https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:49:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785174 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:14:25 +0000 Mrs. D 2785174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We LOVE our Hyundai Santa Fe. it's a 07, and still doing great. My hubby takes very good care of it. We love having an SUV because of the all the headroom when you have to get the kids in and out of the car, and when you are taking the seats in and out to wash the covers after a long road trip or a diaper explosion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785173 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:12:23 +0000 youboots 2785173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We looooove the Ford Flex. It has a third row. It’s low to the ground like a car but similar size to a SUV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785171 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:10:39 +0000 MamaCate 2785171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: we have taken kids minus dog on a six hour road trip and 4 hour road trip and easily fit everything we needed. We have added dropping off the dog at the boarders without difficulty. We have done overnight trips of 2 hours driving including the dog (plus crate etc) and that fit well. No roof rack, just the trunk and some backseat space.</p> <p>Our old car was a 16 year old Honda Civic so I think nearly anything would be bigger but we have been very happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785161 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:02:37 +0000 PawPrints 2785161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I agree with @ShootingStar: and @MACSUNSHINE: - I really don't think almost anyone needs a vehicle with 3 rows; they're bad for the environment and take up so much space and cost so much money. I always advocate for downsizing as much as possible and then on occasions when you do need more space you can rent. Otherwise you're paying an enormous premium (in car payments, insurance, and maintenance) for a huge vehicle you are only using like 5% of the time, the rest of the time it's sitting around taking up a lot of space. </p> <p>We're also considering a new vehicle and focusing on station wagons and crossovers, so interested to see the replies on this. We are leaning toward a Prius V for our two kids and two dogs, since mileage is top priority. @MamaCate: Do you put luggage up on a roof rack or is there room in the back for dog + stuff? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785160 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:58:40 +0000 nana87 2785160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yes to this being an issue for nyc! like, we really like getting out of the city on weekends, like to go apple picking or whatever, but sorry grandparents, you can't join because our car is tiny and you don't have your own car!</p> <p>@ShootingStar: that's a really good point. one of the cars we recently rented that had 3 rows was like that--it was impossible to get to the back row with the car seats, we basically just tossed the dogs back there over the seats and it was a huge pain. I forget what model it was, but it really didn't work for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785156 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:38:49 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2785156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To echo shootingstar, the third row in SUVs is extremely useless in my opinion other than for short trips. We have an explorer with a third row and while it is nice when we are traveling locally with friends. You lose all trunk space when using the third row and the seats are not that comfortable. A truly useable third row only exists in the largest of SUVs.</p> <p>As shootingstar said, buy what works for you every day and then rent as necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785151 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:27:12 +0000 ShootingStar 2785151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure anyone with 3 row SUVs actually likes them. If you use the 3rd row you probably won't have any trunk space. Those seats also tend to be really small, especially for adults. But it's also hard to put the kids back there because they're hard to access. But if you have kids in carseats in the 2nd row, it's hard to access the 3rd row. </p> <p>So I'm not sure that you'd really want to do a road trip with one because whoever's in the 3rd row will be uncomfortable and you won't have space for your stuff.</p> <p>I say get a car that fits your every day life and rent a minivan when you're with your parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785149 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 15:20:10 +0000 Littlebit7 2785149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The new VW Tiguan has an optional third row without being a huge hulking SUV.<br /> If wagon, I vote VW golf alltrak or subaru outback.<br /> Just keep in mind, with a lot of midsize SUVs with a third row, as soon as you put that third row up you lose practically all cargo space.</p> <p>Eta: we have a vw GTI which we love. It has as much cargo space as some small to "midsize" suvs shockingly. But what makes it perfect is the addition of our Yakima roof rack. We can fit loads up there. We have a second kid on the way and we've contemplated a larger vehicle but we've decided that it makes more sense to rent a big SUV if we realllllly need space for road trips. Having a big car does NOT make sense in and around NYC. granted we don't have dogs. Just lots of stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785124 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:28:37 +0000 SweetiePie 2785124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW I agree with you that 3 rows would be ideal. Right now we have an suv with 1 kid, zero dogs. And it already feels like we can’t really take anyone in the car with us. Would be nice to be able to carpool and just have more room in general. Oh, also in NYC so we have the same usage you do.<br /> Expecting #2 in March and we will have 1.5 years left on our lease. We are strongly considering a third row after this car. But we’ll see. </p> <p>ETA: I almost think that the need for room to ride other people around is more apparent in NYC because so few of our friends have cars of their own. So we’d love to tell them that we can give them a ride to the zoo or beach or whatever but we can’t because we only have 1.5 seats in the back and they usually have kids or just couldn’t comfortably fit with our car seat. I guess in the burbs everyone has a car so it’s not as prevalent that the extra room for friends and family matters. </p> <p>We test drive the Volvo XC90 (is that it???) with a third row and really really liked it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785115 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:12:09 +0000 bushelandapeck 2785115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: i also recommend the outback! We love ours and the only reason we upgraded to something bigger is we are expecting #3. It was great for two kids and a large black lab :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785107 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 13:46:44 +0000 nana87 2785107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks everyone! these are so helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785065 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:41:18 +0000 milano14 2785065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're planning to get DH a new 2nd car after the New Year. It will likely be a Subaru Outback - have been eyeing it for years.