I think it's time for a minivan

jenmae3

It's definitely time for a larger car. Our poor little corolla can barely carry DS1 and all of his cargo when we go on trips or go to Grandma's. But now two carseats just won't do. DH is 6'1" and I'm 5'9", so we push our seats back all the way, just to drive!

So we're thinking a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. Does anyone have either of these? Would you recommend? In the back of our minds, we're also thinking SUV, but I think sliding doors are more ideal for carseat installation. Does anyone have a minivan and wish they would have gotten an SUV? We're decidely urban with a tiny bit of outdoorsy, but a v6 would be more my friend in terms of gas milage than would a v8. What's your car sitch?

Dewey12

Swagger Wagon!!!!

I have a little two door Yaris.  This should be very interesting.  BF has a Mazda 3 though, and it's pretty spacious. 

JENandJEH

I had my heart set on a GMC Acadia with the 2nd row captain's chairs but my DH couldn't get over the price difference between that and the van (with all the features we wanted, it was about a $15k difference) so we went to test drive vans and I fell in love.  I always said I would never drive a van but it's just so convenient and roomy (roomier than the SUV with captains chairs, much more space to get to the 3rd row, better cargo space). 

 

We ended up going with the 2011 Sienna.  I am 100% happy with our decision to get a van.  The sliding doors are great, the space is awesome, it's got navigation, reverse camera, DVD player for DS, push button start, heated seats.  DS loves it and my DH was super impressed with how well it handles. 

kel716

I love my Camry.  But, it's not a minivan, and we're in the discussion of what to do next. 

 So, we'll obviously check out the Sienna as well as the Odyssey.  In addition though, lately we've been eyeing the Kia Sedona, which is getting very good reviews.  Moreover, it's a little cheaper and gets better gas mileage.  If you're looking to buy new, be prepared for sticker shock on the Sienna and Odyssey.  It just seems like we get a lot more van for less with the Sedona, so right now we're thinking about leaving Toyota (I've only owned Toyotas since 1998) just on price. 

Myblondasianbabies

I drive a BMW X5 and though it's fast and pretty, it isn't the most sensible. Our garage is pretty small and a van would be much more practical. With #2 on the way, I'd seriously get a pimped out mini-van if DH wasn't "too cool" for one.

metzy144

We are going from a Pontiac Bonneville to a Chevy Tahoe. There is no way we could fit two carseats! I am 5'4" so one might fit behind my seat, but DH is 6'4" and his seat always has to be all the way back. I have never liked minivans and will never own one, plus with where we live, a SUV with 4-wheel drive makes more sense. We are starting car shopping in November and I can't wait!

MelbaCat

We just bought a pilot and love it. a 4 door sedan was doable with 1 kid, but with #2 we knew we needed something bigger. We couldn't rearface two carseats in either of our sedans.

jayleigh68

We have a corolla and an xterra. We will use the xterra for trips. I will never own a minivan.

diana.filipi

I checked out the Sienna.  Did you know it only has 3 latch seats!  That is crazy.  It's out of the running for me.  The Honda Odyssey on the other hand has 5 latch seats!  That is one very nice mini van.  It's what we are going to get after the new baby arrives.  I am very excited about it.  I want the Touring Elite edition so we need to finish paying a few things off first ;-)

 We raised our nephews for a number of years and I learned a valuable lesson during their stay with us.  I am very much a soccer mom kind of gal.  I like having all the kids with us.  I want 2 seats for every 1 kid we have.  One for the kid and one for a friend.  Since we want 3 kids I can't deal with the Sienna only having 3 latch seats cuzz then I still couldn't carry my kids friends easily.  

mushyshi

Lol. I have been telling dh for a long time it's time to make that transition to a minivan. He has managed with our little four door car till lately. Now that #3 is on the way, there is no more bickering about it. He had to suck it up and finally get the dreaded minivan. Ha he was surprised when his coworkers all said they liked it. I told him to get over it, he's daddy to soon to be three. We need the space.

FinallyMrsBMW

We upgraded to a Honda Odyssey in January in preparation for our growing family.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!  The sliding doors are my absolute favorite.  With one click on the key fab, they open.  It's wonderful.  DH actually has taken to it as well after really not wanting to go down the minivan route.  He can haul quite a bit of lumber or big items that he picks up.  We have the 8 passenger version and have actually used the 8th seat quite a few times when we pack more than one family in the van with us.  It has been great to travel with as well.  The captain chairs are awesome.  I also really like the built-in sunshades that it has.  I think this will be especially useful with an infant.

I drove a Cavalier before so this was a huge upgrade.  I've been so happy with it.

BigIsland07

I have a Dodge Caliber -- not a minivan, but we love it. We'll be able to fit two carseats no problem, and it has some good storage space in the back. Plus, it's fairly inexpensive and gets good gas mileage. Technically, it's a cross-over vehicle:

https://www.dodgedealer.com/caliber/??sid=1037056&KWNM=dodge+caliber&KWID=141830717&channel=paidsearch 

 

mommynpink

FinallyMrsBMW:

We upgraded to a Honda Odyssey in January in preparation for our growing family.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!  The sliding doors are my absolute favorite.  With one click on the key fab, they open.  It's wonderful.  DH actually has taken to it as well after really not wanting to go down the minivan route.  He can haul quite a bit of lumber or big items that he picks up.  We have the 8 passenger version and have actually used the 8th seat quite a few times when we pack more than one family in the van with us.  It has been great to travel with as well.  The captain chairs are awesome.  I also really like the built-in sunshades that it has.  I think this will be especially useful with an infant.

I have an Odyssey and LOVE it!!!  I LOVE the sliding doors too, one of my favorite things about the car. DH wasn't too thrilled about it either but he likes it now. The gas mileage is great. It has the captain chairs in the middle row and that's where my girls sit now and when this LO comes my 4 year old is going to the third row (she can't wait). We went from having an Xterra to this. I loved my Xterra but with the two carseats it just wasn't working. The passenger seat was so close to the dash that someone tall could not sit there.