Question Best cars for 3-4 kids

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butterflymama7

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #1

I don't know if we'll be able to swing it but maybe, possibly, with some insane luck, we'll be able to get a bigger car in a year. I have an 8 year old so he fits in any car. But also 2 (and maybe 3) little ones. Extended rear facing. I'm figuring a minivan would be the best option. I don't know, but Id like to start looking around and I just definitely know that 3 across is gonna be right and a 4th would of course be impossible. I've never been "into" minivans. But the bigger SUVs are gas hogs. Can you help make suggestions?

 

1mommy

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #2

I was curious about the same thing. I was thinking maybe a crossover isn't so "minivan-ish" but isn't a gas guzzling SUV either. I'm curious to know what other options there are for 3 rows of seats?

 

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TXmom2

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #3

We love our pilot, but it can be tricky at times. A minivan would probably be easier

 

featherhead

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #4

Have you ever driven a minivan? DH didn't want one either. Then he drove a couple Odysseys.

 

2angels2love

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #5

I love my ford flex and always always recommend it to anybody looking for a vehicle with a third row. Very carseat/kid friendly.

 

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TXmom2

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #6

I'm wishing for a nice minivan with auto sliding doors. Of course my oldest two keep saying "Mom, please don't get a minivan" LOL

 

tl01

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #7

TXmom2 said:

I'm wishing for a nice minivan with auto sliding doors. Of course my oldest two keep saying "Mom, please don't get a minivan" LOL

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They aren't as bad as you think they are. Just test drive one for fun!

 

1mommy

New member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #8

I've always hated the sliding doors since I got my hand caught in one as a child, my mom actually got a Honda odyssey back in the day that has no sliding doors (still has it). I'm very klutzy so I don't like sliding doors, lol.

 

featherhead

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2013

• #9

1mommy said:

I've always hated the sliding doors since I got my hand caught in one as a child, my mom actually got a Honda odyssey back in the day that has no sliding doors (still has it). I'm very klutzy so I don't like sliding doors, lol.

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That's what we have too, a really old Odyssey as that's what we could afford. It drives like a car!

 

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jjordan

Moderator

• Sep 7, 2013

• #10

I super-duper love our power sliding doors on our minivan. In general you'll get more cargo &/or passenger space, better gas mileage, and a lower price for a minivan compared to a similarly-sized SUV. A small non-minivan option (as opposed to SUV non-minivan options, which tend to be large) is a Mazda 5. From what I've heard it is nice for passengers but not great for cargo space if you'll be needing to load it up with people AND luggage for trips.

 

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butterflymama7

New member

• Sep 8, 2013

• #11

Yeah, I'm thinking we'll definitely need to go the minivan route. 5 people, 2 dogs and camping gear. We started having to leave the dogs behind with baby #2.

 

akcowgirl

New member

• Sep 8, 2013

• #12

Just FYI my best friend had 5 people and a 2012 Chrysler town & country with stow and go. There is still no way she could get her family, 2 dogs and a families worth of camping gear in there.

 

thepote

New member

• Sep 8, 2013

• #13

akcowgirl said:

Just FYI my best friend had 5 people and a 2012 Chrysler town & country with stow and go. There is still no way she could get her family, 2 dogs and a families worth of camping gear in there.

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Yeah - plan for a trailer or very large roof rack for that. Our Odyssey tows our pop up camper with all of our camping gear and the car is still full!

 

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butterflymama7

New member

• Sep 8, 2013

• #14

I have a roof rack on my car now. I figure I'll always have one. Bike rack on the back too. Nothing will be big enough. Lol

 

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Guest

New member

• Sep 9, 2013

• #15

My back thanks me for getting a minivan.

And the Town and Country/Caravan are like 7/8ths the size of the Odyssey or Sienna. The Quest is like all the negatives of a minivan (to the extreme) but only like 1 of the advantages.