<br /> We've have two kids and two dogs as well, so I think it will be perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785064 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:37:29 +0000 petitenoisette 2785064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also love my outback! Plenty of cargo room (I feel like the cargo space in wagons is better than in compact SUVs). Great gas mileage for an AWD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785056 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:21:33 +0000 karenbme 2785056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a Mazda CX-5. It has 2 rows and a roof rack. Our 2 dogs (lab and medium sized mutt) fit comfortably in the cargo area and we put luggage in a carrier on top. For as big a car as it is (plus I got the AWD version) it does really well on gas, and I'm able to parallel park it consistently (I street park during the day most days). Had it for 3 years now, and haven't had any issues. I picked the CX-5 because it had more cargo volume than the CRV and the Rav 4, so the pups would have plenty of space without needing to spend the money both for purchase and gas on a full sized SUV. The Forester was second on my list. I know there was a reason I liked the Mazda better, I just can't remember what it was. Anyways, I 100% recommend the Mazda, it's been great for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785037 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:44:00 +0000 MamaCate 2785037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our Prius V! Got it this summer and have been super happy. Lots of room (it is the big hatchback one), amazing gas mileage, super reliable. We have two kids and one dog and it it comfortable for trips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785032 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:25:22 +0000 birdofafeather 2785032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Subaru Outback! Can’t sing it’s praises enough. Tons of storage space, back seat space, safe, good gas mileage by doesn’t feel huge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785024 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:01:56 +0000 MrsBucky 2785024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really liked the Subaru crosstek when I drove it a lot (zipcar) but when we were car shopping it didn’t feel like it had enough storage space compared to other options. We ended up buying a Camry and inheriting my mom’s old Lexus RX, thinking that would be our “big car” for now and then when it dies in a few years we might be ready for a minivan. Maybe look at a Prius wagon? Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785019 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:54:19 +0000 looch 2785019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted a Subaru, but my husband thought they were too sporty, so we ended up with a Toyota Venza that I really liked. We no longer have it because we've gone electric, but I would have kept that car, no problem.</p> <p>I wanted something that was a bit higher than a sedan and that had a hatchback. We also looked at the CRV and a Jeep Liberty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785018 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:54:09 +0000 erinbaderin 2785018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a VW Golf wagon, which I love. Fits two car seats plus you can squish a person between them (not comfortably) and it has a lot of trunk space. </p> <p>But if you’re looking for something that will also fit your parents I think you definitely need three rows </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785016 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:47:13 +0000 josina 2785016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love my Chevy Traverse, AWD, 3rd row. We usually keep the 3rd row partially down for extra storage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785013 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:34:10 +0000 jape14 2785013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Adding a plug for a station wagon if you need cargo space and aren't married to a third row. We have a volvo xc70 and we could squeeze a (smallish) third person in between the carseats in the back if needed. The trunk space is huge and plenty of room for our 65-lb dog plus bags. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2785000 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:01:41 +0000 nana87 2785000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: ooh we hadn't thought of that one, thanks!</p> <p>@skinnycow: highlander is one of the ones we're considering! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2784999 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:00:07 +0000 skinnycow 2784999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done a ton of research on brands as I work for an automobile company and I get a car through work, but I'm planning to get a Highlander in a few months. It has three rows but isn't huge - I've heard good things from other mom friends. Comparable cars are Honda Pilot/GMC Acadia. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2784998 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:59:55 +0000 avivoca 2784998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I normally drive a Nissan Versa which is small but roomy. Any time we travel out of town it turns into a clown car situation and we definitely can't take the dog. I'm driving a Nissan Rogue right now while I wait for my air bag to be fixed (Thanks Takata...) and I really like it. It drives like my Versa but has a little bit more room, plus the gas mileage is great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2784997 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:58:54 +0000 nana87 2784997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I think not a sedan, DH wants to get an SUV (specifically thinking of a Subaru Outback maybe). We almost upgraded to another hand-me-down sedan last year that would have had slightly more space in the back seat and trunk but decided that it wasn't worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2784994 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:52:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 2784994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you thinking sedan if you stick to two rows? DH has a Volkswagen Passat and I’m actually shocked how much room the backseat has with two big car seats. Trunk space is good for. Sedan but not as good as my suv. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-a-car-for-me#post-2784992 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:40:06 +0000 nana87 2784992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi bees!</p> <p>Our current car (a 2000 Saab that used to be my dad's) might be on it's deathbed/need too much $ in repairs to be worth fixing, which means we may be in the market for a new car. DH has ideas about what we should get, but I know like, nothing about cars and would love to hear recommendations from fellow parents about what kind of set-up you love or specific brand!</p> <p>We live in NYC and have an indoor garage. We use the car for daycare drop-off occasionally or grocery shopping, or longer trips on the weekend. Right now with our little sedan, it's a REALLY tight fit with 2 kids and 2 dogs too, so we always have to rent a car for out of town trips (especially if we go with my parents, which has happened twice). I think we should get a car with 3 rows, dh thinks we can get a bigger car but still have 2. </p> <p>The other tricky thing is we might be moving next summer, location tbd...So eventually we may need a second car.</p> <p>Do you have a car you love? I'd love to hear about it! </p>