Growing family, new car

[InchByInch]

God willing, we'd love to have another child soon, but this means our current vehicle will no longer suffice-- it's a truck that can only fit two car seats, and we already have two girls. So I have a couple of questions about buying a vehicle if/when the time comes to do so.

First, I've heard enough peak oil stuff to make me wonder if the purchase is even wise. It would suck to buy a new car this year and then, next year, see an alternatively-powered vehicle hit the market that would be so much better. Does anyone know the likelihood of this?

Second, if I do decide to buy, what's a good model? We buy new, but I would love to find a fairly frugal model that's big on safety.

P.S. Public transportation is not an option in my area, and my kids are way too young to bicycle with me anywhere. So I have to have some kind of vehicle.

[dogmom327]

I have a 2007 Honda CR-V. It's a good size and a good value for the money (decent MPG, good resale, good safety ratings, quality construction, etc.).

[holidaymama]

Well I hope I don't get flamed, but we are kind of in the same position...as well as having a dog and my hubby's old car finally died this fall.

We ended up buying a Ford Expedition...now it is true that the gas mileage is HORRIBLE!!! HOWEVER, it was $8500 and we will have it paid off in May (we are double paying and sticking our entire tax refund to it)

The way we see it is it is not our commuter vehicle...we all pile in the car (a 2001 pontiac bonneville) which is a pretty big car and could fit an extra seat for commuting purposes...we drive 20 miles to work and daycare.

So, we have the big truck for longer drives, hauling things as we fix up our house on our own...for example we laid laminate floors. And we use it to go to MN from here in TX.

It's worth it to us...especially since it will be paid off so soon...anyway...long answer but we LOVE our Ford Expedition...it has room for 8 people and the third row is the same size as the second and fits 3 people back there.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

It would suck to buy a new car this year and then, next year, see an alternatively-powered vehicle hit the market that would be so much better

You are not even pregnant yet, right? So you don't have to buy a new vehicle this year. You can wait and see.

If you get pregnant tomorrow, the baby won't be due until December. The 2010 models will already be out then. That will buy you some time.

Is this a truck cab that you have your two girls in, or the backseat of a truck cab?

Because if it is the backseat, they make those super skinny car seats -- Sunshine Kids Radians -- for people who drive things like Prius and Civics. I know plenty of people who have been able to fit three of those skinny things in the backseat of cars that otherwise would only hold two. They are made out of steel instead of plastic so they are designed for that.

Radians are pretty pricey $$$$ but if that would allow you to keep your truck another year or two, buying those steel carseats instead of a new car would save you a lot of money.

[USAmma]

I agree about wait and see. I have a 99 Honda CRV that I love! We bought it used through AAA buying service and got a great deal, plus it had been inspected and was certified to be a good car. It fits 3 carseats in the back. My car is just hitting 100,000 miles and still going strong.

[Drummer's Wife]

yeah, I'd wait until you need a bigger vehicle. There are a lot of options to fit 3 car seats.

We are shopping (somewhat, not in a big hurry) but need an 8 seater, so much more limited.

FWIW, the Nissan Pathfinder DH drives fits 3 carseats in the 2nd row. We are considering a # of SUV's (don't kick me off MDC ) including an Armada and Sequoia.

With 3 LO's in your future, I'd be looking at minivans, honda or toyota would be my preference.

[sbrinton]

We have a subaru forrester and we can fit 3 carseats across the back. We get about 24mpg and the car is the safest suv out there. It is awesome in the snow, fun to drive always, and really practical. The back is big enough for a stroller and groceries.

Subarus last forever too - if you take care of them they can easily run for more than 200,000 miles. Our forrester is from 2004 and we already have nearly 100,000 miles. It runs better than new! We're planning on driving it for at least 5 more years. We haven't had any major repairs either.

FWIW, it is possible to get 3 carseats across the back of legacys, imprezas/WRXs, and tribecas as well.

To fit 3 carseats across the back, the carseats cannot be more than a total of 54" wide. The Sunshine Kids Radian and the Safeguard Go Hybrid Booster both work well. Most infant seats work as well as the smaller britax models. We currently have one Safeguard Go, on Britax infant seat and one Britax Roundabout...these add up to 53" of the 54" inches available.

[vm9799]

we have a newer honda odyssey and we LOVE it! plenty of room! we almost got the crv, but with carpooling, sleepovers, and vacations, we decided we like having much more room.

dh drives a honda accord which we also love, but i'm not sure if it's big enough for 3 kids....i only have 2.

we are clearly "honda people" though and wouldn't own anything else.

[Rev1053]

Our family car is a VW Golf. I have to buy two new car seats to make everyone fit...

I guess I would wait for you to become pregnant. When that happens start looking at used cars. See whats out there used. Your driving a truck now ? So really just getting a car would save you tons in gas. I wouldn't necessarily buy the newest flex fuel vehicle in a year.

[herwitsend]

yeah, I'd wait until you need a bigger vehicle. There are a lot of options to fit 3 car seats.

