Save Me from a Minivan - I Need a Bigger Car for Three Car Seats...

I know this isn't what you want to hear - but I LOVE my Honda O. I never thought I'd be so excited to have a minivan. We got the leather seats and it is such a nice ride.

You are exactly in my same situation. My boys were 3-1/2 and 18 months when my daughter came and we're also anti-minivan. We have a Dodge Magnum (with a Hemi so my husband can still feel a little bit cool). The back seat is 55". We have 2 Radian carseats (17" each) http://www.elitecarseats.com/Sunshine-Kids-Radian.pro and the infant seat (18")in the back, and they all fit just fine. We are now ordering another Radian for the baby since she's outgrown the infant seat. The Radians are also approved for infants, but they don't have carrier seats. Also, the firemen installed everything, and were shocked that any car could fit 3 seats so it seemed like this car and these seats were the only possibility.
Congrats on baby #3! Three is so fun!

My sister was able to fit all three of her carseats in the back of a Ford Escape. Her kids were about the same ages when she had her third as well. Good luck on the car hunt.

Hi D.
I had the same concern when we bought our COV.
We bought a GMC Acadia.
You have the option of 2 full benches in the 2nd and 3rd rows. That may help you b/c you can get all 3 car seats in the 2nd row. Our truck seats 8 people.
I have to tell you that we origianlly had a 2007 Acadia which only seated 7. I hated the fact that the 2 bucket seats in the 2nd row were very confining. But we were in an accident driving home from Florida to NY in July and if we were not in that truck, we would have been seriously hurt, if not killed. We all got out without a scratch. (My duaghter was just 6 months old at the time and we had our 6 year old nephew with us and 2 dogs too!)
The truck was deemed a total loss by the ins. co. and we went right out and bought another Acadia as soon as we got the check from the Ins Co. I wouldn't be in another vehicle. I love having 2 full benches b/c My daughter can be in the middle seat and 2 other people can sit very comfortably with her in the back. It has a lot more room with the full benches and the 2 end seats do bend all the way forward to get to the back bench if we need to. (they bend all the way flat and almost to the floor)
Please take a look at it if you haven't already, but make sure you check out the 8 seater rather than the one that seats 7.
Good luck to you in your search.
We thought about a minivan too, but once we saw the Acadia, there wasn't a doubt in our minds which one to choose.

I work for a car dealer!! Did you ever look at the Taurus X? It's a crossover but with this one you can get the second row with captains chairs which should make getting to the backseat easier. The Ford Flex is a new one that's out to and you can do the same thing with second row captains chairs,.. just trying to help you avoid going into that big SUV or minivan. I totally get the whole don't want a minivan,,,lol

Hi D.!

I too was not ready or willing to drive a mini van so we went searching for the right fit for our family. We ended up leasing the GMC Acadia and LOVE it! We got two Captain seats instead of a bench seat in the middle row and have the two kids in the convertible seats there. We don't have a third child, but we go places with other kids and can easily get booster or convertible seats into the third row. There is enough space between the two captain seats for my husband, who is over 6 feet, to climb into the third row. Check it out! Good luck!

H.

Hi D.,

If you're still looking Mazda makes a crossover jeep that's not too big and you don't have to fold the seats down. I don't remember the model, just that it was a Mazda. I heard about it right after I bought a Chrysler Pacifica. It's an option.
HTH.

I have the same problem D.! We have looked at a couple of options. A good one is the Honda Pilot. The one they built last year fits all three car seats in the back seat, or you can flip one down and keep an open area to move to the way back for the third row. A more expensive option is the Suburban. I would be very careful with picking any car with a third row that is not easily accessible. We currently have an X5 and I would have to open the trunk and put my 4 year old in and out of the trunk! Once you have the car seats in securely you are not going to be able to flip the seats forward. Good luck!

I gotta speak up for us minivan mamas: I LOVE mine! Seriously, I am a progressive gal...strong woman...all that good stuff- but I totally, and without reservation will announce to everyone that I love my minivan!

The doors slide open, instead of open out. (SO good, with tight parking and carseats!)

The seats are big and roomy. (SO good for everybody!) And are really easy to fold down and back up.

The back door opens on its own. (SO good for groceries and toddlers and newborns! Seriously.)

It gets way better mileage that one of those huge SUV's. Our Sienna gets about 20 highway, 17 city. Not great (it's AWD, which makes it worse), but a Yukon or Tahoe will get around 12!

I can fit 2 big dogs in the back, while still having 3 kids in car seats AND 4 adults in the car. It's awesome.

