I just had to change vehicles, my car had no top tethers for car seats (a Canadian requirement for forward facing) and to get them was almost worth half the value of the car.
I was driving a 1999 Mazda protégé 4 door and it was great for 2 kids. We changed to a Ford Explorer.
I love it. The 3rd row fits my 6ft3 husband no problem, and car seat installation is a breeze. It's been great to drive and I had to replace a serpentine belt and change a couple things, parts were very affordable and relatively easy to work on. It also is a bench seat in the 2nd row so I can put 3 car seats across and have easily done so on several occasions. When I flip the seat forward to put a kid in the 3rd row there is enough room for me to easily climb in and buckle up kids without having to contort my body.
Personally I wouldn't have gone quite so big unless my lifestyle required it. Im a farmer and we also live rurally so hunting and fishing are pretty much standard weekend activities
i absolutely LOVE my jeep grand cherokee! My husband has one too. This is my second jeep and my husband's 3rd. We haven't had any problem. My only complaint (which really isn't truly a complaint) is that they have had a bunch of recalls over the last year and a half. My husband and I both "need" SUVs bc we need to get to our jobs in the snow no matter what and they don't do a good job clearing it in our city. I can fit a ton in my truck (btw), i currently have a double stroller, big bin of legos, a huge bag of dinosaurs, another huge bag of large tonka trucks, other odds and ends and it doesn't even come above the top of the back seat.
When our leases are up, I'm going to look into the durango because I would prefer a 3rd row. The trunk of the pilot is just too small for my liking. If i switch school districts, i will consider the town and country.
I'm not sure what year models you're looking at but my Pilot is actually a little bigger in cargo space behind the 3rd row vs the Durango.
We got a 2016 Honda Pilot last summer. I am so happy to have it. I had a CR-V which I liked, but I knew I'd want more room and they were offering me a ton for it. My car is amazing. I fit 7 large adults and a big car seat going to the mall last weekend just fine. My husband is starting to hate his Ford Escape because it feels so small.
My in laws have a new Traverse. They love it and they do have more cargo space than I do with the 3rd row up, but there is no way that 3 adults would fit for any period of time in the 3rd row. Probably not even 2 adults. If that matters to you.
You guys are so lucky! I just bought a two door Mercedes last June *rolls eyes* We didn't expect I'd be pregnant the following year. So now I'm on the hunt to purchase a new car before September as I am due early October 4th. Any suggestions??
i absolutely LOVE my jeep grand cherokee! My husband has one too. This is my second jeep and my husband's 3rd. We haven't had any problem. My only complaint (which really isn't truly a complaint) is that they have had a bunch of recalls over the last year and a half. My husband and I both "need" SUVs bc we need to get to our jobs in the snow no matter what and they don't do a good job clearing it in our city. I can fit a ton in my truck (btw), i currently have a double stroller, big bin of legos, a huge bag of dinosaurs, another huge bag of large tonka trucks, other odds and ends and it doesn't even come above the top of the back seat.
When our leases are up, I'm going to look into the durango because I would prefer a 3rd row. The trunk of the pilot is just too small for my liking. If i switch school districts, i will consider the town and country.
I'm not sure what year models you're looking at but my Pilot is actually a little bigger in cargo space behind the 3rd row vs the Durango.
I can still fit my giant ass stroller in the back with the 3rd row seats up. The Durango is surprisingly huge inside.
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16) DS born 12.13.14 DD born 10.15.16 BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18 BFP 4.25.19, EDD 12.31.19
A year ago we purchased a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. We didn't want anything too big but needed something larger than my 2006 Chevy Cobalt. On average we get 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. To be honest we did a lot of research before settling on the Tucson. It was the best rated on Consumer Reports and it's quite comfortable. We have used it on multiple road trips with DH's friends (who are all over 6ft). They were all super impressed with the leg room in the back. AND it's all wheel drive!!!
Before DS I had a Toyota Corolla. Loved that car. But I wanted something bigger and with AWD. So we got a Subaru Outback. Chose it over a forester because the trunk was actually bigger.
I'd love to upgrade to a car with a third row once the second comes along. The only way we would do it is if we could get the payment down to what we pay monthly for the outback. If we could, I'd be looking at a Honda Pilot. It has the best ratings out there. I have also heard lots of good things about Nissan Pathfinders.
I'll be buying bigger next month, I currently have a 2 door altima, that won't work. We have been looking for a while and had while originally I was thinking gmc terrain or Nissan rogue after really looking we decided we wanted the next size up.
In a perfect world I need room for baby, baby gear and 2 dogs. So after test driving and renting it for the weekend we are going with the Chevy Traverse, it is sooo roomy!! And it drives great.
