Andy vRS

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm

I have 3 children under the age of 3. With that in mind, last years purchase was a Fiat Multipla. Having used a Suzuki Vitara XL7 seat on holiday recently, I realised how difficult it is to use a 7 seater as apposed to your 3+3 configuration in the Multipla. So the car is user friendly, and saves us time and stress and a lot of space. But I to make me and my wife feel better about selling our 300hp Volvo T5, I remind her that in 5 years, when my oldest Josh is 7-8 y/o we can ditch the people carrier for the fast estate look again.

However, I have been misinformed, and the law states [recent amendment i think] that all children under the age of 11 or 5 ft tall should be on a booster seat or equivalent depending on age (as stated on the above link) This indeed means we need to keep the Multipla for a long time yet :'(

if you are wondering how a multipla differs from a car when there is only 5 of us, I will explain.



As you can see from the above diagram, each seat is the same [full] size which means all the back row can take a baby seat next to each other - as I have 3 babies. At the moment however the youngest is in the front (rear facing).

So did anyone know all that ? The thought of keeping a car for 11 years is turning my stomach.

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Currently sporting a Alfa 156 JTDm Lusso.

heresmo

Maybe it's no bad thing? Whilst carrying 4 teenagers in my ickle Fabia 1.4, the car is heavy. As the middle one with only a lap-strap, if thrown forward, will arrive twixt the two front seats, I'm never at ease TBH.

For small children, I've tended to run the seatbelt under the arm and across the chest (so it doesn't cut across the larynx LOL). I suspect it's things like that which have caused them to introduce this provision...

A lot can happen in 11 years though. Perhaps they'll come up with an optional model with three evenly spaced back seats. After all, as you say, this new provision could cut down the sales of cars dramatically (for those who want to comply), especially considering the "school run" market.

Regards
Mo

KentStu

Andy - not quite sure what you mean about having to keep the car for 11 years. Surely a conventional booster cushion can be used in the middle section of a normal decent sized car when one child is old enough (i.e. 6)?

Having said that i've only got 2 kids and intend it to remain that way

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Stu

Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

Andy vRS

3 booster seats, side by side would never work in a regular car. I often use my mums range rover, and currently all 3 child seats touch door to door along the back - and range rovers are HUGE !

I think we have the most practical car for our scenario - and with the law in mind there isn't a better car for the job ? It is a shame the honda FRV is so small though, as that would be an ideal replacement.

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Currently sporting a Alfa 156 JTDm Lusso.

KentStu

I agree with booster seats but what I was meaning was two normal baby seats and a booster cushion. Booster cushions are much narrower than the full seats. We've managed it in my Octy before - admittedly it was very tight, but they did fit.

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Stu

Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

heresmo

This same question (3-kids) has also been asked by Stone, here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/first...tml#post522703

Fabia12v says a new bench.

I'm very interested in this, since, as said, carying three kids for school runs is not exactly unusual for mums, even if they're not one's own.

Mo

Loz