What kind of vehicle do you drive!?!?

[mummytothree]

especially moms of 4 or more kids!?!?!

We bought a Dodge Caravan Sport way back in 1999 after our first DD was born and now 4 kids later it's just not working anymore!! Actually it really stopped being big enough after baby # 3, but it was so nice not having a car payment that we just made it work!!!

Well after trying to travel home after Christmas with all the kids and all the gifts......it was horrible and we have finally decided that we NEED a bigger vehicle!!!

We have 3 car seats (2 high back boosters and the baby just moved to a convertible) and will for quite sometime since my 2nd DD is quite the peanut (6 and only 44 lbs) and I fear will be in her high back booster till she is 8 or 9, so we almost need something that seats 8 passengers.

I haven't done any research yet so I have no idea what is even out there but if we stay with a van I think I'd almost want captain's chairs in the second row because it's quite hard for my oldest DD to crawl in the back of our van now (she is the total opposite of DD #2 and is quite tall for her age: 10y/o and probably 4' 10") under the seat belt. Of course then there is always the possibility of adding to our family ( crazy ...right...I know ) and then I might need something that holds 4 car seats!!!

So what do you haul your crew around in!?!? Any suggestions... recommendations!?! I'm not apposed to looking at SUV either!!

[BrattyMeg]

I have a Chevy Tahoe and DO NOT recommend it lol....we have 3 carseats (2 seats and 1 carrier) and the 1 seat is in the back row and 2 carseats take up pretty much the middle row, although there is a middle seatbelt left but hardly any room.

I sit 2 kids and a seat on the back row

We're thinking about getting a Toyota Sienna this year though..maybe..not sure yet that I want to drive a minivan (I have NOTHING against them..just not sure I want one for myself)

[MelissaL88]

I have a Toyota Sienna and LOVE it! We have the captain's chairs in the second row and the bench seat in the third row (which seats 3). Actually, I've gotten 4 kids across the backseat When my boys were in car seats, the Captain's chairs were the best! Also, since the van has doors on both sides, they don't have to crawl over each other to get in and out (very beneficial now that they are older LOL!). Let me see if I have any pictures I can show...

[Jennilyn]

You wouldn't want mine...I drive a '03 Honda Civic.

[sammi]

I have a Ford Expedition...I totally love it. The girls all sit in the middle row, Nat & Hill in boosters on the outside and Sophia in a carseat in the middle no problems. The third row seat has buttons so the seats sit up or fold automatically and my lift gate is a push button as well. I have taken 3 additional kids with the third row seat, just doesn't leave a lot of room for stuff in that situation. My next vehicle will probably be a Ford Edge with the third row, Natalie will be out of a carseat at that point and no stollers, so it should be big enough. I also have to add I am partial to fords since DH is a Manager at a Ford Dealership and has sold them for 16 years.

[AmyM]

Two pieces of crap. But they're paid for A 2001 malibu and a 2 door 97 cavalier. Yes that's right. Bought that cavalier brand new when I was single and had money. I will drive the fool out of both of them until they fall apart and I have to buy another. I do not want a car payment or any other debt if I can help it.

[Kat Stokes]

I have a Yukon (Tahoe - same thing) too but I never have the thirdow seats in because if I did I wouldn't have anyplace to put anything! I love the Tahoe because it's so big and feels safe but it sounds like you need something with a little more room. And of course they aren't making Tahoe's anymore after 2009 either - at least that's what I've been told.

[sjford0419]

I have a Honda Odyssey and love it! The second row has a removable middle seat, so the van seats 8. I don't usually have the seat installed since I have three kids. THe two oldest ones sit in the back and the youngest sits in the captain seat in the second row...and of course the two doors are nice!

[emilyscout]

My MIL has a jeep commander. I covet it....

[CA Dreamer]

I have an Acura MDX and would NOT recommend it for more than 2 car seat families. We have the third row seats in the back, but it is not really made for comfort. We have it so that when the kids have a friend or if my older stepsons were with us, we can fit 7.

My next vehicle will be a Honda Oddyssey(spelling?) or the Toyota Sienna. I held out getting a van for as long as I can, but we rented one on vacation and getting the kids and gear in and out of the car is soooo much easier with a van. My friend has a Toyota Sequoia and it fits a ton of people, no problem. I am short(4'11") and in a big car like that, I would defninatley be a danger to myself and others!

[CA Dreamer]

Originally Posted by MelissaL88

I have a Toyota Sienna and LOVE it! We have the captain's chairs in the second row and the bench seat in the third row (which seats 3). Actually, I've gotten 4 kids across the backseat When my boys were in car seats, the Captain's chairs were the best! Also, since the van has doors on both sides, they don't have to crawl over each other to get in and out (very beneficial now that they are older LOL!). Let me see if I have any pictures I can show...

