Family Friendly Cars?

[junkinmytrunk]

Provided all goes well, DH and I will need to upgrade both of our cars to accomodate a little one this March.

We are starting to research our options. Thus far, he likes the PT Cruiser (he can still have style yet can put a carseat or stroller in back) and I'm leaning towards the Pacifica, also a Chrysler. We have yet to test drive either.

Does anyone have feedback on these or other family friendly cars they can recommend / advise us to avoid?

TIA!!

[Orange]

I drive a Mazda6. I love it! It's very sporty and also a great family sedan. The trunk is unbelievabley big - it is amazing what I can fit in there. Mine is a 2003 model but the newer ones are available in a wagon or hatchback as well. Not too expensive, either.

[BooeyJ2]

We have a 2005 Ford Freestyle and love it......
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/freestyle/?section=CAR


It's basically a SUV and station wagon put together.....
http://www.pscarreviews.com/blog-seren/uploads/Freestyle.main.jpg


Our second row has 3 seats instead of 2 like this (so it fits a total of 7 people...comfortably).......
http://www.vanboxtel.com/2005_ford_model_vehicle_images/2005_ford_freestyle/2005_ford_freestyle_lg_16.jpg

[LexyLou]

I have a Toyota 4Runner and it's perfect for us because the back has a roll down window so I can put our dog back there and keep the baby in the backseat.

http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/4runner/gallery/exterior/photo_5.jpg

[adoredh]

I love my 4 door, 4 wheel drive GMC Jimmy - DH just bought it for me 3 months ago. It's a smaller SUV, so it gets decent gas milage. Car seat fits perfectly, and the back has plenty of room for stroller and a ton more. It's also a ton easier for me to get in and out of now that I'm 8 months PG! (I just kind of roll out, instead of trying to lift myself up and out)

http://auto.consumerguide.com/images/autoreview/400x266/1995-2001-GMC-Jimmy-Envoy-97126091990204.JPG

[junkinmytrunk]

Wow, thanks guys - keep it coming!

[BTB]

C'mon over and join in the fray - oops, I mean fun: :D

SUV vs. Minivan (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=3988)

[e&d]

To me, safety is the #1 concern in choosing a car, especially for children.

Here is one national agency that rates car safety by model and class.

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm

[EJH]

Just wanted to submit my vote for the Pacifica. We bought ours a year ago and we love it. The size is great and the ride is so smooth. We wanted something that wasn't a minivan, but neither of us were big SUV lovers...this is a happy medium and then some. Our daughter is due in three weeks, her carseat will be installed tomorrow. Then it really will be a family car! :)

Erin

[cgmom313]

Here is a another vote for the Pacifica. We bought this car the day before I went into Labor. We bought it on a Sat and I went into Labor on Sunday 2 weeks early. The funny thing is we drove that car to the hospital when I was in labor for 2 reasons. It had a full tank of gas, and Leather seats. My DH said he didn't want my water to break in his truck that had cloth seats :rolleyes:

I agree with EJH, it is not a van and not an SUV but has all the things you need for a family car. It is very similar to the Ford Freestyle. We tested both, but got a better deal on the Pacifica because they gave me more money on my trade in because I already drope a Chrysler Product.

Good Luck with your car search!

[DianeCourt]

OMG, JUNK, CONGRATULATIONS!

I was paging through my journal when I saw your new signature....I'm elated for you!!!!!!!

DH works for DaimlerChrysler, and his company car was a Pacifica two years ago. We only had it for a year, but it was my absolute FAVORITE car that he's ever brought home. I loved it, and was very sad to see it go after the year was up. In fact, I'm bugging him to get us another one somehow! If you get one, you MUST get a power liftgate! I loved being able to open & close the rear hatch with just the touch of a button. (Will also come in handy when you're juggling a car seat & stroller!) It has all of the conveniences of a minivan without the "soccer mom" appearance.

Congratulations again - I know how long you've been waiting for this!

[usafwife]

We have a Mercury Mountaineer and we love it. I like the fact that I do not have bend down to put DD and her car seat in the back seat. It was also very easy for me to get in and out of while I was pregnant. The car was definitely getting more and more uncomfortable for me. There is plenty of room for all of the stuff we take with us (stroller, PNP, etc.). And room for groceries and other items we buy.

[1_mommy]

we have a 92 toyota 4-runner right now. it is perfect for 1 child, but 2 is a no go. there is no leg room in the back and there is no way 2 carseats will fit in the back. especially the rear facing.

right now we are looking at getting a nissian pathfinder. the only down fall is the third row takes away from the trunk space. but with only having 2 kids, we can fold on of the seats down for storage

[Candy]

I heart my Pacifica! We bought it March of this year. I had a Mitsubishi Lancer, but getting DD out of her car seat was a PITA. I couldn't be happier about my Pacifica.
I also adore the power rear. It's wonderful. The dealership also through in a year of satellite radio too.
Let me know if you have any questions.

[emermel]

I love my CRV...it's big enough to hold the tank stroller and still have room for groceries, but still drives very much like a car. My sister drives an Escape-which is similarly sized and said that she didn't feel like her car drove like an SUV until she drove mine because it felt so much like a car. We have the LS (higher level) model, which has side curtain airbags standardized, which I really liked.

[southerner]

subscribing...

[junkinmytrunk]

Lotsa love for the Pacifica out there...YAY!!!

We're going to start looking in early September -- will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for all the input ladies!