Just saying, you know? :)

I refuse to get a mini van as well...lol...I got a Honda Pilot and love it...it's big not as big as a Yukon, that's nuts...and it's working out great!

D.,

I have a Honda Pilot. Three passenger middle row and back row. Go look at them, great SUV. Not great storage space in back but great for fitting the kids because they can all be in the middle row.

Hi,
I have two kids in 2 convertible seats. I did NOT want a mini-van and I regret not getting one as I got a Honda CR-V. I DO enjoy this car, but it completely PI$$ES me off when people park too close to me in the parking lot and I cannot get my kids IN/OUT of the car! So the sliding door would have been great in my situation.
Plus whenever we go somewhere and bring one person with us, I end up sitting in the backseat, wedged in between two car seats. I swear, my next car IS going to be a mini-van. I'm just happy that it has more features and roomy than in years past...
With your hands full with three kids, you definitely want convenience, not looks. I am still wishing for my LEXUS when the kids are out of car seats!! :)

I swore I wouldn't get a minivan either, but we broke down and got one used for around 10k and it was the best purchase ever. I have a 10 month old and another one on the way. With dogs and the two kids, there was no way they were fitting in our Toyota Highlander for a long trip to see my family (they live 4-6 hours away). I DO think, however, that the highlander would have fit three carseats across (but how the heck would you get the third child out, I'd like to know??). MIL has a honda pilot and three carseats do NOT fit across -- she has 3 grandchildren -- two in convertible car seats, and one infant, and they would not all fit (nor would three convertibles). My SIL has one of those huge tahoes, but I don't think they'd fit three across either (and again, how easy will it be to get the third child out).

I'd say don't say no to the minivan...yet! Ours is a buick terraza and it is just awesome. Both doors open automatically, a dvd player is standard, gets great gas mileage, and for around 10k used, it was fantastic.

Check out the GMC Acadia. I looked at it (never test drove it though) and it has room in the middle of teh second seat to walk through to the third row.. a nice non-mini van option!!!

Hi D.!

I have a 5 year old daughter and I watch two little boys (both 2years old) I was completely against the mini van too! Ugh I always hated them! But one day while we were shopping around for something we came across the Nissan Quest a newer model, a 2007. Oh my gosh, they are gorgeous inside. It feels like you are sitting in a first class plane seat. Nothing about it felt like a mini van. Even the outside looks more like an SUV. I'd check it out if I were you and give it a test drive. If you dont like it oh well, but its worth a try right? I love mine! Especially in the bright crimson red that I got to pick out.

Good luck!

Not sure there is much saving to do here Donnna... I was in your shoes a month ago and came up short with options... we ended up ordering a Town & Country minivan. We looked at all the cross overs but did not check out the full size SUV. Gas consumption also played into our decision quite a bit. Good luck and Congrats on the pregnancy!

I have a Pontiac Montana Minivan with 3 seats in the second row or one seat flips to a forward position and can stay that way to access 3rd row leaving 2 seats in 2nd row undisturbed with easy access no shuffling of car seats.

I really love my car:)

A.
Mom to 3 boys

Oh just realized you don't want a mini van but if you do this one is cool

come over to the dark side. we arent cool anymore anyway. it makes your life so much easier, i have 3 also, dont know how i would do it otherwise. i swore i never would also, but i love the thing.

Hi. I just looked at the Honda Pilot yesterday, and was quite impressed with the fold down system that the middle seat has in order to get to the back seat. I was in your situation 7 years ago, and ended up buying the Honda Odyssey because the jeep options were not funtional. I really wanted a jeep, because i had been driving 1 already for 6 years. There is also lots of trunk space, even with the third seat up. Also, the third row seat is full size. Good luck.
J.

I'm sorry, but the Minivan is absolutly the way to go! I never thought I would have one, ever. Especially after growing up with one nicknamed "the grocery-getter"! But, I only have 2 kids, 3 1/2 and 2. We got the pontiac montana sv6 (the cross-over that looks like a minivan, but front end looks like suv) after my explorer needed a $1000 fix. I love it! It is so easy to get the kids in and out, there is pleanty of room for 4 other people or car seats. I have friends with 2 kids the same age, who wish they could afford a new vehicle, because it is so much easier and has so much more room. Even my husband likes it (which is quite a feet considering all he has ever driven is a truck or full-size suv)! I would highly recommend one. Just to ease your mind about one, consider test driving one and bring the car seats to make sure everything fits. Also, just from personal experience, whatever vehicle you do get, make sure it has a dvd player...it will save your sanity!

