aept
New member
Looking for input and pros/cons on trading in our 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan for a 2013 Mazda 5.
Reason for trading in the current van is that we feel it is unreliable already, and only likely to get worse as it ages. Lots of little things have gone wrong already. Maybe this wouldn't bother other people, but it annoys us...
Other cons for the van: wonky belt geometry for booster riders especially in the third row outboard. Only 3 tether anchors which limits where the FR85 can go.
Pros for the van: Roomy. Good cargo space while still fitting the whole family. Some seating flexibility with the stow and go. Has a built in DVD player and power doors. (We have the SXT model.)
We think we would be fine with the cargo room reduction. We rarely have extra riders along with us and don't do much carpooling with other kids. We already own a Thule rooftop cargo thingy. Plus we are getting to the point of being done with strollers and other bulky baby gear. I want to still have sliding doors and would prefer to avoid all three boys three across. We do this in the Prius sometimes and it is not something I prefer to deal with all the time all three of them need to go somewhere. I wouldn't mind driving a smaller vehicle. I am a little worried about third row passengers being closer to the back of the vehicle though, in the Mazda 5 compared to in the grand caravan where it seems like there is a bit more of a "crumple zone."
We have three boys. Oldest is 7 and full-time boostered, he uses HBBs like the parkway and vivo although is on the highest height on both of these. He also uses a NBB when needed (in our Prius 3-across, in grandma's car, or to ride with a friend.)
Middle son is 5.5 and rides in a Frontier 85 harnessed in the primary vehicle and a HBB otherwise.
Youngest son is 2.5 and RF in a Radian RXT in the primary vehicle (the minivan). (No more children are planned.)
So, I would love thoughts from Mazda 5 owners, especially those who use it as their primary vehicle with 3 kids, especially kids who are older than mine currently are, and are therefore forward facing or booster riders. We probably only have about a year left with a RF kiddo before he flips. Thanks so much in advance!
Reason for trading in the current van is that we feel it is unreliable already, and only likely to get worse as it ages. Lots of little things have gone wrong already. Maybe this wouldn't bother other people, but it annoys us...
Other cons for the van: wonky belt geometry for booster riders especially in the third row outboard. Only 3 tether anchors which limits where the FR85 can go.
Pros for the van: Roomy. Good cargo space while still fitting the whole family. Some seating flexibility with the stow and go. Has a built in DVD player and power doors. (We have the SXT model.)
We think we would be fine with the cargo room reduction. We rarely have extra riders along with us and don't do much carpooling with other kids. We already own a Thule rooftop cargo thingy. Plus we are getting to the point of being done with strollers and other bulky baby gear. I want to still have sliding doors and would prefer to avoid all three boys three across. We do this in the Prius sometimes and it is not something I prefer to deal with all the time all three of them need to go somewhere. I wouldn't mind driving a smaller vehicle. I am a little worried about third row passengers being closer to the back of the vehicle though, in the Mazda 5 compared to in the grand caravan where it seems like there is a bit more of a "crumple zone."
We have three boys. Oldest is 7 and full-time boostered, he uses HBBs like the parkway and vivo although is on the highest height on both of these. He also uses a NBB when needed (in our Prius 3-across, in grandma's car, or to ride with a friend.)
Middle son is 5.5 and rides in a Frontier 85 harnessed in the primary vehicle and a HBB otherwise.
Youngest son is 2.5 and RF in a Radian RXT in the primary vehicle (the minivan). (No more children are planned.)
So, I would love thoughts from Mazda 5 owners, especially those who use it as their primary vehicle with 3 kids, especially kids who are older than mine currently are, and are therefore forward facing or booster riders. We probably only have about a year left with a RF kiddo before he flips. Thanks so much in advance!
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