https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:13:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/narrow-booster-seats#post-2927299 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 12:46:07 +0000 agold 2927299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any anyone reccomend a car booster seat that does not sit on the seat belt? I currently have Clek boosters and Nuna boosters, but they do sit on the seat belts. It is terrible for me and the grandma's cannot tolerate it. What is a good solid, rigid latch booster that is a more narrow base? Has anyone tried Uppababy or Diono? Or is there one I am missing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-row-suv-question#post-2924366 Fri, 16 Jul 2021 18:57:49 +0000 catgirl 2924366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have a 3 row SUV do you have a bench or Captain's chairs in your middle row? Are you happy with what you have? Pros? Cons?</p> <p>Also, if you want to share which SUV you have and your thoughts on it, that would be great! We have looked at so many this week and are still having a hard time making a final decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pacifica-van-thoughts#post-2922917 Tue, 16 Mar 2021 16:19:33 +0000 bhbee 2922917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Found some old posts, but who has a Pacifica and what do you like/dislike? We’re looking at gently used and I just test drove a 2018. Overall I liked it a lot (I think it drives similarly to my current vehicle) but my two major complaints were second row headrests not coming out and third row belts cutting into necks a bit (which will be a problem since my oldest is 9 and we’ll keep it past her being in a booster with the strap adjuster). The belt didn’t fit correctly on my mom who is 5’5”. The other thing we’re looking into is a new 2020 odyssey to save a bit there on model year (used doesn’t seem worth it on that model) and the price difference is so huge, trying to decide what is worth it. Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-owned-minivan-buying-tips#post-2922762 Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:37:32 +0000 bhbee 2922762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a mazda5 (which is just barely 3 row) and 3 kids, two in boosters (although we harness one for long travel) and one still RF. It’s been a great budget car but after our third drive across the country in it we’re ready to upgrade space, but not ready to pay for a new minivan! We’re honestly used to not having bells and whistles, so main things we would hopefully get are more 3rd row space, more trunk/stuff space, and AC built into the back row (we have to use a noggle now). And I’d love automatic doors! Seems like all that stuff should be a given even in older models. I’m open to crossover vehicles, but our garage is tiny and sliding doors really help with that. </p> <p>Anyone who has gone the pre-owned/used minivan route, give me your tips! Make/model, where to purchase, pitfalls, anything - thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-3-row-suv-thread#post-2916475 Sun, 14 Jun 2020 19:19:54 +0000 Becky 2916475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looks like we may be getting a 3 row SUV this fall/winter. We will get something between a model year 2016-2019. Top contenders are Chevy Traverse, VW Atlas, and Hyundai Palisade (if we can find a Palisade; I know the latter 2 are newer models). We (will) have 3 kids: will be ages 7, 4.5, and 5 ish months when we get the car. I’ve been focusing a lot on trunk space but don’t know that it’s really so important when we only really travel 2-3 times a year?</p> <p>Are there any other 3 row SUVs we should consider? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diminished-value-claim-after-a-car-accident#post-2910824 Thu, 27 Feb 2020 09:28:01 +0000 LCTBQE 2910824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, wondering if anyone has experience with this: just before Christmas I was rear-ended (softly, but by a 50-ft mack truck) with minimal damage to my bumper. I called the police and filed an accident report and finally got my brand new, formerly perfect condition Forester fixed. I want to be compensated for the diminished value of the car (as in, if we sold it, now its record is marred by having been in an accident) but don't really know how to go about doing so. I wrote to the adjuster who worked with me to get the repair done and he referred me to someone else who asked me to provide documents and reports, which, I have no idea what they're talking about.</p> <p>Has anyone done this? The agency is Progressive and they're not going out of their way to make it easy. Thanks in advance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-friendly-car-with-good-gas-mileage#post-2908505 Thu, 16 Jan 2020 17:27:20 +0000 periwinklebee 2908505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would love recommendations on a car that can work well for hauling kids and their stuff (i.e. has decent trunk space), but also would work well for a long-ish stop-go commute in heavy traffic. We will only have a single car, as there are also public transit options nearby - but they don't always work well. We have two kids, but haven't made a final decision on whether we want to try for a third, so I'd like something that could fit three across in case we ultimately need it. I can definitely see the advantages of a minivan for hauling kids, but seems less ideal from a gas mileage, etc perspective for a daily commuter. </p> <p>Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-three-row-vehicle-do-you-drive#post-2905927 Mon, 16 Dec 2019 04:49:10 +0000 Ms. RV 2905927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am planning on getting a new three row vehicle some time this summer. What three row vehicle do you have, and what do you like and dislike about it?