What car should I buy?

[Anonymous]

Selling our minivan, thinking about another minivan or an SUV or Jeep (someone recommended a Jeep to my DH). Family of six, youngest child is 12, oldest is in college. We mostly do driving vacations to New England/Midwest. Lots of driving to sports and lessons. Have a shaggy dog.

I have gotten used to the floor space of a van, and think we still need a vehicle that can transport all six of us plus the pooch. My husband likes the idea of moving to … something else. He is also really keen to get a hybrid for environmental reasons. I don’t particularly care about that.

We can’t afford a really expensive car- 35-40k is our limit. Would prefer used but realize they are scarce and willing to buy new.

What would you do to move young adults around? If you have moved from a minivan for younger kids to something else for older kids, what did you switch to?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We moved to a Ford Explorer, but we only have 2 kids (family of 4) plus dog. Remember when road tripping in most SUVs with third row seats, you have to make the choice between having a trunk or using the third row for seating. In your case, you'd need the third row since there are 6 of you plus room for luggage. So am much as I am disinclined to get something like a Ford Expedition (or Chevy Tahoe, etc) for myself, I think your family kind of "needs" it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved to a Ford Explorer, but we only have 2 kids (family of 4) plus dog. Remember when road tripping in most SUVs with third row seats, you have to make the choice between having a trunk or using the third row for seating. In your case, you'd need the third row since there are 6 of you plus room for luggage. So am much as I am disinclined to get something like a Ford Expedition (or Chevy Tahoe, etc) for myself, I think your family kind of "needs" it.

Thanks. That’s my thought, too. Or should we just get another van? I don’t mind at all.. and think it seems more practical than even a large suv.

[Anonymous]

Get a hybrid minivan.

[Anonymous]

You are getting out of the "need" for a minivan. Your youngest is 12. Soon you will be fewer thn 6 at home (surely other kids will be off as well). You will need may be 2 rows seating only on most times.

If like us you buy and hold cars till they die then buy a three row SUV. If your DH cares about the environment then he will not care to be seen in an Expedition. Buy the Subaru Ascent 3 row. Get a hitch storage box ($200) forn the 2 times in the year all of you and the dog will be in the vehicle.

be nice to your DH

[Anonymous]

Palisade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are getting out of the "need" for a minivan. Your youngest is 12. Soon you will be fewer thn 6 at home (surely other kids will be off as well). You will need may be 2 rows seating only on most times.

If like us you buy and hold cars till they die then buy a three row SUV. If your DH cares about the environment then he will not care to be seen in an Expedition. Buy the Subaru Ascent 3 row. Get a hitch storage box ($200) forn the 2 times in the year all of you and the dog will be in the vehicle.

be nice to your DH

Ok, is my DH on here posting? 😀 this is what he wants, I think. I am still liking my minivan life and all the floor space so have been advocating for a hybrid minivan but he makes the same arguments you do!

Is that third row in the Ascent comfortable for adults?

[Anonymous]

You have too many people for a Jeep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have too many people for a Jeep

Right. But not for a Suburban or Tahoe. I still just want a minivan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Palisade

I would go for this. Many of the Jeep SUV's are pricy and don't have a 3rd seat and those that are are way over your budget.

[Anonymous]

You need a mini van for a few more years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have too many people for a Jeep

Right. But not for a Suburban or Tahoe. I still just want a minivan

They make a Suburban sized Jeep now, but not in your budget.

[Anonymous]

Maybe check out a used VW Atlas? There is still a decent amount of trunk space when the 3rd row is up and you can keep the 3rd row down when your older kids aren't home. We have Captain's chairs in the second row which left a lot of floor space (perfect for our dog).

[Anonymous]

Kia Carnival

Looks like an SUV, but is basically a minivan:
https://www.kia.com/us/en/carnival-mpv

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kia Carnival

Looks like an SUV, but is basically a minivan:
https://www.kia.com/us/en/carnival-mpv

Lol, looks like a minivan to me.