a gas hog.
Quoting our3:
I would upgrade to a vehicle with a larger back seat. We went thru the same thing when I drove my Neon. My oldest DD had to sit between the carseats until it became basically unsafe to wedge her in their. We ended up taking our income tax money and picked up a used Grand Voyager.
I have to say the Camry's are extremely safe. The other day I got rear ended in mine and my car didn't get damaged at all and none of us were injured. The safety ratings on my Camry are one of the reasons that I bought it.
Quoting hollydaze1974:
Honestly, we just bought a bigger a bigger vehicle. You may not be in a position to if your car is not paid off. I had a ten yr old who was running out of leg room in my escort....so DH and I moved up to a jeep, and the baby (yes they are far apart but love each other to pieces).... it's safer, too. As your nine yr old hits another growth spurt, it just isn't going to work anymore for her....especially on longer trips.
I think she is talking about the safety of the nine year old in between the booster seats being squished as a safety issue, not the car.
I have to agree with the other poster on getting a tune up on the SUV and having hubby drive the smaller car.
Quoting psych_mom:I have to say the Camry's are extremely safe. The other day I got rear ended in mine and my car didn't get damaged at all and none of us were injured. The safety ratings on my Camry are one of the reasons that I bought it.
Quoting hollydaze1974:
Honestly, we just bought a bigger a bigger vehicle. You may not be in a position to if your car is not paid off. I had a ten yr old who was running out of leg room in my escort....so DH and I moved up to a jeep, and the baby (yes they are far apart but love each other to pieces).... it's safer, too. As your nine yr old hits another growth spurt, it just isn't going to work anymore for her....especially on longer trips.
Quoting justme782:
I'm in the same boat lol. We have a 2000 Jetta and have one carseat back there but with my two oldest and one on the way we have no choice but to upgrade!
Field Day, Field Trips, Awards Ceremonies oh my! (PIOG)
- M4LG5
on Aug. 4, 2012 at 12:52 PM