Mini-van or SUV?

We drive an 8 passenger Toyota sienna mini van. I couldn't be happier! Yes, it's bigger than a car, but you'll get used to it quickly. It drives smoothly, has great driver and passenger seats, and tons of storage space (stow and go) for groceries, luggage, strollers, and other baby gear.

We will have 4 under 5 in March, and everyone should fit comfortably in their big carseats for a while. We have 3 full size seats across the first row - and 3 Britax carseats fit in there perfectly. We'll move my oldest to the back in a booster when the baby comes along. Granted, there's not a ton of leg room in a van (don't know if it's different in SUV?) in the back, but it works for us for now.

Good luck!

My Toyota Sienna drives like a dream and far better than any SUV I've driven (and I've driven many). I also have electric sliding doors and an electric back -all that opens with a press of a button on the key fob. You can seat 8 in it including 2 child seats and still have quite a bit of packing room in the rear. I have sonar on it that beeps if I get too close to anything on the side, front or back but I always look over my shoulder before lane changes. I don't really have a blind spot, which is amazing considering how big it is! Seriously -the Sienna feels like I'm driving a nice Cadillac. I used to drive a MINI and prefer small cars, but it's so comfortable and easy! I can't recommend it enough!

My Odyssey EX seats 8. I love it. When changing lanes, I use my mirrors and look over my shoulder. I live in an area where you have to get on the interstate just to go grocery shopping, but the blindspot isn't that big, and you get used to it.

Had a Toyota Sienna Van (The only kind my husband would let us get). Loved it. It drove like a cream puff. Had almost too much room it seemed. Just all around kid friendly. Easy to strap the kiddos in since the height thing isn't a factor. No more bending over or kids having to 'climb" out of the car. Sliding doors are awesome too.
I now drive a SUV, and like it much better. Why? Uhmm it's cooler :) Drives like I can feel the road, and no more blind spots. I feel like I'm more zippy on the road instead of feeling like I'm driving a boat.
I think gas mileage would be very close to the same on both.
Whatever you decide you will get used to of driving it in time.
Like I said, I liked both so I guess I'm not much help huh?
C.

The main difference between a mini-van and an SUV is that the minivan has AUTOMATIC DOORS. Best thing in the whole wide world when you have a baby and a bunch of other kids. Just imagine, you are carrying baby, a diaper bag, are worrying about toddler, and in a hurry. You can quickly hit two buttons and yell "everyone in!." No doors to open, just buttons to hit --from a good distance away! You can also close the doors from the driver's seat. I'm telling you, the doors are amazing.

Don't worry about the size. I use to drive a Honda Civic. I see much better now in the minivan. In fact, free-way driving is much easier.

Just make sure you get the back-up camera system. It's wonderful!

If you want 8 seats you will need to go to a full-size van, excursion (ford) or a suburban size vehicle. Most mini-vans only have 7 seats. There is normally two bucket seats in front, two bucket seats in middle row and a bench seat in third row. I would suggest a Chrysler Town & Country. This van has the stow-n-go, where the seats fold down into the floor if you ever need to haul anything. All the rear seats (second and third row) fold into floor flat. We bought a 2009 Town & Country in March of of 2009 to replace a truck that was stolen. We love the van compared to and SUV because you don't have to worry about the kids hitting the car next to you in the parking lot because the van has sliding doors vs. doors that open out. I had the same fear of blind spots with our van, until I actually drove one. There is glass all the way around so you don't have a blind spot.

Best of Luck to you J..

ok vans are shorter and have a hard time getting kids in and out of the vehicle especially if you need to climb to the back to get them and they don't have as much room. My husband got one they fit 7. My kids are smushed in the van they rather take my expedition suv. Because theres more room. Now i have a 2003 and i know from experience the 1999 had more room not sure about the newer ones. But mine sits 8 comfy with car seats. In a minivan you need to look back all the time because theres huge blind spots. In the suv you don't need to look back. theres very ;little blind spot. My vote is suv Expedition in particularly

We have been researching cars the past 2 months and just bought the 2011 Toyota Sienna this past Wednesday. Love it so far. good luck with your search.

