What new car would you get?

pfal6

In the market for a new family car. What car would you get and how EF is it? Just doing some initial research and I thought I would start with you ladies.

*speedracer*

we have a honda civic hybrid.  it's mostly DH's car, but it's pretty green and family friendly.  my biggest complaint is that the rear seats don't fold down, so we use my car (hyundai elantra) for hauling anything long. his car's overall mpg is 48, a lot of that is freeway driving.

i liked the prius better but DH didn't like the view with the windows/hatchback. since it was his car, he got to pick, lol.

jebuell

Are you guys stopping at 2 kids or thinking about #3?  If you're just having two a car would work, I think.  I really love the Toyota Matrix.  It's roomie with good gas milage (35MPGish).  I personally LOVE and can only have hatchbacks from now on.  I can't stand trunks now that I have a car without one.  The seats can fold down to haul luggage or sports equipment or whatever.

If you are thinking of #3 or carpool with several children I would recommend a mini-van.  As non-glamorous as that is, they are a bit safer then SUVs and tend to get decent gas mileage.  I drive a Honda Odyssey for work and I love it!  We also have a Toyota Sienna at work that's, like, 8 years old and still running like new but it's not my department's van so I never get to drive it.  And if you can wait Toyota is supposed to reveal a Sienna Hybrid soon!

But if you have the money my DREAM car is the Lexus RX400h.  *drool*

papie

We have a Toyota Matrix, but I have to admit that with a second child coming, we do feel that it is a bit small.  We have only one car, that we mainly use for family outings, often OOT, and once you've put two carseats, and filled the trunk with a diaper bag, a stroller and a PnP, there isn't much breathing room left.  

I kinda dream about getting an SUV or a minivan and sell this one.  We use PT to work, so it wouldn't be that bad, right? (lol I'm trying to convince myself).   

Ms.MKBT

Not sure what size you'd like, but we had a mini Cooper and loved it. It was great on gas mileage. Our mini Cooper clubman should be here in a few weeks. It's a bit bigger with another door. Even though it's not a hybrid, we have been happy with Minis.

Tambcat

I love my honda fit, and like PP, don't think I could go back to cars w/ trunks after getting used to a hatchback.

SuperGreen

I love love LOVE my 2007 Prius, by far the best car I've ever owned.  Recalls and all. I get 46 mpg on my bumper-to-bumper commute, which technically is a mix of local and highway but I only get up to highway speeds for a few miles.  The Prius fits 5 adults comfortably and has a huge trunk and the backseats fold flat (I've fit chairs, Christmas trees, and bikes back there).  I'm sure you can fit 2 carseats in the back seat, which leaves the entire area under the hatchback for baby stuff.  The dashboard is very intuitive, I feel like all the buttons are right where they're supposed to be.  My iPod plugs right in. I can drive in the HOV lanes in most highways in VA. 

ksdk

I am a wagon driver. 2 kids in a Jetta Wagon. Have been looking at the Passat Wagon for a while now, more cabin space and rear leg room for those kiddos, giving me more room to drive. 30 mpg. If I have a third child I will look at a bigger wagon, not down with SUVs.