LATCH system for child car seats

[sixgunsue]

Hi there, I'm new here and looking to buy a pre 07 XL7 for our family. But our car seats are latch system friendly so I was wondering what year the XL7 started putting latch systems in their cars and where they are located?
Any help would be much appreciated!!
Thanks, Sue

[murcod]

Do you mean ISOFix?

My 2004 model XL-7 has ISOFix behind the driver seat and also on the seat behind the front passenger - however for some reason the seat behind the passenger had the factory upholstery over the ISOFix loops. I used a sharp knife to expose them ("leather" factory trim in my case).

[sixgunsue]

Awesome! That's good news! I have a Maxi Cosi car seat that has a very sturdy base that not only latches onto the isoFIX but has a stand that extends to the floor for extra stability. After the baby out grows the infant seat you can move up to the toddler forward facing seat that also latches onto the same base.
So I really did not want to have to get a different car seat! Hurray!
Off to sell my crappy Mazda 5 and buy an XL7!
Oh btw, is that your XL7 in your avatar? Thanks, Sue

[murcod]

Hi Sue, we actually used a Maxi Cosi with the Easy Fix base in ours. So I can also confirm that combo will fit too.

Yes, that's a pic of it. I assume you're in the USA somewhere? It may pay to get someone to double check on a USA model as mine is a Japanese made XL-7 and the USA models are made in Canada (or somewhere similar?) I think you'll find the ISOFix will be the same though.

Good luck with your hunt.

[sixgunsue]

Yes, I had considered the same problem. Some of the 06 models I've seen on line had little markings on the seats that looked to be where the isofix would be. I will definitely be aware while looking. We sometimes get the shaft in America and don't get the great innovations and sometimes we come up with them.
I do love my Easy Fix base and had a friend ship it to me from England.
It seemed the smartest and most secure system. Not totally sure it's legal here,as it's only 3 point harness, but I just don't talk about it to anyone. I feel it's one of the safest seats around. But here in the US we have 5 point fever. It has become a popular notion that if your child is not secured with a 5 point harness from birth to age 16 when they are driving, they'll likely die.
I think 5 points are perfect for toddlers and their fiddly little fingers that can get out of anything. But a bit much for my born at 5 lbs baby girl and a going to school child.
Thanks again! S.

[murcod]

ISOFix has only recently been approved here in Australia. I imported the Maxi Cosi from Holland around four years ago. It was so easy to use combined with the Quinny Zap stroller which it dropped straight into.

[sixgunsue]

Yes they are pretty much made for each other. I don;t have the Zap but I do have an old mint condition Emmaljunga Viking and an old mint condition Aprica mini Elite. Both 20 yrs or so old. My oldest is set to be 23 this month! My youngest (a SURPRISE!) just turned 1. But she sure has everyone wrapped around her little bitty fingers!
The Maxi Cosi slips right into both of them.
So- about the XL7, it seems you are the official expert on these, what can you tell me about the ride and handling? I've never driven one. How would you describe it?
Is it stiff, responsive, smooth? I read that different tires and shocks can make a huge difference on the ride and performance of these. I live in Connecticut
right near NY border, so lots of snow sometimes. Opinions, advice?
Thanks again!

[murcod]

Ride and handling are very dependent on the tyres and shock absorbers. It all depends on what sort of vehicle you are used to driving as well? I found the standard tyres were rubbish- rough riding with very little grip in the wet.

The handling I found lacking in fast hilly terrain (60-80km/h) with the standard shock absorbers. I'm not talking about driving quickly either, from memory it felt like the body was "lurching" as I went around bends. Very disconcerting for me (driving) and even my wife commented as a passenger. New shock absorbers (Koni's in my case) made a huge improvement.

Best suggestion would be to test drive one....

We love ours and I can't think of anything to replace it with for similar $$$. We've used it for camping holidays, driving in rock strewn paddocks, dirt tracks and exploring beaches on holidays. It's a proper 4WD so can handle off road use.

It's got plenty of power for overtaking and is pleasant to drive on long trips. Fuel economy isn't the best, but is in the normal range for that type of vehicle. We average 13.5-14.0l/100km in suburban driving (five speed auto trans.)

The middle row seats can be moved so the leg room can be adjusted between the 2nd and 3rd row seats. The third row has a proper foot well, so even tall people can fit in there. If you unbolt and remove the third row a substantial increase in luggage area can be gained.

The only failure I can think of is the central locking button on the driver's door failed. I fixed it using non genuine parts and some modifications and it's been working fine for a few years now. Ours is getting up to 100000km and still doesn't use any oil.

[sixgunsue]

Hi David, It's Sue again. We found a good deal on a 2003 with under 100K on it so we bought it. It seems to run well, but definitely needs shocks. I see what you mean about roll and lurch. It also has crappy tires. They put snow tires on the back and it's not snowing yet. Dealers! Hrrmph. We told them to get some decent tires on her so I guess that's what they had. Hopefully that will be nice when it is snowing but right now they are very sticky. It was such a good deal we just grabbed it. Like I, said she seems to run fine but what should we have checked and fine tuned when we take her in for a check up. It passed emissions fine so clear there. The baby's family fix fits fine. We did just discover that the passenger side front window will not roll up from passenger side only drivers controls. ( no, it's not on lock) and it's missing the gas tank door ( we knew that). Any suggestions on how to find another?
So, tires?
shocks?
gas door?
tune up?
Thanks so much for your input!! Sue

[murcod]

Hi Sue, first thing I'd suggest is check what service history documentation there is. If there's nothing then start looking at changing all the oils as applicable (eg. manual or auto trans, transfer case, front and rear diffs, engine.) Then you've got the coolant and brake fluid.

The window might be something simple like the passenger door switch being broken. Fuel filler door shouldn't be too hard to find at a wrecker. If you're lucky you might be able to source one the correct colour.

For tyres, I recently fitted Yokohama A/T-S tyres to ours and find they provide a nice ride and decent enough handling GEOLANDAR A/T-S Off-Road Performance Tires | Yokohama Tire Corp. . For your shock absorbers I can highly recommend Koni - but they're not as cheap as some brands that will probably do the job well enough for you.