Baby #3 On The Way...Need new Vehicle...Suggestions?

[natemomma27]

Topic says it all! We currently have a 2002 Bravada (SUV), which is great...but we just bought (financed) it a little over a year ago and now we have baby #3 due in January! I could squeeze another car seat in the back, but that's really pushing it and I don't want my older children (4&2) to 'manhandle/annoy' the new baby while in the car since the infant seat would be in the middle.

I'm looking for something with 3rd row seating, that still has cargo space but isn't a boat to drive...or too expensive! LOL

Any ideas or suggestions?

[JoyRenee]

Well a few companies are going to stop making minivans (I believe Ford is one). But I have a Dodge Grand Caravan SPORT and it's ENORMOUS! SUVs are a little harder on your wallet, gasoline-wise. I'd go with a minivan!

[Becky30]

I loved my SUV, but I've got to tell you I LOVE my new Toyota Sienna mini-van.  We were in the exact same predicament.

[pinkbelle]

teh Suzuka Xl 7 has three rows of seat plus cargo space.. its a nice car.. we are thinking of getting one

[Jame0223]

My mom has an 05 tahoe that has 3rd row seating and while yes if you have the seats up there isnt much cargo, but if you put one child in the third row you can still fold down the other part to make room? I would want to check out the new Flex! Those are spiffy looking and I believe they have 3rd row seats but I am not sure!

I would check out suburban, or yukon, maybe a caravan. The nissan quests are ugly though..lol

[sweetangel7]

A lady I work with has a ford...it is a new model, I can't remember the name but it is awesome and I love it every time she drives me somewhere!  It is on the smaller side too so it isn't like a boat or anything...I actually want one!

[ovaz129]

Careful with the Enclaves... they are being recalled for spontaneous combustion issues.  Where they all of a sudden catch on fire without a match :)

We just bought an 08 Toyota Highlander Limited and love it.  The second row has 2 captains chairs and if you wanted it to be a bench, there is an insert that goes in the middle.  The second row moves back and forth to give more leg room to the 3rd row.  It also has a back up camera (which is great to watch out for those kiddos that could be in your blind spot)  Very nice, and we are suuper happy with it.  Plus, it gets the highest gas mileage over any mid-size SUV.  

To compare cars, we use Edmunds. com and carsdirect. com
Both are great.  Good luck...

[nikko*ttc]

I want a Buick Enclave, but DH just bought a new truck (he needed it his old truck was a 2000 and my car is a 2005). They just came out last year so pricing even for a used one is over 25,000 or 30,000. The 2009's fully loaded are around 40,000. But they have 7 or 8 passenger seating depending on what option you choose and it has room in the rear for cargo. The third row does fold flat for that extra room. So, maybe you could get the 8 passenger seating. Three seats in the middle and three in the back that way if you need extra room in the back you can just fold the third row flat and still have room for all the kiddies on the second row. But the pictures I have seen the space is fairly large.

[loismwallace]

Dodge Durangos are nice with third roll if you want to stick with SUV.

[natemomma27]

ugh! as if pregnancy and children arnt stressful enough now i gotta add finding a new car to the list! LOL

[Lance06]

Most SUV"s that have the third row seating only have it without the cargo space, so you only have cargo space when the third row is down. I even googled and that is what I came across. My mom has a mercury mountaineer with the 3rd row seating but has no room for cargo unless its folded down.
Good luck!
you have have to go with a van.

[BTS1022]

Hubby and I are looking at the Mazda cx-9. It has TONS of room. It even has 2 rows of back seats, and is 4wd for bad weather that automatically kicks in for you, which is neat. It can come with the back up video monitor, navigation, and a bunch of other nifty toys. A fully loaded Mazda cx-9 Touring will run about 40k though, so prices are a bit outragous, but the vehicle did just come out a year ago so it is fairly new on the market.

[Avanaar]

Actually, I think it's Dodge *Grand* Caravan.  I think the 'grand' means it's a little longer/bigger.

[Avanaar]

If you want to stick with an SUV, I can't help you ...I'm not very familiar with them.

However, my mom has a 2006 or 2007 Dodge Caravan and it is awesome!!  I always told myself I would never be a "van" mom ...but after riding around in hers, I *want* one!!  lol  I really like the one with the fold-out table and middle seats that spin around so they face the bench seat in the back.

Her van is great for hauling stuff too.  The seats fold down easily (I think into compartments in the floor) ...and it's a very comfy ride!!  I know they've gone on trips to Wisconsin ...they just fold the back seats down, lay a bunch of blankets or egg crate mattress stuff down and they're set!  =D

[LauraB78]

Hmm.

My sister has an expedition and she loves it.. Or maybe a suburban? Those are big though!!