For those w/ kids, is a wagon/minivan/crossover a must? Can a midsize sedan suffice?

[obamanation]

Unless you have an airbag override, you are pretty much wishing serious injury or death on your kid. Front seats & kids = bad news.

True, but like you said, you can get an airbag override installed. Also I think on the newer cars with advance airbags, the airbags will disable themselves if the weight in the front seat is low enough though for peace of mind, I'd have the dealership install the switch which they can and will do per request.

Where does your spouse sit?

No need for them to be in the same car? Do you bring your spouse when you're on a shopping errand or dropping the kids off at school?

 

[obamanation]

Unless you have an airbag override, you are pretty much wishing serious injury or death on your kid. Front seats & kids = bad news.

True, but like you said, you can get an airbag override installed. Also I think on the newer cars with advance airbags, the airbags will disable themselves if the weight in the front seat is low enough, though for peace of mind, I'd have the dealership install the switch which they can and will do per request.

Where does your spouse sit?

No need for them to be in the same car? Do you bring your spouse when you're on a shopping errand or dropping the kids off at school? If you're going on a family vacation, then just rent a vehicle.. Makes more sense to own a vehicle for 90% of what you do and rent for the rest of the time. Or...you could take two vehicles for the vacation so that one accident won't wipe out an entire family..

This is wrong. My wife and i could fit three carseats ALL rear facing in our Toyota Corolla... it just wasn't comfortable for us. Since we got our Sonata, we can sit all three in the back rear facing with plenty of room for us. You can also do this in the Malibu, Camry, Fusion, and Accord. The secret is finding the right car seat.

http://www.skjp.com/products/97556/Car_Seats

At this site you can find the safest, and at the same time, narrowest car seat on the market. They're pricey, but would you rather spend thousands more on a minivan or hundreds for new car seats?

Oh, and by the way, those car seats will last your kids their entire carseat/booster lives. This, and all of the leading research now suggests that your children should remain rear facing as long as possible.. up to 40 pounds. The vast majority of car accidents are on the front end and a young child's spinal chord is still very fragile. I've done far too much research on this stuff now that I have kids...

You're my hero! :thumbsup:

 

[iGas]

I have no kids, but my Windstar serve me well went I take my nieces & nephews out. The Windstar also pull a double duty as a truck for the occasional yard cleanup and a hauler for building materials.

My daily driver is a Camry.

 

[Proprioceptive]

You're my hero!

I try, my friend... I try.

 

[SearchMaster]

You do not NEED a minivan for one kid - sorry. If you WANT one, they're great to have (we have an '07 Odyssey, 3 kids). Even with a carseat, a mid/fullsize sedan like the Optima or even your four door MZ3 will be just fine though can be cumbersome at times.

 

[StageLeft]

Or...you could take two vehicles for the vacation so that one accident won't wipe out an entire family..

LOL. I really don't know if you are a troll or just maladjusted, superb post in any case.

 

[Elfear]

As a parent of 2 children and faced with the same dilemma, I went minivan because of the convenience factor of a taller roofline (this will save your back with younger kids who can't seat themselves), more room (do you have a truck? if not, this will become very important), and the freedom to transport 8 passengers if you ever need to.

But, to be honest, we really didn't need the minivan at all. We utilize the space in the back maybe.... 4-5 times a year and that is because of trips to Home Depot and back. We only have 2 kids and we hardly ever transport anybody else so the rear seats are folded in almost 24/7. We have dogs but our vet is mobile. We could have done fine without a minivan and save a lot on gas. If we had more than 2 kids, minivan would be an absolute must because I have seen no wagons or sedans that could fit 3 child seats.

Completely agree with this. I couldn't believe how much easier it was on my back trying to get a kid and their carseat into a minivan than it was into our four-door Corolla. It really does take a toll after awhile because you're hunched over with this awkward 15-35lb weight extended out in front of you. Even when the kids are old enough to climb in the car themselves, you still have to hunch inside the rear door and buckle them in. I probably wouldn't get a minivan for one kid but as soon as we had two it was a much better vehicle and pretty much mandatory when we had our third.