We have 3 boys ages 6, 4 and 2. We had the same issue we shopped around for what seemed like forever we finally went with the GMC Yukon XL, we got ours with double captians seats in the back seat and a bench third row. The bigger boys love being in the 3rd row by themselves (they get in and out by themselves) and the baby is behind the passanger seat. then we have the seat behind the driver empty if we need to take anyone with us. And for me gas isn't an issue we go throught about a tank every 2 weeks but I don't do much drivng during the week. Hope this helps!

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
I was also anti-minivan until I got one. It's great because you don't have to stand in the rain while you get the kids in the car one by one. They can stand and walk around and get settled leisurely. I have an 11 year old, 10 year old and a five year old. I've had a minivan (reluctantly) since they were babies. It has really worked out great. We've taken long trips and had room to stretch without even getting out of the car. We've even used a portable potty right in the car. Diaper changes are a breeae. The only thing I don't like is that I don't really have enough trunk space.
Get over it; in the end it's the best!!!!!

Honestly I thought I would driving a Suburban until I did. We ended up trading in our Durango for a used Suburban when I was pregnant with our third child. Now I would not trade it for the world. We have the Captains chairs in the middle row so no fold and tumble needed.

Things to remember eventually your older childre will start having friends who are with you and not always with their parent. I always have enough room for my kids and their friends with the Suburban and can happily say yes to the mom who gets stuck and needs a ride for their child. I may use a bit more gas at times than someone else but being able to fit more people often means we take 1 car instead of two.

D., My daughter had the same problem. They went vehicle shopping with all 3 car seats and the vehicle that fit all 3 across the middle seat was a Honda Pilot. They still have the Honda and recently bought a used Acura MDX that also fits 3 car seats across the middle seat. The back seats of the Honda Pilot are also quite roomy. (I know, because I have ridden in them) I haven't ridden in the back seat of the Acura MDX yet, but it looks quite roomy. Hope this helps.

I don't know if it's possible, but I would go back to the dealership with 3 convertible carseats to try out instead of trying to fit the 2 convertibles with the infant seat. The infant seat is smaller, so that might fit, but then in a few months you're going to be in trouble when the 3rd convertible doesn't.
Good luck! I don't blame you on wanting to avoid the minivan, but it might be the best option for you. Take one for a test drive and see how it feels. You never know...you might like it.

Hi D.,

The Buick Enclave, which is a cross over, not a minivan, comes with the option of captain's chairs in the second row, which allows you to easily get back to strap whoever is sitting in the third row. I have a friend who has it and loves it.

Good luck,
J.

Why don't you put the two convertible car seats int he 3rd row and the baby in the middle row? Then you won't have to remove a seat to get the kids out of the back. You can keep the seat flipped forward or remove it all together depending on the car. Why no to the mini van? I have had one for 5 years. I love my van. I tried a Dodge Durango and it was a pain to climb in and out of to buckle the kids. The minivan was the perfect fit for us. u have 4 children so it would have meant a lot of climbing!

With more kids means more stuff. I used to have a VW Beetle but when our second came along we got the mini-van (Honda Odyssey). I love it. It's so easy to get the kids in and out with the sliding doors. Also for road trips/vacation there is so much room for all the stuff you need to bring along. Plenty of room for additional passengers even with the car seats. While potty training we have a small potty seat in the van for emergencies and there is plenty of room for them to do their business in the car, if needed.
With three kids I would highly recommend the mini-van for space and sanity.
Good luck and congrats on the third!

D. J, I have a 2007 Chevy Equinox LT (SUV). I can fit 3 infant seats in my back seat without a problem. The height of the Equinox is perfect for me-my back no longer hurts from bending down to reach car seats. Also, the back seat can slid back a few inches with one hand! The Equinox is also very child safe with the child locks, window lockout and all doors lock automatically when you put it in drive. It is AWD. I get 17 MPG in town and 22-23 MPG highway. The Equinox is also very affordable. Right now you can pick up a used 2007 for $9000 to 15000. You can research online at www.chevy.com. Chevy also makes other extended vehicles like the Traverse.Hope this helps you.

