So im going to get a new vehicle to safety tote around my DD and sometimes my 5 nephews 1 niece! I know its not my respon. to be driving ny family around but I might as well buy a handy car so that I can haul everyone around. Something under 30,000 new or used that doesnt look too much like a mommy car but has good function. I have a Peg Perego Viaggio Convert carseat 5/70 so it should be great in any car really. What car do you recommend I take a look at?
Haha I should add that the kids are from two sides of the family so it wouldnt be that many at one time. 5 or 6 people at one time tops 3 or 4 kids at a time.
Re: What suv/van would you buy?
I completely agree!
We have a Ford Edge AWD and LOVE it. Granted, there is only 3 of us so the car is plenty spacious for us. If I were going to buy a larger vehicle, I would definitely look into a new Ford Explorer. But like PP said, you really aren't going to find a vehicle to seat that many kids. Unless of course you bought one of those large passenger vans (eek!).
Ditto the above. So, is that 7 car seats for the 7 kids? I couldn't even imagine.
The only vehicle I could think of that could accommodate that would be a 14 passenger van or a small bus. And I really doubt you are going to find either of those in good condition for $30k. Not to mention the cost of gas for a vehicle that large.
IF most of those kids do not need to be in carseats (if they are over 7 or 8) then a Suburban could probably hold them.
We have a Toyota Rav4 and love it. It only seats 5 though. (Two adults in the front, three seats in the back.) Our next vehicle will be a Toyota Highlander or 4Runner. I think you can get a Highlander under $30K.
I've also heard good things about Honda minivans. Odyssey I think it's called.
I love my Toyota highlander but there is no way it would fit that many car seats. 2 seats in the front, 3 in the middle & a possible 3rd row with 2 seats.
The middle 3rd seat is small so no car seat here with two others on the sides & a very tight fit for 3 adults in middle.
I have a Honda Odyssey and love it.
We have a Kia Sorrento and LOVE it. Korean cars have come a looong way, but still have a cheap pricetag. I literally LOL when DH said he wanted to test drive one. Once we did, I was shocked at how great it was!
Ours is only a 5 seater, but has the option of ordering a 3rd row of seats. This might be a good option for you if you will not be using them all the time. We can order our row at anytime and I *believe* they fold down when not in use. I could be wrong about this!
I sold my Tribeca last year but I loved loved loved it!!!!! Now I have a Honda minivan.
My neighbor has 6 children (at least 3 of whom are in car seats) and she has a 15 passenger van. She and I were talking the other day about cars, and she told me that her husband paid either 18K or 8K for it. It's a really nice one too, so I know you can get one for pretty low.
OP, I agree with pps; if you only have one child of your own, I wouldn't be getting a larger vehicle to transport other people; they may eventually just rely on you to take them everywhere and that may be more than you bargained for.
If you plan on having more children, I would see this purchase as somewhat smart, although the gas is a big cost.
Unless you plan on having more than 1 kid, getting a minivan for that reason is not a very good one.
BUT if you do plan on having more kids and want a minivan, a Honda Odyssey is the way to go,.
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