Car Shopping

SMB51411 · December 2013

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are shopping for a new car for me and the baby. We clearly aren't seeing eye to eye on what is best. I feel an SUV will be way more suitable for my terrible back and the extra space for all the baby stuff. He thinks a car is better and doesn't see the difference between a car or the SUV. So my question to all you mommy's to be or even mommy's now, what do you think is more convenient, a Car or an SUV? And why do you think your choice is better than the other?

Thanks for all your opinions, I appreciate your help.

musicnmoon123 · December 2013

I have a compact SUV (a Chevy Equinox) that I love. My DH has a Ford Fusion ( a mid-size sedan). I like his car and they actually have similar storage space . That being said, I prefer my car because the extra height makes it easier to put my son in the car. Plus , with the Equinox, the rear seat actually slides back, making for more room between the car seat and the front seats, which is nice with the infant carrier.

snorticusprime · December 2013

Toyota Matrix. You get a hatchback, it is slightly higher from the ground than a sedan, and pretty good gas mileage.

When my car was in the shop I had a Matrix as my rental. It was so nice not to have to haul myself up out of the car!

haliepell · December 2013

I have a Chevy Malibu now and we are looking to trade in for a SUV at the new year, my problem is having to buckle two car seats side by side, that's why we going bigger and to have the extra leg room being my DH is 6 foot 2. so if you planning on going on long trips or adding another baby later on I would go with a SUV!

dupe · December 2013

I have had a car and traded in for suv. Wouldn't be able to survive without my Tahoe.

notkateanymore · December 2013

I personally think a small SUV is the way to go, especially if you plan on having more kids.

CJFantasia · December 2013

I'll be in the same boat when my lease is up in February. I definitely agree with pp that he height of a small SUV is easier for putting kids in/out. Also I feel like the hatchback would be easier for strollers and gear. Good luck!

lp0 · December 2013

Definitely a SUV but I'd go mid size. I have a small sized Honda CRV and think it's ok (I'm glad it's a lease). The back door opening isn't that big so it makes it a PITA to turn the infant car seat sideways to get it in and out (which I didn't realize it sucked until I put DS's seat in my friend's equinox and it was so much easier). Also now trying to climb in and out with DS to get him in his convertible seat is a tight squeeze. Also the trunk fills up really quickly after the stroller is in there.

USMBride06 · December 2013

I have a Nissan rogue and love it. Fits everything I need in it but gets great gas mileage.

noslen0519 · December 2013

We just bought a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and it's AMAZING! It drives like a dream and has so much space. I love it! Highly recommend!

MissyC979 · December 2013

We bought a new SUV over the summer. I recommend getting a third row, if you can. This will be our second and once you put the two carseats in the back there is no room for any other passengers, other than the four of us. It's nice having the third row for some extra seating and we just keep it down most of the time, to extend the trunk.

swirl25 · December 2013

Sounds like your H and mine are pretty similar. We both have sedans right now but with a second child coming, I really think a smaller SUV/crossover would be much better and more comfortable for the 4 of us. But DH refuses to budge right now (he hates SUVs -- thinks they are gas guzzlers, road hogs, etc). If I had my way we'd be getting the Subaru Outback (which I really like the look of, plus the reputation) or maybe a Honda CR-V (though I often hear that people don't think the CR-V is that great space-wise). My car is a 2008 and what we mainly use to transport DD, but his car is older, with well over 100,000 miles on it. I'm secretly hoping it dies soon so we can seriously revisit the new, bigger car discussion, but it's a Honda so unfortunately I think we've still got a while before it croaks.

Red_Dahlia · December 2013

I prefer to drive a sedan. I just like the feel better than an SUV. DH has a smaller SUV and a bad back and HATES dealing with getting dd in and out of my car. It is also easier to do things like diaper changes, etc in the back of an SUV. With the back issues alone, I'd definitly say go with the SUV...

Laumb11 · December 2013

I went from a Honda Accord coupe to a Jeep Compass. I now want a Tahoe, DH has a sedan and I like it but I like driving bigger vehicles more.

Aycul18 · December 2013

I don't have and LO yet, but will say that my nissan rogue rocks! I got it 2 years ago anticipating that we'd have kids eventually, although I do almost wish we went with a Murano, which is a bit bigger... I will say this, especially in my pregnant state, my car is way more comfortable than DHs sedan to get in and out of. It has plenty of trunk space for a stroller and other things, and I'm sure will be great when LO makes her appearance :-) a rogue is a good compromise IMO. it gets an average of 22/23 mpg which isn't too bad, and it's considered a crossover (I think). Plus nissan cars last a while!

Buckeye608 · December 2013

TheFutureMrs.N said:

We just bought a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and it's AMAZING! It drives like a dream and has so much space. I love it! Highly recommend!

I love the look of the new Pathfinder. It's a top contender for our next car. I am in the same camp as PPs that love their Nissan Rogue. For now, it works really well for us. We wanted to have at least one vehicle with AWD

airsica · December 2013

haliepell said:

I have a Chevy Malibu now and we are looking to trade in for a SUV at the new year, my problem is having to buckle two car seats side by side, that's why we going bigger and to have the extra leg room being my DH is 6 foot 2. so if you planning on going on long trips or adding another baby later on I would go with a SUV!

This is me, I have 2 year old twins and the only thing that I could fit in my car besides my girls was the stroller and the diaper bag. I couldn't do any major grocery shopping or bring anything else home with me, and nobody else could sit in the back. We ended up getting a Toyota Sienna for baby number 3 and love it.

Mrsadelsberger · December 2013

MrsHoffman2b said:
I have a compact SUV (a Chevy Equinox) that I love. My DH has a Ford Fusion ( a mid-size sedan). I like his car and they actually have similar storage space . That being said, I prefer my car because the extra height makes it easier to put my son in the car. Plus , with the Equinox, the rear seat actually slides back, making for more room between the car seat and the front seats, which is nice with the infant carrier.

My husband and I drive the same exact cars as you! Too funny. We use my car to travel anywhere because there is more room.

ugoglencoco · December 2013

SUV, especially if you plan on expanding your family even more. I had a car and had to upgrade before baby gets here because I am super tall and my son can't fit behind me in his car seat and the baby's car seat won't either. Lol. The more room, the better!

MommyEllenSue · December 2013

I agree with the pp. SUV is the way to go. We bought a suburban (we already have 7 year old twins) and I absolutely love it! DH has a Mariner which is a lot smaller. Both are great vehicles and easy to put the car seat in with a good amount of storage in the back. The Mariner is just a really tight fit in the back for the older kids and baby seat. We want to have at least 1 more baby that's why we went with a suburban, otherwise I would have gone with a Tahoe.

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