SUV or MiniVan??? Torn!!

[libbyam2003]

HEy guys! I thought I'd pose this question here since ya'll have gone through the baby/toddler/kid stages so have more knowledge than I do with just a 2 yr old. I have a very, very nice SUV that I looove (Buick Enclave). But I am tired of squishing my dd into her carseat... and dealing with my doors hitting other cars... and thinking with #2 on the way and how then I'd have to have room on BOTH side of the car to open the door wide open, ugh!

I've looked online and I'm liking the Honda Odyssey reviews... anyone have input on preferring a van or an SUV? I'm thinking my current vehicle probably drives much smoother/quieter than most and has a more luxury feel... but practicality of a minivan might be greater??? Thoughts?? Advice??

 

[mommyof3co]

I have a minivan...a Dodge Grand Caravan...and I LOVE it!! I have 4 boys ages 1-10 and would not drive anything else! I have automatic doors so I just put a button on my keyfob and it opens the back or either side door so the older ones can climb in while I put the baby in the other side. I never have to worry about them slamming doors into the cars next to us. It's low to the ground so they can easily get in and out from young ages. There is so much space inside, we can have 5 car seats easily (we have one with 2 captains chairs and then the back bench) no one is squished. Plenty of room in the trunk area for everything we need and 3 of them play sports so it's a lot of gear, chairs, stroller, diaper bags, etc. I really love my mini van!

 

[libbyam2003]

Ok thank you!! I wonder if maybe I should wait and see if I can make do... maybe see if we have a #3 first?

 

[wamommy]

Look into a Mazda5!! We LOVE ours. It's small like a car (28 miles per gallon ) but has a third row and sliding doors! It's really the perfect car, as long as you don't need to haul bikes and stuff in the back... When we need extra space we throw one of those pod thingies up on top of the rack.

Congrats on the new baby-to-be!

 

[libbyam2003]

Thanks for the info!!! I saw those when I was researching online!! Sounds so cool!! I want to go see one now!