We went in search for a new car last year to accommodate my 2-year old daughter, 10-year-old stepson and my baby on the way. My husband was adamant about not getting a mini-van so we checked out different SUVs and crossovers. During our search we noticed that almost all of them required folding down a second row seat in order to get to the 3rd row. We settled on the Toyota Highlander because the 2nd row had 2 captain seats so theoretically, my stepson could climb into the 3rd row via the middle aisle. It's a tight fit and he doesn't even require a carseat. I can't imagine trying to climb back there to strap kid in his seat. You might have to settle on a minivan but the good news is that minivans have a MPG ratio and you'll have plenty of room for storage. SUVs and crossovers, once you put up the 3rd row, have very limited storage. Good luck in your search!

What's wrong with the mini-van? The mommy stigma it possesses.LOL I have a 13 yr old, a 2 yr old, and am expecting my third in July. I just got a brand new silver, with tinted windows, gorgeous '09 Toyota Sienna. This is after owning a super, hot, Dale Earnhardt limited edition SS Monte Carlo. How's that for change.
I can't begin to tell you how much I love my new minivan. It is so comfortable and roomy and could not be any more convenient for a mom with three kids. The doors slide open, on both sides. All of the windows roll down, just like a 4-door car or SUV. I even have rear vents in the back windows. My 13 yr.old loves to recline on the 3rd seat and the second row bucket seats can be repositioned for your convenience. I plan on putting my newborn in the middle, so I positioned the seats just for that. The Sienna has where you can fold one or both of the 3rd row seats giving ample trunk space, definitely more than my Monte, which boasted it can fit a mountain bike.
It drives nice. The turning radius is unbelievable, which my husband lacks in his Equinox. The drive is so smooth, you cannot hear anything outside. The foot pedals(brake and gas)have great pressure. Something that seems to be lacking with, no offense, but a lot of American made cars. In total, I have not enjoyed such a driving experience since I first drove my Monte(which was a showroom car) off the floor. There is plenty of room for me to carpool with my friends for a girl's night/day out or just to take the kiddies on a field trip.
The last thing I wanted to do after owning my gas guzzling 3.8 SS was get a super-sized, bus-like, noisy, and extremely non-fuel efficient SUV to transport my kids around in. But if you like the look of a a cross-over and money isn't an issue, Buick has the Enclave and Chevy has the Traverse, with the third row seats and it is beautiful. I considered it, but wanted to keep my car and the minivan has so much more room. My husband has the Equinox Lt. I hate it and it does not fit 3 car seats no matter how small they are. The back seat is way to narrow, my Monte has more room in the back than the Equinox.
I am a proud new owner of the minivan and am telling you don't know a good thing until you've tried it. Another thing, my 13's friends rave about how much they love my new mommy mobile.

D.,

You could try a Cadillac....otherwise, I think it is going to be a goobermobile or minivan lookalike...

Good Luck!
M.

D.,

I LOVE MY MINIVAN!! I have owned a Dodge Grand Caravan Since 1999. That is when I got my first one...right before my son who is now 10 was born. I got my second in 2003 before my soon-to-be six year old son was born. Of course I still have the '03. My daughter and son are 15 months apart and when they were babies, I fit them comfortably in the middle seat and my oldest sat in the back with plently of leg room. I had no problem getting them in and out. Now that they are all older, they open up the doors themselves and hop in or out. It is especially helpful when I drop my daughter off at Dance class or the kids off at Soccer. They love the van and so do I. As a mother with three kids who grew up with minivans, I totally recommend nothing buy a minivan if you have children.

I recommend the Mazda 5. It's a wonderful car with 3 rows of seats. The other suggestion is a hybrid Toyota Highlander which has a mid-size car chassis and also has wonderful ratings in terms of safety and reliability and is also available in a 3 rows of seats model. I personally think the Mazda is a much more attractive car though. Those will be the two cars I choose between when I purchase in the next year...

D., I had a minivan when my children where young and I thought it was ok (I used to drive a truck before kids and really missed it). I now have an expedition now that they are older and need to carry sports equipment and their friends. If you buy a SUV you will have to put a portion of the 2nd row down for access to the 3rd row seats. Hope this helps with your decision.

Hi,
We have the Tahoe hybrid and we LOVE it. You do have to flip one seat down to get into the back but mine think it's great...LOL. Ours has the 2 seats that can come down or the one seat that can come down.
We have one seat on drivers side (mid row) that doesn't move (the base is in etc) and then we have the two other seats in the back. Since one is a booster we can move it around as we need to (when I need to fill the trunk from Costco etc).
We are thinking on having another one and I would simply have those two seats that need to be tethered or the base put in in the middle row and leave the one seat down (behind the passenger) and then the older kids in the back row. It comes with everything under the sun in it. Driver controls on the steering wheel and it will even allow you to mute from the steering wheel, DVD package, everything is power operated and the touch screen in the front is awesome. PLUS we have used Onstar several times already just for directions to something I couldn't find in the onboard GPS (which automatically turns down the volume when she speaks so I hear directions over the movies or radio). Those are just some of the things.
We moved from the Avalanche for the same reasoning...we had room for 3 seats but we wanted a little more space for them to move around and of course the gas mileage is soooo much better.

