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Multiples
What car(s) do you drive?
My H and I have two mid-sized sedans: a Honda Civic (about eight years old and perfectly good) and a Toyota Camry (about 13 years old, with tons of miles and lots of troubles).
I can imagine that it's certainly possible to fit two car seats into the backs of each or both of these cars. But then...what will we do about the dogs if we want to go to the dog park? And also, what about hauling crap around? Etc.
I'm pretty convinced we'll need to get a new car, and I imagine we'll probably opt for upgrading the Camry. I'm concerned about more room and about safety, and I'd also like something that handles well in the winter. I mentioned the minivan idea to my H, but he seems to prefer the idea of something like an SUV. We're both concerned about fuel efficiency, too. (Who isn't?)
What does your family use, and what do you like about it (or not)?
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Re: What car(s) do you drive?
Until October, we shared a Chrysler 300M. It worked decently enough, but we don't have dogs. Friends loaned us their Dodge Caravan from May to July when they were out of the country, and it was really nice to have.
In October we bought me a Kia Rondo. We really like it and it works well for us. It's a CUV, which is a nice compromise for us. But if we had a third child or dogs, I'm not sure it would work as well. Might be worth looking into though; much better reliability and gas mileage than minivans (not sure about SUVs) in the same price range.
When I was first pg, we were in NYC and didn't even need a car so I too had to think long and hard about what would be the best car for us since we'd be needing one once the babies were born (we have sinced moved outside the city).
We went with the Toyota Highlander. It's a total "family" car but it's 100% reliable ( I am a big fan of Toyotas--I had a 4 Runner--DH still drives it actually to the train station now and it's VERY old yet still truckin' along), is great for NY weather--i.e. snow, ice, etc. It does well for gas, has good amt. of room in the back (both car seats fit easily behind each front seat), great storage in the trunk (I have my DSNG back there at all times and still have plenty of room bk there even after trips to Costco or grocery store).
There is an optional 3rd row seat in the trunk that we've yet to use but it's nice to know it's back there. I am able to sit in between the Snugrides in the back seat of the Highlander with the girls if DH and I drive for long stretches.
HTH
We have 3 cars. DH has a sports car that obviously won't work with babies and I mainly drive my Mazda CX-7 which should hold 2 car seats nicely. It does not have a third row.
We also have a Tahoe that is older (a 2003 or 2004) that we use to haul things and that DH uses to carry his kayak to the gulf to go fishing and such. This is probably also be used for road trips as the storage in the back is bigger than in the CX-7.
This is so horrible to say but, fuel efficiency isn?t a main priority of ours ? we needed cars that would fit our needs and a small car isn?t the best for what DH uses the Tahoe for.
When our DDs were born, our main vehicle was a Lexus sedan about the same vintage as your Camry. It seems really big until you try and put two infant seats in the back and then it gets really small, really quickly. You definitely have to plan ahead if you are doing any kind of shopping, particularly Sam's/Costco and make sure you leave the stroller at home.
Luckily, DH's sister decided to get rid of her Odyssey and I'm so in love! It has a ton of room. We have all three strollers in the back now and even have the third row up. I generally like having it down though since you have a lot more storage space. We just had family in town though so we needed the extra seating. I also like the sliding doors because it makes it easy to maneuver strollers near the van to load and unload kids. Not to mention being able to open the side doors with a push of a button makes life so much easier with two. I also like that I can walk from the front seat into the back to take care of the DDs if I need to, without getting out of the vehicle (only when stopped of course). Yeah, it's a minivan, but I'll take one over an SUV anyday!!
***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***
Ok totally jealous of the Mazda CX-7. We are thinking a few years down the road getting the CX-9. We have a Mazda6 and a Mercury Milan. I know it's going to be tough getting 2 car seats in but we will make it work.
if you think the twins will be your only children, then an SUV might not be a bad idea. but if you plan on having more, i'd highly recommend just going for the minivan.
we have a sienna, and it's awesome.
when the boys were born, we had a toyota corolla and a small saturn. we brought two boys home in the corolla and it was TIGHT. like, we both had to put our seats alllll the way up to the dashboard. and i was less than two weeks out from a c-section...not fun!
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Jack, Sydney and Carynne, Annaleigh, JW, Eden...forever in our hearts.
My blog * We made the national news!
Twin boys born too early at 17w4d and 18w2d in February 2010
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DS born at 35w1d in February 2011
Twin girls born at exactly 36w in February 2013
DH currently drives a company truck that is an 08 Chevy (4-door). We have a 2 and a half yo DD who is still in a carseat and I think we will be able to fit all 3 across the backseat of his truck no problem. I drive an Acura RDX which I love love love (it's a crossover with a turbo charged engine so it drives like a sportscar!). I highly recommend it if you are having 2 and no more but it won't fit all 3 carseats in it so we are in the market for a Lincoln Navigator or a Ford Expedition.