</p> <p>My top contender is a 7-seater Subaru Ascent right now, but I am also considering a VW Atlas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/awd-options#post-2903857 Wed, 27 Nov 2019 12:27:41 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2903857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok. We got 18+ inches of snow and my 18 month old has either strep or an ear infection, and I can't get out my road, much less my driveway. I'm ready to trade in the van I bought a year ago for something with AWD. We only have 2, but sometimes need to fit 3 car seats, so it would be nice if that were an option. Budget is important, needs to be something I can get used and relatively affordable. I was not planning on trading in yet and can't add a car payment while I'm still in grad school (another year). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-across-suv#post-2902624 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:30:39 +0000 MissLace 2902624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do any of you currently have a small to mid size SUV that fits 3 seats across? I will have two radian RXTs and an infant/bucket seat to fit. My husband is the main kid-hauler doing pickups to/from school, so he just got a Ford Flex which fits everyone, but i need a car that i can also fit 3 car seats in, in case i need to be the one to pick them up on the fly. I was looking at the 2019 Toyota Rav4 (apparently they fixed the seat belt crossover issue, but i haven't seen anyone actually confirm that 3 across fits yet), Honda CRV, Ford Escape, or the Hyandai Santa Fe. Do any of you drive the 2019 versions of those cars and fit 3 across? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902223 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 13:17:34 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm overthinking this as usual so would love some outside perspectives. </p> <p>Long story short - we have been a one-car household for 10+ years now, but recently bought a house in the further surburbs and are now wondering if we need to get a second car. </p> <p>Basic setup: two grownups with a commute of about an hour in each direction, one kid in elementary school+ aftercare. </p> <p>My husband has very flexible hours, so he drops off our daughter at school around 9 AM and drives in to work where he has free parking. I leave early (around 6 AM) to catch a bus to a train to get to my office, and then leave the office around 4:30 to meet him and we commute home together and pick up our daughter from aftercare. In the last few weeks my bus has been on strike, leaving me with either having to commute in with my husband and severely shortening my workday, or walking a mile to another bus, which is becoming harder due to colder weather and it's dark and creepy on that walk (and that bus might go on strike soon too). So all this plus some other factors now has us contemplating getting another car. </p> <p>Pros for getting another car:<br /> I can commute to my office directly and the cost of parking for me would be about the same as my commute cost now</p> <p>I can go see my out of town friends more easily (this currently involves husband and kid to be home while I take the car for the day or me catching a long distance bus/train to see them)</p> <p>We can divide and conquer on errands and sports (kid has ballet on Saturdays and will likely do another sport in the winter; right now we all do everything together or someone stays home with the kid while the other goes out)</p> <p>Cons:<br /> Car costs. Our car is paid off and I was so enjoying not having a car payment. Because it's 8 years old, we're thinking we'd buy new, though open to ideas on this one.</p> <p>The reasons above don't feel all that critical to buy a whole car for (strikes will resolve eventually, I've been working around all the other stuff - it's not ideal but I'm not sure it fully justifies a car payment either)</p> <p>In full disclosure, I am very financially conservative so large expenditures always send me into a tail spin of "is this worth it" so any cooler heads/perspectives are welcome. Hubby thinks it's worth getting another car but he's also a much more liberal spender so he's left it up to me to decide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/honda-pilot#post-2896094 Wed, 04 Sep 2019 12:30:43 +0000 Silva 2896094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Despite being a fierce advocate for and long time lover of my Sienna, its looking like our next car will need to be higher off the ground (the private road we are moving to is generally well maintained but can get very muddy/snowy/icy and my mini van keeps nearly getting stuck, even just in mud- so I'm not sure that its an issue AWD would fix- we just need higher clearance).<br /> We have 3 kids and haven't ruled out a fourth. In my research it looks like the pilot has the most trunk storage before moving into either Luxury territory or suburban size territory, both of which I'm not into.<br /> How the heck do the kids get into the third row?! When we get this car I'll have a an 8/9 year old, a 5/6 year old and a 3/4 year old (so most likely a booster and a high back booster in the 3rd row, and then a convertible in the middle?).