A new car (any ideas?)

Abinormal · May 2009

So, my DH and I have decided that my car just isn't going to work for a baby and all the stuff I will need for the baby. I currently drive an '07 Mazda 3 and I love my car and so I am a little sad to see it go, but I know it's for the best.

The problem with my car is that a rear facing car seat doesn't fit correctly into the backseat. It will fit, but it rubs against the front seats and it can only sit in the middle with both front seats a little too far up for comfort. We did not anticipate this issue when we bought the car.

We plan on trading in the Mazda for a new car and we would like a car in the $18,000-22,000 range so that our payments do not exceed $400 a month. Any ideas? Do any of you already have a car that you love?

FYI: I am not ready to drive a mini van and I want something that isn't a gas guzzler and horrible for the enviroment.

getnmarried910 · May 2009

I used to drive an 04 Chrysler Sebring. Both carseats fit nicely in the backseat. Rear facing they did not touch the back of the front seats, but the seats were not all the way back since I'm 5'6" and DH is 5'10" They were almost all the way back, but not quite. I loved it till we decided to have #3 and decided a mini van would be the best option for us.

roxyrulz512 · May 2009

i feel your pain ... i just recently got rid of my Tiburon...

if your lookin for a more spacious vehicle and not a mini van, your best bet is to find a v6 SUV.. i know a couple people in my family have brought Hyundai Sante Fe 's and they love them... they arent gas guzzlers either and perfect for your price range

cahill126 · May 2009

I got a very basic Honda Civic sedan LX, and I love it! ?It's a great gas saver and very safe for you and baby! ?The most simple models like what I have are the least expensive.

farrellashleigh · May 2009

Haha, I hear you with the minivan thing, I will never drive a "mothership" yikes! I have a Hummer, that's my Mom Mobile Cool I'm pretty sure that Toyota is offering 0% for 36 months so you may look there??

bkjcwedding · May 2009

I bought a 2009 Ford Fusion in January, and I love it! It was right around $21K and my monthly payments are well below $400.

It gets 25 MPG and handles very well. Leather seats are available on even some of the less equiped models, which will make clean up easier. Plus now I'm addicted to the satellite radio and the Sync feature for my phone.

I give it Yes Yes !!!

denahamilton@cox.net · May 2009

I absolutely LOVE my 2005 Ford 500. It is one of the safest full size sedans on the road. (why we bought it). The '05's are pretty cheap right now too....you could probably get a new one in the price range you are looking for. They are SO ROOMY. You won't believe you are sitting in a car. LOVE it!

I am a bit bias though....my 500 is lowered on 20 inch chrome rims with limo tint and a cutom grill. I do not like the look for the 500 stock, so if you get one, you should make it cute by adding some customizations to it!!

Kristen0709 · May 2009

I have a 2006 Nissan Murano and LOVE it! It gets 20 mpg city and has tons of room for what you need. The only down side for me is I was an idiot and leased it so it's going back before baby gets here. I'm considering getting another one though. You can definitely find used ones in your price range.

jenna0627 · May 2009

I have a Toyota Corolla Sport and love it. I take my nephews (both in car seats) all the time and there is plenty of room. Plus my car is still cute. I got it fully loaded for about $19,000.

TXSweetheart · May 2009

I drove a honda civic for 10 years until some idiot totaled it. I have a Toyota Rav 4 now, and I LOVE it!! I initially looked at Honda's version of the Rav (the CR-V). I liked it a lot, but like the layout of the Rav just a little better. I get decent gas milleage, nothing like my civic, but 22-25mpg, and our huge Britax carseat fits well, and the BOB stroller fits in the back.

beacbabe · May 2009

We have an 06 dodge Charger SRT w/ a hemi. I love love love the car... Its way more than 22K but the cheaper charger without the hemi is around that price. its a large car, def luxury! Our friends got the lower model and paid about 18K for a brand new one....

