moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van.. cars/suvs

Dh and i are looking to sell my current car (a Jeep Liberty) and get a new car. We would really like a SUV. with MORE room then the Jeep. We went away for 2 days and we could not fit comfortably in the jeep and its very disapointing since i absolutely LOVE my car and it was the frist one i bought on my own. we do not owe anything on it so we will have a good amount to put down. But whatever we buy we will have for a while. So i want to be able to fit another baby in it when the time comes.

So heres what id like. enough back seat space for 2 car seats (not bothering the front seats, right now the infant seat is in the middle back and the front end of it overlaps into the front its awful). lots of trunk space to fit my stroller PLUS grocerys or other things.

Also do you suggest leasing or buying?

Sorry if this was confusing im looking for a non-minivan suv or car

Message edited 9/15/2009 2:45:53 PM.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

I have a 2008 Ford Explorer with a 3rd row seat(It folds flat too) I love it, this is my second one. It has plenty of room IMO. I have 2 kids. One in a carseat(Britax Boulevard-its huge) and one that always has at least one friend tagging along. It seats 7 and the third row goes up and down in 2 seconds. When the third row is in use, the storage space is a bit limited, but I have a stroller and other stuff back there.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

We have a Honda Pilot. It fits both kids plus the cat in the carrier perfectly in the back.
We do have a roof rack and Tulle for those super long trips.
I am very happy with the car.

We have a 3rd row but if we use it then we have to give up 90% of the trunk space. It is really better for kids to sit back there.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

We have a Toyota Camry with a 13y/o and an infant. The infant seat does not interfear with the fronts seats (there is also plenty of room for another seat, if our kids were closer in age)

The trunk is huge, we carry all of the infant gear along with all of the sports gear for the 13 y/o. We take the camry rather than the Jeep Cherokee when we go on trips because it is all around more comfy :)

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

you do or don't want an SUV? Your title says non-minvans/suv's but the post says SUV?

Anyway, we have a VW jetta. We have two carseats that fit just fine in the back. The trunk is HUGE. it fits the double stroller and groceries with no problems at all. In fact, the trunk is what sold us on the car.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

I have the Lexus RX which I find to be too small with 2 kids - everything JUST fits. We just went away for the weekend and it took some strategic planning to get everything in - and I don't really think that we brought that much (double stroller, suitcase and snap and go).

I would think that the Toyota Highlander would have the same issues, but I haven't looked at it.

My mom has the Pilot and there is definitley a LOT more trunk space than I have now when the third row is down, but it definitely drives more like a truck than a car.

We will be getting something new soon due to the lack of space (no room for the dog!) and are considering SUV's/mini-vans. Although I thought I would be totally against them, from what I have seen so far, you get a lot more for the $$ with the minivans and a lot more space too...

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

I have a BMW X3, neighbor had a Land Rover LR3

I have more space in my back seats and behind the seats than they do.

However our other neighbors have a Volvo XC70 and XC90 (stationwagon and SUV). Both of those units appear to have more room than my X3 and they cost less.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

I have the Nissan Murano.

I have an infant seat and a Britax Marathon in the back. They don't interfere with the front seats. I do have to have the passenger seat pushed up a bit to accommodate the infant seat behind it but there is still PLENTY of leg room and space between the passenger and the dashboard. Even my DH who is 6'1" can sit in that seat and be comfortable. There is room for a third child to sit between the carseats with a seatbelt.

In the back, I have a double stroller plus my snap n go (never sure which I'm gonna want to use) and there is still space for groceries or packages. There is also plenty of space in the backseat on the floor for packages.

ETA: we rented a Jeep Grand Cherokee on vaca last year and were SHOCKED at how cramped we were compared to our Murano. We have MUCH more room! And, personally I'll never lease again. I'm already over on my miles and hate having to worry about it, and about every little scratch, nik etc.

Message edited 9/15/2009 12:56:12 PM.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

We just bought a Hyundai touring. We LOVE it. it's like the Elantra but has a hatch back trunk that's really big. it's so roomy in the back and it's really good on gas. Right now, we only have DD and her car seat, but having two carseats in there won't be a problem (we bought it with that in mind). We wanted a roomy car without having to go the SUV or Jeep route. it gets about the same amount of gas amy 4-door Dodge and it's bigger!

ETA: it came highly recommended by Consumer Reports and has a really good safety record too...

Message edited 9/15/2009 1:04:09 PM.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

We just bought the 2009 Honda Pilot and I absolutely LOVE it. The back seat fits 2 car seats AND an adult in between. It has an optional third row. We haven't used it as a third row, but take advantage of the space in the back with a double stroller and another stroller in their. It still allows room for other things. It is so comfortable and drives really nice. I would definitely recommend it.

Re: moms of 2... talk to me about your non-mini van cars/suvs

We have the Acura MDX and LOVE IT!!!

There is more than enough room for 2 car seats and sometimes a person sits between the car seats

There is an optional 3rd row

There is great space in the back for strollers and shopping expeditions