Twins in a sedan

PrayingForGrace

My husband and I are expecting twins in the spring and currently have two sedans. We are trying to decide if we can manage with a sedan or if it will be too difficult with all the baby gear...and two babies! Any advice??

macchiatto

I think it's definitely doable. We had just a sedan (Chrysler 300M) until our boys were 10m old and then we finally got a second car. We got a Kia Rondo, a midsize CUV which has been great for 2 kids as well. We had two RFing First Years True Fit seats that fit fine in the Chrysler (before that we used Graco Snugrides). We had a DSNG as our first stroller and then a City Mini double and both fit fine in our trunk. Spacewise it was fine. I think it's a matter of preference somewhat though and what size stroller and trunk you have, etc. The one disadvantage of the Rondo (or any vehicle that doesn't have an enclosed trunk) that I didn't think about is that things can fly forward from the cargo area in an accident and hit the kids, esp when they're still RFing. (At the advice of a friend's husband who trains car seat techs, we got a metal cage--the kind you use if you have a dog in the back that just creates a barrier between the back seat and the cargo area)--and use it for road trips when the cargo area is full.) So if you do get a van or CUV/SUV, you might want to keep that in mind.

helgason11

I've been wondering if we can keep our two door sedan, or if that will be too cumbersome with twins. DH wants a minivan but it's not really in our budget..

festivus

Both MH and I had Honda Civics before the twins. While there are likely smaller carseats available that might have fit better, the Graco Snugrides we got meant the Civics were a no go...we tried the seats in the back, and DH was WAY too tall to fit comfortably in the driver's seat with a carseat behind him. We got a Honda Odyssey (used...) and love all the room.

PrayingForGrace

I never thought about items flying out in an accident...the cage is a good idea! Did you like those strollers? That's another thing I'm trying to find! I know I have lots of time, but I figure it never hurts to plan too early!

macchiatto

helgason11:

I've been wondering if we can keep our two door sedan, or if that will be too cumbersome with twins. DH wants a minivan but it's not really in our budget..

I would NOT want a 2-door vehicle with LOs! That would just be a pain. I'm sure you can make it work if you have to but I would really try to get a 4-door vehicle if you can! A minivan really isn't necessary IMO with two kids (unless you're carpooling, have a dog, etc.) but at least a 4-door sedan for sure.

macchiatto

PrayingForGrace:

I never thought about items flying out in an accident...the cage is a good idea! Did you like those strollers? That's another thing I'm trying to find! I know I have lots of time, but I figure it never hurts to plan too early!

Yeah and it was really cheap at Walmart. The one we got was similar to this but only about $39:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Remington-Wire-Vehicle-Pet-Safety-Barrier-Cats-Dogs/13034531

I LOVE those strollers. Highly recommend them! The DSNG got a ton of use the first 4 months especially. Then we got the City Mini and used either depending on the situation for 2 months and then stopped using the DSNG at 6 months b/c it was too heavy to push comfortably by that stage. It was very handy in the beginning though. We still use the city mini occasionally and love it. Both strollers are very popular with twin moms.

A friend also loaned us a Graco Duoglider (tandem) when the boys were 10m old. That comes in handy occasionally too for places with narrow aisles or when I need a big storage basket (e.g. shopping at the drug store with no double carts).

snoangel79

We have a Saab (4 door) and luckily a Tahoe that my husband drives. For short distance we will use the Saab. Everything else the Tahoe. The Chicco Keyfit 30 car seats fit well in my car without me being against the dash (I'm 5'7") and so does the stroller (Saab has a huge trunk). I went to Buy Buy baby and made sure these things fit and just registered for them.

schoolsoutbride

I just had two chicco keyfits in a Nisan Versa (rental car) with no issues last weekend.  I'm 5'8".  My DH might have needed a little more leg room, but he's 6'3"  A larger sedan would have been fine.  I really really really miss my mazda 3, but with 3 it wasn't going to work.  Maybe when the twins are FFing...

violaplayer

We just did not have enough room in my 04 Hyundai Elantra. Dh is 6'3" and I'm 5'9". We had no leg room. Not to mention the space for the double stroller. It took up almost all the room - grocery shopping got a lot easier when we got the van.

amy1007

You sure can. We have a sedan and fit our newborns and toddler in the back. Toddler in Sunshine Radian and twins in Graco Snugride 22s.

erniebufflo

Go to BRU or wherever you're planning to buy carseats and ask to test them in your car. DH and I have a Pontiac Vibe, and were worried about our car situation. Two Chicco Keyfit 30s fit just fine, and we're relieved to keep our car a little longer, since it's all paid off. If we decide we need a bigger car, we'll be in a much better position to buy one in 2013 than we are right now.

jxd215

Depends on the legroom. DH is 6'3", and the only sedan where he could drive comfortably with an infant seat behind him was the Hyundai Sonata. 

AFaul

It is definitely doable but depends on the size of your car and the height of you and your husband. My DH and I have a Hyundai Sonata and a Hyundai Elantra. I'm 5'6" and he's 6' 4". We can fit two carseats and still have enough leg room for my DH in the Sonata but probably not the Elantra.

edwineidschun

I think it's definitely doable.

PrayingForGrace

Thanks ladies! This has been really helpful! We aren't really in a position to buy a new car just yet...we JUST got a Jetta at the beginning of the year. Hopefully we can fit the car seats we want and everything the babies need so we can pay a bit more off before we sell it.