Denae'sTTC · May 2009

THe new Honda CRV's// are sweet..good on gas.big will fit everything you need...it also has this cool baby mirror in it so you can see them at aLL TIMES!

CJ2008 · May 2009

We both got new cars last year and knew we would start ttc soon so we picked family friendly cars (in my opinion). I love my 08 Subaru Impreza. I live where it snows a ton so the AWD is a plus, however you might not really need it down in TX.

stace42 · May 2009

We recently bought a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder and I love it. Very spacious and not bad on gas.

berryblndgirl · May 2009

We're planning on getting a used Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe (they are the same car). They come in AWD, which is important to us since we live in the mountains, get good gas mileage and good ratings from Consumer Reports. We also considered a Honda CRV, Subaru Forester or Subaru Outback, but the Matrix/Vibe has better gas mileage.

MissyC979 · May 2009

We have an 08 Honda Accord and an 07 Hyundai Tucson. I think they're both great cars for babies.

Suzi-G- · May 2009

We bought a Nissan Rogue last year for this reason, I had an old beater of a truck and DH had a sports car. Neither was gonna work for a baby. I love the rogue, it's roomy but gets pretty good gas mileage and is practical but still fun.

Leap08 · May 2009

I have a 2005 Toyota Corolla and I love it. It gets really good gas mileage (close to 40 mpg highway) and is big enough for two car seats. We have never had a major problem with either of the Toyotas we own, and the other one is a 1991. Toyota is also offering 0% interest right now on new vehicles for qualified customers.

beckyanddon · May 2009

we are going to be getting a highlander

my MIL has one and I love it.

Brit1017 · May 2009

Kristen0709:
I have a 2006 Nissan Murano and LOVE it! It gets 20 mpg city and has tons of room for what you need. The only down side for me is I was an idiot and leased it so it's going back before baby gets here. I'm considering getting another one though. You can definitely find used ones in your price range.

I second a Murano- we bought a 2005 for the price range you are looking for and love it. There is plenty of room for the rear-facing car seat, and it gets decent milage for an SUV.

meangieman · May 2009

I have a'07 Dodge Caliber and I love it- it gets 28mpg and has a 5 star safety rating and the seats in the back recline some to allow for some extra space if needed so there is plenty of space in my little hatchback!!

Lanette · May 2009

We have an '07 Nissan Altima and an '09 Murano - nissan has been very good to us; their cars seem to last forever and they're affordable. Just to give you an idea DH had a '98 Altima that we just got rid of last year for the Murano, and I had a '96 300ZX that I traded in right after we got married in '06 for the Altima (more roomy family car).

Our Altima is fully loaded w/ all the extras so it's on the higher end, but I think the base model starts around $19k. Also, it's hard to tell from the outside, but they are quite roomy and have great trunk space.

GL!

gillysk · May 2009

The Chevy Malibu just won car of the year...it is sporty looking but has more room than the mazda 3. It is affordable, too. Although, I might be biased b/c DH works for General Motors and I would love for him to continue to be employed with all of the cuts they are making...so I am shamelessly promoting GM products to anyone who will listen.

Abinormal · May 2009

gillysk:
The Chevy Malibu just won car of the year...it is sporty looking but has more room than the mazda 3. It is affordable, too. Although, I might be biased b/c DH works for General Motors and I would love for him to continue to be employed with all of the cuts they are making...so I am shamelessly promoting GM products to anyone who will listen.

Can't say as I blame you. I would be promoting as well. However my DH is a firefighter and most people just don't want to have a house fire or car accident. Can't imagine why.... LOL!

SgtsSweetie3407 · May 2009

DH and I are getting a Dodge Journey when he gets back from deployment next year, that's as close as I'm ever getting to driving a mini van, lol. It starts at $21,600 and gets 25mpg highway and has really fun options... plus DH is addicted to Dodge cause it still looks manly enough for him to drive Big Smile

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