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Do you bring cars seats AND children on test drives?
- Thread starter monstah
- Start date
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Mom to a few
New member
They've never given me a hard time. Generally, they want to make potential buyers as happy as possible.
However, I'd recommend leaving the kids at home. Yes, you need to know if their carseats will install well in the vehicle, but having the kids with you is usually just a distraction that you don't need when you are trying to make an important decision. It's hard for me to concentrate on which features I like, what the salesperson is saying, etc when the kids are trying to wander away--or they want your undivided attention--like they do every time the phone rings
I've always felt like the kids would like (or learn to like) any vehicle we bought, so I didn't want them to feel like they had a choice during the decision-making process. I'd rather base my decision on the important factors (safety, price, safety, reliability, etc), and not because the kids liked the "other one" better. I'm not saying that's what your kids would do. I'm just telling you why we quit taking our kids to look at cars a couple of years ago . I prefer to think and make important decisions in silence!
Patriot201
Car-Seat.org Ambassador
I spent just as much time examining the backseat of my car (before I bought it) as I did examining the rest of the car as a whole. I also asked if I could try installing a couple different carseats into the backseat. The dealer was more than happy to oblige if it meant that he might sell that vehicle.
kittykate
New member
We test drove a Nissan Versa over the weekend, with both boys in their carseats.
I told the dealer it was not negotiable- either he let us install the seats (and I made him sit through me trying both seats with the seatbelt and LATCH) and test drive with the boys, or we were going to find a dealership that would. After all, I'm not going to buy a car that I don't know will fit my whole family comfortably.
The salesman wasn't too happy about it, but he did let us!
I told the dealer it was not negotiable- either he let us install the seats (and I made him sit through me trying both seats with the seatbelt and LATCH) and test drive with the boys, or we were going to find a dealership that would. After all, I'm not going to buy a car that I don't know will fit my whole family comfortably.
The salesman wasn't too happy about it, but he did let us!
MomToEliEm
Moderator
I've installed carseats at the car dealership, but didn't bring the kids along. I just wanted to make sure that the seats would fit well. I didn't want the distraction of the kids around though while checking out cars.
Patriot201
Car-Seat.org Ambassador
My salesman was nice about it, but he was clueless. He kept making weird comments about the seats I was installing (convertibles). He said something to the effect of, "Can't they just use the seatbelt after they use that carrier thing?" He also said, "Those LATCH things are useless because there aren't any seats on the market that use them."
He knew about the engine, electrical system, etc., so I was willing to forgive the ignorance about carseats.
kittykate
New member
My salesman was nice about it, but he was clueless. He kept making weird comments about the seats I was installing (convertibles). He said something to the effect of, "Can't they just use the seatbelt after they use that carrier thing?" He also said, "Those LATCH things are useless because there aren't any seats on the market that use them."
He knew about the engine, electrical system, etc., so I was willing to forgive the ignorance about carseats.
Our salesman was the same, he kept telling me that Nissan doesn't allow kids past one year to be rear facing when he saw me put my 2 year old's car seat in. Boy did he have egg on his face when I whipped the manual out of the glove box and showed him that Nissan recommends that children stay rear facing to the limits of their seats.
The sad part was that he said his own two and three year old were in boosters
(and my husband gave me the glare that said "don't you dare go off on your crazy car-seat lecture," so I had to hold my tongue)
unityco
Ambassador - CPS Technician
I've had that experience too.
I wouldn't usually bring DS or his seat for the initial test drive, but I will certainly comb the back seat the first time I see it. Before the deal is sealed, I will do a test install. We really only go to the dealership for a test drive, we do most of our research ahead of time - we're really not too interested in what the salesperson has to say until we start talking price.
monstah
New member
We have done tons of research and really like the Forester wagon. We just want to know how well we will all fit. We aren't ready to talk deal yet, since we want a 2009 and we have to wait for DH's bonus, so I was thinking that bringing the kids in was a good distraction and easy out, so we don't end up at the negotiating table unprepared.
unityco
Ambassador - CPS Technician
Ha! We've used that excuse too :thumbsup: (it does work really well, although we did have one guy literally chasing us out the door with crying DS in tow
)
BW1426
Well-known member
I'd take your seats and test them out on a day you don't have the kids. That way you can easily test with and without LATCH and test each seat in different positions.
Do you guys see a third child anywhere in your future?
monstah
New member
NOOO!!!
BW1426
Well-known member
:ROTFLMAO:
I take it you've thought about this
:ROTFLMAO:
No need to worry about the weird center seat then.
skaterbabs
Well-known member
When the kids were all in seats, no, we didn't take them. Now, we need to take at least CJ to see if he'll need a booster or not.
kate4478
New member
The sad part was that he said his own two and three year old were in boosters
my dh did the same thing!
I always test install carseats before even test driving the car. I've done it both with and without kids along. My preference would be to go on a scouting mission minus kids first if possible. I never have had a hassle with the car sales staff about this and made it pretty clear to them that if the carseats couldn't be installed, then there was going to be no progress toward making a sale. Happy car shopping and let us know how your test install/test drive goes in the new Forester. I hear the back seat is roomier with the redesigned '09 model.
Jan06twinmom
New member
What carseats do you have? Are you using them forward or rear-facing? If you try out the carseats, please let me know what you find with the installation. We're also looking at the 2009 Forester - but my biggest concern is carseat installation because it sounds like the Subaru cars have issues.
Melanie
monstah
New member
No prob :thumbsup:
I can't wait to see the newly redesigned backseat. Maybe I can sneak to the dealer tonight solo... :2thumbsup:
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