Three across- Versa or Golf/Rabbit?

We've been planning for awhile now getting me a new car in the next year to year and a half. Well, a new-to-me car anyway. My current car is aging not so nicely and we'd like to get something before this one dies completely or starts to cost more in maintenance than it's worth... which we're estimating will be about 2-3 years (it's a 2000 model).

I narrowed down with price (a big factor), gas mileage, etc to the Nissan Versa or the VW Golf/Rabbit. I was leaning more towards a Versa since my husband can drive it comfortably yet he doesn't fit as well in the VW. We can't really afford a minivan and I'm anti-SUV (probably couldn't afford one of those anyway, I haven't looked).

Then we had a pregnancy scare. That led to discussion... we might not be done at two. We might decide to have a third or we might have another pregnancy scare. If we do, we'll need a vehicle that can fit three across. We'd have to fit a booster (7 year old, stats in signature, would be 8 before another child would be born, even if I got pregnant tomorrow) and a convertible seat. Currently we have a Turbobooster and a Marathon. The Marathon will expire in 2011 when it's current occupant will be 6 and would probably still fit in it. With buying a new car, I won't have a lot to spend on carseats, but could probably manage two new seats (and would have to get at least one new one anyway, if we have a third child).

It may be a moot point, doing three across, as we may stick with the two kids we have. However, I don't want to buy based on two if something happens and we end with three. So... of the two, the Versa or the Golf, which would work three across best? Has anybody even tried three across in a Versa?

I don't have any experience with the VW Golf other than riding in one as a kid, LOL. If you are willing to look at other VW models I'd take a look at the Jetta. My ex has had one for over 3 years and I've been happy with installs. We've had a Big Kid Booster and 2 Round Abouts, both FF and one FF/one RF. The trunk is roomy and we had plenty of space for ourselves.

Sharlene

We have a golf and we were looking at the Versa the other day. Both could do 3 across with Radians I think, although I do not know how they install in the Versa, we didn't try it out. I can get a Marathon and a Radian both ffing in the Golf and I have enough room to sit in the backseat. I would think another narrow seat could be rear facing. I did try a Chicco Keyfit and it did fit, although I didn't install it.

But Yes, I think you could do 3 in the Versa as well, with the right carseat set up. It may mean buying new carseats though.

I think it would be a tight squeeze with either vehicle. Since gas mileage is a consideration but needing to get 3 across is high on the list too. Have you looked at the VW TDI Jetta? They get better gas mileage then either vehicle you mentioned due to it being a desiel motor instead of gas. You could find a gently used one for less then $10k pretty easily. Plus it will give you more room for both 3 across & your dh.

We did 3-across in an '01 Golf (diesel, 2-door). MA center, both RF and FF, with TBs on either side. Buckling the TBs wasn't fun, but it was definitely do-able.

A FF Radian installs beautifully in the center and leaves plenty of room outboard. :thumbsup:

ETA: I suppose pics would be nice, eh?

jen_nah said:

I think it would be a tight squeeze with either vehicle. Since gas mileage is a consideration but needing to get 3 across is high on the list too. Have you looked at the VW TDI Jetta? They get better gas mileage then either vehicle you mentioned due to it being a desiel motor instead of gas. You could find a gently used one for less then $10k pretty easily. Plus it will give you more room for both 3 across & your dh.

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I'll look into this. I hadn't even really considered the Jetta before since I liked the Golf so much, but then, up until very very recently, I wasn't worried about doing 3 across either.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Defrost said:

We did 3-across in an '01 Golf (diesel, 2-door). MA center, both RF and FF, with TBs on either side. Buckling the TBs wasn't fun, but it was definitely do-able.

A FF Radian installs beautifully in the center and leaves plenty of room outboard. :thumbsup:

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Wow, thank you!

Do you think I could do a Marathon (either rear facing or forward facing, he would be nearly 4 at the youngest), a Radian, and a booster? Or would I need two Radians and a booster?

kangato2roos said:

Wow, thank you!

Do you think I could do a Marathon (either rear facing or forward facing, he would be nearly 4 at the youngest), a Radian, and a booster? Or would I need two Radians and a booster?

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From the look of it I would think the MA might have to go and you might be better off with 3 Radians and should still have enough room to buckle the booster. The center would most likely have to be the rf'ing seat just to give either passenger leg room esp if your tall (I assumer your dh is due to your above posts and him fitting in vehicles).

kangato2roos said:

Wow, thank you!

Do you think I could do a Marathon (either rear facing or forward facing, he would be nearly 4 at the youngest), a Radian, and a booster? Or would I need two Radians and a booster?

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Only if they're both facing the same way, keeping in mind that the problem is that the Radian is completely incompatible with the center when RF. (It's great FF, great outboard either way - only problem is center RF.) It might be compatible in different models or different years, of course, and that might work.

I think I have a picture of it, hang on... yep, here we go. As you can see, there's room for the TB outboard, so you'd have room for an infant seat over there, but I'm not sure how much leg room that would leave the passenger/driver in front. The trouble with putting the MA and Radian outboard and leaving the center for an infant seat is that the outboard seats have contouring that end up shoving the outboard carseats towards the middle. It's not much of an issue with the MA because the base ends up next to the contouring, but basically, the Radian outboard doesn't buy you any room. Not unless you install it up on the contouring and let it be tilted.

See how they only fit because the MA overlaps the Radian?


Note how you'd be reaching under the MA shell to buckle the TB:


Tilted Radian outboard:

I see that this is an older post, but I got 3 across installed in my 2007 Nissan Versa just yesterday.

I have them all FF until I buy a second Radian to return my 1.5 yo RF.

My successful 3-across is:
* Safeguard GO FF LATCH (passenger side--this is where the RF radian will also fit)
* Britax Wizard FF seatbelt (center)
* Radian 80 FF LATCH (driver side)

I had the Radian installed RF on the passenger side before I took it out to do the FF on the driver side as I had an urgent carpool need for two older kids to fit. Because the backseat of the Versa has so much legroom, an average size adult woman can fit comfortably in the passenger seat even with the RF Britax Wizard behind her. I forgot to check front passenger legroom with the Radian installed.

--willo