It probably depends on where you live and what kind of weather you get - plus what options you can get .We went looking for a Toyota Sienna two years ago and ended up with a Nissan Armada. I wanted a mini-van, but the Armada was the all over better deal for us and I couldn't be happier. I have never considered myself a mini-van mom, not to use that in any bad terms, but it's just not me. But I did want the Sienna :o). Or the Odyssey is nice too. But like I said, we LOVE our Armada. My husband drives a Yukon XL Denali also and he loves it too. Neither gets great gas mileage, but it's okay. I would recommend to test drive all types and see what works for you as a driver and your family :o). Congrats on #4!

mini van! you can actually get in to buckle the kids in. I have an SUV and only 2 kids and it isn't that practical.

We have both, and I personally prefer the SUV. But it does cost more to own a SUV; a full sized SUV gets worse gas mileage than a Minivan, it costs more to insure, tires are more expensive to replace and when things go wrong they always seem to be more expensive than what it cost to do a similar thing to the Minivan. The only think I really like about the Minivan is that the doors slide, it means that you don't have to worry about the kids opening the door and hitting another car in a tight parking spot (and if they are power doors it is even nicer). SUV doors are so heavy I worry about them getting hurt. God, it pains me to say this, but I would recommend the Minivan for all of the practical reasons :-).

Keep in mind all those recommending 4-wheel drive vehicles: 4-wheel drive vehicles are often more expensive to repair or maintain, such as oil changes. I've owned cars, SUV's and Mini vans. Mini vans are cheaper to insure than suv's. Some types of vans and SUVS have better visibility/less blind spots than others. Sliding doors on vans, whether automatic or not, are great for more clearance getting in and out of the vehicle. And I loved having the open space between front bucket seats to access the back seat(s) to help with seat belts, especially in bad weather.

I learned how to drive with our family's Chevy Suburban in downtown Detroit during Rush Hour - Greek Town's narrow streets. My dad said: "If you can drive a Suburban, you can drive anything". I've always been taught NOT to look over your shoulders because you miss what is going on ahead of you, even though it is just one second. Jus know where cars around you are at all times so that you always have "an out". Adjust your inside rear-view mirror slightly to the side to compensate for that blind spot. When changing lanes, check your side mirror, then lean forward and check your side mirror again. Try it; it really helps! Good luck with your decision!

Chevy Suburban!

I have a 2005 and it is freaking awesome! I love it...it doesn't feel too big...it's like driving a luxury car. I recommend you and hubby taking one for a test drive, then you will see:)

We opted for the front bench seat, so our technically seats 9...and there is plenty of leg room and storage in the back!

This was our very first brand spanking new car and since we were gonna be spending so VERY much $ , we looked at everything there was to look at ( at the time ) and it was far superior to anything else!

Don't buy anything till you atleast test drive one...you'll see:)

I would highly recommend using the mirrors on any vehicle and looking as well.

Driving a suv or van one feels much safer especially since you several children. Chrysler is the only American made vehicle company that makes mini vans any more. All the rest are crossover vehciles which drive like a car. That may be an even better option for you.

I don't know of any vehicle that seats four car seats across.

If you can afford it the Chevy Traverse seats 8 and is decent on gas.

I did not read all your answers, but a few things. Make sure you get a van or suv with captains chairs in the middle, otherwise you are always moving a car seat to get to the back. My good friend who has four loves her dodge caravan. Also, if you get a mini, make sure you get an extended one, I made that mistake and now we can really only have three with our current van because one seat always has to be folded down or out to store the stroller, cargo, etc...... Good luck.

It cost more in gas to drive a SUV then it does a mini van.

It's a good idea to go and test drive both.

