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Multiples
What do you drive?
We are starting our vehicle hunt and would love suggestions! I really don't want a mini-van, but would love something that has bucket seats/captain's chairs in the second row and then a 3rd row bench.
Suggestions?
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Re: What do you drive?
Right now we have a Chevy Eqinox and LOVE that the back seat slides back 8 inches (my husband is 6'8" and it's the only SUV that didn't have his knees planted in the dashboard with the girls in the back). But, I will admit, because I was one of those who said I'd NEVER have a minivan, our next vehicle might just end up being that. When it comes to having to haul around three kids, practicality trumps image every time.
FWIW: We also looked at Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia. They have third row seating also. We really liked them, but they were out of our price range.
We just bought a Chrysler Town & Country. We had a GMC Envoy XL before that and it just did not work for getting 4 kids in and out easily. We're pretty much in heaven now : ) Dual DVD players, power sliders and power back door, captain's seats in the middle, three LATCH seats (our SUV only had 2), back-up assist camera, and TONS of storage space (this is a big reason we went with the T&C... the rear storage space is huge and the captain's chairs are stow n' go with open storage compartments when not in use). Last night we fit a big convertible car seat box, umbrella stroller AND double stroller all behind the 3rd row... plus we had a bunch of groceries in the back on the floor between the kids). Can you tell I LOVE my van?? ; )
I currently have an FX 35 which is over 5 yrs old and paid off... I want to keep it as long as possible to avoid having a car payment (DH has a company car).
However, I really like the GMC Acadia / Buick Enclave! Dh test drove it when his dad was car shopping, and he said it drove well. BiL just got the Enclave and the interior is very nice... he has captain seats in the middle w/ the option of adding the seat in the middle of the captains seats. And the last row is a bench (didn't notice the leg room though).
I'm really considering these options come next yr... gotta be realistic I'll need a larger car.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane" -- Jimmy Buffett
I drive a VW Rabbit -- not practical for the twins as the stroller doesn't fit in the trunk. H drove a Dodge Ram 1500 with King Cab, but I HATED driving it. Too big and clumsy, especially in the city.
So about 3 weeks ago he traded his beloved Dodge Ram in for a Dodge Grand Caravan -- fully loaded, stow n' go, media centre with DVD ... all that good stuff. I hate mini vans and was absolutely 100% opposed to getting one. Now that it's here it really isn't the worst thing in the world. More practical than both my VW and H's truck. Both H and I still play all kinds of competitive sports so we need the extra room for 2 babies + stroller + hockey and other sporting equipment.
It's a bit of an ego blow for my husband -- nothing says cool like rocking out to Motley Crue in the mini - but it's all about the babies now and making our lives a bit easier.
I know you said you weren't wanting a mini-van, but I just wanted to share how much I love mine.
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan (pretty much just like a Chrysler Town and Country). It is awesome! Things I love about it:
- Stow-n-go seats - All 5 of the back seats can be stowed into the floor in like 5 seconds. This was a feature I had to have (I didn't want to have to take the whole seat out). We can change the configuration of our van in just a couple of minutes (we've done a flatbed for moving stuff, have had two middle seats and a ton of space for trips, and for the twins and our 5 year old we will have the middle seats and one seat in the back with two down for space for the stroller/groceries). Another cool thing is if you have seats up, you have space underneath the floor boards for stuff.
- Power sliding doors/hatch - I would hate to have to open doors in parking lots, worry about smushed fingers/hands, etc. I love that my DS can push the button and get out/in. When I have groceries/stuff, I just push the button and open the doors/hatch and we can get in so easily.
- Space - The 2nd row has a lot of space for adults and the 3rd is decent.
- Gas mileage - I get great gas mileage in my van. I am pretty sure it's about 22 miles to the gallon.
- The way it drives - It drives like a car and not a truck, very smooth.
- Height - I like that we don't have to work hard to get in and out. My DS can climb in and out with no problems. I think it will be a great height for putting the babies in their carseats as well.
Good luck in your vehicle search. I would recommend trying it with carseats if possible to see the space and how much room you have for other people.
I drive a Dodge Caliber, but it's too small... it has two latches in the back seat (no third row seating here) but if we latch the car seat bases onto the seat, we can't get into the front seats lol Luckily our double stroller does fit into the hatchback area, so we're going to bide our time buckling babies in every time we go somewhere until we can afford a car payment again and get a mini van.
My husband is a Chrysler car salesman and I'd HIGHLY recommend a Dodge or Chrysler van, for all the reason the ladies above have described! Plus the newer models (08 - 11) aren't all that bad looking, and the windows roll down! That's what I'll be getting in the next year or two!