KnittingTigers
New member
Hi everyone,
I'd love your BTDT thoughts on newish used minivans. We're currently doing 3 across in a 2004 Accord, and considering sizing up. Here's our situation and criteria:
- 3 kids in seats: 20 month twins in RFing Radians, 6 year old harnassed FFing in a Britax Frontier. I'm willing to swap out the Frontier for something else because it's old and I hate it, but the Radians are new and I don't want to replace them. I'm looking for ease of getting the twins in and out with the assumption that they'll be RFing for several more years, and a situation in which the 6y.o. can get herself in and out for drop off relatively easily (she can buckle herself in and out of the harness straps on her Frontier). Would like to be able to regularly carry a third adult, and occasionally carry an additional child in a booster (playdates for 6y.o., etc.).
- At least 20 mpg. We currently get about 24 or 25 in our Accord, and I don't want to go too far below that.
- DP wants decent storage space, and is pushing hard for an SUV over a minivan. I'm pretty committed to a van, both from an ease of use and mileage standpoint. Give me the data to prove me right! Day to day, it would be nice to put our big stroller in the back without breaking it down completely. For long trips, we want storage for all our suitcases, gear, strollers, etc.
- Budget: we'd like to keep it under $20K, and I'd like to find something no more than 4 or 5 years old, with no more than 50,000 miles.
Thoughts? Suggestions? I know that the Odyssey and the Sienna are pretty much the gold standards. Are they worth it? And what should I be thinking about/looking for in terms of ease of use, etc.?
Thanks!
I'd love your BTDT thoughts on newish used minivans. We're currently doing 3 across in a 2004 Accord, and considering sizing up. Here's our situation and criteria:
- 3 kids in seats: 20 month twins in RFing Radians, 6 year old harnassed FFing in a Britax Frontier. I'm willing to swap out the Frontier for something else because it's old and I hate it, but the Radians are new and I don't want to replace them. I'm looking for ease of getting the twins in and out with the assumption that they'll be RFing for several more years, and a situation in which the 6y.o. can get herself in and out for drop off relatively easily (she can buckle herself in and out of the harness straps on her Frontier). Would like to be able to regularly carry a third adult, and occasionally carry an additional child in a booster (playdates for 6y.o., etc.).
- At least 20 mpg. We currently get about 24 or 25 in our Accord, and I don't want to go too far below that.
- DP wants decent storage space, and is pushing hard for an SUV over a minivan. I'm pretty committed to a van, both from an ease of use and mileage standpoint. Give me the data to prove me right! Day to day, it would be nice to put our big stroller in the back without breaking it down completely. For long trips, we want storage for all our suitcases, gear, strollers, etc.
- Budget: we'd like to keep it under $20K, and I'd like to find something no more than 4 or 5 years old, with no more than 50,000 miles.
Thoughts? Suggestions? I know that the Odyssey and the Sienna are pretty much the gold standards. Are they worth it? And what should I be thinking about/looking for in terms of ease of use, etc.?
Thanks!