<br /> I'm so used to my mini van that the though of leaving it behind is very troubling to me. Can someone with a Pilot tell me that they love it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-organization-tips#post-2888772 Mon, 24 Jun 2019 09:46:52 +0000 Ms. RV 2888772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My car is a hot mess. It only has one seat pocket behind the passenger seat so stuff ends up in a pile on the backseat floor :bummed: </p> <p>Here is the stuff I "need" to keep in my car:<br /> - a blanket for each kid<br /> - one or two small toys for each kid<br /> - sunscreen<br /> - my SSC<br /> - activity book for DD<br /> - diaper clutch<br /> - wet bag with a change of clothes<br /> - wipes<br /> - hand sanitizer<br /> - a couple of snacks just in case<br /> - water bottle for each kid plus me</p> <p>Anyone have any tips or specific organizers that would work? We'll be three across later this year so it will only get worse... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-sickness-help#post-2885262 Wed, 22 May 2019 07:47:47 +0000 periwinklebee 2885262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had our first day driving into daycare today, rather than taking public transit (just moved and public transit is now much less convenient). It's a few miles in stop and go city traffic and takes 30-40 minutes. DS got super carsick at the end. </p> <p>What can I do to reduce this? He's still rear facing, so impossible for him to really see objects outside the car, which I know is what they say helps. He got car sick after watching a 3 minute or so video (the only thing I gave him to look at on the ride). I can cut out videos but feel like it's hard to expect him to stay entertained without a book or anything, since he is rear facing so can't see out.... He ate breakfast over an hour before we left, and is not a big breakfast eater anyways, so I'm not sure what I can fix there... Just really hoping there is a way to prevent this... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/having-a-thirdwhich-vehicle-to-replace#post-2885629 Sat, 25 May 2019 19:07:39 +0000 LemonJack 2885629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are expecting our third and need to get a new vehicle. We’re planning on getting a van, but aren’t sure which vehicle to replace. We own a Prius and a RAV4. The Prius can fit three across, although it would be tight and we’d have to buy narrow seats. The big negative with this is that our Prius is a 2007. It still runs great and only has a little over 100K miles because it’s not driven a ton, but I’d hate to have problems with it before we feel we can replace it without stretching ourselves too much. My husband drives it to and from work and that’s about it. He would be driving our kids to school/daycare in the morning, but otherwise we’d use the van almost exclusively when driving the kids around.</p> <p>Our other vehicle is a rav4. It’s newer than the Prius and has about the same amount of miles on it. It can’t fit three across though, so we would have to buy a third row seat, and our oldest would sit there. This is what we originally planned, so they wouldn’t be so squished together in the back. I’m concerned about safety with the seat so far back though (basically in the trunk). My oldest would mostly just be riding it it to school, which isn’t very far and is on city streets, but I’m sure there might be occasions where she’d have to ride in there. She won’t be in a booster for a few years, so we’re looking at having three car seats for awhile.</p> <p>Has anyone added a third row to a rav4? I’m thinking we’d probably wait three years to replace whichever vehicle we keep, so even though it’s “temporary”, it’s not like it’s a one year thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-costco-the-best-price-on-cars#post-2885125 Tue, 21 May 2019 08:26:22 +0000 gotkimchi 2885125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For anyone that’s bought a car through Costco is that really the best price? We’re looking at buying a second car and I’m wondering if that’s how we should do it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875974 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:44:52 +0000 Shantuck 2875974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My car died and we traded it in a few months ago. Since then we've been a one car family but we would like to get a 2nd car to make life easier. We have 2 kids (6.5 year old and a 2.5 year old) and are on the fence about having a 3rd (tried for a bit a year ago and then took a break when I started a new job. Starting trying again this month but I have a history of recurrent loss and fertility issues). I'm really struggling with what kind of car to get because I'm still struggling with not knowing what our family is going to look like. If I knew I was going to have two kids, I'd probably get a smaller sized SUV like the Acura RDX. If I were to have 3, I'd probably be more practical get something like the Honda Odyssey (or possibly an SUV with captain's seats and a 3rd row like the Suburu Ascent). My last car was 13 years old when it died so ideally I'd get something that would last a long time. Should I just buy the car I want for the family size I have now? I think technically the RDX can fit 3 across, if needed. Or do I buy a bigger car that would be ideal for 3 kids? For whatever it's worth, the car we're currently sharing is an SUV with captain's seats and a third row, and while I like it, I live in a large city and prefer a smaller car for fitting into tight parking spots, etc. What would you do if you were in my shoes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kia-telluride-or-kias-in-general#post-2874862 Mon, 04 Mar 2019 13:17:31 +0000 agold 2874862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to be getting a different car in soon and just learned about the Kia Telluride coming out. I've never had a Kia, driven a Kia, or even considered a Kia. But