Radian and SUV shopping...

starglowz

New member

• Jan 21, 2013

• #1

I want to replace my POS with an SUV. With my price range the years I'm looking at are about 1998-2003's. I don't want to buy a beast as I only have 2 children but I also don't want to buy something the radian isn't going to work in. Can anyone give me a list of cars NOT to look at because I really don't want a new seat for my son he LOVES his "circle seat".

My kids are:
DD- 8years old, 58lbs. Riding in a HBTB or Evenflo AMP NB (her 1st choice)
DS- 2.5years old, 36lbs. Riding in a Radian80 RF (I'm ok to turn him around in the new car since he is in a growth spurt).

The cars I'm considering:
Suzuki Grand Vitara/XL-7
Kia Sportage
Jeep Liberty
Nissan xTerra
Land Rover Discovery (its big but I love it)
Ford Escape (if I can find one with low miles)
Anything else in this size range.

I just want to know what cars to say NO to when I'm speaking with a salesman.

 

O

Oliver79

New member

• Jan 21, 2013

• #2

I can't speak to the Radian issue as I have never had one. However, I had a Discovery for 8 years. I absolutely loved it! I miss it every day. That being said, I would not buy another one, particularly a used one, as my daily driver.

The gas mileage sucks. I had a 2003, and the MPG on the sticker was 10 in town and 14 highway. They are also VERY expensive to fix. Many of the things we would do ourselves were harder to do with this vehicle. When we began having transmission problems we sold it on the recommendation of 2 ex Land Rover mechanics. They also tend to have a lot of little issues. Most of mine were fixes when it was still under warranty, but things still popped up occasionally.

It was fine with the one kid I had at the time, but not a easy as it could have been. The back seat sits up pretty high, and the back door doesn't open all that wide so getting kids in and out can be annoying. Of course, I am short so If you are taller it might be easier. The backseat was also fairly narrow in my opinion. Somebody else may have more experience with this than me, but I can't really imagine a 3rd person being able to rise in the back with 2 car seats.

If we get to a position where we could have one just for fun as a backup vehicle I will get one in a heartbeat, but not as a primary vehicle.

 

Phineasmama

New member

• Jan 21, 2013

• #3

I absolutely LOVE my Honda CR-V for only two kids. I wouldn't get it again knowing that I would have 3 kids though.

Radian works fine with an angle adjuster, at least in the newer models, my seats are really flat.

 

L

love-pink

Well-known member

• Jan 21, 2013

• #4

I'm not sure what your price range is but the 2011+ dodge journeys are nice! I feel like I got a lot of car for my money and the radian fits like a glove!!

 

cupcakepirate11

Active member

• Jan 21, 2013

• #5

Are you set on an SUV?
I love!! My Toyota Corolla its gotten me across the country, multiple other long drives, through a decent amount of snow with winter tires of course. Gas mileage is great, no major problems yet knock on wood.

I fit three kids in the back and a teen upfront.

Just an idea
Pps the radian fits great with the aa

 

E

emntheboys

New member

• Jan 22, 2013

• #6

I had a '99 Explorer and it was like the Radian was made for it. Seriously, so easy. Even though I love my Pilot, I still get a little teary eyed when I remember how easy that Radian was in the Explorer.

 

starglowz

New member

• Jan 22, 2013

• #7

Thank you everyone for the responses...

Yes I am set on an SUV. I don't want to bottom out driving over snow and I have a bad back that makes it hard to get my sleeping toddler out of cars. And he always falls asleep after 15 minutes in the car. Having room for a 3rd carseat is something I would prefer but not a deal breaker.

Off to check out the Explorer.

 

cupcakepirate11

Active member

• Jan 22, 2013

• #8

What about a Honda Pilot? Or a Subaru?

I live out in the cascade mountains, lots of snow! I totally get the back pain from heaving a kid into their seat.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Jan 22, 2013

• #9

Radian goes in great in the Highlander.

 

M

MonkeyMama

Member

• Feb 1, 2013

• #10

I have found the Radian worked well for us in a Ford Escape (rental), and our Santa Fe (both RF). If the Santa Fe is too long, they also make a Tuscon which is comparable in size to the Escape. Yes, sorry, I am biased towards Hyundai, we have 2 we love

Sent from my MB860 using Car-Seat.Org

 

rosey2007

Active member

• Feb 3, 2013

• #11

MonkeyMama said:

I have found the Radian worked well for us in a Ford Escape (rental), and our Santa Fe (both RF). If the Santa Fe is too long, they also make a Tuscon which is comparable in size to the Escape. Yes, sorry, I am biased towards Hyundai, we have 2 we love

Sent from my MB860 using Car-Seat.Org

Click to expand...

Hyundai's are great

 

T

tmahanes

Active member

• Feb 3, 2013

• #12

I have had my radian in an explorer probably about a 2003, a highlander 2007 and 2012, daily it is in my sequoia and i love it!

 

RiahS

New member

• Feb 3, 2013

• #13

My RXT is RF passenger outboard in our '05 Expedition and the fit is fantastic. The front passenger seat can slide almost all the way back (using the angle adjuster)

 

Rosey

New member

• Feb 3, 2013

• #14

I'd cross the Discovery off the list. My DH loved them, but their maintenance track record is terrible and the crash test ratings are poor as well.

 

VoodooChile

New member

• Feb 7, 2013

• #15

I have a Pilot (2006, so not the most recent body style). It handles well in the snow for me. I've had a Radian both rf and ff. It's always gone in well rf (AA made it too upright); ff is finicky. Sometimes I get a good install. Sometimes I want to hurl it down the street.