–
I spent £10,000! I drive some long distances to visit family and friends around Europe with the Littlins. I had also read some research which said that due to the head body weight ratio it is far safer for children to be in a rear facing car seat till the age of 4. Well, there weren’t many of those seats on the market when I went looking, so instead I started looking for a car that could have it’s seats facing backwards. There are very few.
Finally, I narrowed it down to a couple and ended up buying a used Mercedes Viano van. And it was silly things that spun it for me, silly practicalities that are useful for a parent when driving on their own with kids (which I often do), such as:
- a light switch for the passenger area that I can operate from the front – I can switch it off before I open the doors & they are sleeping or I can flick it on while driving and have a glimpse at them to see if they are sleeping (via an additional mirror, because they are sitting with their backs to me)
- total blackout windows in the back- these not only reduce the heat when travelling, but Autumn to Spring I can leave a sleeping child in the car (with an open window) on our drive. Wouldn’t even think of it on a hot sunny day though!
- electric windows operated from the front (lots of minibus type MPVs don’t have this)
- large sliding doors, which you can get the child in and out comfortably
- large reclining captain’s seats– means the kids can be in a more comfy position for sleeping (as I tend to drive at nights) and bonus no more arguments over who’s driving, as it is fun either driving or sitting in the back.
Now that I’ve had her over a 18 months, I have a true love-hate relationship with this car. Absolutely adore the way she drives and the comfort, the nuances that sold her to me. But I am appalled at the chassis quality of this 7 year old car having rust marks in quite a few place.
This car is expensive not only to buy (especially new), but the run too: The fuel efficiency is simply non-existent – 25-30mpg, 35 mpg if I am careful. (I had planned to counter the fuel guzzler aspect of it by cycling more. However, I had a bad cycling accident just as we purchased her and have yet to get back on bicycle other than the static rehab ones.)
There is, however, something special about this car, because the Littlins love it. Their eyes light up as they climb in. Is it the places it takes them or the fun times we’ve had having picnics in it on rainy days?
We’ve just got them some super-duper Kiddy carseats to go in it and they are even more excited! Seems my Littlins just favour the German engineering? 😀
Have you made any “insane” purchases based on some research you read? Is it really marketers playing on our parental guilt ?
Pinterest
hi I wonder why some kids don’t like the rear facing car seats – my dd being one of them. She only stopped screaming in the car when she was 9 months old – and had 9 kg, when I could buy a “proper seat”. Before it was just a nightmare!
I think it’s mostly the company, some are much happier seeing you. Did you ever try putting her in the front passenger seat or sitting beside her in the back? Was she upset even then?
We have a Mercedes V220 bus 🙂 I tried the rear facing seats myself for all of ten minutes before wanting to hurl! Travelling backwards is not for everyone, especially on winding mountain roads. I guess it’s the same for kids. Love this car though for the sheer space and practicality of it all. I sit the kids right at the back, leaving space for everything else in between. We have a diesel, automatic and while it’s not exactly economical…it’s not less economical than the petrol Zafira we had previously. We have Römer car seats for each of the children…I find them to be excellent quality, easily installed and washable.
I have to get a big car and am really questioning what to get, I had G in rearward till 1 1/2 as he couldn’t sit and is so much better, so the idea of rear facing seats is a great idea.
This car was on the list but am now not sure if it has bad rust.
Kara, as I said I do love the Viano (and hate it with a vengeance at times. LOL! ). We might have just got the daftest one of the batch, who knows?!
The other cars that I came across that had rear facing seats were the Renault Grand Scenic (but when in that position it was a bit difficult to get in) and the some of the Chrysler Grand Voyagers. If you are looking at possibly having a specially adapted vehicle, I looked at the Fiat/ Peugeot/ Citroen van (they are built at the same factory) and was impressed with them (great handling, good mpg, etc). Specific seats would’ve cost a couple of thousand, so I discarded them on that basis.
I do love the idea of a van for its convienience. For example we always have a potty in it, so if I get “mum I need a wee NOW!” , all I do is pull aside somewhere safe, unclip the kids and let them sit on the potty in the car.
Good luck with your search for the ideal vehicle!
I fell in love with this car.. for all of its practicalities for a small family. But found out that it didnt have airbags at the back for the passengers. Does your Viano model have airbags? and do you know of any websites that address its safety?
My Viano only has front driver and passenger airbags. I’ve addressed the lack of these by getting the children some very good car seats (Kiddy, a German make), which have excellent crash test result. I hope we never get to try them though.