We have a 4 yr old and are due with twins this spring. I need an affordable option for a vehicle that can fit all three carseats and both parents. Would love to hear from moms who have already solved this one for themselves. Thanks so much.
Minivan!!!! I absolutely love my van...way better than the suvs I used to drive. Easier to maneuver and WAY easier with kids. If you can afford it the new Honda Odyessy can fit 3 FULL SIZED carseats in the middle row. And the middle seat slides up for easy access to baby. You will not find a car, can or SUV that does it better-I can guarantee you that.
personally a mini van is outta the question for us, there are 3 kids all in carseats and expecting #4 in a few weeks, and have a mil all to fit, we have a suburban, the hubby dont care for it much but he likes smaller vehicles, i however, love it. we had a tahoe b4 the suburban and was still able to fit all 3 seats in the 2nd row, didnt have the 3rd like in the suburban, not to bad on gas either, well not around here with all the running i do.
I would advise not turning to the dark side (minivan)! Soooooo uncool.
This was the same scenario for a friend of mine and they ended up with a minivan! They are very frugal people and this was the best and only option they could really justify! They bought a honda, not sure what year though. It was used, probably your best bet! Congrats!
You might be able to get 3 seats into your current car. We did. We had the Graco Snugride (the skinniest infant seat) for our infant and the Sunshine Kids Radian (also the skinniest) for our toddlers and all 3 fit across. Then, we got the baby a Chicco carseat (they say you can fit 3 Chiccos across in a Honda.)
When the baby was ready to turn around, the 3 seats wouldn't fit anymore so last year we bought a Chevy Traverse. It seats 8 very comfortably. We also looked at the Ford Flex that seats 7. I didn't look at any minivans. I'm very happy with the Traverse.
Good luck, and congratulations!
I've heard good things about the Mazda 5 - under $20K and room for 3 kids in the middle plus a back row optional for visitors, etc. but can be removed when you need more room to haul stuff.
I had a GMC Acadia before moving to London. I LOVED that car!! I actually shed a tear the day I turned it in. I only have two children who sat comfortably in the middle row captains chairs, but often had my friends two kids with me and was able to fit them in the third row. You cannot fit an infant seat in the third row though. Decent space behind third row for storage. Good luck!
