[mom2sol]

Hi, my husband and I recently decided we are going to try for kid #3. One thing that has been on our mind is car seats and car space.
We have a 97 Subaru Wagon, which I enjoy. I don't like being high up like in SUV or Minivan, sitting in the back of a minivan makes both my husband and myself car sick...
Gas efficiency is very important to us also. We are thinking that we will need a new car in the next few years before the Suby gets too old and starts giving us problems.
O.kay, so now for car seat configurations.... We have a 4 year old, very large for his age in a backless booster, 21 month old is small for her age and is in a Britax Marathon (which I originally bought for said huge 4 year old when he was a huge 2 year old and outgrew his original convertible). So I'm thinking my daughter will still be in Britax when baby #3 comes, as I expect her to stay small for her age. We are thinking she should be a little over three years and big boy will still be in backless booster. Suby doesn't have middle shoulder belt option only lap belt. I can pretty comfortably fit daughter in middle with two backless boosters on either side but my daughter won't be ready for that.
Narrower seat is an interesting option....
Does any one have experience with the Passat? Curious about the diesel. We also have a friend who recently bought a Mazda 5, we like that but we would have to always have someone in the far back, which leaves little room for groceries, etc... but does give one extra seat option for hauling a friend's kid.
I'm rambling, I know!
Here are my questions:
First would the Suby work at all for our futuristic third kid car seat situation?
What car would people recommend for amply fitting three (two convertible and one backless booster, preferably)? Has to be fuel efficient! And I would prefer a wagon or something like the Mazda 5.:
Thank you!!!!

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.