Car recommendations - limited parking space

[Anonymous]

I'm pregnant with my 2nd child. My mother is an integral part of our family and our part time child care provider. So we will often have to transport me, my husband, mom, and 2 kids in car seats (the soon to be newborn and a 3 yo). 5 people in total. I have a 2016 Rav4 that I really like but the middle back seat is unusable it's so small. I can't put a car seat there and it's hard to squeeze in between 2 car seats for a 5th person to sit in the back. Any suggestions for what to get next from you experienced parents? I'd like a car we can have for the next 5 years. New or used is fine. Would like to keep the price at or under $40k. We also have limited parking in the back of our DC rowhouse but could squeeze in with a car around 190'' long (about 10 inches longer than our Rav). If a bigger car seems like our best option, I'd have to park on the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pregnant with my 2nd child. My mother is an integral part of our family and our part time child care provider. So we will often have to transport me, my husband, mom, and 2 kids in car seats (the soon to be newborn and a 3 yo). 5 people in total. I have a 2016 Rav4 that I really like but the middle back seat is unusable it's so small. I can't put a car seat there and it's hard to squeeze in between 2 car seats for a 5th person to sit in the back. Any suggestions for what to get next from you experienced parents? I'd like a car we can have for the next 5 years. New or used is fine. Would like to keep the price at or under $40k. We also have limited parking in the back of our DC rowhouse but could squeeze in with a car around 190'' long (about 10 inches longer than our Rav). If a bigger car seems like our best option, I'd have to park on the street.

This car may fall under the "odd pick" category here in on DCUM, but look into this:

https://www.ford.com/trucks/transit-connect-passenger-van-wagon/models/

Approx same interior space as minivans but with a smaller footprint, is exactly 190" long and price wise $10k less than minivans, perhaps even more with discounts (Ford generally has good discounts), so can probably be had new for less than $25k (here's one that should be approx $24 with taxes and all: https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2020-Ford-Transit+Connect-for-sale-baltimore-washington-dc-dd97628f0a0e0ae9196a13ae3fd9cca7.htm. Some may argue that Ford reliability is so-so compared to Honda/Toyota etc, but then again 1) there is nothing like this at this price point and 2) given the lower price, that leaves some $$ on the table for repairs if need be 3) regular minivans are 200" or longer so those are out of the question. But you should be good for 5 years at least with their standard warranties.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pregnant with my 2nd child. My mother is an integral part of our family and our part time child care provider. So we will often have to transport me, my husband, mom, and 2 kids in car seats (the soon to be newborn and a 3 yo). 5 people in total. I have a 2016 Rav4 that I really like but the middle back seat is unusable it's so small. I can't put a car seat there and it's hard to squeeze in between 2 car seats for a 5th person to sit in the back. Any suggestions for what to get next from you experienced parents? I'd like a car we can have for the next 5 years. New or used is fine. Would like to keep the price at or under $40k. We also have limited parking in the back of our DC rowhouse but could squeeze in with a car around 190'' long (about 10 inches longer than our Rav). If a bigger car seems like our best option, I'd have to park on the street.

It might be worth looking at new car seats if you like the car. I have a Camry (which I assume isn’t bigger than your car?) and have two clek foonfs side by side in the middle/behind the passenger which leaves a fully usable seat behind the driver. When the second was a baby it was Clek in the middle Mesa on the side. The clek is super narrow so it works. It’s an expensive car seat but much cheaper than a new car.

[Anonymous]

Op here. I’ve done research and this is a known issue with the 2013-2018 RAV4s. You just can’t sit 3 across safely if you have a car seat. There is too much overlap with the seatbelts. Didn’t know or think about that when I bought it but now I know. So I definitely need another car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm pregnant with my 2nd child. My mother is an integral part of our family and our part time child care provider. So we will often have to transport me, my husband, mom, and 2 kids in car seats (the soon to be newborn and a 3 yo). 5 people in total. I have a 2016 Rav4 that I really like but the middle back seat is unusable it's so small. I can't put a car seat there and it's hard to squeeze in between 2 car seats for a 5th person to sit in the back. Any suggestions for what to get next from you experienced parents? I'd like a car we can have for the next 5 years. New or used is fine. Would like to keep the price at or under $40k. We also have limited parking in the back of our DC rowhouse but could squeeze in with a car around 190'' long (about 10 inches longer than our Rav). If a bigger car seems like our best option, I'd have to park on the street.

This car may fall under the "odd pick" category here in on DCUM, but look into this:

https://www.ford.com/trucks/transit-connect-passenger-van-wagon/models/

Approx same interior space as minivans but with a smaller footprint, is exactly 190" long and price wise $10k less than minivans, perhaps even more with discounts (Ford generally has good discounts), so can probably be had new for less than $25k (here's one that should be approx $24 with taxes and all: https://www.koons.com/new/Ford/2020-Ford-Transit+Connect-for-sale-baltimore-washington-dc-dd97628f0a0e0ae9196a13ae3fd9cca7.htm. Some may argue that Ford reliability is so-so compared to Honda/Toyota etc, but then again 1) there is nothing like this at this price point and 2) given the lower price, that leaves some $$ on the table for repairs if need be 3) regular minivans are 200" or longer so those are out of the question. But you should be good for 5 years at least with their standard warranties.

Best of luck.

Thanks! I’ll have to take a look at it. I might feel like a shuttle van driver! Lol.