ebonyandivory wrote: So do people with older vehicles and kids allow thier precious little ones use just a lap belt?
Wonder how we survived without them when I was growing up?
People today are too effing scared over something that happens to only 1.5% of drivers per year. It's easy to be part of the 98.5% of drivers that don't get into injury accidents each year.
wrongwheeldrive wrote: mazda protege5.
I have one now! 11, 8 and 3 year old kids are already squished!
In reply to Chris_V:
That's some strange logic!
Especially since I've seen the damage wearing only lap belts causes on a child even in low speed crashes.
And if you're looking around and see all the (80% female) drivers texting in thier Yukons and Escalades. I'll go the extra mile for my kids thanks.
Sounds like Aussie's big van idea would suit you! Or the P71.
ToyotaInteresting. Hmmmm
How about three rows? Not interesting in a zoom zoom sort of way but more in an unstoppable tank sort of way.. And the extra seat is good when a kiddy wants to bring a friend.
In reply to sethmeister4:
I believe you are correct!
I'm really limiting myself with the three shoulder belts but it makes me feel better and that's worth it to me!
In reply to KyAllroad:
Nice! If you've seen some of my past rides you'd know I love big tanks!
Cheap, plentiful that can seat 3 in back easily all with shoulder belts.
What it lacks in excitement, it makes up for with simplicity and abundance.
'04-'07 Saturn Vue 4cyl with manual trans
No one goes looking for a fwd Cute-Ute with a manual trans that can not tow, but it does a great job of moving people and simple cargo while returning 27 mpg combined.
5 star crash rating.
Plastic panels so it does not look rusty.
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/4652214414.html
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4637266430.html
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4625587954.html
+1 on the Saturn Vue advice.
ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to Chris_V: That's some strange logic! Especially since I've seen the damage wearing only lap belts causes on a child even in low speed crashes. And if you're looking around and see all the (80% female) drivers texting in thier Yukons and Escalades. I'll go the extra mile for my kids thanks.
I'm with you. I knew a guy in college who lost the use of his legs from being buckled in with only a lap belt.
You could retrofit a rear belt from a new model of the same platform. (New Panther belt into an older one for example)
My wife drives a GS300 and it's entertaining enough. The chassis is very competent, I believe it's based on the MkIV Supra, so the 220 or so hp doesn't feel like much but it's quick enough. The 2JZ is silky smooth and sounds good. It is automatic only, but is very reliable, very comfortable, and very safe. The only real down side I can think of is gas mileage - EPA rated 20 city, 25 highway. That's about right. But if you're comparing it to a full size van that would be hypermile type mpgs!
Maybe not quite as spacious as you're wanting, but E46s are sub-$4k now, and they've got a decent back seat with a full center belt. I've ridden in the back seat on a 5 hr road trip with no issues, and I'm not a slight individual.
Too bad about the lap belts thing. I just bought a 7 Passenger dodge Caravan with a $6k paintjob and a $2k SRT4 engine setup in your budget.
But, I don't disagree with your concerns.
In reply to Vigo:
What year? Do they have just lap belts? I though they all had shoulder belts...
Must be the first gen I assume.
I think all 00 and up vw and Audis have the shoulder belts in the rear. Don't know if they have the room your looking for .
ebonyandivory wrote: I need clarify... I need three shoulder belts for the kids. A center lap belt won't cut it.
That just seems like something that could be made.
plus
408 stroker
plus
side pipes.
equals
SEX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CktIVqUUy4I
OR, find a wrecked new Chryco and shoehorn the pentastar or a hemi in it.
I have hung the tail out on a mid 90s dodge cargo van and it was fun. I can imagine one with real power being PRETTY ENTERTAINING. Cool thing is, if you dont care about MPG it really doesn't take much to make a v8 Dodge van feel frisky. Pretty much 4.56s and a tuner.
What year? Do they have just lap belts? I though they all had shoulder belts... Must be the first gen I assume.
Correct, this one is a 1989. In 1991 they went from 2 shoulder belts to 6. I think in 94 they went to dual front air bags. I helped a friend build a 95 turbo/5spd caravan after he wrecked his 89 and felt bad about the lack of airbag protection for his front passenger. As far as stock, about the most 'interesting' version you can get is a 100hp non turbo 4cyl 5spd model which will get great mpg but is slow (mine ran 18.2 consistently!). The v6 models are all auto and none are quick enough to be worth talking about. The 3.0 v6 can have a 5spd swapped on using stock 5spd parts from other cars and responds EXTREMELY well to boost. I cant expressly recommend a caravan unless you are willing to do a lot of mods, but if you're interested in that you can end up with a pretty fast people mover that still gets 27-28 mpg on the highway.
Mild thread jack, how well does the 3.3 take to boost? Cause I've always liked that engine.
Subaru forester?
2003 and up definitely had shoulder belts for all three rear passengers. Shoulder room might be a bit tight though.
Something "grm interesting" new-ish/safe/with 3 shoulder belts? Vibe GT/Matrix XRS. 2zz-powered corolla wagon with ridiculous amounts of interior space for its size (I believe it was classified as a mid-sized car despite being built on a corolla platform).
Otherwise you're looking at your standard 5.5 gen maxima/altima v6/mazda6/7th gen accord/saab 9-3/volvo wagon.
I like the saab 9-3 2.0T (uppercase T). It's relatively new and has good potential. If you're being practical the accord/mazda 6 will win out seeing as they have double wishbones and are more well rounded from the factory.
In reply to lnlds:
What year was the Corolla wagon you're referring to if you don't mind...?
Corolla based wagon is the Matrix/Vibe of '03-'09.
The upper models got the larger engine and could be had with a manual.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
Oh ok, I get it now. I read your post wrong. I was thinking you were saying there was a Corolla wagon in that year AS WELL AS the Vibe.
Thanks!
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