I fit 2 carseats and a high back booster across the back of my 08 civic!

[InchByInch]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Just to clarify, we're not buying any car until we definitely need to-- i.e. when I get pregnant! The truck will be paid off in August, and we have no intention of trading it in before then, anyway.

The girls' car seats are currently in the truck cab, and both are Britax-- I forget which models, but they're both humongous. I really like them, though, and would rather not replace them. I forgot to say earlier, too, that we are open to having even more children someday (as in, more than three) if that's God's plan for us, so a good-quality 8-seater might be our most sensible option.

So I guess an SUV or van would be best... but I remember as a teenager vowing never to own a minivan. LOL! I'm going to sound completely naive here, but... why are SUVs so evil?

[vm9799]

Originally Posted by InchByInch

So I guess an SUV or van would be best... but I remember as a teenager vowing never to own a minivan. LOL!

me too! but let me tell you, my odyssey is nicer than any other vehicle i've ever owned.....this includes several suv's and an audi. i even prefer it over my inlaw's pilot! it literally has everything i'd ever want/need and it drives like my hubby's accord and not like a truck....which i don't miss at all from my previous suv's. i'm a total minivan convert now. well, as my dh says, "we're not "minivan" people, we're "odyssey" people!" because apparently there's a BIG difference! LOL! i also hear that the toyota sienna is very nice as well.....although i've never driven one, or even been in one for that matter.

[Rev1053]

Originally Posted by InchByInch

I forgot to say earlier, too, that we are open to having even more children someday (as in, more than three) if that's God's plan for us, so a good-quality 8-seater might be our most sensible option.

I honestly don't see the need to buying an 8-seater yet. When you get pregnant again look at buying a car or a SUV if thats what you want. But at the earliest you would need an 8-seater vehicle in 2+ years. Meaning You would have to have at least 2 more kids till that is needed.
Save your money. Buy a cheaper car or SUV when the baby comes and wait till you get to the point of having 4 kids before you "invest" in an 8-seater van.
JIMO

Oh and I think the dislike of SUV's steams from the fact that they are gas hogs, HUGE (I personally am terrified of getting in an accident with one) and in my opinion way overpriced. Its your decision if you want to spend your money on one.

[Drummer's Wife]

I also said I'd never own a mini-van. But then I had 3 kids crammed in the back of a mazda protege and I dreamed about getting one. I really, really did and was so happy when we finally traded our small ride in for an MPV. I got over the mom car thing, who cares? You are a mom of more than one kid, and a minivan is often the most practical solution.

The SUV guilt is environmental.

[kdabbler]

Originally Posted by InchByInch

So I guess an SUV or van would be best... but I remember as a teenager vowing never to own a minivan. LOL! I'm going to sound completely naive here, but... why are SUVs so evil?

Dh feels the same way Despite his age, he still secretly wants to have the appearance of a DINK (double income, no kids)

SUVs "are evil" due to their reputation as gas hogs. Not all are, but most.

Like the others, there is no need to get a car yet until you are pg. And even then, you might be able to switch things up a bit by getting a carseat with a smaller footprint.

As for peak oil and getting an alternative fuel car, I'm on this company's mailing list. This is my dream car for dh's commute. (I take public transport to work.) My October 2008 newsletter from them says that they expect to take orders in mid-2009 and start manufacture in the US in 2010. The American model is supposed to seat six. Enough to fit 3 car seats in the back, maybe.

[vm9799]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

I also said I'd never own a mini-van. But then I had 3 kids crammed in the back of a mazda protege and I dreamed about getting one. I really, really did and was so happy when we finally traded our small ride in for an MPV. I got over the mom car thing, who cares? You are a mom of more than one kid, and a minivan is often the most practical solution.

The SUV guilt is environmental.

:

and one other thing that i didn't mention earlier on my list of "pros" for minivan vs. suv is the sliding doors. not only are they wonderful if you've got your hands full and can just press a button and the kids can get in the van, but they also are a godsend in parking lots with getting kids out of their carseats or getting themselves out of the van.....without smacking the car parked next to you.

[suprgrl]

Have you considered a Mazda5? It has a third row. Total seating capacity = 6. So that could be 4 carseats and two adults. They are not quite a mini-van.. look more like a long Toyota Matrix.

We are in a similar position. We have a 2006 Vibe which we like, but we want more children... I am thinking we will end up with a mini-van eventually..... I am thinking we may be able to squeeze a third carseat in the back of the Vibe if I get new ones.... but then I think that if I've gotta go out and spend hundreds of dollars on new carseats I might as well just replace the Vibe with a minivan now.

[LionTigerBear]

If you're not pregnant yet, I say wait. I am 38 weeks pregnant and we will need a bigger car with the new baby. We are going ot buy it in a couple of weeks.

We are planning to buy a used KIA Sedona, because there are lots of them listed on our local craigslist for about $4000 for nice vehicles. Very affordable and highly rated for safety and reliablity. We wanted the extra room so we could have the option of being able to give a couple people a ride to church or other places along with our family.