I want one of these!! I am so jealous!!!

[MelissaL88]

Ok...I don't have any pictures of the whole van, but here are a couple pictures of my kids throught the years (I've had the van for 9 years)



We never had any problems with two car seats on the back bench...although there really wasn't any room for a 3rd person with the two seats in place.

And, when the thing finally dies, I will probably get another one. I never thought I'd be a minivan girl (was going to buy a convertible, then I found out I was pregnant LOL!), but I love driving it!

[jessica31876]

we have a dodge stratus. What I think would work great for you is the Nissan Armada. Nissan's are so incredible with how long they last. We had a Pathfinder for 6 years and it was still going strong when my husband hit someone who ran a stop sign. It was totalled then but it would still be going now if it had not been. Other then that Id say looking into a full sized van would be another option. They have a large blind spot and from what I understand take some getting used to (my best friend went from a Dodge Caravan to a full sized Dodge van and she hated it)

[SeattleSheri]

I have a Lexus RX330 (smaller SUV) and I love, love, love it, but it wouldn't be a good 3+ carseater. There is very little room before the carseat and the booster seat, but I do love all of the convenience features, especially the remote liftgate.

[amystoffel]

I drive a Chevy HHR. It's cute and has surprisingly a lot of room. Plus it's lowered so the thing honestly drives like it's on rails.

DH has a GIGANTIC Ford F250, that's lifted so high I can barely climb in...that drives like it's on boulders...not so fun.

[Paula]

We just bought a Chevy Trailblazer and LOVE it.

[kscwgirl]

I drive an escape, which is def. not big enough for you. My mom has a Kia mini van and I love hers... although I don't know if it would work for your needs.

[pewtertm]

We've got an '89 Oldsmobile 98Regency (with low mileage...was a granny car), and an '05 Dodge Ram Quad Cab.
It's out goal to only have one car note at a time, so once the truck is paid off, we're looking at a Dodge Journey. It seats 7 (the 3rd row folds down flat if you want more storage), and the middle row swivels to face forward or backward...there's also an option for a built-in DVD. With our 10 hr trips to grandma's with at least one kid (sometimes 3), and a 55lb dog, we figure the room will be a bonus on trips.

[kim21673]

We have a 2000 GrandAm....been paid for for several years and now poor DH has to drive that to work!! LOL

I personally drive the 2006 Envoy...wish we would have gotten the third row b/c 3 kiddos is a tight fit. I love it though!!!

[Melissa Bennett]

I have a 2001 Chevy Suburban. We did not want the bench seat for the middle row, so we have 2 captains chairs there with a bench seat for the 3rd row. That makes accessing the 3rd row so much easier than having to fold a seat forward. It comfortably seats 7 and still storage room in the back. I love my car!!

[DawnMarch]

I drive a Tahoe too, and while I love it, it would be too small for 4 kids.

If you are considering the Toyota Sienna, be sure to check out the KIA Sedona. I was SURE I wanted a Sienna, but after Consumer Reports named the Sedona the safest mini-van, we decided to take a look at it. It had ALL of the same features as the Siena, for about $15,000 less. We love our Sedona.

[maryinaz]

I have 4 boys and drive a Toyota Sequoia that seats 8. We've had it almost 5 years and it's been great. When we bought it we had 2 full size car seats. My brother has the same exact vehicle (even same color and we weren't even speaking to each other when we purchased them) and he puts 3 car seats across in the middle row.

My boys are now getting big - 2 are almost man-size - and it still has plenty of room for us to road trip in it. This is a vehicle we will keep until it dies. We LOVE Toyotas! My entire family has them.

We had vans when the boys were all little and I loved them. But now the only other vehicle I would consider with 4 kids, to have room to grow and room in the back (for sports equipment, luggage, etc.) is the Chevy Suburban.

[lisabranka]

We have 2007 Ford Edge (it comes with another row of seats??? the only ones I've seen seat 5?) I love how it drives!! We live at the top of a steep hill and with the snow it's driven like a champ!! I was a little worried because we had a 03 Ford Expedition before that and had the 4 wheel drive. (I swear I get the lemons with certain Fords). Had a Ford Windstar mini van before the expedition. (which was lemonish too)

Umm yeah we have all Fords.. When my fil was alive he worked in a Ford dealership so we got great deals..

[newfiemountiewife]

I have a 2008 Chev Uplander with the extended wheel base. After our last van, the Chev Venture, we realized it was too small, since it was just the regular size, it had NO space behind the seats whatsoever. I have two full sized carseats and a backless booster, but there would be space for another full sized carseat if I needed it. I have the Captains chairs in the center, and because the van is longer, there is more space inside the van also, so everyone is not crammed in like sardines.

