nbr: tell me about your suv

BLONDIE6FT

do you have 3rd row seating?

we are going to have to buy an suv soon and like the toyota sequioa so far. also considering a tahoe. wanted to see what suv you have and what you like about it. we are both very tall.

tia!

MrsBeckO

We have a Mazda Tribute (small SUV) and like it.. but at work, I drive my bosses' Ford Expedition and LOVE it. 

It has the fold-down 3rd row seating, when its down the trunk is level and HUGE. The middle row seats each have their own latch and can comfortably fit Camy's infant seat in the middle and the twins' convertible seats on either side without them being smushed up against each other. The middle seat of the middle row can scoot forward or back, so when Camy is in the car, I can scoot that whole seat up closer to me so I can reach her. Awesome. There's a pop-down mirror on the overhead console, so I can see the backseat without having to adjust the rearview mirrors. They got the DVD player in it too, but I don't particularly care to have that in any of our vehicles. I love that car (truck?). Definitely would get one for us if we could swing it. 

rssnlvr

We've got a volvo xc90 and LOVE it. It sounds like it has a lot of the features BeckO was mentioning for the Expedition...fold down 3rd row, sliding second row, latch on both seats in 2nd row (no mirror or dvd player though). It also has a built-in booster feature in the middle seat of the second row for when Ali is old enough to just need a booster. I think my fav. thing about it is that though it counts as a "full size" suv, it doesn't drive like one. It maneuvers like a car, kwim? Very easy to handle, doesn't feel like you're driving a tank. Gas mileage is better than a lot of other big suvs that I've heard (we average about 19 city, 22 highway).

 

shanwalk2

rssnlvr:

We've got a volvo xc90 and LOVE it. It sounds like it has a lot of the features BeckO was mentioning for the Expedition...fold down 3rd row, sliding second row, latch on both seats in 2nd row (no mirror or dvd player though). It also has a built-in booster feature in the middle seat of the second row for when Ali is old enough to just need a booster. I think my fav. thing about it is that though it counts as a "full size" suv, it doesn't drive like one. It maneuvers like a car, kwim? Very easy to handle, doesn't feel like you're driving a tank. Gas mileage is better than a lot of other big suvs that I've heard (we average about 19 city, 22 highway).

I dream about having an xc90!! they're so pretty!

jml5q

i've got an acura mdx. i love it. it's got the folding third row you're looking for. my favorite feature though is probably the back up camera. i use it all the time.

rssnlvr

jml5q:

i've got an acura mdx. i love it. it's got the folding third row you're looking for. my favorite feature though is probably the back up camera. i use it all the time.

I totally covet your backup camera. ALL suvs should have those!!!

PMBridetobe

We have a Chrysler Pacifica with 3rd row seating and Captains chairs in the 2nd row.  The third row folds flat and is also split so that we can put one kid back there and fold the other side down if we need to.  DH wishes we would have gotten the bench seat now to make it seat 7 but I really think it is the perfect size for 6.  Once our financial situation improves, we will be stepping up to the Aspen that will seat 7.  I will not get another family vehicle without a DVD.  For those long trips, it is heaven sent!

MrsBeckO

PMBridetobe:

I will not get another family vehicle without a DVD.  For those long trips, it is heaven sent!

We want to get a portable DVD player if we ever have a long trip and need to entertain Camy in the backseat.. but the family I work for has the in-car system and the girls all know its there. They want to watch "their shows" on the way to school, on the way to the store, all the time. We can't get off their street without them whining for the TV and that drives me crazy. I don't think they need to have it on every time the car is running, but they pitch major fits otherwise. That's the only reason I'd say for us, we'd like to have the portable so she doesn't think she needs it every time. 

ali-1411

We have a portable DVD player and it works out awesome.  They even come with a strap so you can attach it to the back of the seat.  But Jakob likes to hold it on his lap with a jacket over his head so the glare doesn't bother him

I really like the ads I've seen for the Chevy Traverse.  Never actually been inside one though...anyone have any input on those?

NoVA-grl

We LOVE our Honda Pilot!  We really wanted a 3rd row and this one is sooo roomy!  It folds down and has tons of cargo room.  But, it also doesn't drive like a big car.  It drives so smoothly and it is so comfortable.  We have always loved Hondas and this one is no exception.  Oh, and we also have the backup camera - it's awesome!

PMBridetobe

MrsBeckO:

PMBridetobe:

I will not get another family vehicle without a DVD.  For those long trips, it is heaven sent!

We want to get a portable DVD player if we ever have a long trip and need to entertain Camy in the backseat.. but the family I work for has the in-car system and the girls all know its there. They want to watch "their shows" on the way to school, on the way to the store, all the time. We can't get off their street without them whining for the TV and that drives me crazy. I don't think they need to have it on every time the car is running, but they pitch major fits otherwise. That's the only reason I'd say for us, we'd like to have the portable so she doesn't think she needs it every time. 

That must be the difference well and we have older kids.  We only have movies loaded so if the drive is less than an hours, the DVD doesnt come out.  It took one or two times of saying "No, we have X movie and you wont be able to watch any of it so interact wtih your family" before they got it.  However, I can see with younger kids and having a show or two in there.  That will be something for us to watch out for when the babies come.

joelle&joseph

I have a Tahoe and HATE that I have to take out the 3rd row and put it in (not sure if the new models have the fold down).  It takes up space in my garage when I don't want it in and when I do have it in it takes a lot of space in the rear (folded up) but I love that I have it for when we have company and all want to travel together.  We looked at the Pathfinder and I loved that the 3rd row folded down. Other than the 3rd row being a PITA I love it!  The kids have plenty of room and when we travel with our 2 large dogs we still have tons of room for everything.

