Car Suggestions?

B. L,

I just went through the car shopping thing myself. After looking at numerous SUV’s I narrowed my search to the Toyota 4-Runner and the Highlander, and then finally decided on the 4-Runner. I very much liked both vehicles, but the 4-Runner is a little heavier and a little higher off the ground. They both drive well, and have quite a bit of room for all the stuff that us mom's have to carry around. I hope this helps.

Best of luck
T.

I have a Toyota Highlander and i wouldn't trade it for anything. i have a three and half year old and am expecting #2 any day now. it has plenty of room but it still drives like a car. it also gets pretty good gas mileage.i have had it for over two years and have not had any problems.

Hi!

I have a Honda Pilot and love it. My husband insisted on getting the DVD and I am glad he did. It really entertains my 3 year old on longer trips. Plus, if you buy the DVD installed in the car, you'll have a warranty on it. Good luck car shopping!

M.

With young kids, I prefered the minivan. We had a Sienna with sliding doors and dvd. The sliding door is very useful with small kids in our arms... And, we do lots of travelling so the dvd was a must. But I had it installed somewhere else and I would have prefered to get the one from Toyota.

Now, my son is older (almost 7), we have a Honda Pilot and I love it. We still have the possibility of 8 passengers or a huge trunk when we're only the 3 of us. We didn't take the dvd this time since my son is old enough to hold a portable dvd on his laps. So we can get the dvd player inside a hotel room for example.
I hope this helps.

Hi,

I'm just like you in this respect that I don't like shopping for cars and don't know much about them. I've got three children all under 4 years. I have a Honda Odyssey. My husband took a lot of time and effort to compare all the cars available ao the market that would suit our needs. From my perspective I can say we made a great choice. It's a spacious van with all qualities that an SUV can offer but more comfortable and with much more compartments, cup holders etc. You can go online to see the full description of all the amenities. I just think it was a great choice. And we have a dvd system. It's a bliss!! My kids can stay quiet for a long time watching a cartoon while I and my husband can talk in the first row seats driving.

A little about me:

I am a mom of two beautiful twin girls (4) and their little sister (3). I can speak Polish and German and I am trying to learn Spanish. I am a realtor with Keller Williams and very passionate about my job. If anyone needs real estate assistance feel free to contact me on my cell ###-###-####!.

Hi,

I had my dream car, a Toyota Camry, but when kids came along the car seats made it so uncomfortable for us to travel together. (We couldn't put the driver's seat or front passenger seat far enough back without hitting the children's carseats behind us. Our Camry was a 2000, and they may have changed since then, but cars will be more cramped than SUVs or minivans.) We asked around and the Honda Odyssey is what kept being recommended.

We have one now, and can't imagine what we would do without it. I never thought I would drive a minivan, but I've changed diapers in cars and SUV'S with great difficulty. (The seats are sloped, the B. is inside while you are outside in whatever weather leaning in the car changing the diaper. And that is when you have just one child. With two carseats in the back there is no room to do the diaper except the trunk.)

The Odyssey has great ratings, tons of features (automatic doors, map guide/reverse screen, dvd player, and more), but they are a bit pricey. Our dealer (Cecil Johnson at Frank Kent), showed us how we could make the front passenger seat into a long lounger/recliner. We use that for trips and its great for changing diapers.

My parents have a Dodge Caravan and are happy with theirs. They wanted the stow and go seating and automatic doors. Their door opener is a lot slower and noisier, though. If you go with the minivan, it's worth it to get the automatic doors. It is so handy holding a B. in one hand with the minivan remote, and while holding my other child's hand to just hit the remote button to open the doors and get my kids in the car and out of the dangerous parking lot.

To address the dvd option, I say get it if you can. You don't always have to play it for short trips, but any errand over 30 minutes or waiting in the pharmacy drive through and you will love the dvd. Our firstborn wasn't a good traveller, so when we were going to make a few long car trips (12 hour plus) and a move out of state we opted for the dvd player. The one in our '05 Odyssey has a better screen, better picture than any tv we have at home! (However, our tvs are old, 10 years plus.)

Bottomline, though is price. Hondas are rarely on sale it seems because demand is high. However, I have seen some incentives. The Chrysler/Dodge costs less and has more incentives, but are not rated as high in consumer reports. Whatever you choose, SUV or Minivan, I recommend paying for the extra warranty coverage. Vehicles now are so much more complicated and if you plan on keeping yours longer than 3 years, you will want the extended warranty to cover any computer glitches, etc.

Consider, too, the safety features. Our minivan has air bags everywhere (side, front, etc.), and we chose the one with the viewing screen so you see what is behind you when you put the van in reverse. However, we spent a lot on our van so we are watching our pennies pretty closely now.

Hope this helps.
Holly M.

We love our Honda Pilot - we got it 2 years ago... for a more standard sized SUV, the gas mileage is pretty good (best in its class at the time), and it's economical. We've also got 2 kids (3 & 1). My husband did TONS of research for this car. My sister just bought the smaller version, the CRV. I know several CRV owners and they love their little Hondas! It has slightly less power (V-4) but will get you better gas mileage... it's a little smaller in the back if you were going to haul lots of stuff, but very comparable to the Pilot. (I am a previous owner of Ford Explorers, and I never had any good luck with Fords; my farming family loves them, though.) We don't have a DVD player... with technology advancing so fast, maybe you could consider a portable if you ever feel the need during a long car ride? I don't think they are necessary at all.

