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Car question - Recommendations
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:46 pm
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:46 pm
I have a question for parents.
My wife and I had our son on September 30th. I have a 4 door Tacoma pickup and she has a 4 door Accord. She is not from Tuscaloosa so we have to travel to visit her family. We have found that it's definitely not easy to travel with our luggage and the baby's stuff in her car and it's definitely not easy in my truck. I did however purchase a bed cover for my truck so that has eased the burden somewhat but still not great.
I am kicking around the possibility of us either trading in her car (or selling it) and getting something that would be better suited for packing luggage and other stuff in. She has told me that she would drive a minivan for sure but I would also like to possibly look at a smaller SUV. I don't want to have to sacrifice too much gas mileage or have to start paying more for gas as this would be her car and she works an hour from Tuscaloosa.
So what would you guys/girls recommend?
My wife and I had our son on September 30th. I have a 4 door Tacoma pickup and she has a 4 door Accord. She is not from Tuscaloosa so we have to travel to visit her family. We have found that it's definitely not easy to travel with our luggage and the baby's stuff in her car and it's definitely not easy in my truck. I did however purchase a bed cover for my truck so that has eased the burden somewhat but still not great.
I am kicking around the possibility of us either trading in her car (or selling it) and getting something that would be better suited for packing luggage and other stuff in. She has told me that she would drive a minivan for sure but I would also like to possibly look at a smaller SUV. I don't want to have to sacrifice too much gas mileage or have to start paying more for gas as this would be her car and she works an hour from Tuscaloosa.
So what would you guys/girls recommend?
12
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:50 pm to RollTide MJ
Smaller SUVs are helpful here. probably better mileage than your Tacoma and enclosed for luggage.
We have 3 cars, my f150, her SUV, and a company ford focus (free gas)
We always take the SUV or truck, because it's just not worth it to try and get all of that stuff in the sedan. and as you have more kids, the stuff you haul will increase exponentially.
last year we tried it with the work car and we were just packed to the brim and miserable every time we had to pack up (we hit 3 locations across Texas during Christmas) even though it's free gas, we won't ever do it again.
ETA: when i say smaller SUVs, i mean trailblazers, explorers, ford edge, ford escape, or 4runners, etc. You lose a lot of MPG moving up to a tahoe, expedition, suburban, sequoia etc.
We have 3 cars, my f150, her SUV, and a company ford focus (free gas)
We always take the SUV or truck, because it's just not worth it to try and get all of that stuff in the sedan. and as you have more kids, the stuff you haul will increase exponentially.
last year we tried it with the work car and we were just packed to the brim and miserable every time we had to pack up (we hit 3 locations across Texas during Christmas) even though it's free gas, we won't ever do it again.
ETA: when i say smaller SUVs, i mean trailblazers, explorers, ford edge, ford escape, or 4runners, etc. You lose a lot of MPG moving up to a tahoe, expedition, suburban, sequoia etc.
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:54 pm to RollTide MJ
We have 2 kids and the wife drives a Ford Edge. It's just the right size, and while you'll probably lose some gas mileage compared to the Accord, it still gets decent gas mileage. We hover around 21 MPG. We don't have the 4 cylinder Eco Boost Turbo engine though, and it's about 5 MPG better. Ours is just the standard V6.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:56 pm to 3nOut
quote:
ford escape
Has less room than an Accord. Would never recommend for someone traveling with kids.
I like the new Explorers though.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:56 pm to The Spleen
holy crap. spleen and i agreed on something.
Edge and Escapes are great travel vehicles.
UMTigerRebel is a fool and knows not what she speaks. it's decent for a small SUV
Edge and Escapes are great travel vehicles.
UMTigerRebel is a fool and knows not what she speaks. it's decent for a small SUV
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 2:58 pm
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:57 pm to RollTide MJ
A topper for your truck would be the least expensive option. And you'll have more cargo space than an SUV.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:58 pm to RollTide MJ
Small SUV isn't going to help with that high chair and baby swing and stroller....get an Excargo from Sears and keep the honda
Posted on 12/16/14 at 2:59 pm to 3nOut
I drive one and have kids. 
Nobody in my company likes them either.
ETA: I've put 70k miles on my Escape in two years, so I travel a good bit in mine.
Nobody in my company likes them either.
ETA: I've put 70k miles on my Escape in two years, so I travel a good bit in mine.
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 3:00 pm
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:00 pm to 3nOut
Yeah we test drove the Edge, Pathfinder, 4Runner, Mazda CX-9, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Murano, and she liked the Edge best. I actually liked the Murano better and nearly bought one for myself. It was a few grand more though and the dealer wouldn't budge on price. Edge was my second choice.
Escape is a great car, though I wouldn't recommend if OP is planning a second kid any time soon.
Escape is a great car, though I wouldn't recommend if OP is planning a second kid any time soon.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:00 pm to UMTigerRebel
quote:
Nobody in my company likes them either.
they are big time fleet vehicles. do you have the curvier model or the older box ones?
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:01 pm to RollTide MJ
Once you get the bugs sorted out the new Grand Cherokees are awesome. Almost 30mpg on the highway.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:02 pm to 3nOut
It's the new model. Smallest gas tank ever too. I fill up almost every day.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:05 pm to Rebelgator
quote:
Once you get the bugs sorted out the new Grand Cherokees are awesome. Almost 30mpg on the highway.
I'm not hating, but I wasn't a huge fan of the Cherokee. It felt a little top heavy driving it.
My favorite in that class of SUVs driving wise is the new Tahoe.
ETA: I have no idea about any of the foreign small to mid size SUVs.
This post was edited on 12/16/14 at 3:08 pm
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:09 pm to UMTigerRebel
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:12 pm to Rebelgator
I'm sure it's just my own personal preference. I like the way the Cherokees look.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:16 pm to RollTide MJ
I have a 2012 4Runner 4x4 and like it. It has more room than any crossover or any other mid-size SUV. It may have more room than my 1999 Tahoe (2 Door). The 4Runner rode kind of like a station wagon before I put some Bilstein adjustable shocks and AT tires on it. Now it's just right.
I've only had 1 car in my life, and I will never drive another if I can help it. I love pickups, but SUV's have more utility to me when I travel these days.
I've only had 1 car in my life, and I will never drive another if I can help it. I love pickups, but SUV's have more utility to me when I travel these days.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:19 pm to UMTigerRebel
3 adults and I used a 2014 AWD Escape rental this year and it worked pretty well. We only had minimal luggage, or what you would fly with but it was still 6 bags and a cooler..
We only had minimal luggage, or what you would fly with but it was still 6 bags and a cooler..
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:26 pm to RollTide MJ
I want a 4 door Tacoma. I have it on my list of possible next car purchases.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:30 pm to Hardy_Har
I guess I'm a little jaded. Out of all the vehicles I've had, the Escape is by far my least favorite. It's a 2013, and I think it's had 7 recalls on it, not to mention the other problems I've had with it.
Posted on 12/16/14 at 3:33 pm to DownSouthJukin
quote:
I have a 2012 4Runner 4x4 and like it. It has more room than any crossover or any other mid-size SUV
I'm guessing you mean cargo room, because I found the cabin room to be kind of cramped when I test drove one. The back seat was pretty roomy though, and I didn't really compare the cargo areas.
For a family vehicle, the 4Runner was way down my list, but I'd love one for myself.
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