KittyFX

Love your sweet siggy pic!

JezcaM

if i could buy an suv, it'd be the honda pilot. i love the 3rd row and i believe both the 2nd and 3rd rows completely fold away. and i love the dependability of honda - my 10-yr-old civic is still going strong, with 176k miles. in fact, if it was a little less dependable, i'd have an excuse to buy a new one but alas, i just can't justify taking on a car payment when my current paid-off car works great.

definitely test drive the honda pilot. or at least do the online tour.

NoVA-grl

JezcaM:

if i could buy an suv, it'd be the honda pilot. i love the 3rd row and i believe both the 2nd and 3rd rows completely fold away.

that's correct!  there are all kinds of configurations you can do with the seats - it's pretty cool!

i also agree about the dependability of Hondas.  I had my Accord for 9 years and never had any major issues with it.

mlf625

I'm pretty much in LOVE with my Toyota Sequoia (on my second one now), so I vote you go for that.  We considered the Tahoe as well, but in the end, I just liked the style and some of the Sequoia features better.  Plus (despite recent bad press) I really do trust the Toyota brand.  

Some things I love most about mine: roomy 3rd row, huge cargo space without 3rd row up but still decent space with 3rd row up, great sized 2nd row (can fit adult between infant seat & Britax Boulevard), really easy to drive for being so large, and on a vain note- it's just very pretty.  

Side note: not sure if you plan on a 2nd child anytime soon, but I highly recommend NOT getting the captain's seating (2 separate seats in 2nd row).  DH pushed for that because he likes the style, but now that we have two, I'd be really kicking myself- sometimes it's necessary for me to sit in back and feed the baby, and that wouldn't be much of an option without a middle seat. 

texmommy3

We are super happy with our pathfinder.  The third row folds down nicely.  I also like the styling of it.

BLONDIE6FT

**mlf** can you explain that to me again--what you said about getting in the back and feeding the 2nd one? why is it harder with captain seats? sorry, i'm having a hard time visualizing! yes, we are thinking of a second child, so we want to go ahead and think bigger now vs buying yet another car later.

BLONDIE6FT

****kttyfx***thank you!

**mrsbecko**love the shades! camy looks so cute!

PMBridetobe

BLONDIE6FT:

**mlf** can you explain that to me again--what you said about getting in the back and feeding the 2nd one? why is it harder with captain seats? sorry, i'm having a hard time visualizing! yes, we are thinking of a second child, so we want to go ahead and think bigger now vs buying yet another car later.

Butting in, when you have Captain chairs for the 2nd row, you only have 2 seats like the front if you have Captain chairs instead of a bench.  So, you have both kids in the 2nd row, then the only place you can sit is either the 3rd row and reach forward or the 1st row and reach back.

Temp13436125005166

mlf625:

Side note: not sure if you plan on a 2nd child anytime soon, but I highly recommend NOT getting the captain's seating (2 separate seats in 2nd row).  DH pushed for that because he likes the style, but now that we have two, I'd be really kicking myself- sometimes it's necessary for me to sit in back and feed the baby, and that wouldn't be much of an option without a middle seat. 

We just got a used Toyota Highlander and are loving it!  It has the captain chairs with an optional middle seat that you can stow in the front console.   Which is great because right now we keep the middle seat in because like mlf625 for the times when both of them are crying and I climb on back and sit btw them to help soothe.

MC+KK

joelle&joseph:

I have a Tahoe and HATE that I have to take out the 3rd row and put it in (not sure if the new models have the fold down).  It takes up space in my garage when I don't want it in and when I do have it in it takes a lot of space in the rear (folded up) but I love that I have it for when we have company and all want to travel together.  We looked at the Pathfinder and I loved that the 3rd row folded down. Other than the 3rd row being a PITA I love it!  The kids have plenty of room and when we travel with our 2 large dogs we still have tons of room for everything.

Jen - Thats what BT hates about his 3rd row seats too! My tahoe does not have a 3rd row.

abbysmom1005

MrsBeckO:

PMBridetobe:

I will not get another family vehicle without a DVD.  For those long trips, it is heaven sent!

We want to get a portable DVD player if we ever have a long trip and need to entertain Camy in the backseat.. but the family I work for has the in-car system and the girls all know its there. They want to watch "their shows" on the way to school, on the way to the store, all the time. We can't get off their street without them whining for the TV and that drives me crazy. I don't think they need to have it on every time the car is running, but they pitch major fits otherwise. That's the only reason I'd say for us, we'd like to have the portable so she doesn't think she needs it every time. 

 

we have a built in system and will probably never go with out again.  it is wonderful when needed but we honestly hardly ever have it on.  i agree with you it does not need to be on everytime you get in the car and Abby rarely ever even asks for it.  I think it is all about the expectations you set.  She knows it goes pn when mom and dad says it goes on end of story.

*eta- i love my car ford freestyle as far as features go- 3rd row fold flat, side impact air bags, back-up alarm, all the features of most full size SUVs but drives like a car.  I am mad at Ford right now though so I would not recommend it, but definitely recommend the features.

KateAggie

Ditto No-Va--I LOVE my (2003) Pilot.

s-a-r-a-h

joelle&joseph:

I have a Tahoe and HATE that I have to take out the 3rd row and put it in (not sure if the new models have the fold down).  It takes up space in my garage when I don't want it in and when I do have it in it takes a lot of space in the rear (folded up) but I love that I have it for when we have company and all want to travel together.

I have a Tahoe as well and ditto these comments. Other than that, I love it!