Kia RondoIt is a rental. I think it is either a 2007 or 2008. Thing is, I like my 1998 Maxima better and I miss it. I would never buy a Kia Rondo. I can tell the suspension is already going out and Brigg can't open the car door from the outside or inside. However, I like the room and it is easier to get kids in and out of carseats.
I have been perusing different cars for sale so that I have an idea what is out there. I'd like to get a bigger vehicle with a 3rd row. I am torn between an SUV/ crossover or a van. I am one of "those people" who really don't want to drive around a van. However, I may end up with one. Here is my list of pros and cons:
Mini Van:
Pros
Lots of room, lots of seats
Easy entry and exit
good gas mileage
very affordable for an older model, somewhat affordable for a newer model
Cons
It is a van.
Horrible winter driving, esp. up my hills
Koby insists it has to have at LEAST less than 80,000 miles on it. He won't own one over 100,000. He'd like it almost new- he doesn't trust their reliability.
SUV/Crossover
Pros
I like 4 wheel drive
I like the looks of a lot of these vehicles
some have awesome features
ok, so most of my reasons are vain in nature
Cons
I'm still figuring out how I can easily get kids in the 3rd row easily, without climbing over the seat, and without taking out a car seat. I need to fit 2 car seats on the middle row.
Some have ok gas mileage, others horrible
I can buy an older, reliable car. Depending on the vehicle, they can be more reliable then vans.
Vehicles that are on my want/ interested list:
Toyota Landcruiser. Koby really wants one.
Honda Pilot/ Acura MDX
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Highlander
Chevrolet Uplander?
Chrysler Town and Country
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Sequoia
Uh.... I don't know if there are others I am forgetting. Anyhow, here is where you come in.
I need advice!
Any opinions, thoughts, pros or cons you can add? What do you think are good, reliable, affordable, 3rd row seating type of cars? Any recommendations or non-recommendations? Anything? Buhler? Buhller?
I may end up keeping my car and trying to squeeze 3 carseats in the back, but I'd like to get a bigger vehicle. We'll see what the summer brings and what is up with Koby's job.
Comment away!!
I have been perusing different cars for sale so that I have an idea what is out there. I'd like to get a bigger vehicle with a 3rd row. I am torn between an SUV/ crossover or a van. I am one of "those people" who really don't want to drive around a van. However, I may end up with one. Here is my list of pros and cons:
Mini Van:
Pros
Lots of room, lots of seats
Easy entry and exit
good gas mileage
very affordable for an older model, somewhat affordable for a newer model
Cons
It is a van.
Horrible winter driving, esp. up my hills
Koby insists it has to have at LEAST less than 80,000 miles on it. He won't own one over 100,000. He'd like it almost new- he doesn't trust their reliability.
SUV/Crossover
Pros
I like 4 wheel drive
I like the looks of a lot of these vehicles
some have awesome features
ok, so most of my reasons are vain in nature
Cons
I'm still figuring out how I can easily get kids in the 3rd row easily, without climbing over the seat, and without taking out a car seat. I need to fit 2 car seats on the middle row.
Some have ok gas mileage, others horrible
I can buy an older, reliable car. Depending on the vehicle, they can be more reliable then vans.
Vehicles that are on my want/ interested list:
Toyota Landcruiser. Koby really wants one.
Honda Pilot/ Acura MDX
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Highlander
Chevrolet Uplander?
Chrysler Town and Country
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Sequoia
Uh.... I don't know if there are others I am forgetting. Anyhow, here is where you come in.
I need advice!
Any opinions, thoughts, pros or cons you can add? What do you think are good, reliable, affordable, 3rd row seating type of cars? Any recommendations or non-recommendations? Anything? Buhler? Buhller?
I may end up keeping my car and trying to squeeze 3 carseats in the back, but I'd like to get a bigger vehicle. We'll see what the summer brings and what is up with Koby's job.
Comment away!!
I'll start by saying that I am a minivan girl all the way. I never quite understood the whole SUV thing. That being said, I am intrigued by the crossovers, but I don't know enough about them to say one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteAs for the minivan vs. the SUV:
Minivans get better gas mileage
Minivans are safer in accidents
Minivans have more interior space (including more trunk space in most cases)
Minivans can come in all wheel drive making them as good for adverse weather as an SUV (I know Chrysler can do this and I think there are others)
Minivans also have sliding doors (usually automatic in newer models) making them easier for a kid to open and making it really nice to park two cars next to each other (you don't have to worry about hitting another car with the door)
The only thing is that many car companies are discontinuing their minivans, as sales have been falling, so that might be worth checking into. I don't know what the implications of that would be.
Good luck!