Nissan Murano. It is the combination of a car/suv with 20mpg city and 25mpg highway and we love it!!! I also really liked my salesman if you would like that information as well.

Go to www.motherproof.com!!! I saw this lady on The Early Show on CBS a couple of years ago. She is AWESOME!!! She gets different cars to drive/test for herself and other mom's that work for her. She drives them and writes reviews (they are hilarious sometimes) from a "Mom" that does not know about the "guy things" about cars, but how they relate to Mom's on the go. See what she says about the cars you like from a mom's/woman's point of view. She give great pointers.

On the DVD situation. We had my parents get a portable one for my little boy last year for Christmas. It is a Panasonic, 7 in screens, has 2 screens, and a gaming system. You strap it around the headrest and we move it from car to car. We also use the adapter to plug in when we are not in the car for the kids movies like at a hotel. I take it with me to doctors appointments for the kids to watch while I am in the room waiting. I used it while I was pregnant with my 2nd B. for my then 1 1/2 year old while I did my NST's and sono's that took some time and i would sit him in the stroller with some snacks and a movie and never heard a peep out of him. You can find them at Wal-Mart in the car/stereo section and they were around $200. Better than having it stuck in one car and paying the dealership price to get it.

Good Luck!!! Happy car shopping and let me know how it turns out and if you get any help of the website.

My husband is a car salesman at Reliable Chevrolet in Richardson. His name is Blair Bartell. He is very helpful and knowledgeable about chevys and he can help you find something or point you in the right direction!

Chevys have come out with the fuel efficient system in their larger vehicles that allows the engine to switch from 4 to 8 cylinders while you drive which saves a lot on fuel!!! We have an avalanche and it is great!!

We have a 3 yr old son that loves to watch movies in the car, which is great when you have to run errands or take trips!

Good Luck on your hunt for the perfect car!!!

S.

A friend of mine is selling their 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. It is very clean and in very good condition. They are expecting their second child in two weeks and can't afford payments since she decided to quit work and stay at home. If interested let me know and I will get you info.... Thanks...

It depends on the amount you are looking to spend. I LOVE my Mercedes ML350. Its very spacious and has buttons for EVERYTHING. A button opens AND closes the trunk(great when both hands are full with a B. in one arm and removing grocery bags with the other). It drives like a car so its not bumpy like other SUV's nor is it top heavy. Suburbans are too darn big and difficult to drive and park. The Chevy Tahoe might be another good choice if the Mercedes may be more than you were looking to spend.

We had mini-vans for years. My Sienna was definitely the best! I did not have a Honda since they only came with 4-cylinder engines when I purchased mine. My mother has had 2 Sienna's. You can't go wrong with a Honda or Toyota.

I have a Cadillac Escalade and I love it! It is very kid friendly. It has lots of room. The dvd player does wonders also. I have educational CD's that they enjoy watching.

We have a Honda Odyssey and love it. The girls have their own Captain's chairs that hold their car seats nicely. There is a bench seat in the back for taking their friends. It is perfect for road trips, etc. I wish we had a DVD installed. Instead we use a portable one which is fine, but not nearly as convenient. I suspect the novelty of the DVD player wears off. Perhaps it is goog for hooking up video games, etc. Good luck!
J. Eric Hibbs, DDS
http://www.parkcitiesdental.com
214-DENTIST

We have a 2003 Ford Windstar. They don't make the Windstar anymore, but I have two young children and I love the minivan. The sliding doors make things so easy and it's also easy to take the stroller in and out. Goodluck on finding just the right car for your family!

I love my tahoe. It doesn't have a dvd player but some do come with it. I have 3 car seats so I needed the room! It isn't the best gas milage but it serves its purpose. Make sure to get a third row seat just in case. It folds down so you can put big stuff in there too! I am looking into getting a dvd player installed in mine!

We LOVE our Honda Odyssey! The room is incredible. The seats are very comfortable. We did opt to get the DVD player built in. We have relatives in Iowa and make a few very long car trips a year. This is a big help! We have limits on when they can watch the DVD player-- just long car trips or marathon errand running. (Or if we have been on an outing and I am trying to keep my 1 and 2 year olds awake until we get home so they don't think they "napped" in the car I will play a video.) When you get the DVD player with the Odyssey, you also get a rear view camera. This is a wonderful safety feature as you can see what is behind you when you are backing up-- even at night! Saved me from running over the trimmer our lawn mower left in the driveway-- could help with children, bicycles, other cars, etc. It also comes with a navigation system that helps you find the nearest post office, directions to where you need to go, find restaurants/hotels/tourist attractions along the way, etc. We recently traveled to a rural area of Arkansas and this was a huge help in finding our way around. It tells you when & where to turn, and if you make a wrong turn, it re-directs you. We could not be happier with our van!
A.

