Need your help

Hi ladies, I will be joining you soon!
We just put the car seats into my 2000 VW Jetta TDI, and lo and behold it is a TIGHT fit in there! So, I have been researching and really can't find anything I really like.
These are a few of the features I would like:
1. Enough room for 2 car seats in back w/out being squished in front.
2. Enough room for some groceries, and snap-n-go.
3. Biggy here....Gas mileage, my jetta gets about 40/ gallon. Would love to get at least 30/gallon.
4. Prefer $30,000 or less
5. Can't be minivan, dh hates them.....bad childhood experience that he can't get over...no offense.

I can't really think of anything else, I have only looked online and it would be awhile before we could get out and shop. I figured this would be the best place to ask, so we would know where to start.

TIA!!

 

QUOTE(annelily2000 @ Oct 23 2007, 11:49 PM) [snapback]464242[/snapback]
Hi ladies, I will be joining you soon!

5. Can't be minivan, dh hates them.....bad childhood experience that he can't get over...no offense.


No offense taken but we hated the thought of driving a minivan too. We swore that would never be US, but we did not have a bad childhood experience. But with a toddler and 2 on the way it was the only right choice for us. So I have to put in one vote for the Toyota Sienna. Love it!!!! Hope you find your dream auto!!

 

I have a Chevy Malibu and it fits 3 carseats in the back seat, without a tight fit. Plus the trunk has enough room for my double stroller, diaper bag, and groceries. Not real sure about gas mileage, I would have to ask DH, but I do know I can go 150miles on less than 1/2 tank of gas.

 

I have a Honda CR-V, which has been fine, except now that we're getting rid of their infant car seats and getting their " big kid" car seats, it's become a bit crowded. I used to be able to squeeze in between the two car seats in the back, but now I won't be able to with these bigger car seats. So, we are looking too! Our first choice is a Honda Odyssey (yes, a minivan), but will probably end up getting a Chevy Tahoe or GMC Acadia. We need something that will seat 7-8, and also we get a huge tax write off because we have a small business, but onyl with an SUV, not with a minivan...that's the government for ya, you get a big tax write off for buying a gas guzzler! I look forward to other responses....

Your hubby will either have to get over his minivan nightmares, or settle for worse gas mileage....

If you really only need seating for 4, the Honda Cr-V is probably a good bet for you! Although..we actually only avg 24 miles a gallon...diesels are so much better, my DH has one!

Congrats on making it past 37 weeks!

 

you drive a tough bargain!! my chevy equinox meets all the criteria except for gas mileage (we probably get about 18 mpg), which is your biggie!! but the back seat has tons of leg room and therefore the car seats fit really well even when my 6'3" dh drives

good luck, i loooove car shopping!

 

QUOTE(annelily2000 @ Oct 23 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]464242[/snapback]
Hi ladies, I will be joining you soon!
4. Prefer $30,000 or less
5. Can't be minivan, dh hates them.....bad childhood experience that he can't get over...no offense.


I was in the absolutely no minivan camp until I drove a rental for 6.5 weeks while looking after my dad in the hospital out of town. I thought my KIA Sedona was quite nice and would probably meet your price target. My sister said it was nearly identical to her Toyota Sienna.

I'm holding out for a hybrid mini-van though. I would like the toyota highlander hybrid but I need the third row and the third in the highlander isn't that easy to access.

Not much help, other than to say, I'd try renting one of what ever you want for a week. It will give you a good idea of its +/-; if you just rent for a day or two not sure you'd be able to tell but in a week, assuming you are getting out in it at least every other day, you'd have a good feel.

 

Before Twins - Ford Explorer and VW Jetta
After Twins - Chrysler Town & Country (minivan) and Dodge Intrepid.

My DH and I, were also firmly planted in the anti-minivan camp; however, after realizing that two car seats and a 13 year old would not fit comfortable in the Explorer, much less the Jetta, we found ourselves as proud owners of one.

