Car shopping

arteduc8 · November 2015

So I think it's finally time to trade in my little hatchback that I've had since college (10 years!) and upgrade to a larger family friendly vehicle. We're considering shopping for one sooner rather than later so I have a safer vehicle for the winter and so I don't have to put money into new tires for my old car.

Anyone have any recs on family cars you love? I'm not a minivan kind of person or a huge SUV. This will be our first child and we're thinking we'll go for 2. I'm thinking about the suburu outback. Would love suggestions to go test drive. Thanks!

mainemama_ · November 2015

We just went car shopping tonight! I have a GMC Terrain right now, we got it right before we had our DD two years ago. But now with another baby on the way and our dog ( whose like a child) we will really need something bigger. I just can't justify spending 50k+ for more room

splsmama2016 · November 2015

I have a Honda Fit, and it's definitely not big enough. Husband refuses to drive it, so it's getting traded in. Sad!!!! We have looked at Ford Explorer, Chevy Tahoe, and the Honda Pilot so far. Will probably end up with the new pilot purely because I've been in a Honda since I was born, and for the same price as a used Tahoe we can get the new Pilot.

DeePaddy24 · November 2015

We're going to check out a Mazda CX-5 and a Hyundai Tucson. Those are my current top 2 for a crossover vehicle, & the Mazda is on Canada's safest list. The Chevy Equinox is also a favourite of mine, but outside my price range.

theatremandy · November 2015

We traded my Saturn in for a Hyundai Tucson when we had our oldest. It was cheaper than anything the competitors had and fully loaded. I loved that car, but we had to trade it in for a minivan because it couldn't fit 3 car seats. Good luck!!

jas060515 · November 2015

We had a Mazda CX5 when we were a family of 3, and we LOVED it! But we traded it in for a Mazda CX9 because we are now a family of 4, soon to be 5 and we needed the space. We love our new SUV and the best part is it can fit 3 carseats across in the second seat!

LoveNeverFailsYou27 · November 2015

We recently bought a Chevy Equinox and we love it. DDs convertible car seat is still rearfacing, and there's still one or two inches of space until the front passenger seat. More than enough room.

TwoBadMice · November 2015

I was driving a 1993 Jeep Cherokee when my son was born. We sold
It and got a 2004 Tahoe and I love it! The only thing I would change is that the 2004 model dosent have any adapters to plug in my smart phone to listen to music. And I actually would probably get a Suburban if I had the option now that we have another baby on the way.

Bear14+ · November 2015

jas060515 said:
We had a Mazda CX5 when we were a family of 3, and we LOVED it! But we traded it in for a Mazda CX9 because we are now a family of 4, soon to be 5 and we needed the space. We love our new SUV and the best part is it can fit 3 carseats across in the second seat!

No idea how you did that!! I feel like we barely fit in mine and I have just 1 baby right now. How did you maneuver rear facing car seats? I think I'm going to have to turn my son forward facing at 19 months or I won't be able to drive. My front passenger seat is always all the up and I have the best car seat for a tight back seat. I'm soooo over it!

lm45678 · November 2015

We have a Kia Optima and Sorento and love them both! The Sorento is a 7 seater so you can grow into it. Can't beat the warranties either!

FWIW my parents have the outback and are obsessed!

Bperkun · November 2015

We got a Subaru Forester with our 1st baby. It's been great! I have no complaints. The only thing is we usually have our dog in the back with our stroller; so the car fills up pretty fast. I know with baby #2 coming it will still work but it will be tight. The outback is bigger though so it might work for you. I love the gas mileage they get so am hesitant to get a third row suv. We got a cargo box for the top when we are traveling and that works great!

NicknShan · November 2015

I came here to post about HOW MUCH I AM IN LOVE WITH MY SUBARU OUTBACK!!! I just got it in May. We have 1, #2 on the way. It has so much space, it is extremely comfortable, 4WD, I average 26-27 mpg with a mix of city and highway. We were able to a new, 2015, with leather seats, backup camera (1 less than the top of the line - we didn't get the eyes to help with speed control) for under 30k (not including taxes and stuff). Car and driver also votes it best vehicle you can buy under 30k. My DH and I were sold, and he even said he would consider getting a second one when he needs to replace his car.

Happy car shopping! You know what I vote!

staceymwiggins · November 2015

We currently have a Tahoe but are considering trading in for a Terrain. Nothing wrong with Tahoe but I can trade in and make a profit off of it and put DH in a newer truck at the same time. It was and is still my dream vehicle but at the end of the day it's just a vehicle. DH is a mechanic so we are a GM family all the way!

HeartLikeMine3 · November 2015

I just bought a 2016 Nissan rouge and LOVE it plenty of room for two car seats but not too much bigger for me to drive than my car was. I thought I wanted a pathfinder but going from a car it felt like it was a bus. I am a big fan of Nissan so I always stick with them.

vmatt850 · November 2015

I would LOVE a CX-5! I love my jeep but think those are pretty awesome.

MamaNicoleof3 · November 2015

DH has a Ford Escape as his work car and we love it!

cjt121413 · November 2015

We have an Explorer which I really like considering we have a German Shepherd who is often a passenger. It is huge and drives like a truck, so that can be an adjustment.

hockeyfan42 · November 2015

We just traded in our Ford Edge (loved it!) for a Ford Explorer! With #2 on the way, an enormous dog, and living 10-12hrs from family, we wanted a little extra space. We absolutely love it so far!!

satcher08 · November 2015

I drive a Honda crv and its great if you don't want a huge SUV. Dh is a mechanic and highly recommends Hondas and Toyotas for their durability and trade in value.

paislierob · November 2015

We just bought a 2015 Toyota Rav 4, and it's spacious, yet not giant. We tested the back seat and can successfully fit a booster & two convertible carseats. Toyota have great safety ratings and trade in values keep well, they also lease really well!