We just went through this about 6 months ago:) I have a lot of friends that love there minivan. My husband always does a ton of research and he had me drive a bunch of different vehicles.

For us it came down to cost, space, seating etc. The Yukon and Tahoe are made the same. If you add the denali it takes more gas than the yukon or tahoe. My husband loves both of these because of how they are made durability and overall structure. I drive to our family house without him in the summer so he wanted something he knows would be safe for us. We purchased a tahoe, with the towing package and the captain chairs etc. So I went from a pathfinder to a tahoe. I looked at the suburban and while I liked it I didn't feel I needed the added space in the back other than when we went to our family house. So my husband got a carrier for the top of the tahoe when we go on the trips.
Amazingly the gas mileage is the same with the tahoe and yukon as it would be for a minivan. The change would come up if you got a denali style. I definitely think you should go out and drive them and really see what your looking for. We used auto trader. We bought the vehicle out right, no debt:) Plus, stick to your price range you will find what you want for your price it just may take time!

I don't have a SUV, although considering geting one in the next 4-6 months. I do have a minivan, actually my second one and I LOVE it. I have a Pontiac Montana and if they still made them, it would be no question as to what I would buy! I do use my mirrors when changing lanes but I also always do a shoulder check, I don't find there is a blind spot. Be sure to test drive a number of them and find what is more comfortable for you. My husband had a van as well a few years ago, and I found there was a blind spot in his, although he didn't notice it, perhaps it is what you get used to. My van is a 8 passenger one, a bench seat in the middle but all seats will fold forward for easy access to the back, which also is for 3 passengers (although I am not so sure 3 would actually fit), I have 2 car seats in the back and my older kids can fit in between but woulldn't be comfortable on a long distance drive.

Do some research and test drive like crazy until you find what you like. I do like the idea of an SUV, although I love the sliding doors of a mini van, not sure I want to give that up just yet as I have a home daycare and do take the kids places when I have to.

We just made the same decision. We choose the SUV because I really wanted better traction in the winter. Although, the chryster town and country now has some sort of traction control (it's called something different and it kicks in when you need it, ex when sliding on ice).
The automatic doors of the van were a real appeal, but I find that I open one door and everyone climbs through. We made sure there was an opening in the center counsol so that I could cimb back to help with seat belts (although because of that ours only seats 7).

It is hard to get used to parking, horrible actually. I now park very far away, which I'm not looking forward to in the winter. Blind spot is fine. As long as you use your mirrors. I always used my mirrors in my little Ford Focus too. Going from the Ford Focus to the SUV was a big change. The van might have been a better transition, but with such similar cost and knowing that SUV's hold their value better and hold up better in general, we had to go with the suv.

SUV if its not 4 wheel drive I won't buy it or drive it I don't want to get stuck in snow or mud.

With a van you are going to have seating for 7, 3 in the back and 2 in the middle, 2 in the front. It is rare to find a van that has 3 in the center. The 2002 Chevy Venture was the last one I saw that was comfortable and fit 8.

An SUV, like a Suburban, is wider, longer, built on a truck frame so it's much safer in an accident, and it has 3 in the rear, 3 in the middle, and then the 2 front seats. It also has extra room behind that back seat, my double stroller, kids bikes and helmets for BMX, all kinds of things can fit back there with no problems. The SUV is just much roomier too. The seats are full size and comfortable.

I love my mini van. It is a pontiac montana. I think we have plenty of room. It seats 7 though.

.

Van! :-) I have a 2005 Oddessy and my husband just got a Highlander. We now both wish we had two vans. My van gets better gas mileage, is much easier to drive and park, I can see out of it better (the back-up cameras are great) and getting in and out is so much easier with the doors that slide.

Yes, I still look over my shoulder when changing lanes (you should do this no matter what kind of car/truck you drive), but the seating is much higher, and the center of gravity in the van is lower, so it is much safer to drive than a full-size SUV. Plus, it rides like a car, not like a truck.