they look pretty cool. Is anyone considering getting one? Or does anyone have experience with Kias in general? Good cars or not? I've heard about some engine fires, but BMW also has that problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minivans-1#post-2866498 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 19:09:15 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2866498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are thinking of selling my compact car and getting a minivan. Seems crazy to me with only 2 kids, but we like to cart around dogs, take lots of stuff on road trips, and often go places with my parents. It would be really nice to not have to take 2 cars in that situation. Or to be able to take a stroller and a dog. Or a bike and a stroller. Etc. We had a midsize SUV and while it was a lot better, the seating issue was still a problem. I would love to stick with Honda or Toyota, but I'm not sure we can really swing that. We rented a Nissan Quest for a week in Hawaii, and while it was pretty much the ugliest car I've ever seen, it had SO MUCH SPACE. The back row was comfy even for my very tall family. The cargo area easily fit all of our beach stuff and the jogging stroller. Changing diapers on the back seat was simple. Does anyone know how the cargo space/back seat space compares to the Honda or Toyota minivans? Are there other options I haven't thought of? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leather-or-cloth-for-subaru-ascent#post-2855117 Tue, 06 Nov 2018 05:43:41 +0000 Ms. RV 2855117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am buying a Subaru Ascent! So excited! But I can't decide on the interior. I have never had leather seats before but I worry how they will hold up with car seats. But it looks so great! Please help me decide :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minivans-pacifica-vs-odessey#post-2847029 Mon, 24 Sep 2018 12:00:23 +0000 PinkElephant 2847029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi mini-van owners! I'm looking for insight from families who drive a Pacifica or a Honda Odessey - mainly I'm curious to know what made you choose one over the other, and how you like your car now that you're driving it. We've decided against some kind of large truck (Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon XL) for now, and are looking at the best fit mini van for our family.</p> <p>Right now I'm favoring the Odessey, primarily for it's "magic slide" second row seats, and the "snow" gearshift feature (only Toyota Siennas currently offer AWD, and I'm not interested in a Sienna due to what I feel is relatively poor safety test performance). However, I think the Pacifica drives great, and I could probably make due with the stow-and-go seat options.</p> <p>These are my main considerations:</p> <p>1) What middle-row seating configuration do you have? Who sits where?<br /> 2) How do you feel your van handles in poor road conditions?<br /> 3) Anything else you particularly like/don't like about your car?</p> <p>If it matters, I have 3 kids in carseats - 2 FF, 1 RF. I can change 1 FF to a highback harnessed booster, but no one is coming out of a highback seating situation anytime soon, and I think the RF child will be that way at least one more year, if not two. One has to hop in/out of the passenger side door for the school carpool lane.</p> <p>TIA!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-row-suv-trunk-space#post-2846323 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 10:11:18 +0000 Becky 2846323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For our next care we will probably get a 3rd row SUV. I’d love a minivan but both the grandparents houses are on really steep inclines and one is on an unpaved road and we get lots of snow (outside Buffalo, so like several feet at a time). Anyway, I’m concerned about trunk space. Can you fit a double stroller in there? Do you have to have a roof rack for vacation (we do pack light already). I don’t think we have the budget for a Suburban—we’re looking at something like a Pilot. TIA! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-must-have-options-on-a-new-car#post-2840762 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 07:03:46 +0000 NCSUchick27 2840762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are shopping for a new car, and we think we have to narrowed down to the 2019 Subaru Forester. We have looked at the 2018 model and have researched what the differences are for the 2019 model. The 2019 model comes out in about a month according to the guy at the dealership. </p> <p>It comes standard with a lot of safety features (pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane keep assist, and back-up camera) and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.</p> <p>I think my one must have option on top of the stuff that is already included is an auto lift-gate. We are currently TTC, and I think it will be nice to have with kids. DH doesn’t get it, but I think he will like it more than he thinks.</p> <p>DH’s must have is push button and remote start, which I don’t really care about.</p> <p>What are your must have options on a new car? Also, since we are TTC what are nice to have options with kids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-a-brand-new-car-tips#post-2834034 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 07:19:45 +0000 LCTBQE 2834034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any advice on negotiating or anything in retrospect you wish you'd said/done? My husband and I are getting a new car (2018 Subaru Forester) this month and both of us have only ever driven used beaters before. </p> <p>He has an app that gives regional guidelines on pricing per model that's pretty specific, so we're working on what number we want to pay. We're definitely going to buy and I think we'll easily be able to get 0% financing.