Did you regret going from a minivan back to a smaller car?

My minivan sucks up way too much gas, is terrible to park, and i feel more distracted because my kids are so far away (in the third row.) I'm considering going back to a sedan… Say a honda accord. I have a 7,5, & 2 year old. The older two are in boosters, and the younger in a diono radian (the narrowest car seat on the market) so i know it will be tight and we won't be able to tow extra people. I just want to know if anyone else has gone back to the sedan from a mini… Did you regret it?

I made the jump back from a T&C to a Honda Accord a couple of weeks ago. My kids are a bit older and they aren't always with me, they are teenagers. I found most of the time I was just by myself so when the van died, I just decided a car would be more economical. Yes, I miss the space at times but for the money I save on gas, I can rent a van when I really need one for family trips. I'm saving about 100-150 on gas a month. So far it has worked out.

-No way! Mini-vans are just TOO expensive to Gas-up & maintain!

I have never ever done this, so I can't say if I would regret it or not. However, I might have information that may be helpful.

I would install the Diono Radian rear facing in the vehicle before buying because the Radian is either a hit or a miss on installation. The car seats might not fit side by side or the Radian might take up too much front-to-back space in the vehicle leaving no room for the passenger or driver to put their seat back.

I'm not sure if you have came upon this in your search of the Radian, but here is the successful Radian install thread. This thread is where parents post if the Radian is compatible either rear or forward facing in a seating position of the vehicle and in what method of installation. It would take a very long time to search to see if the vehicle is listed. So, type in the search bar on the link below in quotes: "successful radian install thread" "vehicle name"

This will limit your search results to only those with the vehicle listed.

Keep in mind that some of the responders had the Radian before the angle adjuster was created. If you haven't heard of the angle adjuster, it is a foam pad that Diono created that puts the Radian at a more upright angle. This foam pad is a crash tested product that saves front-to-back space in the vehicle.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=18235

Ofcourse i do…

You'll regret it think especially if you don't really drive without a purpose with three kids especially safe with a van.
But you all are much more comfortable and will most likely be safer in a crash.
Plus shopping is a dream with the roominess of a van.