You'll get used to whatever new vehicle you drive. I was dead-set against getting a van (I can't really remember why now...) but it is the most wonderful vehicle. I might drive one even after we don't "need" one anymore! Ha ha ha

Good luck with your choice. Test drive lots of models more than once, and check out Consumer Reports: www.consumerreports.org for safety info.
C.

VAN! Vans are more like driving a car, believe it or not. It's all windows and can see well. We have a regular SUV and have seen the larger ones and would never go that route. The gas on an SUV is generally worse than vans. I have a Honda Odessey. It's the best rating for safety now that Toyota has had some problems. Ours has a jump seat to make the middle row with 3 seats. We have the huge Britax Regent 5 pt car seats and you cannot fit 3 of those across in any vehicle, lol! So we have two in the back, one in the middle (the triplets are 6) and our 15 year old son sits in the middle as well. We have the jump seat stowed away. Vans drive SO smooth and do not feel huge at all compared to SUVs. Remember, vans are meant for kids more than SUVs. Check safety ratings before buying!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
events and chat within 2 hour radius

I have a fullsize GMC conversion van. It seats 7, four bucket seats and a bench in back.
It gets a whopping 12 mpg. :o)
I have rolled one and totaled it without a scrape on any of our four kids or my father or myself. THe only thing I would downsize to is a Suburban.

And you learn to watch where the other cars are while you are driving. LIttle cars don't now that the big ones can't stop on a dime, you anticipate that.
My son was on driver's ed and the DE teacher berated him for turning around and looking out the back while driving to change lanes. He said he passed a van like ours, the guy said something about it being "big" and my son said THAT is what we drive.

My husband convinced me to get a Kia Sedona when our second dughter was on the way...I haven't looked back since!!! I wanted an SUV so BAD but he had me test drive the van and I LOVED it.

It did take a little getting used to driving a bigger vehicle but now I hate driving a car and feel much safer in a van.

One of the best parts of the van is being able to kneel on the floor when trying to buckle my kids or get the baby seat in. It's very easy for my kids to get in and out on their own too.

Also, we have used out van to move everything from a grill to a sofa to a large queen bed! Most van's now come with stow and go seating allowing you to flip the seats under the floor eliminating the need to remove seats.

I love love love my van. A good friend of mine drove an SUV for years. She recently made the switch and wondered why she didn't lesten to me sooner!

The blind spot has not been an issue for me. I still look before I change lanes. I have always used my mirrors and looked so that wasn't an issue for me. The only thing that scares me about a taller vehicle is backing up. I try to back into parking spaces as often as possible...especially if it's at school whre children are present. I am always on HIGH alert making sure no one is behind me. If it's possible for you, get a feature that has a rear camera or some sort of signal that lets you know if something is close to the rear of the vehicle.

Congratulations on your next little one, and good luck with your choice =0)

Hi J.---I think that the SUV/Mini van decision will boil down to what criteria you deem most important. Make a chart and list all features or desired features you might be looking for. Fill in the blanks and then the answer will be obvious. Living in Michigan with all of it's rural roads and snowy weather, I prefer some sort of an all wheel drive vehicle. If you have a lot of driving to do, you will want to have that feature available to you. AWD does use more gas, however. I do believe that it is a bit more safer to drive, as well.

As far as ease of driving, sometimes that's hard to determine until you have driven the car. You must go on several test drives, and maybe more than once. As far as safely driving a larger car, just be extra careful until you get used to the vehicle. You must learn to use your mirrors, all of the time. They are your first line of defense in a car. My husband used this for our youngest when he was learning to drive, and specifically lane changes: "Mirror, mirror, shoulder, go." So, changing lanes to the left, first look at rear view mirror, then the side view mirror then look over your left shoulder to be sure there was no blind spot in the mirror. Should be no problem.

Here is a link on how to properly adjust your mirrors. Good luck! D.
http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/tech/mirrors/