Car pros--please give me some direction.
I need a newer vehicle. I'd like a small to midsize SUV (getting rid of a large mini van that is just too big for me to drive/park, although I like the space and passengers I can haul). I need to be able to fit 3 kids in the backseat when I want to, a large dog or two in the back (if a crate would fit, that would be a huge bonus for me!!), and be able to haul our little boat (16 ft ski boat). It's a major bonus for me if it has a third row that can pop up for kiddos when needed (doesn't have to be 3 seats, just 2 is fine).
Newer than 2002 and decent gas mileage.
I just spent a week driving my Mom's new-to-her Nissan Murano and was in love with the size of the vehicle for me to handle it, but can picture w/a large dog--the back is pretty high up and not large enough to hold a dog crate. That's a big down side for me for a day to day car.
I can manage driving a Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer, but was hoping for b/t that size and the size of the Murano. I've been looking at other Murano's, Ford Freestyle, Chevy Equinox, Hyundai Sante Fe, Kia's, etc.
I'm sure a few of you here have a lot of experience and can send me in the right direction.
(ETA and carseats/boosters do matter, as I have near 4 yr old in a harnessed seat and near 7 yr old in a high back booster. I do not mind buying new seats to make them work w/whatever vehicle, b/c it's time to replace for one of our cars anyways--they're expiring)
Thank you!!!
henrietta
I need a newer vehicle. I'd like a small to midsize SUV (getting rid of a large mini van that is just too big for me to drive/park, although I like the space and passengers I can haul). I need to be able to fit 3 kids in the backseat when I want to, a large dog or two in the back (if a crate would fit, that would be a huge bonus for me!!), and be able to haul our little boat (16 ft ski boat). It's a major bonus for me if it has a third row that can pop up for kiddos when needed (doesn't have to be 3 seats, just 2 is fine).
Newer than 2002 and decent gas mileage.
I just spent a week driving my Mom's new-to-her Nissan Murano and was in love with the size of the vehicle for me to handle it, but can picture w/a large dog--the back is pretty high up and not large enough to hold a dog crate. That's a big down side for me for a day to day car.
I can manage driving a Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer, but was hoping for b/t that size and the size of the Murano. I've been looking at other Murano's, Ford Freestyle, Chevy Equinox, Hyundai Sante Fe, Kia's, etc.
I'm sure a few of you here have a lot of experience and can send me in the right direction.
(ETA and carseats/boosters do matter, as I have near 4 yr old in a harnessed seat and near 7 yr old in a high back booster. I do not mind buying new seats to make them work w/whatever vehicle, b/c it's time to replace for one of our cars anyways--they're expiring)
Thank you!!!
henrietta
