What kind of vehicles do you guys drive with kiddos? Did you ever give up your dream car for your kids? What is your dream vehicle?
I have a 2 door Jeep Wrangler named AJ but am trading it in on Monday for a GMC Terrain. I need a more reliable, baby friendly, gas friendly vehicle. I am slightly heartbroken to give up my Jeep but it's what's best for the baby! My dream vehicle has always been a Jeep, ever since I was a little girl. I bought mine last May, thinking I would have her forever. But a baby requires more space and a 2 door is just not going to be fun with an infant and car seat.
But I promise this, I will have a Jeep again someday!! Until then, I've been upgraded to "mom" status.
Let me hear yours, ladies!
Re: GTKY: Family Friendly Vehicles
We have a Chrysler Pacifica and I love it. Tons of storage space, a back up camera and Latch for 4 of the 5 back seats. Such an upgrade from my Ford Escape, especially with #2 on the way! My husband can put the seat as far back as he wants (tall man with long legs) and the back of the seat still doesn't touch her rear facing Graco convertible.
@kmalls YES! Captain chairs are so much more convenient!
@elizabella85 Pacifica's are nice!! Back up camera's I love!
1. Tall husband. We currently have an Acura MDX and can't put a rear facing seat behind the drivers seat, so when we're together as a family, I can never drive the car.
2. We're moving at least two times within the next two years, so it has to haul me, my husband, two kids, and a dog across country twice. And luggage.
3. Most third row seating is worthless. Seriously, it's awful.
4. Because we have to live in a variety of places, we need 4WD or AWD.
Cars we've tested:
- Buick Enclave
- Infiniti QX80
- Chevy Tahoe (tight with a rear facing car seat)
Cars we didn't bother test driving after putting a rear facing car seat behind the driver's seat and making my husband sit in it:
- Honda Odyssey (front seat doesn't scoot far enough back for my husband)
- Honda Pilot
- Ford Explorer
We thought we found what we needed in the Buick Enclave. I highly recommend those not wanting a minivan check it out. It was space for days, captain seats for second row seating, and a good amount of cargo space even with the third row up. I mean, I know nobody gets excited about a Buick, but it has a lot of cool features and space for days. We haven't pulled the trigger though, because of the cross country move thing. I'm just thinking we need a mini-van, but every time I go and look at one, they really don't have as much space as you'd think. I don't know what we're going to do.
And I agree with the above. Captains seats are awesome!
Edit: apparently I can't type
DS 6/3/2016
MC 1/12/2017
BFP 7/19/2017
EDD 3/31/2018
So that said. You wanted to know my dream car. A MINIVAN!!!! For real. I learned to drive in one in hs and honestly love the drive. And HELLO sliding dooooooooors. I have no idea what I wants, it'll be used and a good bargain hopefully. I'll have 1 in a booster, two front facing and one rear facing.
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
I'll probably figure out the car seats next month (after we tell our kids about the baby) because it's way easier to do that stuff without a big belly getting in the way. Lol
Car seats will be a bit of a challenge with multiple kids. We're undecided if we want 2 or 3. If we have 3, there are only certain car seats that will sit 3 across. We got the Diono Radian RXT because it's one of the few. The thing about this seat that makes it difficult is that it is really tall. Even with the angle adjuster that makes it more upright, my husband can't sit comfortably in the driver's seat without his seat touching the car seat. He's 6'1". We'll end up getting a shorter car seat that will allow him to have more legroom with this baby since we will have 2 rear facing.
@missnc77 I have had more than one Buick and have always loved them. Until we moved out west, I thought my next car would have been an Enclave. But I had an Explorer and then a Navigator. Have you tried looking at a Navigator/Expedition/Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon?? Or, DH has a crew cab F-150 and the backseat has so much room. If you had a bed cover, it could be exactly what you are looking for especially with a tall DH. My cousins have a Yukon and four kids and they are driving it until it quits. Haha. We too are looking at the cross country moves and needing 4WD/AWD. I didn't think I was ready to go to a Navigator because it seemed too big. As improbable as it sounds,it drives smaller than my Explorer did and is wayyyy easier to park. GL
P.S I hate it and am counting down the seconds to swap it over to H, and get a new one for myself. I really want an Odyssey
Spontaneous pregnancy #1
DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube
Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016
Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3
Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
DS born October 13, 2014
Baby #3 due March 2018
Started Dating: 2003 Married: 2013
Started TTC August 2016
BFP: 2/1/17 MC: 2/8/17
BFP: 3/8/17 MMC: 5/1/17
BFP: 7/23/17 EDD: 4/5/18
BFP: 2/27/20
@Igutu28 I'm relieved to hear that actually lol because I was looking at a 4 door wrangler but something was just telling me NO. As much as I would love to still have my Jeep, it's not feasible for babies.
My husband just traded in his charger that was only RWD for one with AWD. We live in MinneSNOWta so we need snow reliable vehicles. Granted, the Jeep is snow reliable for sure but just doesn't hold heat in the winter and is so cramped. I'm already so close to the steering wheel, so when my bump comes in, I fear I won't fit. Plus it's soooo close to the air bag and I am NOT willing to even risk that! Even if I put my seat back further, I'd still hit the wheel and then not be able to reach the pedals, lol.
So nice getting to know you guys and your thoughts on this, thanks for sharing! I'm almost slightly convinced to look at a mini van now... but only if we have more than 2 kids!
Edited b/c my H drives a 2001, not a 2004.
Married: 5.27.16
Baby Boy Due: 3.18.18