WSU2015 · November 2015

I'm going to have to agree with @NicknShan on this one! I got my first Subaru when I was 16 it was a legacy gt, when I had my son I got the outback sport and now I drive a newer Impreza. I'm getting 30 mpg in my Impreza and I love this car so much. I loved all my past subarus too! Great vehicles, cannot beat the all wheel drive.

AmberLiz99 · November 2015

Love love love our Fird Escape! It's not too big, but so easy to load two kids into. The third will fit too. We've had it for two years now and no complaints. We test drove a lot and I liked it better than the Subaru, and it's less expensive and easier to get fixed or worked in.

wbwells · November 2015

Check out the Volvo XC90. Volvo's last forever, have amazing crash safety ratings and hold their value. My parents just purchased their 6th Volvo, we've had everything from the old boxy cars to the convertibles and the XC90. I had a friends baby and put his carseat behind me and I had plenty of room, no doubt my 6'3" father would've been able to drive with a convertible rearfacing carseat behind the drivers seat. Tons of trunk space, drives amazingly well and holds their value so while a little pricey right now, you'll get your monies worth and be able to not lose a crazy amount of value when selling it years down the road.

I also love Toyota Highlanders. Rav 4's can get pretty tight pretty quickly, the highlander has the 3rd row which is comfy to sit in, but also has a crazy amount of trunk space. Again- rearfacing is not an issue behind the driver or passenger seat. I also recommend Ford Explorers or Ford Edges too.

PBear93 · November 2015

We have a Toyota Prius V. It's the really big Prius. We have our daughter rear facing and can still scoot the drivers seat all the way back and it has a TON of trunk space (it was more square footage than several of the mid-size SUVs that we looked at). We drive 10+ hours to Ohio several times a year to see family and even with the stroller have never had an issue with room. And we average 40-45 MPG which we love.

LizM61409 · November 2015

We just got a new toyota highlander hybrid for dh- super nice, top of the list in consumer reports, has captains chairs with easy access to the 3rd row seating but with the suv engine and build- it's like it has the best parts of an suv and a minivan

peaceinnature · November 2015

We really want to get a Subaru Outback! It seems like one of the best options for buying semi-new, not straight off the factory but certified pre-owned which is what we're planning on.

We currently have a Ford Focus wagon and it's ok. Not ideal for tall people and it's about ten years old and has rust damage. I'm really looking forward to trading it in.

I would also not recommend the Hyundai Tucson for tall people because I rode in the passenger seat of my friend's Tucson and had to really squeeze myself in with the rear facing car seat behind.

jennk0118 · November 2015

I just bought (Well leased and I'll buy it out) my Chevrolet Equinox. I love it. I have a 2015, and the best part to me is that I can adjust the backseat 8" forward or backwards easily! It'll fit my boxer/basenji mutt, and the convertible car seat and infant seat perfectly! I get better gas mileage than I did with my Malibu. I didn't get AWD, because I think it's pointless that it shuts off after 35mph. I take back roads and the speed limit is 50.. So if I don't like the tires on there in wintertime, I'll get winter tires.

smorrow801 · November 2015

We bought a 2016 Subaru Forester this weekend and we love it! Plenty of room, and for just 1 step above the base model you get heated seats, a moonroof and a 7 inch touch screen system. Highly recommended!!

chelthorn · November 2015

We have a Toyota Camry and love it with our 1! We don't travel much at all so we don't need to much space. I am looking at other vehicles just to get an idea, but DH says we will not be buying another vehicle unless we just cannot fit car seats in ours. We just bought the Camry last year. I love seeing opinions from moms on cars rather than just a dealer trying to tell me what I need.

Jason&Erin82507 · November 2015

I love my Audi Q5. I bought it when I was pregnant with my DD#1 (6 years ago)! Now with baby number 3 on the way, we definitely have to buy something bigger (3 rows). I really want the vehicle to have second row captains chairs so my oldest doesn't have to climb over seats to access the 3rd row, but I don't want a minivan. So far I have test driven the Q7 (no captains chairs) and the GMC Acadia Denali. I am still searching. Goodluck!!!!

arteduc8 · December 2015

Wanted to post an update! We test drove a few different vehicles but fell in love with the Subaru Outback. Waited about a month on it and went back and bought one today! I LOVE it! Haggled with them on a good deal and ended up with a model that has lots of safety features as well, something that will keep me feeling a bit safer with our first little one here soon. Plus the AWD will come in handy in the winter here in Chicago. Yay!

Tawny87 · December 2015

I have the Subaru Forester and love it. I bought it in 2010 before I met my husband and got pregnant, thought it would last a while. First pregnancy was twins so we bought a '12 Durango this summer because we knew we wanted a 3rd child. I have always been happy with my forester and think that Subaru's are great cars but it was time for something bigger, my hubby now enjoys it as his car.

HighFive16 · December 2015

We are going to have to look at this next year but will more than likely be getting something used. I love the Subaru but it might be an escape we end up with so I am glad that PPs say it is roomy enough for two car seats.