I swore that I'd NEVER drive a minivan....now I have two. We have a plymouth grand voyager that is a '99 and a '05 town and country. They are great with the sliding doors so you don't have to worry about your kids pushing the car door open into the vehicle parked next to you, getting them in ad out of carseats, etc. I have a 4month old that I have to get in and out of the car in his carrier and have lots of space for all the other stuff too like the diaper bags, toys, and a double stroller. I love being able to remove one or all of the seats if i need more space and like how the back seat can fold flat (in my older one)into a bed for me to lie down on long trips.

We have a Honda Pilot and we love it. We have a DVD player in it and it does come in handy. Are kids do not ask to watch it everytime but we did lay down the law on it and told them it wouldn't be used everytime we are in the car. It is good for longer rides, or stuck in traffic. The Honda pilot can seat 7 people and it doesn't look like a mom car. I also have a Honda Civic the 2006 and I love that too. We took the Civic back to South Dakota which is a 12 hour drive and my 2 kids 8 and 5 had plenty of room. The trunk is huge for a small car too. I don't have a DVD player in this one but I wish I did the portable players are a hassle. I can tell you from experience that you just can't go wrong with a Honda, they are good cars and last forever. Good luck with your car search!
W.

PErsonally I would recommend a mini van over an SUV. They get better milage and being able to slide the doors is SSSOOOO much nicer than having your kids swing them open into the car next to you.
I have a Dodge Caravan- it is a 2000 and hgas been very reliabe. 2 friends have the newer Honda Odeysey- they really love those.
D.

We have a Honda Odyssey and I highly recommend it. It is not a SUV, but the room in it is amazing. I also love how the sliding doors are automatic and the floor low enough that my kids can climb in on their own.
As for DVD's in the car, we opted NOT to get on that comes with the car. Instead we have a good size protable one that we can pull out on longer car trips. I did not want my kids watching TV every single time they got in the car. I have seen too many other kids do that and it wasn't for me.

In my experience toting kids around (my two plus one or two extra, my sister's kids, etc.) SUVs are not nearly as kid-friendly as the minivans. Nothing beats the sliding door, easy access to the back row, fold-down seats (the new Town & Country), and other features made specifically with a family in mind.

Hi,

Have you thought about maybe going to the State Fair?? They have many cars there and you don't have to put up with pushy sales people until you find one you are ready to test drive.

I got rid of my Durango a few months ago because of gas prices. I now have a Mazda 6 Sport Sedan. It's a 4 door with a little sportyness. It's loaded with airbags and very comfy.

I also saw a Nissan Minivan that I liked at the fair. I'm not a minivan person, but it was definately worth looking at.

Best of luck to ya!

-C.

We love our Volkswagen Passat! It's a sedan, but I've actually had 3 carseats with kiddos in the back seat! Also, the trunk is huge!
My husband says that the Toyota Highlander is a very safe SUV. While investigating an accident as a cop, he found that the Highlander had little damage and no injuries after being hit at a considerable speed by a pickup. Also, I recently saw on a consumer reports show that the minivan made by Kia is the only major one on the market that has the side curtain airbags standard. You might go to the book store and see if the Consumer Report is out on cars! Happy hunting!

I love my Honda CR-V. We had twins in June 2003 and quickly grew out of our 4-door car so bought a 2002 in Sept. 2003 - certified used Honda at a dealership - and have loved it ever since. It's reliable, good gas mileage, large enough for the (now) toddlers with space enough int he back for LOTS of kids stuff. It truly takes a licking/kicking/spilling and keeps on going. We have loaded a double stroller, pack 'n play, and too many toys to remember. It helps to think outside the box when loading and fitting something in to every nook and cranny.

I hope this helps... Good luck. V.

We are actually getting ready to buy a new car as well. We have been looking at the Toyota RAV4. We really like them. They are roomy and actually have an option of getting a third row seat if you want. We have a 3 year old and a 7 month old. Right now we have a Chevy Trailblazer and we aren't too happy with it. It's a nice SUV but it's a little too small. I however like a lot of room. We can't wait to trade it in for a RAV4. Needless to say that Toyotas are really well made. Check them out. Good luck!

R.

I love my toyota matrix!!! I woul definatley look into those. :)

I have a 2005 suburbon with 3 tv's a satalite for direct tv and a 5 disc cd changer for sell. We bought if for 50,000 a little over a year ago. We will sell it for 30,000. It is a dark gray color. If you or anyone you know is interested please let me know.

Hi, an alternative to the Honda Odyssey is the Nissan Quest. It is a minivan, and rated pretty much the same as the Honda, but cheaper. We got a used 2002 Quest in 2004, low mileage, for about $12K. We got ours from Grubbs autos (that's not their official name, don't remember it) in Hurst, off of 183, north of Precinct Line exit. A good online resource for comparisons of vehicles both new and used is Edmunds.com. I used them for researching for minivans in 2004, and when I got my previous car, a new Chevrolet Impala, in 2001. Side note, I absolutely loved my Impala, and since you will only have two kids, their car seats will fit in there fine. The trunk is almost big enough to fit a small apartment in, lol! So, stroller storage would be a snap. I miss my Impala! :0) Hope this helps!

D.