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car buying poll
We have tried every minivan over the past week. Due to my motion sickness issues the only ones I can drive are the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan. (the other's windows are too slanted and the little ones cause side vision issues-so no Honda or Toyota will work at all). It will primarily be DH's car but chances are I'll end up driving it often. He wants a minivan for multiple reasons.
Last weekend Dodge gave us the Grand Caravan to try for the weekend. We both loved it, great price, everything we wanted etc. Then on Sunday DH called, the transmission line popped and it was dead on the side of the road (it had 28 miles on it total). The dealer came and towed it, they were embarassed. They said it had never happened before, etc...They gave us an offer on it to buy it at cost (not that exact one obviously). We refused. I checked out the Nissan, last on our list today and it's out for multiple reasons. They were out of the Town and Country so we still need to try that but it's the same maker as Dodge, just different fit and finish. I know a few people who owned dodges, some swore by them- others had to take it in for repairs almost weekly.
So what would you do....
[Poll]
Re: car buying poll
VW Routan! I love mine!
It's basically the same as the Town & Country/Caravan. VW contracted Chrysler to build the Routans in the states but it comes with all the great VW warranties, parts and etc.
they don't fit in our garage with my car and the mpg.
DH brought that one up today. We had taken VW off our list, he has one now and there's only one place in town for repairs and they're super expensive. But all his repairs were dealing with stuff he added after market and he promised not to trick this one out.
Have you looked into crossovers with 3rd row seating?
The Ford Edge appears to be really popular in my area so it is the first to come to mind. (Actually the Toyota Venza does but I think you said Toyotas were out).
I don't know what your price range is and it's not as handy as a minivan for moving around internally but if you don't take monthly road trips it might be worth it and just rent a minivan when you need to go for long hauls (when DH can do most driving, hehe).
My good friend has a Mazda 5 with 3rd row seating and she adores it. She has a 5 year old, 3 year old and a 1 year old. The 5 year old sits in the back since she can buckle herself in. The younger ones sit in the 2nd row. The Mazda CX 7 looks great too.
My friend has an Acura with a 3rd row and it's also AWESOME.
- Paula Deen to 104.1 KRBE's Producer Eric 9/17/2011
I can fit 3 car seats across the 2nd row of my Honda Pilot. And it is old (2004), so I'd guess the newer ones might be even a little roomier.
I don't know if Dodge/Chrysler does this but the VWs have "worry free" (i.e. free oil change and/or whatever regular maintenance needs to be done at oil change time) maintenance for the 1st 36,000 miles. We bought ours "pre-loved" as VW calls it and it had 16,000 miles on it and we were able to still get the free maintenance.
Also I had a VW Jetta prior to the Routan, that one we bought new and had for 4 years with no problems with it.
We are also a Dodge family, so we were oddly excited that Chrysler built the Routan...best of both worlds to us. haha
how do you configure them? and how hard is it to buckle? the main problem I'm having right now is Addie is in a booster, so it uses the regular seat buckle. We did do three seats once but it was hard to buckle without tipping her seat sideways first (then putting it back in place) or getting your hand caught between the seats. It would be easier if she was in a 5 pt harness still.
I have a suv with a third row, the problem with most of them is you lose trunk space when you need the 3rd row (ie Acura, my Hyundai-you loose at least one side of space if you use one half of the back). Mazda5 is similar, no real cargo room. Cargo space is the big reaso DH wants the minivan. And when looking at sticking a jogging stroller in the back with 3 car seats it's a pain. Ford Explorer may work but he's hoping to avoid an SUV. Another SUV problem is putting it in the garage. With the minivan the sliding door makes it easier to put people in and out, we couldn't open SUV doors big enough for Addie to get in with both cars in the garage.
The Toyota Minivan is out, not all toyotas, but we have eliminated most of them for other reasons.
And DH will never have to drive on roadtrips, I can not be a passanger in a car without being sick. Which is why I'm also the DD too. It wasnt' this bad until I got pregnant with Addie, something got changed in me and it sucks.
I was going to suggest the Routan as well. We bought ours about 18 months ago and love it. DH and I are both "VW people", having owned (and modified) many over the years, so I understand what your DH is saying about repairs, etc.
However, under the hood the Routans are all Chrysler. The dealers were actually having trouble in the beginning with servicing them because they're not at all a VW when you look at the guts.
We bought ours from Momentum in Jersey Village and got a crazy good deal from their Internet sales department. They're a great dealer and we still drive all the way from The Woodlands to use their service dept because they rock.
What about the Volvo XC90? They have a neat little built-in booster seat on the second row that will be simple to work with two car seats. (it is the middle seat, which can be raised and lowered as needed). Plus it has a third row.
I would steer clear of the Dodge. I have known too many people that have had trouble with their minivans. I would also stay away from VW - they seem to time all their problems the minute you get out of warranty, and the repairs are expensive.
Click it if you can't say it!
- Paula Deen to 104.1 KRBE's Producer Eric 9/17/2011
how long after the babies are here will addie still need to be in a booster? another thing to consider is that in many of the crossover vehicles with third row seating, that third row is so much smaller (basically MADE for kids, doesn't really fit adults) that she would fit properly/safely into the seat with seatbelt, and not require the booster. that definitely varies by vehicle, though.
at any rate, good luck!
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Our 3rd row is somewhat like that. An adult wouldn't want to sit back there for a road trip. We had trouble fitting three regular-style booster seat across our 3rd row until I discovered this wonderful booster seat. The Bubble Bum seats are actually inflatable. When using them, the 5 and 6yos I transport in car pool are able to easily buckle up while sitting three across. There's room enough between the boosters for them to have plenty of room to work the belts and latches.
MichelleBelle, there are so many white Toyota Siennas in The Woodlands that it occasionally causes mix-ups in both of the car lines I sit in each day. I've accepted the ubiquitousness of my unglamorous vehicle because it's just so darn convenient with those doors!
DITTO! I think back on the 1st 2 years of having a child trying to open the doors on my Jetta and keeping the door open to get Mason in the car and then lack of room between cars in parking spaces and etc and just wish I would have gotten a mini van sooner!
till she's 8 and at least 53 inches. I'm not sure what the weight limit is but she's no where near backless due to weight even though she's the right age and height.
I actually have a Grand Caravan and it's been great. The Town & Country is exactly the same and I would have loved to have the bells and whistles had it been in our price range.