</p> <p>ETA any feature on your new/newer car that you can't live without, or any feature that is extraneous/annoying that you wish you hadn't paid for, lay it on me :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-i-need-to-buy-a-mini-van-or-a-3-row-suv#post-2831006 Wed, 27 Jun 2018 17:50:55 +0000 Mrs. Peas 2831006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Help! After surviving for a year with 3 boys under 5 without a mini van or 3-row SUV, I've finally decided we should bite the bullet and get a new vehicle. We haven't bought a new (or new-to-us used) car in over 6 years. Please tell me what mini vans/ 3-row SUV you drive, love, or wished you drove. I'm only interested in cars under $40K new. For context, we currently drive a 2005 Mitsibushi Endeavor (that we bought used in 2006) and a 2011 Subaru Outback (that we bought new in 2011). Both are fully paid off so adding a car payment will be a change.</p> <p>Also if people are interested, I'm planning to do a series of blog posts on what I thought about each car I choose to test drive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gas-efficient-vehicles#post-2821172 Tue, 08 May 2018 15:04:42 +0000 gotkimchi 2821172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any recommendations? We’re looking for a commuter vehicle with good gas mileage - space isn’t a big deal, both kids are ff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-often-do-you-drive-other-kids-in-your-car#post-2817738 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:53:52 +0000 Eminthevalley 2817738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This goes along with my other post about wanting to dump my minivan. How often do you drive other kids in your car? We got our minivan 4 years ago thinking we absolutely needed a 3rd row to drive other kids/family members. Well, adults won't climb back there at all. I can count on one hand (literally) the number of times we've used the third row seat. But one of the responses on my other post got me wondering if we will regret not getting a vehicle with a 3rd row if we go that route. We live in a small town, and all friends/schools/etc. are within a 5-minute drive. It seems like most people just drive their own kids around. Putting carseats into another car just seems like a big pain...but am I missing something? As kids get older, will I be wanting space to drive extra kids in the car? My twins are currently 5 years old. Input appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-dont-love-my-minivanwhats-next#post-2816799 Tue, 17 Apr 2018 10:23:31 +0000 Eminthevalley 2816799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Three years in, we do not love our Toyota Sienna. It feels like it’s too big 95% of the time. We have five year old twins and are done having kids. Cars I’m thinking about: Toyota Highlander, RAV4, Honda CRV or Pilot, Suburu Outback or Forester. What would you recommend? We want something that sits up higher ( we drive a lot of country roads with minor flooding), and we go to the mountains fairly regularly. I imagine we’ll have a fair amount of kids’ sports equipment to haul around soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-suv-or-station-wagon-recommendations#post-2807393 Sat, 03 Mar 2018 09:05:42 +0000 LCTBQE 2807393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know there have been a lot of car posts lately but haven't seen any about this--looking for recommendations on what to test drive for a crossover/small SUV or station wagon. We're moving out of the city and having a second baby in August. Right now we have a beater '08 Civic which has been great, and we'll keep it as a second vehicle, but we really need a bigger/better family car that can comfortably fit two car seats. We have a Clek Fllo convertible and a Cybex Aton II bucket, which are both pretty compact. </p> <p>What's on my radar right now is like a Subaru Outback or Honda CRV type of car, but would love to hear about it if you drive a car of that size/capacity and really love it. Would prefer a Japanese car and absolutely won't buy a GM or Volkswagen. I tried my brother's CRV recently and thought it was nice, but was bothered by a big blind spot on the driver's side, although he just told me all bigger cars have that and the visibility isn't as good once you're out of a compact sedan, which is all I've ever driven. </p> <p>What do you have?</p> <p>ETA! We plan to get a large dog that ideally could fit in the way back. I don't anticipate big road trips with dog plus tons of luggage, but a little room would be nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minivan-recommendation#post-2806752 Wed, 28 Feb 2018 15:16:34 +0000 caitcat 2806752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in the market for a minivan and I'm trying to weigh our options. If you have a minivan you're particularly happy with (or considered multiple options that led you to choose one over another?), I'd love to hear what you like about it or what tipped the scale to choose it. </p> <p>We're looking at used cars, and we've found a variety of decent options for a Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Dodge Grand Caravan in our price range with relatively low mileage and the features we're after. The Honda and Toyota are on the pricier end of what we're looking at, but still doable, though I'm not sure if they're worth the extra cost? We want something reliable that will make it through the minivan stage with kids, but I'm feeling very indecisive. </p>