Question Good Values in Used Cars w/ LATCH?

What used car, probably a wagon, should I buy? I want LATCH. It sounds like most, but not all, cars were LATCH-equipped by 2003, a few earlier (Impreza?).

What is your price range?

Subaru wagons are nice, but pretty awful on fuel economy.

My Forester (manual transmission) averaged in the high 20s in mixed driving. That wasn't terrific, but for a car its size, I didn't think it was "pretty awful".

We like our Outback. It's just that AWD takes its toll on fuel economy. We get around 20mpg or higher in the city. On the high way, it's in the upper 20s. On the other hand, my Odyssey gets the same mileage on the highway.

"Awful" is relative, of course. Compared to a typical SUV, it's a reasonable choice. On the other hand, it's at the lower end of comparable midsize vehicles.

The Ford Freestyle, Jetta/Passat Wagon, Saturn wagons may all be worth looking into.

To expand a bit on Saturn wagons as a former Saturn owner (we owned a series of 5 different Saturn models prior to our current non-Saturn vehicles), Saturn L-series midsize wagons have fairly low prices on the used car market as they weren't particularly high demand vehicles when they were available new. L-series' depreciation took another hit due to their discontinuation around the 2003/2004 model year, not to mention Saturn's likely fate of being phased out altogether as a brand by 2011. The Saturn '02 and newer L-series models have 3 full sets of LATCH which may be used simultaneously to install up to 3 carseats. However, on the negative side of the coin, a lower rear seatback lacking headrests could pose an issue for rear seat occupants who would otherwise pass the 5-step test to ride in the adult-sized seatbelt alone or for child restraints that require the vehicle seatback or a vehicle headrest to be at least as tall as the forward facing occupant's ears (some forward facing Dorel branded carseats have this requirement), and at least the '02 model year L-series wagon had a lap-only belt in the center rear seating position, which may also be true of the more recent L-series wagons. A lap-only belt can be used to install a harnessed child restraint only, not a belt positioning booster seat or an adult-sized passenger. The L-series sedan version had a lap-shoulder belt in the '02 model year when we purchased one, FWIW. Also on the negative side of the coin, the Saturn L-series models don't have stellar side impact crash scores from IIHS even with side curtain airbags based on the IIHS' poor side impact rating for the L-series sedan model.

If you're considering a smaller Saturn S-series wagon that pre-dates the mid-sized L-series Saturns, those are pretty tight in the back seat, their manufacture ceased prior to implementing lower LATCH anchors in the back seat, they have a relatively low rear seatback lacking headrests and a lap-only belt for the center rear seating position, and the rear seatbelts that are forward of the seat bight (the crease where the vehicle seatback and vehicle seat cushion meet) making them not so friendly for carseat installations. Great gas mileage, though, which I do miss at times, especially when gas hit $4/gallon last year.

I have a chevy malibu maxx. 3 latch, 3 tether, easy 3 across! Awesome trunk space (hatch back) I believe that that were fist made in 03 or 04 and are all the same. I have the 05. Good gas mileage. I love it fun to drive also :thumbsup:

Do you know about the special rules Chevrolet has for the 2005-2007 Malibu Maxx? Apparently, there is only one anchor in the center position and the 2009 LATCH manual states:

2nd Row Center: Use inboard lower anchor from driver's side to install CR. Two CRs cannot be attached to one lower anchor. If center LATCH is used, driver-side seating position cannot be occupied using either LATCH or seatbelt.

Click to expand...

If your Malibu Maxx is between 2005-2007, I think you need to install the center carseat with seatbelt (and top tether, if applicable).

chickabiddy said:

Do you know about the special rules Chevrolet has for the 2005-2007 Malibu Maxx? Apparently, there is only one anchor in the center position and the 2009 LATCH manual states:



If your Malibu Maxx is between 2005-2007, I think you need to install the center carseat with seatbelt (and top tether, if applicable).

Click to expand...

Sorry should have said that part lol I only knew there was 3 Latch because someone on here said something Not because I could find them... I use the belt in the middle because it was easier with 3 across... The car is fairly easy to fit 3 across with different seats though.