I thought giving up my mancard for a minivan would be bad but it really wasn't. Kids make those concerns fade away. Besides, you can always get a nice minivan for the wife (if you plan on having more than one kid) and get yourself something fun. The vast majority of women that I've met don't really care how sporty their car is as long as it's convenient and a decent vehicle.

No need for them to be in the same car? Do you bring your spouse when you're on a shopping errand or dropping the kids off at school?

Huh? Really depends on the family dynamics. We do pretty much everything together (shopping, errands, Sunday service, fast food, etc.) so having a spot for my spouse is pretty important. I really don't want to have to take two cars everywhere just to avoid the "embarrassment" of driving a minivan.

 

[lurk3r]

My parents raised 3 kids driving a 1976 Chevy Nova, we didnt have 2 cars until I was in my teens and my youngest brother was around in grade 3 or 4, and my mother started working instead of raising us. There were plenty of fights in the back seat "MOM HE'S TOUCHING ME" is still a fun joke. Life did get alot nicer when we picked up the "green beast", a 77 Dodge full sized van with a 400 ci motor, we each had our own seat for trips.

 

[Gillbot]

You answered your own question in the OP, although yeah, the deluxe strollers are bulky. I can fit one in the trunk of my Focus though

Minivans are freaking awesome though, big, comfy, roomy, quiet, safe vehicles that get surprisingly good fuel economy along with dirt-cheap insurance (and invisible to cops). Yeah they don't look cool and they're not going to Laguna Seca anytime soon, but who gives a shit what anyone else thinks, it's about you and your kids.

Yeah, I would have never purchased a minivan but the company supplied one. I will say that after traveling with kids in my wife's Escape and now the Minivan.... MINIVAN FTMFW!

Nobody "NEEDS" a minivan. I have one and like it but the vast majority of people in Europe don't seem to have them and plenty of Americans also never go bigger than a midsize sedan. Growing up the biggest vehicle our family of five ever had was a cavalier wagon. It's not ideal but I wouldn't buy a car just to satisfy an unusual and fairly rare need and seriously a midsize will hold luggage for three people and a hugeass stroller in its trunk. Just not luggage for four and two huge ass strollers.

They sure are a lot nicer when you need the space though. But by that thought, nobody really needs anything more than absolute basic transportation.

 

[PricklyPete]

It's all about compromise. Ideally you will want a minivan/wagon/CUV once you have kids...but it certainly is not necessary. My parents had 6 kids and my Mom didn't get a wagon until she had all 6 of us...actually it wasn't till she totalled her car that she got the wagon...we still made due with 6 kids and and two family cars. You just have to be willing to compromise.

 

[child of wonder]

My kids are 7 and 6 and we've never owned anything bigger than a Camry.

You can get by with a midsize sedan but it'll be tight.

 

[Kirby]

My mom raised two kids and drove a little brown Nissan. It was a big deal when she moved up to a Chevy Lumina.

 

[Slew Foot]

Sliding doors are awesome for kids. You dont need to worry about then slamming the door into anything, the power opening is awesome when youre carrying loads of shit, and the height and size of the door make getting stuff in and out easy.

 

[PingSpike]

I wish they made more cars like the Mazda 5 with the sliding door for the reasons Slew Foot said. I feel like everyone makes the same stupid cars with the same stupid problems. No one really makes anything new or offers something different. There's hardly any wagons to buy at all, and many of the options are expensive luxury vehicles like Volvos.

We're planning a family in the next year or so and also a new vehicle purchase around that time. The Elantra we have will be fine for one kid I think, but I want a wagon (and not just for the kid room...you can't fit crap in a sedan when going to home depot). Ideally, I'd like a mid size wagon...but there's isn't much out there in a reasonable price range. I've got the Elantra Touring and Subarus on my radar, but neither is really exactly what I want.

