What year sedan or wagon should we buy used for our family?

[carseatsafetymom99]

Hello,

Here is my situation: I'm 5'10" and my other half if 6'4" tall, our son turn 3 on Nov. 27, 2002. He weighs 43.5 lbs. and is about 42" tall and growing!!! We just had to get rid of our FP Futura 20/60, because of a crack near the overhead arm! We are currently using the Britax laptop, while we safe up a little more money to buy the Britax Husky!

But, we are shopping for a (new-to-us) Used Family Car or wagon. I would like one that has some Child Passenger safety features: Lap/shoulder belt in all postions, head restraints in all positions, tethers, and good safety ratings!

Does anyone have any ideas. Money for a car is limited. We currently drive a 1990 Toyota 4-Runner 4x4, but we are to tall for it and no one can sit in the back with the car seat!

Any help would be great!

Thank you in advance,

Jennifer

[CPSDarren]

Welcome to the forums!

Not too many older vehicles did well in both the IIHS and NHTSA crash testing, but there are a few. Finding rear center shoulder belts before 2000 is much more difficult than it is on newer cars, but some will have them.

For crash testing, the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable are among the best sedan/wagon choices from 1992-1999 for both IIHS and NHTSA tests. Plus, tether anchors are readily available and Ford will install one for free in sedans, and at least two came standard in most wagon versions.

For newer models, the 2000+ Chevrolet Impala also did very well in all the tests and is pretty roomy. The Subaru Legacy wagon from 2000+ is also a good choice and does have a full complement of tether anchors, shoulder belts and head restraints all standard. Similarly, the VW Passat sedans and wagons since 1998 are all very good for safety. A 1998-1999 Passat might be a pretty good value on the used market, especially since they carry a long factory powertrain warranty (check to make sure it is transferrable!).

Please also see our guides:

http://www.car-safety.org/carguide.html

http://www.car-safety.org/family.html

Good luck shopping!