Home Moms: what kind of car do you have?

[janinegirly]

Now that I''m in the ''burbs, have to get a family friendly car..something practical, but not TOO practical.

What did you and your family decide?

 

[janinegirly]

I guess I would term this as your "main car" since I know many have multiple cars these days..

 

[february2003bride]

I have a Toyota Sienna minivan and love it!! I never thought I wold drive a minivan, but when we couldn't fit our 3 kiddos in their infant seast, carseat and booster seat in my Toyota Highlander, we gave in, sold it and bought a Sienna. I love it! I have the 8 seater and being able to configure different seats is awesome. It's such a safe minivan, we'll drive it until it dies (and then I'll probably replace it with another minivan), we can carpool other kids, we can fit all of our kid's sports items in the back. We have the LE-8 model with the safety package, but several friends of ours have the XLE and it's VERY luxurious!!

We know several people who are also very happy with the Honda Odyssey!

ETA: DH drives a VW Passat and while we love it (and I drive it when I don't have to take the kiddos with me) there's no elbow room for the kids in the back! They are definitely squished back there.

 

[Burk]

We have 2 SUV's. The one I drive is an Acura MDX. Don't know what category that falls into on your poll so I didn't vote. We love it. It has an optional third row and a lot of room, but doesn't feel like I'm driving a bus. It gets good gas mileage.

 

[janinegirly]

Acura apparently falls under luxury SUV (going by US News & World rankings). More affordable SUV''s are termed as ones like Ford, Honda, Toyota (these are top rated in that category).

 

[neatfreak]

We have a Scion XB right now (newer body style)-which has served it''s purpose very well. We''ll be adding a 2nd car soon when we move to a more suburban place this summer and I think we are going to get a Subaru Outback wagon.

If we NEEDED an SUV-we''d get a Toyota Highlander.

We''re not much into luxury cars-just not our thing.

 

[TravelingGal]

affordable for us. We have two Fords - one is a mustang convertible bought in my single days and our family car is a fully loaded Ford Freestyle (not to be confused with the Ford Freestar minivan). I love the freestar...it''s a "crossover" with the volvo XC70 platform I think. I like supporting the domestic product (which my asian friends think is kind of funny so hardly any of them buy domestic cars) if the product is good. We also got it because I got a great deal on it - my bargaining skills really embarrassed TGuy who doesn''t have the first clue about negotiating. I left the negotiating table two times (on two different days) and the third attempt/day, we made a deal. 3K under invoice and 7K below sticker price if my memory serves me correcty. Plus 0% financing for 5 years.

I wouldn''t have minded the Honda Odyssey either. Minivan sliding doors come in SO handy when the baby is being taken in and out using the Snap and Go type systems.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

I drive a Ford Five Hundred (now the Taurus) and I love it. When I bought it in 2005 I didn''t think I''d ever have children, but with it''s large backseat and trunk it''s a perfect fit. Could easily fit two more carseats in the back

Hubby drives a two-door Honda Civic = no room for baby.

 

[packrat]

We have an 04 Escape. I''ve been on the 4 year plan-trading in my vehicle for brand new every 4 years..but last year we didn''t want to spend the $, and this year''s not looking too promising either. I wanted the new Kia Borrega or whatever it''s called..something bigger than what I have now but less expensive than some of the others. Husband has an 01 Dodge Dakota, and a Mazda pickup we got from my parents..he uses it for work and trapping..painted it camouflage..all decked out w/spotlights and a rack for the animals..it''s interesting, I''ll give it that!

 

[Blenheim]

We have a Toyota Matrix and a Toyota Rav4.

 

[GoingCrazy]

Ford Edge

 

[Mandarine]

This is a good thread Janine!

I can tell you what we have now but that''s about to change (we both have sport/luxury cars....2-doors and one of them -mine- is a convertible). So obviously that''s not going to work with two on the way!.

I''m looking at different options for either affordable or luxury SUVs. So far I like:
-Acura MDX (my sister has it and loves it)
-The Volvo SUV (I forget the Model)
-Explorer (DH wants me to get this one, but it seems like it''s too bulky!)
-Toyota 4Runner

I think Nissan also has one large USV that I like...not the Muraon because I think those don''t have much space in the back...

