Has It Really Come To This...? An SUV...?

Honda Odyssey.

I'll come right out and say I was one of those people who said they'd NEVER own a mini van. Give it serious consideration. They are less expensive, have more cargo room, carry more people, carry those people more comfortably (I took six adults and our luggage to the airport with room to spare), get better fuel economy, and are cheaper to insure. I have a Honda van now and it's the best build vehicle I've ever owned.

ronner wrote:

Honda Odyssey.

The minivan... Hmmm... Not sure we are ready for that one, but I will try the idea out on the wife.

By ready, I mean that we are only 27, so we are crazy free spirits, not yuppie douchebag f***s.

Daddy Dearest wrote:

The minivan... Hmmm... Not sure we are ready for that one, but I will try the idea out on the wife.

By ready, I mean that we are only 27, so we are crazy free spirits, not yuppie douchebag f***s.

Not me. Ignore any posts claiming to be me from now on, you know the question...

Is a 3rd row necessary or are there wagons/sedans with a large enough back seat that can fit 3 carseats abreast? I wouldn't think so, especially given the size of the newborn carrier systems but it might be worth double-checking larger sedan back seat widths to verify to definitely need a 3rd row.

And it you do, man, I would fight the good fight and test drive every minivan possible just to make sure you won't go for one. Mileage, comfort, safety, everything is better than in an SUV, possibly barring the mileage of a Highlander Hybrid which will run a pretty penny.

Doesn't the Mazda 5 have a 3rd row?

Embrace the minivan...... i have. Also, it is pretty good in the snow it is a heavy FWD. Unstoppable with chains for steep climbs to a ski area.....

I never thought i would have one.....but now I cant imagine any other way to tote 3 kids around. The new suv's with the 3rd row of seats are a rip off (except a suburban). You cant fit any one bigger than 3 feet tall in the 3rd row and then you have no trunk space.

buy a Corvette

From a practical standpoint, minivans are great and make more sense than an SUV - better mileage, more flexible interior, etc. and with 3 small kids, you can get from the front seat to the back seats. The good ones also drive much better.

The hangup with minivans is the image people want to project. If you've got 3 kids tho, it may be time to match your image with reality. I second the recommendation of the Honda Odyssey is great.

New Odyssey is designed and marketed to younger couples who don't want to look like Walmart loving fat ass suburban moms. They are way better for little kids as the distance from the floor to the ground isn't so high that your kids can get hurt if they try to step out of the vehicle on their own. And it is easier to get car seats and kids in and out with the sliding door. Odyssey drives like a car, gets good mileage and doesn't roll like SUVs.

We have a Toyota 4-Runner with a 3rd row seat. But with the 3 kids under the age of 5, I recommend you get the Honda min-van or the Toyota mini-van.

Just get the minivan. You are not as cool as you would like to believe, so there is no need to worry about other peoples' perception of you. Embrace paractcality over image. You will be able to cling to the "it's for my wife" angle in those moments that you are feeling judged.

try renting a minivan or SUV next time you go to Grandmas house.

maybe you can just rent for special occasions.

Enterprise even picks you up.

or you could sell one kid to a yuppie couple (cash only, no lawyers involved) and buy yourself a nice 2 seater convertible with the proceeds.

Honda Fit should be big enough.

1972 VW Van - Great transporter and cool...

Minivan + mohawk, nipple piercings and tats of your body organs

Once you pass two kidlets, minivan (or Ford molester vans) are the only way to go. Quit kidding yourself. Your a soccer dad.

Get a porsche 911 turbo.

Do you really need a mini van or SUV?

Can't you drive a regular sedan or hatchback & put 3 kids across in the back seat?

Get a 10-year old Toyota LandCruiser. Middle row is wide enough for 3. Its great for snow. Heavy. Reliable. Cheap to repair. Has a 3rd row that folds up for more storage. With all seats folded its like a pickup truck. The most versatile vehicle I've ever owned. Gas milage sucks.

I got one. Just would not be happy with a minivan.