Where can you find out if a certain year/model of a car has the LATCH system for car seats?!?! I don't even want to bother looking at certain cars if they don't have it.... and we live out of the city and have to arrange to go see the car and i feel dumb asking the person, that and it seems a lot of people who do not have kids do not know what i am talking about so they can't even tell me if their car has it or not

This may help you out. It's a good source of info on it. it doesn't list exact make and model but it will help you find a good car.

http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system_8.html

I was thinking around 2002 LATCh became standard in all vehicles for at least one seating position. I found the following as a response from another tech regarding the same question:

It became mandatory September 2002, which was part way through the 2003 model year. It was dependent on the manufacturer before then. Some started phasing it in as early as MY 2000 and was in almost all vehicles by MY 2004.

Now, remember, this is LATCh, the portion in the seat, where the back meets the seat.
Top tether anchors I believe were standard before that, however, older vehicles *can* be retrofitted with an anchor.

Also, this may come out sounding backwards or something, but, anywho....why the concern/stipulation on having LATCh? As long as you can get a good install with the seat belt, it's equally safe. LATCh, in and of itself, isn't necessarily 'safer' than a seat belt install. Sometimes one can get a better install with the belt than with LATCh. :)

Just wanted to make sure you weren't thinking you *had* to have LATCh. I completely understand the desire for it, don't get me wrong, not trying to talk you OUT of that criteria or anything. I just wanted to make sure you understood.

(if my ramblings helped in that at all LMHO)

Also, this may come out sounding backwards or something, but, anywho....why the concern/stipulation on having LATCh? As long as you can get a good install with the seat belt, it's equally safe. LATCh, in and of itself, isn't necessarily 'safer' than a seat belt install. Sometimes one can get a better install with the belt than with LATCh. :)

Just wanted to make sure you weren't thinking you *had* to have LATCh. I completely understand the desire for it, don't get me wrong, not trying to talk you OUT of that criteria or anything. I just wanted to make sure you understood.

(if my ramblings helped in that at all LMHO)

I HATE SEATBELT INSTALLATIONS, That's why!!! FIL's truck doesn't have the lower latches and I *cannot* get the seats in - last time I was wrangling them like crazy with those seatbelts and getting all sweaty and yuck! I need latch, ok? Last time I had to wrangle with a seatbelt I had to call dh from work and come get him to install it because I couldn't get it tight enough!! lol At least with latch all i have to do is sit in the seat and pull!! rofl.

anyhow - the reason I wanted to make sure is because we were looking at possibly purchasing an older vehicle (2002). I know most of the newer ones all have it but we can't afford a brand new vehicle

Also I think it wasn't required in Canada when it was in the states - I've noticed some newer (like 2005ish) vehicles don't have it b/c they were manufactured & distributed in Canada and not USA...

Cheese we have a 2001 chevy venture and it has one latch..

LOL I understand Cheese ;)

And shoot...sorry...I completely forgot you were you Canada...my bad :( Ugh. *smacks head*

I'll see if I can dig any more info up for you then.

Geesh, I cannot BELIEVE I totally brain dumped on you being in Canada and didn't look for specifics on that.