Author Topic: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Fuury 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Well the wife broke the news two weeks ago that she was pregenant with our second(about 9 weeks along). Our daughter is 4.5 so a nice spread between ages and we are quite happy (even though we are "older" wife just turned 40 the end of Oct and I will be 43 in May)....but anyway, she returned from her doctors yesterday and we have the shock that it might be TWINS!!!!!

That throws the best laid plans out the window for sure LOL! Anyway I currently have on 07 Acura MDX which I LOVE, the wife has an 09 Acura TL. The MDX will definitely not cut the mustard for 3 kids in the back with car seats...especially the big behomoth ones for the infants!

I am a stay at home dad (which I LOVE) but I REFUSE to drive a mini van once the new ones arrive next June. Anyone have a good suggestion for a large SUV that I can have little issue with having 3 car seats in, and still have plenty of room to load stuff up for vacations and beach runs?

Thanks in advance!

 

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Ah-Schoo 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.

I like my Ford Focus wagon but it's too narrow for 3 kiddie seats in the back. (And Ford discontinued the economy wagons anyway.)

Honestly I'd go and test drive some vans. If you're going to buy big and 'anti-green' you might as well have the space.

 

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Fuury 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Ah-Schoo posted:

I like my Ford Focus wagon but it's too narrow for 3 kiddie seats in the back. (And Ford discontinued the economy wagons anyway.)

Honestly I'd go and test drive some vans. If you're going to buy big and 'anti-green' you might as well have the space.


Vans are out of the picture, even the wife doesn't want one. I know they are the ultimate family friendly vehicle but it's just not going to happen in my house. Maybe I can get an SUV Hybrid and not be totally anti-green peace

 

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Liquid741 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
i am completely with you...1) i cant stand driving by or behind mom's driving mini-vans and talking on cell phones...they seem unaware of their surroundings...2) cross-overs look soo much more cooler then mini-vans.

we bought a 3rd row Nissan Pathfinder, plenty of room, a lot of options, and looks a hell of a lot better then a mini-van.

 

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Jennifer_the_Great 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
I've got a 2005 Toyota Highlander and a 2002 Toyota Rav4. Our son will be five in March, and his little brother will be here in exactly six weeks. Once they are both in front facing car seats, the Rav4 has plenty of room. There's just not enough to comfortably place a rear facing seat in that car anywhere but the middle. The Highlander on the other hand, has enough room for three rear facing across the back - and I don't even have the third row seating.

 

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Malrothien 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Second Jen's post.


What about a Ford Flex?

 

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Fuury 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Thanks for all the pointers. I will just hit the dealers with all 3 seats and go from there. I want to make sure I have enough room in the back as well. We have a vacation home we go to constantly in the summer and on weekend trips my MDX was very full. So I want a lot of space in the back even with the back seat full of the little ones!

At least I have until late May - Early June peace

 

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Ah-Schoo 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.

My wife was totally afraid of getting a minivan too. (I wanted a cheap sedan but she was convinced we needed a giant car for our one child.) I bought the wagon as a compromise but we had rented one for a week a while before we bought and liked it anyway.

Not too long ago she had to drive a neighbours van around and came back from that saying that it was nice and she didn't know why she was afraid of them.

 

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myxomatosis8 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
We're at the same refusal stage, but it makes no sense to get an SUV, really. They're just as good or bad on gas, they have less room for things, and usually harder to get in/out of them and fit multiple car seats in them.

We only have 2 kids so sticking to our Honda Civic, squeeze the dog in between the back and front seats if we really need to take everyone somewhere at once.

My husband is probably getting a minivan sooner than later so he can fit music gear in, and as a side thing, we can fit the whole family in comfortably for a road trip or something.

 

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Tipztoe 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
just buy the loser cruiser and drive around with your head bowed in shame. It's inevitable. grin

 

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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
hummer ;P

 

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PepsiFlavored 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Tipztoe posted:
just buy the loser cruiser and drive around with your head bowed in shame. It's inevitable. grin


Sadly. tongue

 

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Tuneses 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Mini vans, yuck.

