Custom 3rd row in vehicle

[familyFIguy]

Hey everyone,

We have a 2002 Honda CRV and are going to be having our third kid soon with more probably on the way later. I don't want to buy a new car and came across this company: https://littlepassengerseats.com/

They make custom 3rd row seats that you can install yourself.

Does anyone have experience with something like this? Any info and/or advice would be great.

Thanks!

[MayDay]

How often do you need to take all 4 anywhere? (I say 4 because you may as well plan for that now. You don't want to sink $1000 into a car if it won't work in 2 years when #4 arrives)

If it's daily, I'd get a van. Getting kids in and out of tiny 3rd row seats blows.

If you ever plan to need to transport all the kids plus a stroller I don't see how it would work.

The other issue is the space in the back row. The comparable vehicle that I have experience with is the Dodge journey. It's rear seat is tiny. The last time my eldest was in it was age 7 and he was cramped. So if you have a baby, 2, 4, and 6, I have a hard time seeing how long that third row will fit the 2 oldest.

Now, maybe this buys you 2-3 years before you buy the van. 

The other issue is the type of carseats your kids are in. Depends on ages, but if you've got a baby rear facing and a toddler rear facing (or forward facing with a carseat, not a booster) how is the preschooler going to get into the way back? You can't fold down the middle row due to the carseats. If they have to climb in through the rear hatch, can they buckle themselves?

^^^ that's why I asked how often you drive them. If you're mostly walking around the neighborhood then the climbing and buckling manuevers may be minor. If you're doing it several times a day, it'll probably drive you crazy.

[Tiger Stache]

Just buy a car that's made to fit the amount of people in your family.

[TropicNebraska]

Diono car seats are designed with a slim profile to accommodate 3 seats on a bench style second row.
http://www.diono.com/

I love the concept of the Little Passenger Seat idea, but how confident are you in drilling holes and bolting the seats into the rear of your CUV and not hitting a fuel line or something like that? Do you think your work will hold up to a rear end collision? How much money are you willing to save in exchange for your child's safety in a collision? Things to consider.

[familyFIguy]

Hey everyone!

Thanks for the advice. Truthfully, I was pretty shocked that more people weren't on board as it seems like such a DIY/Mustachian thing to do. However, that being said, I've done some research and it looks like I would be putting precious cargo (my kids) in a crumple zone which seems like a crap idea.

Better idea:
Sell the CRV for $5k. Buy a new car that seats 6 for $5k. See that?! I didn't even have to pay to solve the problem. Truly Mustachian.

Any thoughts on good cars? MMM recommends a Mazda 5 which looks quite good. Other thoughts?

[dogboyslim]

Time for a minivan IMO.

Add-on seats...how do they work with the other vehicle safety features in a crash?  If you have kids in an area the Mfg designed as a crumple zone for example...not good.

[MayDay]

Are you having 4 kids?

If so buy a proper minivan.

If it's 3 kids, a mazda5 is good.

Can you do the 5 with 4 kids? Yes, as long as you never need to take the stroller. If I was going anywhere with 4 little kids I'd want a stroller but your mileage may vary.

Best is probably to keep the CR-V until #4 is imminent and do three across. Best from a money POV. Best from a sanity POV is a proper minivan.

The mazda5 has the same carseat/rear seat issue as a CR-V with a third row: if you have little ones in carseats in the middle row, you can't get in the back seat except through the back hatch. It's a pain the in ass.

[shawndoggy]

Any thoughts on good cars? MMM recommends a Mazda 5 which looks quite good. Other thoughts?

You now own a Honda and are apparently happy with it, so... consider an odyssey. 

I'm a "car guy."  I have had continuous subscriptions to car and driver and road and track for 30 years (since before I could drive).  We (in decidedly anti-moustachian mode) bought a honda odyssey new.  I hated spending the money on it (a) because it seemed SOOOOO expensive at the time, and (b) because it really offended my car guy sensibilities (like handing over my balls along with the down payment). 

That being said, when the kids were young, it was fantastic.  Easy pickups and drop offs, easy trips to home depot, great for family vacations, and seemingly immune to speeding tickets.  Would carry four bike racers including all of our bikes and gear in the van.  Of the many many vehicles I've owned over the years it is the one and only I've ever shed a tear over selling.  Someday in the future I can totally see having a beater minivan in my fleet.

[Metric Mouse]

Hey everyone!
, I've done some research and it looks like I would be putting precious cargo (my kids) in a crumple zone which seems like a crap idea.