Since I've gotten over the initial shock that I am old enough and suburban enough to own/drive a minivan, I actually like it a lot. It had great safety reatings, leather heated seats, a moonroof, side and rear doors open/close on remote or by the push of a button in the vehicle and stow and go seating in the 2nd and 3rd row.

The Intrepd is nice and roomy and handles well. My 13 year old has no problems fitting in between two carseats in the back, but it might be difficult to get in and fit in between the carseats for an average to above average sized adult.

Unfortunately, the gas mileage isn't great on the Town & Country (24/mpg freeway on a good day) and the Intreped gets only slightly more.

Check out Consumer Reports, they always have great info! Good luck, and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Suzi

 

QUOTE
So I have to put in one vote for the Toyota Sienna.


I love my Sienna too! Good luck with your decision!

 

We have a Sienna if you want to come over and check it out? My other thought was perhaps one of those small SUVs. I can't remember if you said you had other kids? We had a Rendezvous before the Sienna. I LOVED that car and really miss it. The gas milage was in the upper twenties. We got ours used for around $15K.

 

I'm kind of in the same boat (tight fit in my honda accord!) but we are about to move, and don't want to buy a new car before then.
I hate minivans! I have driven them and will never be a convert!

I am not usually a big fan of Fords, but when I was visiting my in-laws with my 4 month old twins, I drove my MIL's newish (2003? I think) Ford Explorer and was surprised at how much room there was in there. I thought we would need at least an Expedition, but I was wrong. We fit both snugrides in with room for another reasonably large adult (Great Aunt Norma) riding in between them. I am very tall (5'11) and there was lots of room behind my seat. (not so much in my Honda!) Plenty of room for my huge graco duoglider in the trunk, plus room for shopping bags/suitcases. I'd go check it out, if I were you.

I'm thinking either the CRV or the Honda Pilot for our next car (we have a dog too, and if another baby should come along...), but I would take the Ford Explorer if it came at a good price too. Not sure on the mileage, though.

 

we have 2 dogs and 2 kids that we travel with all the time. We have the Honda Odyssey. It's perfect

 

How about a wagon? The Subaru whatchamacallit or something? I don't know if you'll get the mileage though, unfortunately. You might be better off with a sedan with a big trunk.

 

Ok..we just bought a Toyota Sienna and love it even though it is a minivan! hehehe We had to turn in our Toyota Highlander Hybrid which I absolutely love! If we didn't have 4 kids and everyone's elses for that matter; I would have stuck with the Highlander. There just wasn't any room for our family and we couldn't even fit our double stroller in there if the third row was up and being used! I held out for a year but I knew this would happen. So, for a van...I like Toyota.

 

QUOTE(annelily2000 @ Oct 23 2007, 06:49 PM) [snapback]464242[/snapback]
5. Can't be minivan, dh hates them.....bad childhood experience that he can't get over...no offense.

I can't really think of anything else, I have only looked online and it would be awhile before we could get out and shop. I figured this would be the best place to ask, so we would know where to start.

TIA!!


Agreed! Don't do the minivan thing. You'll find that my opinion is in the minority, but so be it! I have been disappointed with the minivan experience...didn't want it in the first place but we thought it would be economical. Doesn't get the gas mileage you think it will and I just don't buy into the fact that you are gaining that much more space. Good luck, I have no suggestions but I hope you find what you want!

 

We bought DH's sister's Chevy TrailBlazer. I LOVE IT!!!!!! It fits 2 carseats and a booster, plus plenty of room in the back for the Duoglider and groceries. The gas milage is kind of icky, but anything you buy that is big like an SUV or mini-van is going to be unless it is a Hybrid.

If it wasn't for the TrailBlazer, we would of bought a Pacifica which I think gets better gas milage, plus has the option of 3rd-row seating, plus very wide. You can also get one brand new for under $30,000.

April

 

Just checked mileage - 13/14 city, 20 highway. Ouch!

