Future Toyota hybrids?

Does anyone know anything about new Toyota hybrid cars that will be released here in the next couple of years? I've read about a hybrid mini-van and heard about a Prius stationwagon. We're looking to buy a hybrid car with room for our expanding family. anon

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

My mom is in the market for a car. Within the next two years, she will be moving in with us and she wants to buy a car that will seat 5 *comfortably* (including an adult in the middle and back seats) and more if needed. She is interested in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and I said I'd check with BPN for any experiences members have had. She said she doesn't want a minivan because they are ''too big,'' and she's interested in the Hybrid version of the Highlander because of gas mileage. I'm interested in storage issues, comfort, driving, etc. as well as mileage. Thanks for any information, Laurel

The third row is not very useful for seating however. There is little leg room, you cannot adjust the seatback angle, and it is hard to get in and out. You can move the second row forward all the way to increase leg room for the third row, but it will still be uncomfortable for adults unless they are petite. Overall I find the third row pretty useless, though it may be ok for older kids?

Storage is great with the third row concealed, but minimal if the third row is in use.

I find it very comfortable to drive, there are multiple angles and heights to adjust the driver's seat. I find I have a much clearer view through the back window as a driver, than I did driving our previous car (a compact car). The rear windows pretty much end right at the end of the car, so it's a good frame of reference for parallel parking. I had never driven an SUV or minivan before getting our Highlander, and I was pleasantly surprised it has been so easy to get used to.

As for mileage, we don't have the luxury edition, so we don't have a mpg meter on the display, (which I think is ridiculous). However I factor that our mileage is about 30 mpg, which is about the same as our previous car (a compact Hyundai).

Overall we would recommend the Highlander Hybrid. I don't think we could ever switch back. Best of luck anon

Carseat for 2-door Toyota Tercel

I'm looking for advice on buying a carseat that will fit into my 2 door Toyota Tercel. My son is about to outgrow his infant seat, and I'd rather buy online, as most seats are cheaper... but I'm not sure what will fit. The good news is that I am quite small and keep the driver's seat pulled all the way forward, and there is rarely someone in the passenger seat. I would like to get a Britex Marathon, especially since my car is not the most impact proof. Can anyone tell me what they think might or might not fit? Thanks! ann

Carseat/booster for preschooler in Toyota Corolla

My 2.8 year old son will be outgrowing his Britax Roundabout soon. I'd like to keep him in a 5-point harness for as long as possible, and am thinking about getting the Britax Husky or Marathon. However, I know those seats are both quite large, especially the Husky, and I'm not sure it will fit in my small car -- an older (1995) Toyota Corolla sedan. I know I can go to a store that sells carseats and try them out, but I figure I can save myself the trouble by asking what other folks with smaller cars have found to work for them. So, is there anyone out there who has tried fitting the larger Britax seats into a small 4-door sedan? And, if those didn't fit, what did you get instead? Thanks! -- small car owner

On a whim, I ordered the Sit-n-stroll from The Right Start catalog. It fit perfectly. Yes, I have to buckle the seat belt around it each time. That was not a problem for me. I liked double checking everything every time and giving him a kiss before we start. It 's a nice ritual. I loved having the stroller combined. It is so convenient!! Air planes, take bart & a taxi, walk to the market, see a friend & go with her.....I love the thing. So much that I bought 2 new ones when my second child was born.

OK, they are rickety. They aren't really designed to be used daily, or off road like I did. One broke it's spine crossing a railroad track and I had to pick it up with child and run. One is so bent that it is nearly impossible to open into a stroller. It is just an extra car seat now. One still works perfectly and one kid sits in the seat and the other on top for a total of 80 pounds....not what the manufacure had in mind, but very handy. This is over a 6 year period with 2 kids, 3 seats = $600. not the cheapest way to go but I did not have to buy another car so........

I did get a double jogging stroller which is also from The Right Start and huge but very great for daily to & from school up & down hills...... Annie

Corolla wagon with 2 carseats?

We are investigating buying a new (used) mini station wagon, and are looking for input from other parents who drive Toyota Corolla wagons.We hope to have another baby, and I know that both a forward facing and rear facing car seat would not fit in our current wagon (Tercel). Have people had any trouble with car seats in the Corolla wagon? Jenny We have a 1991 Corolla wagon with one forward facing and one rear facing car seat -- they fit but the rear facing makes it so you can't bring the seat back all the way. We keep the rear facing car seat on the passenger side because my husband is over 6 feet tall and needs to move the seat back to drive. We would love to replace this wagon with a new Corolla wagon, but they don't make them anymore. Oh well. Good luck. Sarah Sarah