Automobile seating for five
October 12, 2010 3:27 PM Subscribe
Looking for a reliable, economical used vehicle that seats at least five.
Mater Aletheias and I recently found out that there is a surprise addition to our four-person family on the way. Yay! But...neither of our cars can seat three kids. Time to upgrade.
Budget is in the $12k to $16k range. A mini-van is the obvious answer, but what else might work? Or, if a mini-van is the best solution, is there a particular model you would recommend? Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas.
Mater Aletheias and I recently found out that there is a surprise addition to our four-person family on the way. Yay! But...neither of our cars can seat three kids. Time to upgrade.
Budget is in the $12k to $16k range. A mini-van is the obvious answer, but what else might work? Or, if a mini-van is the best solution, is there a particular model you would recommend? Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas.
Love my Toyota Sienna, it's the second one I've owned.
posted by mareli at 3:44 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by mareli at 3:44 PM on October 12, 2010
How many (and what kind of) car seats are involved in all?
posted by feathermeat at 3:50 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by feathermeat at 3:50 PM on October 12, 2010
Best answer: I have thought about this same question because I also have three kids. My kids are now at the stage when we only have one car seat and booster seats. I would recommend going with a minivan for a couple of reasons. (I recommend a used Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, which are doable in the price range you mention)
First, any regular car might fit three kids in the back, but when you add in car seats and boosters, it gets really crowded. Plus if you ever do any long distance traveling, having all three kids super close together is not idea.
Second, with a minivan you have room for all of your family plus one or two other adults. If you buy a large car that seats five, that means you can never give a ride to anyone else. If you ever have anyone visit you, it means you always will need to take two vehicles to go anywhere.
Third, even though there are more "crossover" vehicles now, they all seem to me like they are just designed for people who can't or won't admit to themselves that what they really need is a minivan. Minivans are basically the optimal design for carrying around kids and their stuff.
posted by bove at 4:06 PM on October 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
First, any regular car might fit three kids in the back, but when you add in car seats and boosters, it gets really crowded. Plus if you ever do any long distance traveling, having all three kids super close together is not idea.
Second, with a minivan you have room for all of your family plus one or two other adults. If you buy a large car that seats five, that means you can never give a ride to anyone else. If you ever have anyone visit you, it means you always will need to take two vehicles to go anywhere.
Third, even though there are more "crossover" vehicles now, they all seem to me like they are just designed for people who can't or won't admit to themselves that what they really need is a minivan. Minivans are basically the optimal design for carrying around kids and their stuff.
posted by bove at 4:06 PM on October 12, 2010 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Next summer the kids will be 5, 2 and newborn, so a booster seat, a toddler seat and a baby seat.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 4:26 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by Pater Aletheias at 4:26 PM on October 12, 2010
I believe the Honda Odysseys of a few years ago were highly rated.
And I personally love Chrysler Town and Countries. Or Dodge Caravans. Drive like cars, use fuel like cars, and are really, really versatile. Especially with car seats.
posted by gjc at 5:54 PM on October 12, 2010
And I personally love Chrysler Town and Countries. Or Dodge Caravans. Drive like cars, use fuel like cars, and are really, really versatile. Especially with car seats.
posted by gjc at 5:54 PM on October 12, 2010
With 3 in carseats and 2 in carseats for awhile plus gear plus friends, a minivan will give you more flexibility.
posted by k8t at 7:03 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by k8t at 7:03 PM on October 12, 2010
My children are the same ages. bove is right. I went from an Accord to the Odyssey and I love it. Look for a used Odyssey or Sienna, though I think they can sometimes be hard to come by.
posted by chinston at 7:14 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by chinston at 7:14 PM on October 12, 2010
Nthing the Odyssey. Wait a year or so and you might be able to pick up a 2010 (Space) Odyssey in your price range :)
posted by Ochre,Hugh at 7:21 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by Ochre,Hugh at 7:21 PM on October 12, 2010
I've done really well with a Dodge Caravan. Very comfortable for multiple people, reliable and very versatile. I think it's a bit tougher than the Japanese minivans - ours has stood up to some awful dirt roads.
posted by anadem at 8:27 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by anadem at 8:27 PM on October 12, 2010
When we had our surprise addition to our family of four, we bought a station wagon, but was just before the minivans came out. I was happy with that car because I could toss playpen, stroller, soccer balls, stray kids (a few years before mandatory seat belts laws), coolers in the back and it served me well for a lot of years.
posted by francesca too at 8:39 PM on October 12, 2010
posted by francesca too at 8:39 PM on October 12, 2010
Best answer: Friends with three children who have bought the crossovers have regretted it. One complains that there's no room even for groceries (!), once she's folded down enough seats to fit her three kids (5, 3, and infant). Another gave up and bought an SUV after a year or so.
Our children were 3, 2, and newborn over the summer, and we've been so happy with the Odyssey we bought when our newest was 4 days old! It is tough to find them used, though, because everyone is too happy with them; plus they hold their value, so in that price range they might have quite a few miles on them.
posted by palliser at 8:44 PM on October 12, 2010
Our children were 3, 2, and newborn over the summer, and we've been so happy with the Odyssey we bought when our newest was 4 days old! It is tough to find them used, though, because everyone is too happy with them; plus they hold their value, so in that price range they might have quite a few miles on them.
posted by palliser at 8:44 PM on October 12, 2010
Seconding The World Famous, the cop/taxi body styles work well. Three adults in the back is not a stretch, three kids is no problem. Expect 20mpg or less however as well as people in front of you driving exactly at the speed limit if your car is white or black.
posted by zippy at 12:10 AM on October 13, 2010
posted by zippy at 12:10 AM on October 13, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by supercres at 3:39 PM on October 12, 2010