What are you leaning towards?.

 

[qtiekiki]

We have a Honda Pilot (mid-size SUV) and a Acura RDX (crossover). The Pilot we got under invoice price a few years ago. The RDX we got last year to replace DH''s BMW coupe. DH actually has a compact convertible seat and a booster seat in his backseat since he helps pick our nephew up from school. The last seat is still roomy, but the seatbelt is hard to buckle. The Pilot can fit more carseats with no problem.

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 5/11/2009 5:20:22 PM
Author: Mandarine
This is a good thread Janine!

I can tell you what we have now but that''s about to change (we both have sport/luxury cars....2-doors and one of them -mine- is a convertible). So obviously that''s not going to work with two on the way!.

I''m looking at different options for either affordable or luxury SUVs. So far I like:
-Acura MDX (my sister has it and loves it)
-The Volvo SUV (I forget the Model)
-Explorer (DH wants me to get this one, but it seems like it''s too bulky!)
-Toyota 4Runner

I think Nissan also has one large USV that I like...not the Muraon because I think those don''t have much space in the back...

What are you leaning towards?.

Mandarine- take an infant seat with you and try installing them in the car before you purchase. I haven''t heard good things about the Toyota 4Runner or the Ford Explorer in terms of carseat installation! I''ve read that it''s very hard, if not impossible, to get a good, tight, carseat installation!

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 5/11/2009 1:55:32 PM
Author: TravelingGal
affordable for us. We have two Fords - one is a mustang convertible bought in my single days and our family car is a fully loaded Ford Freestyle (not to be confused with the Ford Freestar minivan). I love the freestar...it''s a ''crossover'' with the volvo XC70 platform I think. I like supporting the domestic product (which my asian friends think is kind of funny so hardly any of them buy domestic cars) if the product is good. We also got it because I got a great deal on it - my bargaining skills really embarrassed TGuy who doesn''t have the first clue about negotiating. I left the negotiating table two times (on two different days) and the third attempt/day, we made a deal. 3K under invoice and 7K below sticker price if my memory serves me correcty. Plus 0% financing for 5 years.

I wouldn''t have minded the Honda Odyssey either. Minivan sliding doors come in SO handy when the baby is being taken in and out using the Snap and Go type systems.

And that''s a huge reason why I love my Sienna minivan!

 

[Burk]

Date: 5/11/2009 5:20:22 PM
Author: Mandarine
This is a good thread Janine!


I can tell you what we have now but that''s about to change (we both have sport/luxury cars....2-doors and one of them -mine- is a convertible). So obviously that''s not going to work with two on the way!.


I''m looking at different options for either affordable or luxury SUVs. So far I like:

-Acura MDX (my sister has it and loves it)

-The Volvo SUV (I forget the Model)

-Explorer (DH wants me to get this one, but it seems like it''s too bulky!)

-Toyota 4Runner


I think Nissan also has one large USV that I like...not the Muraon because I think those don''t have much space in the back...


What are you leaning towards?.

We have the MDX and LOVE it. Lots of room for future babies for us. We also test drove the Nissan Armada and DH liked it but the MDX won out. Good luck!

 

[chrono]

We started out with a luxury SUV to haul all the baby gear, diaper boxes, etc. Now that they are older, we've moved on to a 4 door sporty luxury car but it has all wheel drive for winter driving.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Just leased the honda odessey...used to have infiniti fx and with the car seats was sitting in the steering wheel!

 

[pennquaker09]

We have a Mercedes GL550 and a BMW 535i.

 

[sba771]

We are not in the burbs yet but will end up with either a Volvo station wagon which is what I really really want OR a Toyota Highlander but it would be the hybrid. I am not that comfy driving something so big so I will also look at the Rav4, but I have a feeling we will end up with bigger.

 

[Pandora II]

We have a Toyota Prius - in London they are great as we are exempt from the Congestion Charge and also don''t pay various other taxes. Plus they''re very economical on petrol (which is around $10 a gallon over here...) and have a really good sized boot that our pram will fit in.

We weren''t sure what it would be like before we went to see it, but we would honestly get one again as it''s such a nice car.

SUV''s in London are an absolute no-no and you have to pay extra to have one (the Congestion Charge is around $40 a day compared with $15 for a normal car).