I have a Toyota FJ and I love it. Yeah its bad on gas but i fit the baby, stuff and the dogs.

I also have a VW Turbo Beetle that I absolutely love. We are gonna trade it for something else cause it really isnt convenient with a baby hehe.

 

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Liquid741 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
dont give in to the Mini-van pressures Fuury!

 

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Silverwuf 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
We don't want a minivan either but we only have one child and she's three. We do rent minivans whenever we go on long trips, though. Twice a year we travel 1200 miles one way to visit my mom. I still wouldn't own one.

Silver

 

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Lyli 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
I'd love to own one happy

 

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peritonitis 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
We crossed over to the Dark Side and bought a Honda Odyssey a few years ago and haven't looked back. It's roomy, comfortable, and pretty decent on gas.

Harness your hate and accept the power of the Dark Side! devil skull

 

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BluSkye 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
I don't understand all the hate on mini-vans. I love my Odyssey. And no, I don't drive it like it's a semi.

 

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Atlante 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
First of all - congrats! happy

I have had both - got the mini-van (kicking and screaming) and they are not bad. Traded it for a Suburban after two years, though. Liked the van, love the Suburban.

I have four children, so the third row is a necessity for us. I can fit my girls booster seats and my nieces convertible in the second row with no problem. We went with the Suburban over a Tahoe because you gain @18 extra inches in rear cargo space. If you don't need the third row a Tahoe is just as roomy in the back.


 

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pkhere 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
We have a chevy astro extended van(customized), a pick up truck, my jeep, and an old buick.

The van is wonderful for trips, and we have had it for quite some time.

It's not a "mini" van. It's actually quite lovely. It's pearl white, with a teal, lavendar, and black stripe along the sides. It has coach lights, and a visor in front. I like driving the van myself. I like sitting up high.

 

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Fuury 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Thanks for all the support....and you are correct Liquid I will not give into the Van-Side!!

(The wife had an early ultrasound on Friday and it's definitely twins and identical, she is about 9 weeks in. A few more weeks for another to make sure they are seperated and all that good stuff!)

On the flip side I pulled the two toddler car seats we have and put them in the MDX with the booster seat. No way is it going to fly. Not enough room for the 4.5 year old to sit with room, plus it will be a squeeze for her to get in and out. And I can't have it in the third row since she would have to flop over the back of the second row to get to the seat.

OH well I have enough time to really research, test drive and figure out what to get!

 

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Fuury 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
I looked at the Suburban/Yukon and the Buick Enclave today. The Enclave looks like it might fit the bill perfectly. I can have 2 Captain chairs in the second row and the 3 row has a 60/40 split. So plenty of room to have my 4-5 year old just walk right into the back and have plenty of room.

 

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Atlante 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
The center capt seats are nice, we have had those as well. Just keep in mind that the 07 and newer Suburbans/Tahoes (so I would imagine their "sister" vehicles too) have a button to flip the seats out of the way. There is a button just behind the doors near the middle seats, as well as one up front that the driver can reach, too. That makes in and out easy as well. happy

Just something to keep in mind as you shop. Good luck!

 

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peritonitis 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
Go big. mischief

 

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VIGIDIS 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
I'm all about the Suburban! We don't have little ones anymore, but we have two 15 year olds, a 17 year old, and a 1 year old grandson. Great for trips cross country to visit family. Can load lots into it and on the roof rack. Occasionally we go "trippin" without kiddies, take the way back seat out and take the dogs for a weekend get away!
alien_1

 

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VIGIDIS 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
PS - good luck with the twins!

 

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Ah-Schoo 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
peritonitis posted:
Go big. mischief


What a fun site. happy

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Fuury 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
peritonitis posted:
Go big. mischief




Might be tough getting into the garage LOL!

Next week I am going to look at the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada, both of those have Capt chair 2nd row as well.

 

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myxomatosis8 
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Subject: New ones on the way....I REFUSE to get a mini-van.
I've fallen in love with the Nissan XTerra. I want one, dammit!
Been looking for another car for sooo long... God knows when it might even actually happen, though.

 

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