Best car for three across.....

[twinsplusone]

My wife and I are expecting twins and we already have a 2 year old. We are looking to get a new car that will fit the new larger family. I have looked at minivans and larger SUV's but can't decide between the Honda Pilot or the Honday Oddessey. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas about either that would make the decision easier?

[JoolsPlus3]

I think the Odyssey is really much more flexible with three kids and ability to put one or more in the back row if needed as they get older (you can walk to the back, so much nicer than climbing to the back as you'd have to with the Pilot, basically). Not to steal you to another forum, but www.car-seat.org is a terrific site with loads of basic info and a lot more traffic (including happy owners of both those cars!) and you might get a better/faster bunch of information there.

Congratulations on your new little blessings, by the way!

[Carter'sMom]

Not sure about the Odyssey, but my frind has a Pilot and LOVES it. In fact, her husband wants to sell his SUV and get a 2nd Pilot. They have three kids (Britax Roundabout, Britax Marathon and a booster (but he weighs enough that he doesn't HAVE to be in the booster) plus baby number 4 on the way. Anyway, when we were visiting we all went together in the Pilot with my son in a Britax Decathlon as well. So, 4 adults and 4 kids fit. Although, there wasn't much trunk space...we were able to fit one sit and stand stroller, 2 diaper bags and all of our coats though.

HTH

	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.

	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 Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	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.

	Britax Decathlon - Click for more info Like its predecessors the Britax Roundabout and the Britax Marathon, the Britax Decathlon is built around two core ideals: safety and comfort. Its easy to see that the Decathlon is comfortable: it's loaded with a 3-position crotch strap, patented HUGS harness system, plush (and washable!) seat cover, belly pad, removable toddler head pillow, and an infant positioning system for newborn babies. These features provide a comfortable, adjustable fit as your child grows - all the way from 5 to 65 pounds.

[traceyanneg]

I have seated three across in my Honda Pilot - two convertible forward facing car seats with an infant car seat in the center. We didn't even need the 3rd row to be up. I think either the Pilot or Odyssey would be a great fit for you!

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	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.

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.