 

[nakedfrog]

A sedan is perfectly acceptable (for up to two kids). When my youngest was born, we had a Chevy Prizm, and didn't get a midsize sedan until she was around eighteen months old.

With three kids, you can still get by, but you'll be chipping away at your sanity.

 

[hanoverphist]

Unless it is HUGE (I bought a Chrysler 300C), consider all the extra stuff you and your wife will have to bring along when you have kids.
Stroller(s)
Playpens
Diaper bags
toys
Car seats

Those are the basics. Forget about when they get older.
Sporting equipment.

holy crap! why carry all that stuff around for general purpose? i have 3 kids, drove a dodge intrepid for a long time when they were stroller age. i had a smaller back up for the older girl, and a twin stroller for my twins. they both fit in the trunk along with the emergency bag of clothes/ supplies (and my 2 12" subs/ amp). i had a diaper bag in the front seat with the wife, 3 car seats in the back. it was even easier when i drove my 76 impala, and just as easy when i drove my 80 cadillac. the 12" subs were in all 3 cars. my ex preferred to get bigger tho, she drove a suburban that sat 8 until she wrecked it, and has a full size chevy truck now. i do just fine with 3 teens in my dodge ram truck quad cab, and they always seem to have a bunch of crap to tote around with them.

point is, you can make do with whatever you want to, and what you feel like carrying around with you everywhere. if you want a sedan, get one and make it work.

 

[fbrdphreak]

OK, I about shat when I saw NSF4 suggesting a Kia, but I'll let it slide for the Optima.

But why is this even a question? Subaru Outback FTMFW. Or go used and buy an 06+ Legacy wagon. I test drove a last gen Outback XT wagon automatic (XT = turbo) and it handled surprisingly well. The automatic's not my taste, but it works well.

I still have my 97 Legacy GT wagon and it's doing well at 235K miles.

Something in the range of 25-30 cuft with seats up, 60+ with seats folded. Roof rack. AWD. Top safety ratings. Reasonably priced. Turbo. Good resale. What more do you need?

 

[jpeyton]

It's largish, has a large back seat, a large trunk, and gets 34 mpg hwy with a 274 hp turbo four engine. What more could you ask for?

For starters, something not made by Kia.

 

[NFS4]

I a leased Mazda5 and still kick myself for not buying it out at the end of the lease.  It'd be the natural sucessor to your 3.  It really is the almost perfect car for a small/young family.
 
The sliding doors are a thing of beauty.  It's a perfect height for getting bulky infant carriers in and out and when the kid(s) get older it's much easier for them to climb in and out of.  Plus the cargo room is second to nothing in it's class.  
 
The great thing about it is that it has the turning radius of a tricylce, gets excellent milage (better than stated) and is fun to drive.  And you don't feel like you've sacraficed your soul to the god of family functionality.  It's a very reasonable priced, sized, and performing vehicle.
 
You don't *need* a van...but there's no way my malibu hatchback or my wife's equinox come close to the Mazda's functionality and ease of use getting my 2 year old in & out.

My next door neighbor has a Mazda5 and it's pretty sweet looking. But it still seems a bit like overkill and a bit underpowered when fully laden. It has the same engine as my three but with more weight to carry. 

I took a trip to the NC mountains a few years back in my 3s with three other people and cargo. Damn thing was nearly coughing up a lung going up the mountain roads. I can't imagine doing the same with a Mazda5.

On top of that, I plan to buy new -- the new Mazda5 looks like ass:

 

 

[Jzero]

One kid, no problem you can get by with just about anything. My brother-in-law carts 3 kids + wife around in his Mercury Milan just fine. Obviously you have to be judicious in what you carry. I don't even see my Fit being a problem with 2 kids. For example instead of a "travel system" just get a stroller frame that accommodates the rear-facing child seat. Far less bulk, plus much lighter. By the time your child outgrows the rear-facing seat they'll be big enough to use an umbrella stroller.

