For one of these:
Honda Odyssey
or these:
Toyota Sienna
or should we splurge on one of these:
Toyota Sequoia
or these:
Chevy Suburban
Here's the rundown:
Whenever we have another baby, our VW Jetta just ain't gonna cut it. Granted, we still have a little while to think about this decision, but I would love your input. We travel a lot and we barely have enough space to pack everything up and leave room for Caleb. So, we are debating on what we should buy. Whatever we buy next, we will be keeping for a lonnng time...that is why we are trying to get something that has plenty of seating and storage. The vans are around $25-$35K. I have heard they are nice because you don't have to worry about your kids slamming the persons car beside you, plus they are more affordable and get better gas mileage...but, I'm still in my early 20's and as vain as it may sound, I just feel too young to own a van! My sister has already vowed to never own one, haha. Do any of you have vans? Do you wish you would have gotten an SUV? What do you like/dislike about your van?
The SUV:
Of course it is more stylish (in my vain opinion). It is $40-50K and gets pretty much the worst gas mileage that you can get. On that note, besides buying a bus, these hold the most people and stuff! I could go thrifting and be able to stick that hutch I have been eyeing right into the back of my vehicle! All 6 of our kids will be able to fit (hahaha)- and we will be able to travel through any snow storm that comes our way (we actually did get stuck in a snow storm this winter and this vehicle would have been a huge help). What do you guys like/dislike about your large SUV? Would you recommend it?
I hope you all have a fabulous Friday. Caleb and I are hitting up two farmers markets in the morning! Hoping to score some fresh strawberries and radishes :)
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9 comments:
I have a Ford Expedition. I LOVE my Expedition. It is very roomy. We have no issues with having 3 car seats across the middle row of seats. The back can hold has much as the suburban can as long as the seat is folded down. When its up there is really very little room. That is why we will be looking for a suburban once Paul gets home from the deployment. Since we will will be TTC we thing we will need a bigger vehicle. The expedition works for three kids nicely but once you move on to baby #4 the storage is no longer adequate because you have to use the 3rd row seat all the time.
I am 32 and I really don't want to be a mini van mom. I had a mini van 6 years ago. I admit it was wonderful and I loved my mini van up until the day it died! So I know I could drive one but I would rather try to avoid it!
I LOVE my diesel Ford Excursion!!! While I didn't really like the thought of it at first (I wanted a truck), I actually love it more than a truck. We can fit our 3 (soon to be 4) kiddos in it w/o any problems and there is plenty of room for the carseats, plus a huge "trunk" area (fits our double side-by-side stroller easily with room to spare)! You can also take the rear seat out so you can fit larger things (think of a short bed truck). We got a large rolling footlocker, rolling duffel bag, carry-on, and a ruck sack in the back with no problem. You do have to keep in mind though that diesels don't like cold weather and you have to treat them a lil differently. You have to use fuel additive that keeps the thicker diesel fuel from gelling up and use the block heater (if you do that you should be good). We moved from Leonard Wood to Knox pulling a 20,000 lb trailer without having to refuel.
I would have to recommend though that if you go with a Ford Diesel, get an older 7.3L engine. The one they made afterward have alot more problems and steer clear of the 6.0L.
I also vowed to never have a mini-van, and now I wish I had one!! I have a Chevy Trailblazer, and I think a mini-van would be better than most SUVs b/c you can fit kids AND their friends/gear inside.
You have to look farther down the road. No matter how stylish that SUV looks, it might not fit your needs in 4 years. Just a thought from someone who wished she'd planned that far ahead. ;)
We'll have to get a minivan if we ever have another baby....
If you think an SUV will really make you happier, why not compromise and get the Toyota Highlander hybrid? It gets better gas mileage and isn't really more expensive, especially if you consider the long-term benefits. We've always had Toyotas and I can guarantee it will last forever, if you need it to :)
I have a van, a Kia Sedona and I love it. I really enjoy the automatic doors, great for getting short people in and out of the car when your hands are full.
I really thought I would feel too old having a van too, but I don't. The make the vans so much nicer looking now.
My van is so nice for travel. I get pretty great gas mileage. My only problem with my van is that we have six people in our family, so if we take a long trip it can get cramped with all the stuff, but that's a problem easily solved. My suggestions would be to get bucket seats in the van not bench seats. And for the extra long trips a dvd player is nice.
Aside for that go with what you love...if you don't like the idea of it now that's probably not going to change later.
I am completely pro-minivan! we LOVE ours and if anything ever happens to it we will get another one. It holds more stuff than the SUVS I have seen. You can put in a double jogger without collapsing it at all. LOVE our minivan!!! Love the sliding doors, gas mileage is good, seats very easy to change around to suit your needs. You can also climb in, buckle the baby(s) and then climb into the front...very nice on a rainy day!
well since i have vowed never to own a van I am saying yay for the SUV! I also love toyota and the sequioa or highlander are great! I do understand the practicality of a van and my parents love theirs, but i am with you in the vanity part. good luck!
My only input is to not buy anything new. It is a waste of money...as soon as you drive off the lot, your vehicle depreciates at least $10,000! Oh, wait, I have more input :) I will never have a van....but the next suv I get will have a third row option....I like the GMC Acadia, personally! ;)
I would love to have a minivan, my husband is very anti that, so we went with a mini-mini SUV, got the Kia Soul. I really wouldn't even call it an SUV, but it is designed like one. It is small, but I love it! If you are planning on another kid though, I would not suggest it, we are a tight fight. Actually, going to some friends house tomorrow for an overnight visit, and with all the stuff I need to bring for myself and baby, and my husband wanting to bring a bunch of extra stuff, we're taking both our cars!!!! Thankfully we are only going 1 hour away. Anyway, all that said, I vote for the minivan :)
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