Amanda, do you have any minivan recommendations? I heard a few of makes have good reliability, but then when I looked them up, I heard a lot of complaints things like the transmission going out at 60,000mi. Not something I want to deal with. I just want to know which minivans are good. I may very well end up with one and I am sure I will like it because of the reasons you gave. I will have to look into the 4 wheel dive ones.
ReplyDeleteSo, our laptop died and that is where I had all of the blogs that are private bookmarked so I missed yours for a while and just saw your news! Congratz. That is exciting. I hope you are doing well and feeling good.
ReplyDeleteAs for cars, we are suv people. Sam just can't reconcile himself to a minivan and for us 4 wheel drive for the snow was a big deal. We bought a chevy tahoe and we love the car but hate where we bought it. 9 1/2 months after buying it we are still having problems because the car dealership ended up closing and hadn't paid off the previous loans so we still don't have a license plate or registration. The owner is facing criminal charges and is trying to get things taken care of. ARGGGG!!! Anyway, the moral of my story is ask to see the title before you buy anything. I just assumed to be a licensed dealer that they would have to do what they said to be able to get loans etc. but don't assume. Also not all suv's have a middle bench. We have two captians chairs in the middle and a 3rd row in the back so it isn't bad at all to get into the 3rd row and we still can fit 7. I had a lot of back problems after Kasen was born and couldn't bend over to get the kids in and out of our little car so we really had to get something taller that they can get in and out of on their own -- at least Addie can. I had grief with the gas mileage as well but we really don't drive much and I decided I would rather drive around in something comfortable and MUCH safer then our old little compact car. And when we have a 3rd (no announcements for a while from me) we'll have room.
There are pros and cons to all situations so good luck,
Marenda
I can't do minivans either. Sorry. I just can't.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt LOVES LOVES LOVES her Sequoia, and it drives a lot like a car or van does. I would definitely consider that or a Highlander (ooh, or the Highlander Hybrid). Those would be my top choices. I've heard horror stories about the Town & Country in terms of reliability.
eric has great advice in car buying since that's his job. he wanted to suggest that a honda oddysey would be one of the best to get and the town and country isn't really worth it unless you love the stowe and go. mazda mini van is a pretty good one as well. honda is the safest and town and counrty is the comfyest but they are really pricey. humm I like my van i think the hardest thing for me was getting used to me driving and owning a "VAN" it's kind of weird. but the space is awesome the ability to take the seats out is terrific! my kids love the sliding doors that open with the push of a button and i have to say it's not to bad for me either. we have a windstar. it's been pretty nice. as far as the third seat i have put my two older kids in the very back so that they can play together and the baby in the middle captins chair and fold the other one down. it makes it easy for me to buckle (as easy as a car seat is to buckle anway) and easy for the kids to get in. well good luck with everything! maybe i'll try and stop by noahs tomarrow.
ReplyDeleteWe have had our Pilot for about 3 months now. We held out forever before buying it because we are cheap. Now I can't believe I waited so long. It has been wonderful in EVERY way, but especially the all wheel drive feature. I can't tell you the difference it makes in winter weather. Plus, if I get stuck, pop it into 4 wheel drive. Because you live in UT and it tends to snow here, these would be nice features to have. On the downside, I am still pregnant with #3 and am dreading when I have to put the 3rd row of seats up. I will lose my cargo space, not to mention the dilemma of getting one child in the back row without moving a carseat. The second row is rather wide and I am considering putting all three across to put around town. Avery could help with the baby that way too. I agree...it is a dilemma...
ReplyDeleteoh, and the gas mileage isn't bad at all...I was adamant about getting a V6 versus a V8 for that very reason. Right now we fill up mid grade gas for right around $30 a tank and average 375 miles. We drove it up to Boise this month without filling up until we had driven around town there for a few days...I was way worried about the transition, but i think the smaller engine helped.
ReplyDeleteAs a single person with no kids I think the SUV crossovers are way cooler! Good luck with your big purchase. We need to plan another get together one of these days.
ReplyDeleteArgh, I have been thinking to have the boys call brigg all today. I hope he had a happy birthday! As for the car, you know Chris's view on a minivan-NEVER Surrender!. But personally, I wouldn't mind owning one.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for input! This is what I need- real life experience with certain vehicles. I need a tried and true one. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been out of town and just saw your response, so sorry it took so long to answer. I think a Honda or Toyota mini-van is probably the way to go. My friend really likes her Nissan. I have a Pontiac Montana and would NOT recommend it. It had a sporty look inside, but it's not well made. I would recommend that if you get a mini-van (I know it's a long shot, but just in case...) that you do two captain seats in the middle as opposed to a bench seat. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBuy Japanese.
ReplyDeleteThe End.
I'm with Rynell, Japanese is always a good way to go. hehee
ReplyDelete