I really like the Mazda5 as the efficient minivan, though I'm not sure how I feel about that new look. Too bad Mazda aren't offering the 6 Wagon in the US anymore...wagons are making a comeback!

The Kia has a large trunk opening compared to similar cars, which is nice...something you often don't think to consider when shopping.

Personally I think a wagon/hatchback is simply a must in general. Anytime I look in a regular car's trunk I am always bothered by how inefficent the space is.

 

[mikej007]

I've got a 3 year old in a big ass front facing seat, and a 3 month old in a rear facing seat in my Audi A4. It's definitely tight, but doable. Good thing my wife's only 5' tall, this way we can slide her seat way up to get the rear facing seat to fit better.

 

[BenSkywalker]

With one kid a Camaro, Mustang or Eclipse would be fine as long as your better half isn't pushing 6' tall. Outside of a car without a backseat, you don't need nearly as much room for one kid as some people make out(there are a whole lot of things people seriously underestimate in terms of what kids need, space in a car isn't one of them). BTW- I picked those three cars as they have the smallest backseats of current cars that I am aware of.

Pack&Play, stroller and diaper bag. All of those will fit in your 3 easily. I'd get 2 identical carseats and leave a base in both yours and your wife's car(makes things so much easier) so can just pop the actual seat in and out, other then that having a more compact car really isn't a big deal with one kid. I had an Eclipse for a while and could take three kids(2 toddlers and one of them is 14 and bigger then my wife by quite a bit, so OK to ride in the front seat) with no problem at all in that car including all of the various needs that they have to go with them.

Side note on the stroller- small and light>>>>>deluxe model by a long shot. A diaper bag and easy to manipulate stoller are far less tiresome then one of the deluxe models. I have a $400 stoller that has collected dust for years in favor of a ~$20 bargain model that weighs 1/5th what the other does. Sure, suspension, compartments, cup holders and all of that sound real nice, until you actually have to deal with the additional bulk on a regular basis. Your better half will likely be far happier with the convenience of a smaller lighter stoller(unless she wants to make an impression on people, never understood it but some women seem to look at strollers as a status symbol directly comparable to cars).

 

[Pulsar]

This is wrong. My wife and i could fit three carseats ALL rear facing in our Toyota Corolla... it just wasn't comfortable for us. Since we got our Sonata, we can sit all three in the back rear facing with plenty of room for us. You can also do this in the Malibu, Camry, Fusion, and Accord. The secret is finding the right car seat.

http://www.skjp.com/products/97556/Car_Seats

At this site you can find the safest, and at the same time, narrowest car seat on the market. They're pricey, but would you rather spend thousands more on a minivan or hundreds for new car seats?

Oh, and by the way, those car seats will last your kids their entire carseat/booster lives. This, and all of the leading research now suggests that your children should remain rear facing as long as possible.. up to 40 pounds. The vast majority of car accidents are on the front end and a young child's spinal chord is still very fragile. I've done far too much research on this stuff now that I have kids...

I give you huge kudos for find those narrow seats. We looked for a long long time when we made our first purchase (7 years ago) and couldn't find anything that narrow.

So, now being corrected - pretty much any of your normal car seats (aside from that one manufacturer - and I sure wish I knew about them 6-7 years ago!) will not fit 3 wide.

I also want to agree with your comment about rear-facing. Rear facing as long as you can, and then front facing with a 5 point harness as long as you can. We searched for a long time to get maximum weight on the 5 point harness seats front facing because it's also much safer.

Gotta keep those kids safe!

 

[trmiv]

Just give up now and get a damn Sienna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4

Swagger Wagon biatch!

 

[hanoverphist]

Just give up now and get a damn Sienna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4

Swagger Wagon biatch!

haha that was great!