@samkins that was a really smart move renting the car! And bigger is better! I hated my small SUV once DS got here. The distance between the front and back seats was just way too small.Plus if you ever drive anywhere to stay for an overnight or longer you WILL appreciate that extra room.
I agree with @TNgoldengirlAC vents in the back is HUGE. We are trying to figure out what vehicle is going to replace my mazda3. Two kids with a mazda3 has been horrible. I did a lot of research and found a double stroller that would actually fit in that tiny trunk. I'm looking for something with TONS of cargo space and lots of extra seating for out of town guests and dogs, AWD. Tall order for a small budget. I was hoping to pop on here and see what everyone was suggesting, haha. In my experience, get a larger vehicle than you think you will need because you will end up needing it. (Strollers take up so much space, baby stuff for on the go, grocery trips/shopping) You will be much happier having unused space then being crammed into a vehicle that isn't big enough.
I have to get a new car as I currently drive a Miata. Bye bye convertible hello Subaru Forester. My parents have one and love it and so far it's the only SUV that DH and I both like.
I have a Tahoe. It's the third one we have owned and it's my favorite vehicle we own to drive. Tons of room, decent gas mileage, comfortable, quiet, and reliable. We have never had any issues with any of our Tahoes, just traded in for newer models. In fact, we love it so much, we are trading DH's bro truck in for a Suburban in the fall.
I loved our CRV when we had DD but it had way too many miles, it was a 2000 modle. Looking at getting another since our truck has 0 leg space with 2 car seats
We just paid off out Toyota Venza. Were trying to decide if we keep it and deal with three car seats across or upgrade to a minivan. My thought is to get a minivan while my kids are young and need help buckling in and hen upgrading to a suv when they are out of car seats and can climb into the backseat by themselves.
@mstanfi Are you think SUV or more minivan, or just a bigger car?
I currently have a VW Jetta and initially was going to wait until next spring to upgrade before I got pregnant. We're holding out towards the end of my pregnancy but I'm really liking the Audi Q5 or the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. DH is wanting a Range Rover Evoque but they just seemtoo small in person.
Well in my previous post I said we'd but waiting until fall, but... I got my new (used) Acura MDX!! I'm so excited to have my mommy car lol. We found exactly one in our area that was in our price range with low enough mileage. The negotiations were a bitch but we got the payments down to where we are comfortable. I absolutely love it and I know it's going to be an awesome family car. It's so spacious without looking ginormous. Plenty of room for kiddos in the backseat and dogs in the trunk. We plan on keeping this one a loooong time, and I think upgrading a tiny bit was well worth it.
We're hoping to go for a new (to us) used car at the end of the month. I have a 2 door toyota yaris so it's a must. We're thinking a CRV or Rav4 but after all these Subaru recommendations I may have to check those out!
Re: Anyone else car shopping?
I was driving a 1999 Mazda protégé 4 door and it was great for 2 kids. We changed to a Ford Explorer.
I love it. The 3rd row fits my 6ft3 husband no problem, and car seat installation is a breeze. It's been great to drive and I had to replace a serpentine belt and change a couple things, parts were very affordable and relatively easy to work on. It also is a bench seat in the 2nd row so I can put 3 car seats across and have easily done so on several occasions. When I flip the seat forward to put a kid in the 3rd row there is enough room for me to easily climb in and buckle up kids without having to contort my body.
Personally I wouldn't have gone quite so big unless my lifestyle required it. Im a farmer and we also live rurally so hunting and fishing are pretty much standard weekend activities
My in laws have a new Traverse. They love it and they do have more cargo space than I do with the 3rd row up, but there is no way that 3 adults would fit for any period of time in the 3rd row. Probably not even 2 adults. If that matters to you.
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16)
DS born 12.13.14
DD born 10.15.16
BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16)
DS born 12.13.14
DD born 10.15.16
BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18
I'd love to upgrade to a car with a third row once the second comes along. The only way we would do it is if we could get the payment down to what we pay monthly for the outback. If we could, I'd be looking at a Honda Pilot. It has the best ratings out there. I have also heard lots of good things about Nissan Pathfinders.
In a perfect world I need room for baby, baby gear and 2 dogs. So after test driving and renting it for the weekend we are going with the Chevy Traverse, it is sooo roomy!! And it drives great.
O16 April Siggy
Me: 28 DH: 27
I currently have a VW Jetta and initially was going to wait until next spring to upgrade before I got pregnant. We're holding out towards the end of my pregnancy but I'm really liking the Audi Q5 or the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. DH is wanting a Range Rover Evoque but they just seem too small in person.
It's a boy!