QUOTE(jcs @ Oct 24 2007, 06:44 AM) [snapback]464648[/snapback]
I'm kind of in the same boat (tight fit in my honda accord!) but we are about to move, and don't want to buy a new car before then.
I hate minivans! I have driven them and will never be a convert!

I am not usually a big fan of Fords, but when I was visiting my in-laws with my 4 month old twins, I drove my MIL's newish (2003? I think) Ford Explorer and was surprised at how much room there was in there.

I would take the Ford Explorer if it came at a good price too. Not sure on the mileage, though.

 

Car shopping is proving to be difficult. Thanks to everyone for your replies and please keep them coming!

 

QUOTE(ksugal @ Oct 24 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]465497[/snapback]
Agreed! Don't do the minivan thing. You'll find that my opinion is in the minority, but so be it! I have been disappointed with the minivan experience...didn't want it in the first place but we thought it would be economical. Doesn't get the gas mileage you think it will and I just don't buy into the fact that you are gaining that much more space. Good luck, I have no suggestions but I hope you find what you want!



I agree totally with this... I can't stand our dodge caravan. The front seats can't go back very far because they will hit the baby seats. We have other children that have to sit all the way in the back and for them to get in & out we have to take out on of the baby seats just so they can get in. There is not that much storage in the back, especially if the back seat is full of kids and you can't lay the seats down. And personally I think the gas mileage sucks. I think it only gets like 18 or 19 mpg.

Missy

 

the ford taurus has a very big big trunk , 3 cars seats fit nice . It gets around 28 miles to the gallon and is around $25,000. Saddly I don't think you'll get everything. Hope you find what your after let us know what ya get. Katherine

 

I drive a Chevy, Tahoe

 

QUOTE(mar66rus2 @ Oct 24 2007, 07:21 PM) [snapback]465560[/snapback]
We bought DH's sister's Chevy TrailBlazer. I LOVE IT!!!!!! It fits 2 carseats and a booster, plus plenty of room in the back for the Duoglider and groceries. The gas milage is kind of icky, but anything you buy that is big like an SUV or mini-van is going to be unless it is a Hybrid.

If it wasn't for the TrailBlazer, we would of bought a Pacifica which I think gets better gas milage, plus has the option of 3rd-row seating, plus very wide. You can also get one brand new for under $30,000.

April



We went shopping for a new car when we found out we were having twins and ended up with the Trailblazer. We ended up buying the extended one with the 3rd row- I absolutely love it!

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Oct 23 2007, 08:16 PM) [snapback]464288[/snapback]
No offense taken but we hated the thought of driving a minivan too. We swore that would never be US, but we did not have a bad childhood experience. But with a toddler and 2 on the way it was the only right choice for us. So I have to put in one vote for the Toyota Sienna. Love it!!!! Hope you find your dream auto!!

this made me laugh. we were totally anti-minivan too, but now, after 10 wks with twins and my 6'2" hubby being SMUSHED in the driver's seat of my honda accord, we are getting a toyota sienna as well. lo and behold, we both test drove one last week and LOVED it! we were laughing at how much we liked the way it drove and how much pep it had and space. our only complaint would be that toyota is taking too long to come up with a hybrid version!

 

I had this Trailblazer until a week before finding out I was pregnant. I loved this vehicle but was getting a new job with a good commute so I was downsizing. I have a chevy HHR which is nice (it's got a nice cargo area, decent room for both car seats and should be decent with the convertibles but won't be able to have someone sit between, gets about 29-32 mpg on highway and about 23-25 mpg in the city).

I like my HHR but loved my trailblazer. My BIL is a gm at ford dealership and he's gonna hook me up with an explorer next year.

QUOTE(twins0507 @ Oct 24 2007, 10:50 PM) [snapback]466333[/snapback]
We went shopping for a new car when we found out we were having twins and ended up with the Trailblazer. We ended up buying the extended one with the 3rd row- I absolutely love it!