Need to Transport 5 Children: Do I Have to Get Another Minivan??

I too have 5 kids and we drive a Lincoln Navigator because it has a third row seat and therefore, we can actually fit 6 kids if one has a friend to take! My experience is that it is a GAS GUZZLER!!!

My mother-in-law has a Ford Expedition and LOVES it. She has not had any major problems and swears by that SUV. Plus it would definitely fit all of you.

I would definately stick with the Grand Caravan. We have an SUV and a minivan, I transport 4 and prefer the minivan. You would probably be looking at an Expedition (I think they are third row seating) or an Uplander. I don't know if gas prices are an issue, but believe it or not, the minivan is better on gas the the SUV.
Jenn.......

I would stick with a mini van if you have to transport 5 children. You could go to different manufactures website (Ford, Chevy etc) and see what they have to offer. Also if your close to Cleveland they have a really good auto show that comes in Feb (I think). You can get tons of info and get into the cars to see what you think would work best for you. You could do that at local dealerships too but it would require more driving around then just going to the auto show.
Good luck
S.
I just went to randmcnally.com and saw that Perrysburg is about 2 hours from Cleveland so you may want to try the Detroit auto show. I have heard is amazing!!

We're going through the same thought process . . .Larger SUV or mini-van. . .I've never envisioned myself driving a mini-van, but after careful consideration, it's hard to beat the practicality of it.
In order to get 7 passenger seating in an SUV, it is a considerable price increase over minivans which is hard to justify. Minivans usually get a bit better gas mileage too. And to top it off, you can get the family packages (DVD etc) with minivans for a lot less than with SUV's. A 7 passenger minivan with DVD player etc. for $27-30grand or a 7 passenger SUV for $35-40grand and up. . .
I think we'll be driving a Grand Caravan as well within the next 6 months or so. . .
Have fun picking out your new family-mobile!!!

You really should go to a Ford dealership and check out the new Taurus SUV. They are really nice and may work for you because it has two rows of seating but looks like an SUV

Why would you want to switch to being so environmentally unfriendly and pay so much in gas?

i love my chevy suburban!! it hold eight people!!

We have a Toyota highlander and we love it. We only have 2 children but it does have a 3rd row. In our model you basically have to climb over the 2nd row to get to the 3rd row (not a problem for kids) but they advertise that the new model is different and has better access to the 3rd row. Also consider the crossover vehicals. The Mazda CX9 looks great but I don't know if it's getting good reviews or now.

Many SUVs are available with third row seating for 7-8 passengers...

We have a GMC Envoy and I love it!

I have a Toyota Sequioa and I love it. It sits 8 people and very comfy.

My huband and I had a 2000 Dodge Grandcarvan it was nice. About 6 months ago we were considering the samething. We were going to go with a bigger SUV, but we settled for another Minvan. We got a 2002 Dodge Grandcarvan , because it was more of fuel saver than the SUVs were. Besides to me the van had more room in it than the SUVs did that we looked at and I could separate my two children better as well.. The van I thought was very nice in the one with stow-n-go. Good Luck.

Why not try looking at a crossover? I just purchased a Mazda 5 (sort of a stretched out wagon) because I wanted to be able to have 5 kids in the car, but I didn't want a "mom" car. It is a little smaller than my van cargo wise, however, my kids are not little any more. No strollers. I will be putting a roof rack on the top for big trips or ski trips.

We have a 2003 Chevy Trailblaxer LT and it will fit two in the back and three in the middle with a 60/40 seat and then two in the front. We really like it. We have two Summit High Back Booster seats in the back and a rear facing car seat behind the driver. To fit two more kids in the middle might be tight. We really like our SUV. It does cost a bit more in gas but it is our one car and family car. Hope that you find something that works for your needs.

Sur you can try and SUV. I have five children, me and my husband loves our Yukon XL by GMC 2004 model. It works for us!! Good luck

I would really go for an SUV I have 3 kids and I have a Honda Pilet and it is great It has a third row seating and everything fits it is great and reliable Now dont get me wrong mini van are nice but am SUV has more room then a mini van sorry I hope that helps

I also had and loved a dodge caravan. My husband surprised me with a GMC Acadia and I love it. It comfortably seats 8 as opposed to my van which sat 7. There is a little less room for cargo, but I love it.

my husband is is sales so we have had a couple different cars. i currently drive a tahoe.if there is no car seat in the back you can fit 3 people and then 2 in the bucket and i in front of course. i love my tahoe. my friend has a honda piolet and she loves it. check out the honda piolet also,(i am not sure about the seating ) but i know someone who has one and loves it.i don't think you could get a small suv.

I know that I have the least enviromentally friendly SUV, but I bought a Suburban and I love it. I can put 7 adults in it and still have room for groceries. It was a 2001, and it only cost me 17,000. I would reccomend it to anyone who needs a SUV for a family!

I have a Tahoe and it is great. It has the third row in the back that way you can use it or not. The two seats can come out seperately or you can keep them in amd fold them down. Again that is just my preference. I have two kids but my family visits sometimes and it is great that we don't have to take two cars to some places.

T.