N.

PS: I never wanted a mini van either LOL

Save yourself the aggravation & just get the minivan. I to swore I would never get one until I got prego w/ #3. At the time i had a Tahoe (= GAS GUZZLER), & my girls were 4 & 2 1/2. It is soooo hard to lift the babyseat up & into the base in a SUV. The door never opens fully & u tend to hit the cars next to you in a parking lot.

Can your older one buckle himself? Cuz if not then you'll be climbing into the back, bitching the whole time. The minvan is so convenient & makes life so much easier. My kids can get in/out by themselves & i dont have to worry about them opening the door into another vehicle.
ANd do u really want to put 3 kids next to each other? You will be yelling evrytime you're in the car....whose touching who, whose pulling hair, etc.....trust me!
I can easily reach back if needed to hand them drinks, snacks, etc.
Right now i have a honda odyssey, the 7yo sits in back, the 2yo & 5yo sit in the captain chairs (carseat & booster). I literally broke my back lifting them into/out of carseats in my Tahoe. The gas mileage is great as well.
Well thats my opinion. I didnt want one either but it has made my life so much easier b/c I am constantly driving around.
A few more years & I'll get a Corvette!!!

I know you don't want a minivan...and neither did I. I am too young to drive a minivan...but I LOVE mine!!! We have a Yukon XL and a Honda Oddyssey. The Yukon is such pain to get in and out of. Even though the thing is a beast, it is hard to get through. The minivan is so easy to walk around in and get in and out of. I hope you find something that works for you.

At one point my neice had three carseats in her Expedition. It's a monster, but fits them all together! Good luck-

Hi I went through the same thing. I told my Husband I was not going to drive a minivan!!!!! NO WAY!!!.......................... We ended up witha Minivan. grand caravan with all the bells and whistles. 2 dvd's turnable seats with a table. electric outlets,heated seats. rear back-up mirror...... But don't stop looking. you can still have a truck!!

When I was a foster mom I had a Buick station wagon. It was great. 3 car seat fit nicely in the middle with plenty of room and the back was a rear facing seat that folded down easily to accommodate strollers, groceries etc. From what I can see station wagons are coming back. Check them out.

Thanks D. for asking this question, and congratulations on your pregnancy! There were so many good responses... I will have to log onto this site more often :-)

I don't have much to add on the car issue - I apologize. But I couldn't pass on the opportunity to ask you about how you manage your 2 boys. I have a son who will be 21 months on July 1, when I am scheduled for a c-section to deliver our 2nd son. I am petrified - tips on managing two? My son, btw, is 26 lbs at 19 months, big strong and active... Thanks in advance if you are up for responding...

Hi D.,
I could not do the mini van either.........my thing too. We ended up with a Honda Pilot. I love, love it and I'm actually on my 2nd (we leased the first). At the time, I had a Britax Roundabout, a Britax high back booster and literally brought an empty infant carseat to make sure all fit across the 2nd row. I have a 3rd row which is great when your boys are a little older and you're schlepping everyone with you. Honda has reconfigured their Pilot this year. A friend of mine has the new one and swears there is a little more room than in mine. She loves hers also.
Good luck!!
M.

I hate to say it but you might be better off with a minivan in the long run. As your kids get older they want to hang around with other little people so you'll need a vehicle that is not only big enough for your 3 but one or two more.

HI!
A ford expedition or explorer. the third row is automatic.

good luck!

I am sorry to report that I was in the same situation and wound up getting the dreaded minivan. Remember that if you put the infant in the middle you will lose the nice benefit of being able to easily remove the infant car seat to carry the baby and not wake him/her up. The seats are so awkward you may hurt your back. I know that Mazda makes a 3 row vehicle that is smaller than a van. It will be a bit tough to reach over the seat to buckle in the convertible car seat users but may be worth looking in to. I am looking forward to transitioning into a different vehicle soon as mine should be able to buckle themselves intl their boosters soon. I don't look at the van as forever. The automatic doors on the Odyssey make it almost ok when my hands are full. Good luck and please post if you find something other than a gas guzzling SUV in your hunt. I would love to know!