 

[musey]

Date: 5/12/2009 12:40:38 PM
Author: Pandora II
We have a Toyota Prius

That's what we have (disclaimer: we're not parents yet) and would stick with it for kids. We have a few parent friends that use it as their kid-toting car and it works for them.

Right now it's my husband's car, and mine is a Jeep

that I've been driving since my senior year of high school. The difference in our gas consumption is absolutely disgusting. Nothing is higher priority to us in a car than environmental friendliness and affordability (in that order).

 

[sbde]

we have a BMW sedan right now and it works because baby''s carseat fits in the middle of the back seat and there''s enough room in the trunk for stroller and other things. eventually we will likely add somthing like an MDX to the mix because i don''t think the beemer will work once we have another baby.

 

[MustangGal]

I have a Hyundai Sante Fe, the newer body style. It can seat 7 (I''ve sat in teh 3rd row and it''s not that bad), and we even tow our ten trailer with it. I average 25 mpg in both city and highway, and it''s easy to get the baby in and out.

I would love the Hyundai Veracruz, it''s just a tad bigger than the Sante Fe, but is more on the luxury side.

 

[vizsla]

good poll - it's sooo interesting... i love cars vs. owners.. some seem to fit and some don't

DH and i live in the city (not a big big city.. but a city) so a SUV is not practical for us. however, we are expecting in october and i have an ultra cute 2 door GTI that i luuuuuuvvv - unfortunately we have to sell it

(i love my car! - peppy, small and fun to drive).
DH has a ford F150 - but he is a carpenter and needs a truck for work.

anyhoodles to answer your question, we've debated for months on what *new* car would fit all of our wants. it's been hard. we want all of the bells and whistles of my car (turbo, fun to dive, sunroof, heated seats, good cargo room, place for dog and now, baby) long ramble short we are buying a volvo v50 turbo this weekend. small enough to still feel 'cool' driving it (not like a total mom wagon ;P)- still peppy - but super safe and plenty of room without being cumbersome to drive in the city (we don't even have a driveway) actually, the only cars we looked at were 'sport wagons' - i think they are the cat's meow.. everything without the high gas $$.

 

[fabienne]

We just got a used (2004) Honda Pilot about three days ago. This will probably be my car since it will fit all the kids and DH will take the 1998 Chevy Malibu.

 

[VegasAngel]

Date: 5/12/2009 4:55:26 PM
Author: MustangGal
I have a Hyundai Sante Fe, the newer body style. It can seat 7 (I''ve sat in teh 3rd row and it''s not that bad), and we even tow our ten trailer with it. I average 25 mpg in both city and highway, and it''s easy to get the baby in and out.

I would love the Hyundai Veracruz, it''s just a tad bigger than the Sante Fe, but is more on the luxury side.

I have a (07'') Sante Fe too I like it, absolutely no problems with it.

My husband drives an Infiniti coupe. My daughter likes to drive in my husbands car when we can since we arent in it often & it''s something different for her. When a light turns green she tells him faster dada faster, faster!

 

[Camille]

I''d love to go back to sedan, w/2 kids isn''t going to happen soon, voted luxury SUV due to my work.

 

[pennquaker09]

I really wanted to buy a hybrid, and the front runner was the Lexus RX. And while I think it would have been big enough for the twins, I know we''re having more kids and we will still have this car.

The only thing about the RX is that they are a dime a dozen. That doesn''t bother me, but I know that some people don''t like have what everyone else has.

In terms of luxury SUVs, I will admit that it''s the Escalade then the Navigator and then everything else.

 

[TBjumper]

No kiddos for us yet (lets get through the wedding first

) but it sounds like we are the odd ball couple with 2 4x4''s. FI has a work truck and I have a 05 Titan 4x4... it is honestly the smallest truck I have owned. Bought new and love it. We have to have a truck due to the horse trailer, and it’s not the greatest on gas.....

Sooooooo we just bought a used 2001 Saab SE Turbo Convertible

(No one has even mentioned Saab yet) While not the norm, super fun 5 speed great on gas and we practically stole it for what we paid. Besides FI thinks conv. are "chick cars" so guess who gets to drive it all the time?