Minivan help please: 7 or 8 seats?

suzymarie

Which would you choose and why?

We are looking at Siennas and we can save about 3000 (maybe more) by going with the 7 passenger one.  

I am torn.  With carseats I don't think I would put 3 kids across the middle.  But then again if we were camping I might want to so that I could load up the back with gear.

With older kids it seems like 3 across the middle might be good so that no one had to climb into the way back.

 We will have a 3rd kid in about a year and plan to keep the van for a good ten years.  

WWYD? 

 

shopgirl78

I have an Odyssey which has a "magic" second row middle seat; it's removable.  With the seat in, I can seat 8 w/o 7.  I keep it removed and haven't come across a need for in the last 18 months.  With that said, I love having the extra seating and being able to cart my friends and thier kids places where we can all ride together.  Most of my friends have two kids, so we all fit perfect.  I also love the extra seating when my ILs or parents are in town.   I like having everyone together and not having to take more than one vechicle. I am sure we will use the "magic" seat as the kids get older and start soccer and other activities though.  It's nice to have, not necessary. 

suzymarie

The Sienna one works the same as the Odyssey, you can have it in or store it in the back or take it out entirely.

I am thinking along the same lines as you.... wouldn't use it much now, but might want it later as they get older.   However I think DH is going to dig his heals in about spending 3K more just for an extra seat.  

Vrbka

We have a 7 passenger van Sienna and love it.. what i would do ifyour worried about more room.. i usually just put up the one seat n the back and leave the bigger part down so you have more room in the back..

PiperBride

I prefer 7 passenger because I like a clear path to the third row.  When we looked at Siennas last month (I think the 2011), the 8 passenger has the removable middle seat but then there is a big plastic cup holder / base thing in the floor that doesn't come out!  And my 3YO would be walking all over that thing trying to get to the back.  I just thought that was so stupid.  I'm not sure what the removable middle seat in the Odyssey leaves behind but I'd look before making your decision.  

PiperBride

Also, we ended up buying a 7 passenger Routan, just FYI. It was tough picking out a van!