My mind was screaming this when I saw the product. I'm glad you came to this conclusion yourself.

[69mach351]

/\ I am really glad someone else brought up the crumple zone.  That was my first thought when I saw that seat. 

Speaking honestly, if it was a lot cheaper and I needed it only sparingly, I would consider it.  For a daily thing, not a chance.  I would also double check with insurance to make sure they did not have any problems with it.  I am not sure why, but it seems like it would be a good thing to do.

If I needed it sparingly though, for the $800-$900, I could probably rent or borrow another vehicle.

[sixkids]

Not really related, and not sure it's even allowed, but I've got a 2008 GMC Acadia for sale for $6500.  High miles, but runs great, and has a proper third row with seating for 7. (177,000 miles)
It's not mine, but I took it in trade at work. It's actually a pretty decent one, despite the mileage.

[Metric Mouse]

Not really related, and not sure it's even allowed, but I've got a 2008 GMC Acadia for sale for $6500.  High miles, but runs great, and has a proper third row with seating for 7. (177,000 miles)
It's not mine, but I took it in trade at work. It's actually a pretty decent one, despite the mileage.

I can't imagine putting that many miles onto a car in that short of time.

[Freckles]

I have a Mazda5. No complaints, really. You'd want your biggest in the third row because it's not ever easy to get someone out of a car seat back there. They'd need to be able to climb/walk themselves, and be cooperative about it. The third seat is not too roomy but it's fine for kids, even bigger kids. It really does only seat six, there's not middle seat in either row and it's a little too narrow for another seat if if there were a seat belt, which there isn't. With the third seat up, you can probably fit a stroller in the back but not a very bulky one. And umbrella stroller, and not much else.

I'd still buy an Odyssey in your situation with three kids, possibly four. So much more room and comfort for everyone and all the stuff they come with, and those push-a-button sliding doors are a dream when you've got toddlers to deal with. But the Mazda's all right. My kids hate sliding the doors shut because it's kind of hard and they try but it doesn't shut all the way and if we're on any kind of hill, forget it. I miss the Odyssey doors.

[sixkids]

Not really related, and not sure it's even allowed, but I've got a 2008 GMC Acadia for sale for $6500.  High miles, but runs great, and has a proper third row with seating for 7. (177,000 miles)
It's not mine, but I took it in trade at work. It's actually a pretty decent one, despite the mileage.

I can't imagine putting that many miles onto a car in that short of time.

Lol, me either. My car is the same age and has over 100,000 fewer miles.

[familyFIguy]

Thanks all! The Odyssey looks like a good option for us. I've found a few around here between 2001 and 2006 with ~110k miles on them for $4-6k. Looking at various consumer websites there seems to be a lot of issues with transmissions and steering repairs in these guys. http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2006/

Can anyone relate?

Thanks!

[shawndoggy]

Thanks all! The Odyssey looks like a good option for us. I've found a few around here between 2001 and 2006 with ~110k miles on them for $4-6k. Looking at various consumer websites there seems to be a lot of issues with transmissions and steering repairs in these guys. http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2006/

Can anyone relate?

Thanks!

We never had either issue with ours in 92k miles, but I know that the tranny is a weak spot.  I'd try to find one that has had the tranny replaced. 

[Acorns]

I'm glad you decided this DIY type additional seat solution is not for you! For anyone who in the future comes across this thread while researching little passenger seats, I noticed that some of these seats only have lap belts, which I am pretty sure is illegal now, and is just plain old unsafe.

[familyFIguy]

Just thought I would follow up here:

Decided to sell 2002 Honda CR-V with 135k miles and purchased a 2007 (practically new!) Toyota Sienna with 89k miles for 7.2k. The van came with an extra car seat and two boosters as well (selling those), so BONUS!

Purchase price of van:                                                                             7,200
- Est. Selling price of CR-V:                                                                   (5,500)
- Craiglisting of booster seats:                                                                   (20)
'- Amount saved by not having to buy a new carset for kiddo #3:           (150)
Net out of pocket                                                                                      1,530 (not including tax)

Pretty dope I think considering that we now have a car that is 5 years newer with 46k less miles on it. Also, we didn't have to buy three narrow car seats which was our next best option ($600).

Thanks for the advice all! Here's to expanding familes :)

[Freckles]

Nice! Sounds like a good deal and the right choice for your family. Thanks for the update.