We current drive a RAV4, which I love. However, Toby and I realized recently that come March it likely won’t fit all five of us. We don’t have a lot of money thanks to the moneypit of a house we purchased, but we need a bigger car.
And so, fine, Internet people, if you currently cart around 5 people, what do you drive? Are you happy with it? Do share any information you might have.
(Incidentally, I posted this question to Twitter, which was once super helpful for matters like this. And not to derail this update, but I am becoming increasingly more frustrated with how useless Twitter has become—at least for me. I once loved Twitter for its social interactions, which were plentiful and helpful, but now? Now it just seems like people are sending out messages without reading anyone else’s updates or responses. Less and less people seem to be replying. Less and less people seem to be reading. More and more people seem to be trying to sell me shit. I suppose that has to do with people following too many people and vice versa? I am not sure. And I can’t say it about everyone and I can’t say I’m not guilty of it as well at times. But it just seems to be… I don’t know… not what it once was. Or maybe I’m just a grumpy asshole today. And holy tangent.)
Honda Odyssey. You can pry my minivan from my cold, dead hands. I’m sure that’s not cool, or whatever, but sliding doors make everything easier.
I couldn’t care less about cool. Haha! I want ease and decent gas mileage.
We have a Mazda 5, which I call our “mini minivan”. It is way cheaper and has much better gas mileage than a regular minivan, but it is mini. I only have 2 kiddos, so probably shouldn’t have commented… but you wanted comments. The sliding doors do 100% absolutely make the any trip much better.
I’m sorry if it came off as begging for comments, not my intention at all. I was more commenting on how useless twitter has become. But I’m grumpy.
You just nailed the Twitter evolution on the head, I think. I follow a lot of people/outlets, and it’s useful when news is breaking, but it’s also much more passive. I find myself socializing more on Instagram, but a lot of my web presence has to do with sharing pictures anyway.
We don’t have five (human) family members, but we have a Highlander hybrid that I love dearly. It has an optional third row for when we have grandparents around. The hybrid part just gives it the gas mileage of a smaller SUV (22-25 mpg), but it makes a difference psychologically. And I am one of those people who swore I would never drive a minivan (no judgement on those who do, promise).
Dodge Caravan… didn’t want a minivan, but larger alternatives like a Ford Flex were just too expensive… and not as flexible (go figure). sliding doors are really nice in parking lots when dealing with 3 kiddos. We know now, that we’ll own minivans for a very long time.
Love our Honda Odyssey. Rear view camera is one of those things you will wonder how you ever drove without it.
I drive a Mazda 5. I absolutely love it. It had four regular seats. The middle row of two are far enough apart where my children can not fight. In the “back back” (as my 3 year old says) are an extra 2 seats you can put up and down. We got the car in case we have a 3rd child. I figure the oldest can go back there.
It’s small, which I love. It drives great. It has sliding doors which makes getting kids in and out a breeze.
The only downside is the small trunk space but we make due. I didn’t want a huge van. Not for the cost and not for the parking of it.
The Mazda 5 was a happy medium. It’s considered a mirco-van.
The Honda Odyssey is great for 3 kids and a dog! The sliding doors are really useful when loading the kids, especially the baby because you can pull the stroller right up next to the car. You can also open all the doors from the key fob. All of the seats come out too, which is great for transporting furniture, etc. Congrats on the baby and the new house, btw!
I wanted a minivan. My husband refused. I wanted to be married still. I caved. But now I drive a beautiful Jeep Commander. It’s fantastic. V8, four wheel drive, third row seating. The third row is so easy to drop down, you’re not getting al sweaty and breathing heavy trying to figure it out. It has all these amazing compartments and storage capabilities. I have three boys, too, and when all three were still in a form of car seat (as of a few months ago), all three fit nicely in the middle row, so we didn’t even need to have the back row up. It’s a perfect size SUV. Large to accommodate, without being painfully obnoxious to drive. I mean, i fit into compact parking spots. And, it has an amazing turn radius, you know, for an SUV. Obviously, I’m in love.
I had to come back to add that I do like the idea of sliding doors with small children. How awesome. And while I don’t have a camera, I do have rear sensors that alert me to even, like, a leaf blowing behind me. My gas mileage is okay. I get about 16ish in town (but I live in mountainous Northern California), but about 21 or so on the highway.
You guys are SO helpful. I truly appreciate the help. The Honda Odyssey seems to be a favorite both here on Twitter. (I got a few replies there in the end.) My mom drives a Toyota Sienna and seems to like it. The boys LOVE that car.
OK, I have a lot to think about. Now, to look at costs of all these puppies. We will have to pay more in insurance as well. Sigh. MONEY. It blows.
Just have Emory and Elliot do their puppy dog eye thing and Grandma will most likely give you the Sienna.
haha! Well, we already took her other car, poor woman. I am not taking another one.
Some friends of mine have–and love–a Volvo XC90. I’m sure it’s pricey but there must be a lot of used ones floating around.
I drive a Ford Freestyle, which is 6 years old now. They aren’t made anymore, but if you are looking for a second hand car…it’s a great car for 3 kids! I think the Flex is the updated version. It has 3 seats in the middle row, and 2 in the back that fold flat. When my twins were babies, we had 3 in the middle row (son was 3 yo). Now they are all into booster seats, they float around and sit whereever they like in the back two rows. Lots of room to bring cousins or friends along with us! I didn’t want a mini-van, but couldn’t fit everything in a small car-this is a crossover. And,it’s not going to be as crucial with one baby..but my double stroller measured 42 inches long when folded, and my cargo area is 44 inches long, so there was room for the stroller plus a week’s worth of groceries beside it.