Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose the Toyota Grand Highlander. Still needed something fairly large for 3 kids and 2 dogs.

Apologies for going off tangent but do you feel like the grand Highlander is large enough (and comfortable) for your family?

If OP can't park a minivan, she will struggle to park a Grand Highlander.

Mom here who just got rid of her minivan (well, it died on me) because my kids are juniors/seniors in HS (one can drive, the other one can't) and I thought I could get away with a small SUV (CRV.) In the last 6m (since it died) I can't tell you how many times I wish I still had that van. Kids become more social as they get older and have more activities and more stuff.

Parking a SUV that gives you the space you need isn't going to be better than parking a minivan. I would keep going with the minivan until the kids are out of your house.

Anonymous wrote:We chose the Toyota Grand Highlander. Still needed something fairly large for 3 kids and 2 dogs.

Apologies for going off tangent but do you feel like the grand Highlander is large enough (and comfortable) for your family?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another minivan. You still have a lot of hauling to do if your kids are still in boosters.

OP here. Is there a minivan smaller than a Chrysler Pacifica? At least one that isnt as wide? I always feel like I am attempting to park a boat.

SUV is generally as wide and the same as far as parking as a minivan unless you get the very smallest SUV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another minivan. You still have a lot of hauling to do if your kids are still in boosters.

OP here. Is there a minivan smaller than a Chrysler Pacifica? At least one that isnt as wide? I always feel like I am attempting to park a boat.

You must not know how to park then. How would an suv be any easier to park?

You may want to stick with the minivans. Your kids are soon going to be in the carpools and gear (Depending on their sport/activities..mine play golf and also have guitars and amps) phase of life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another minivan. You still have a lot of hauling to do if your kids are still in boosters.

OP here. Is there a minivan smaller than a Chrysler Pacifica? At least one that isnt as wide? I always feel like I am attempting to park a boat.

Toyota Sienna is probably the smallest of the minivans.

We chose the Toyota Grand Highlander. Still needed something fairly large for 3 kids and 2 dogs.

Anonymous wrote:Another minivan. You still have a lot of hauling to do if your kids are still in boosters.

OP here. Is there a minivan smaller than a Chrysler Pacifica? At least one that isnt as wide? I always feel like I am attempting to park a boat.

We have tweens that are just leaving ES for MS. We got a Toyota Hybrid Highlander 4 years ago and love it. Most of the time, the optional 3rd row is down and we have a big trunk perfect for toting lots of kids crap. But when we need to carpool with friends (which started in late ES) and we needed extra seats when grandparents came to town. So the optional 3rd row was a lifesaver. I have seated 8 in the car for a scouting event where there was limited parking and they asked us to carpool. Note that the 3rd row is not the most comfortable for young adults/adults, but it is perfectly fine for kids up through the tween years. So far, age 12, they and their friends all still fit pretty well.

It's a great transition car for us. Plus you get the hybrid gas benefits. I have a larger car and get 27ish MPG.

Another minivan. You still have a lot of hauling to do if your kids are still in boosters.

We traded our minivan for a hybrid CRV. It only seats 5, but still has plenty of storage, especially if you can fold the back seats down.

I'd rather drive a minivan than a large SUV, if you still want three rows of seating.

I was a reluctant to become a minivan owner, but I finally made the plunge and the past 8 years driving one have been great. I have been able to throw all of the strollers and kid junk into the trunk, change diapers and clothes in the van, loved it. But, no more strollers or diapers or carseats (my 2 kids are in boosters) and Im realizing that I am driving around a lot of wasted space. Which would be fine except that I always feel like I cant fit into parking spaces and have to maneuver more than Id like to in order to park. Its a pain and no longer necessary.

So now Im starting to think about what to drive next. SUV most likely, ideally a hybrid. I dont think I am ready to go back down to a sedan/other type of car yet, bc I am used to so much space in the minivan.

If you were me, what vehicles would you be looking at?