Saturn VUE - fitting 3 in back

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Hi! I have a daughter turning 5, a son turning 2, and a baby due in Sept. I'm trying to figure out how to fit them all into the back of our 2003 Saturn VUE. I put our current car seats in there, and they fit, but I need to replace two of the car seats, and could use some suggestions on car seats that you recommend that are not mega-wides. I've read CR, amazon reviews, and the measurements info on carseatdata.org. Here's the general info:

Daughter 6/21/01: 44lbs, 45" (75th percentile). She currently sits in a Graco backless Turbo booster, and I want to move her to a booster with a back to get the head support in a crash. I had considered the Britax booster, but I think the Graco Turbobooster, maybe the Deluxe because of the foam, might be better for her because of the arm rests. She sat in the Britax at the store and said the "head wings" bother her.

Son 5/27/04: 26lbs, 32.5" (between 10-25th percentile). He currently sits in an Evenflo Advantage V 5 Pt Car Seat with a Graco locking clip. I bought it in July 2001, and it's my understanding that car seats are only good for 5 years (is that correct? something to do with the deterioration of plastic?), so we're looking to replace it soon. But I love the seat, especially it's width (it's not that wide), and he's really comfy in it. The straps fit with his shoulders well - they are slightly higher than his shoulders. But the model has been discontinued, figures!

For the baby due in Sept, I have a Graco Snugride that was manufactured after their recall. It was manufactured in Oct 2003 I think? And I bought it in Jan 2004.

We're not wealthy, but at this point, the budget for new car seats doesn't have a limit, because anything is better than having to buy a new car, especially since our current car is just a year or two away from payoff. As I mentioned, we currently have a 2003 Saturn VUE.

Thanks!
Molly

[Victorious4]

2003 - is there a shoulder belt in the middle? If so I'd try the booster there.... Also, I might be wrong but I think someone else said they got a good install with the Radian in a Vue

[skipspin]

I have an 03 vue (or is it 02? I got it in Dec 02) and have lots of seats in three across and I'll post some pics. And yes, it has shoulderbelts in all back seat positions as well as LATCH in all positions.

First, I watched to other kids for a week and one was in a Turbobooster, but it was REALLY hard to bucle it three-across, so I would recommend either harnessing you DD (Radian maybe?) or getting a booster with no arm rests, or arm rests that flip up like the Evenflo. Also, putting the 'buckle side' of the booster next to an infant seat base or higher seat like a Britax. The girl I watched was under 40 lb, and 5 yrs and I had an extra Chase, so after fighting with the buckling for one day I put her in my extra Chase and we were both happy.

For your son I would definately look into the Radain. ($179-199 shipped)I haven't been able to try it in my VUE, but may be getting one in the future. You might also look at the Graco Cargo if he will be FFing. (Remember RFing is safer, especailly till the limits of the seat, but 1 yr ond 20 lb is only the minimum) If he will be RFing you might also look at the Scenera as it is narrow and the Britax Marathon. It's wider, but I know it will fit since I have done that combo in my VUE. Your current seat should be good to use until it's 6 yrs old- check for a date stamped on the back. If it diesn't have one, go with 6 yrs from the manufacture date.

The Snugride should work for your baby. That's the infant seat in the photos I have.

Let me know if you want to try your son RFing (my DD turned RFing at 15 months after FFing from her first birthday and had no problems with it. She RF until 2.5 and 30 lb) and what seats you like the sound of and maybe I can help you with arrangeing them.

I hope that's not confusing. I'll post pics, but write back if you have any questions.

This is a Wizard, Evenflo Chase (one armrest removed), and Evenflo Chase. The Turbobooster did fit in the middle, but was hard to buckle. The Wizard (Same seat size as Marathon/Decathalon/Boulevard) also fits RFing with these seats.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/skipspin/Car%20Seats/748b78b6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Here is Graco Snugride, Evenflo Chase, and Britax Wizard. The Britax fits both RFing and FFing in this arrangement.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/skipspin/Car%20Seats/f5c40cb2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Joy, mommy and CPS tech.

[Victorious4]

CUTE KIDS!!! & great picture besides....

[jen_nah]

I agree try the booster in the middle. Also use LATCH on the side that the booster buckles in. This will help prevent your oldest from accidently unbuckling one of the harnessed seats.

Thank you very much for your responses!! They were so helpful and I really appreciate it .