I love it, but they don't make them anymore, last year was the last year for those vans.

I highly recommend, if you get a van, that you get one with the extended wheel base. There is actually space back there to put stuff! I put all of our luggage and stuff back there when we travel, and I have 3 kids.

[lizzyfizzy]

I drive a 2005 Chevy Uplanderwith all the bells and whistles. It's the exact same GM van as the Saturn Van. No good. Hate it. lol BUT...we paid cash so I don't complain. Much.

My dream is a Lincoln Navigator. I'm hoping that after I finish school it can be a grad gift.

eta: Jamie...we have the same Van, except yours is newer. Hopefully yours will do better than mine did.

[lizzyfizzy]

Originally Posted by DawnMarch

If you are considering the Toyota Sienna, be sure to check out the KIA Sedona. I was SURE I wanted a Sienna, but after Consumer Reports named the Sedona the safest mini-van, we decided to take a look at it. It had ALL of the same features as the Siena, for about $15,000 less. We love our Sedona.

I would love a Sedona, but they just don't hold any value. :sigh: I wish they did.

[BrattyMeg]

the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna have the same features on the inside but the sienna is about 8k cheaper (We've looked at both--both stow and go..storage..optional bench or captain chairs, etc) just the sienna doesn't come standard leather and the odyssey does..shrug

[lizzyfizzy]

i just need automatic sliding doors and seat warmers...love the toasty buns.

[pbumbaca]

I can tell you you definitely don't want an H3. You can barely fit 3 people across the backseat and it's tight. No 3rd row either!

[mummytothree]

Thanks for all the suggestions and insight guys!!! I've look up a few of those and was nicely suprised to see that the Sienna has an 8 passenger van and the 8th seat (3 "captain's" chairs in the second row) can be removed if needed!! The gas mile on it was pretty good too!!!

[lovely1m]

I have a Ford Windstar. Its great and yes, the captains chairs in the second row are necessary, I had my nieces this summer and it was tight, but I was able to haul 5 kids with 3 in carseats easily.

[junebug]

Originally Posted by kscwgirl

I drive an escape, which is def. not big enough for you.

i have Escape too!!! an '07. i REALLY want an new Hybrid one, but can't justify trading mine in and then owing even more than i already do. my 3 kids' carseats just barely all fit in the seat. i sort of wish i had gone with an suv with a third row seat. we did have a van; a ford windstar. i really liked it. it had the captains chairs in the middle row. but we had to let it go cause we couldnt' afford two $600 car payments for that and the escape together.

[rach3975]

We have the Honda Odyssey. There are 2 Captain's chairs in the 2nd row that hold carseats for my littler 2 and a 3-seat bench in the back. We use it for 1 carseat, but it could easily hold 2 as long as you don't need to sit anyone between them. We have a removable seat that allows you to fit 3 in the 2nd row, but it cuts off access to the 3rd row

[Angie4b1g]

2009 Town and Country Touring.

I love it more than potato chips. But less than chocolate.

[rachelv]

We had a honda oddysey. Loved it!!!

Now we have a yukon. I too have three in car seats. I would be able to fit all three across on the second row, but I have a teenager so we have to stick the one in his booster seat in the far back. It's really a pain When the teen isn't in the car with us, my ds moves his booster to her seat.

I can't fit my double jogging stroller in if I have all of the seats in the yukon. There just isn't enough room.

Wish I had my odyssey back

[my4boys]

I have a Ford Expedition and LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it. I have 4 boys and a dog...got plenty of room. There are a few blind spots that drive me nuts but I am getting used to it. I have heard that the new Ford Taurus (the Crossover version) is really great and I think it seats 7, not too sure though. I looks good too

[LibbysMommy]

I drive a Honda Accord and I loooove it!! It's a bit crowded now that we have a carrier along with the carseat in the backseat, but that's only the backseat that's a bit crowded. We're a Honda and Toyota family, so I'm thinking our next vehicle will probably be either the Odyssey or the Sienna, especially when we decide to have baby number 3

[Laura_A]

I have a Dodge Grand Caravan and I really LOVE it! I can see how it might be hard with 4, but once 2 of them are big enough to buckle themselves, it should be great. I can't imagine driving anything bigger than that. lol

[Denise Umlauf]

I had a Honda Fit but we sold it a couple of months ago. Now I drive my dad's chevrolet Corsa.

[pbumbaca]

Originally Posted by lizzyfizzy

.

My dream is a Lincoln Navigator. I'm hoping that after I finish school it can be a grad gift.

Fizz, I'd love a Nav too but I'm NOT going back to school to get it!