If you have 3 kids, what car do you drive?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
We have a 5yo, 3yo, and are pregnant with #3.
Need a new car before the baby gets here (ASAP). We plan to have this car for 10-12 years+, so I want to make sure it works with my 5 and under crew as well as tweens/teens. I feel like the only cars that have that adaptability are the full size (tahoe, suburban, etc). But yikes they are pricey. We would have to do used to get this and I worry the car wouldn't last 10+ years. Am I wrong?? Will cars like the Atlas, traverse, Highlander work for 3 older kids? If consensus is to go for the big ones, any tips on how to get a best deal/spread out payments/ etc? No idea how people can just cash flow these 70k cars! My husband (for some reason) will NOT budge about a Minivan, so that one is out unfortunately. |
Anonymous
| Odyssey. The pilot offers similar seating, but less space and it isn’t as easy to get kids into or out of |
Anonymous
| Toyota Sienna. I needed a minivan with all wheel drive. My oldest is now a teen but we still use the minivan because we lug around so much sports equipment all the time. I'd work on your husband - the minivan is absolutely worth it. |
Anonymous
| You can buy a few years old. |
Anonymous
|
Odyssey. Who cares what your husband thinks if you're the one driving it. Packing for a vacation and having EVERYTHING fit and it still be roomy inside is bliss. Magic sliding seats, captains chairs, doors that open automatically as you carry the infant car seat- priceless. Also, adults easily fit in the 3rd row. My mom and I sit back there often when we're going out with my family and my parents. The main function of a car is to make my life easier. Vans 4 Life!
I find other 3 row SUVs to be cramped, less trunk space and no adult wants to sit in the 3rd row. |
Anonymous
| My husband wouldn't budge about a minivan, and I didn't want one either. We got a Subaru Ascent with captain's chairs 2 weeks before #3 arrived. Then we rented a minivan on a vacation. And now we're on the verge of trading in the SUV. |
Anonymous
|
I have a GMC Acadia which is like Traverse. It handles really well and seats are big and comfortable older kids.
Mine is a 2012 I bought when kids were 5, 8 and 11. I still have it and even had a thing on top attached to roof rack to now drop daughter off at college. Time fly’s. I actually drove it to Amherst MA twice a year from DC. |
Anonymous
tell me ore pls! - 3-kid sienna owner looking at ascent right now |
Anonymous
| We have that Traverse and really like it. Set out to buy used but was able to get a good deal on a brand new model. It’s super roomy, easy to get the kids (4 of them) in and out, plus it’s fun to drive. I didn’t love our minivan days so this is much preferred. |
Anonymous
|
we were in your shoes 10 years ago. Kids 5 and 3, one on the way. But no hang-ups about a minivan; we simply like having the best tool for our needs, and that's obviously a minivan. So we've had an Odyssey since then, and we also have a CR-V hybrid now.
No seven-passenger SUV can compare to a van in terms of comfort and volume and cargo space, and we travel a lot, and we're active, so we're usually packing it with a cooler, bike equipment (bikes are on the rack), tennis equipment, inflatable kayaks, whatever. It's ironic -- the SUVs are marketed toward "active lifestyle," but they can't actually fit the stuff you need for it. And of course our dog needs to squeeze in, too. The only real alternative is the full size, body-on-frame truck SUVs like the Suburban/Expedition. But you're going to add $20k to the price tag, and use twice as much fuel. |
Anonymous
A dh here. My wife wanted to think about getting something other than a minivan when our first sienna was becoming a pain. Not me. We got an awd one instead. I love having a minivan. 7 passengers and a dog no problem. |
Anonymous
Interesting. I also have a sienna and want an ascent because Eyesight is so nice. |
Anonymous
| If we had a 3rd, I would get a minivan as they are perfect for moving people around including grandparents. We are traveling this weekend and I’m looking forward to using the van to transport the family and in laws. I also like cars and it would be our 5th or 6th car so I won’t be in it all the time. |
Anonymous
| I drove a minivan when my four kids were younger (Odyssey) - it was convenient and awesome. Now I drive an Audi Q7. You don't have to drive the Minivan forever but it sure makes sense for your life stage! |
Anonymous
| Also, 10-12 years to own a car is pretty aggressive... Probably will be more like 7-8. |