Is a Corolla big enough?

macchiatto

If you have a Corolla or similar car, do you find it big enough for you, your spouse and twins as your primary vehicle? Our car (Chrysler 300M) just developed transmission problems and we need to buy a new one asap. Since our twins are only 2 months, we don't have much experience yet to know if it will be big enough once we have the convertible carseats, SBS stroller, whatever you need for day trips and family vacations, etc. (I'm assuming it'll be tight but just wondering if it's at all doable.)

soxfan812

I just traded my Corolla for a minivan because it just wasn't going to cut it.  We will have three carseats, though.  Honestly, I think you could get by for day to day stuff, but if you go anywhere that requires a couple of big bags, suitcases, the stroller, etc, you are going to have a tough time.  The stroller alone will take up most of the trunk, so diaper bags, you and your DH's stuff, etc, will be tight.  Also, with two carseats in the back, you and your DH's seats will have to be pushed way up.  Depending on how tall you are, this might be uncomfortable.  So, it depends on what you need, how much you travel, and how tall you are!

Mrs.McJeep

We have a camry, one step up from the corolla, and I wish we had a bigger car. The stroller takes up about 80% of our trunk.  And yes when traveling a long distance it is tough because we have to move the seats up further, so I imagine the corolla would be even worse.

laceymb

Like pp we had a Camry. If we were only having two kids we planned on keeping it because it would have worked for us fine. With three in car seats it wasn't going to cut it. We aren't super tall though so leg room wasn't an issue. My parents have a Corolla and I wouldn't want it with two kids because I feel cramped in it.

keg

Nope, I don't think so.  I have an older Lexus sedan which I think is more Camry size and I can't wait to get a minivan!  There is very little trunk space with the stroller in it, with the infant seats we have to move the front seats up (good thing neither of us are very tall), and you can't put a fifth person in the car.  It might work as a second car, but I think you're going to want something bigger.  Whatever you look at, make sure you take the car seats and your stroller with you to try them out. 

jen5-03

I only have one so far, but DH's Corolla will fit SOME convertible car seats without having to squish the passenger. When we installed our Evenflo Triumph in there, there's no way a passenger would fit. But with a Cosco Scenera installed in there, there is adequate leg room. My DH is tall and drives with his seat all the way back - there's not that much room with Scenera, he'd have to scoot up, but if you're not that tall then it might work.

I think daytrips would be doable, but I can tell you that getting luggage in the car for 4 people and a single stroller is pretty much impossible though, you'd need to get a roof bag.

armo

I wouldn't feel comfortable in it. I have a Corolla but we put the car seats in DH's nissan maxima, and that is working pretty well.  I drive the Corolla when i'm not with DDs and it is good to have around for cheap mileage etc.  

You can try to fit in a carseat and see how it does (maybe borrow one from somone) and a stroller - but if you have $ to upgrade, the front seat passengers will be much happier if you have a bigger car (plus the lack of trunk space if you fit a double stroller)

FaeryStarGazer

A Corolla wasn't big enough for our convertible seats- we went up to a Camry and it's perrrrrrrrrrrfect.

 

ETA--I'm surprised at the complaints! We have an 07 Camry, and the trunk fit the stroller (douglider), my H's baseball bag and ME! We have more than enough room for long trips- we went to New Hampshire three times last year with no problems...