https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:49:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2876038 Tue, 12 Mar 2019 07:35:24 +0000 peachykeen 2876038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd definitely do the smaller SUV that could do 3-across if needed. If you could make it work for a while, you could always upsize in the future if it didn't work well for your family. I love my smaller SUV! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2876014 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 19:53:44 +0000 LadyDi 2876014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since you already have a larger SUV I would definitely go smaller. I don't think two large cars is necessary, especially if you live in a city. We're going to get rid of my small SUV for a bigger car since I am due this summer with our third (my husband drives a sedan) and I am pretty sad about it actually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875993 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:08:58 +0000 charm55 2875993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We bought a Subaru Ascent this summer with the captains chairs and it is awesome !! I absolutely love it. We probably don’t need all the room (only have 2 kids) but it’s handy to have the back row when we take my nieces/kids friends along. And the trunk space for road trips is great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875992 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:07:38 +0000 MrsBeluga 2875992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>100% buy or lease for the family you have today.</p> <p>I bought the Odyssey 2 years ago expecting to have 3 kids and am going to be trading it in for a CRV because we are not having anymore kids. I would really like a 3rd kid but it’s not an option anymore and having to trade in a car is mentally taxing and brings up a lot of emotions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875991 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:01:56 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2875991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get a small car you can fit 3 across in - I checked car seat Lady’s vehicle buying guide and was surprised at the number of sedans you can do 3 across in when it’s harder in most SUVs. If you already have an SUV with a third row, I would keep that as your bigger car or trade it in if you have a third. Then you have one small, fuel efficient car that is easier to park and one bigger option, instead of two sizeable cars. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875989 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:46:02 +0000 catgirl 2875989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go for a smaller car that fits your current family BUT I would research to see if three across would be possible in the future. Some cars are challenging to do three across in but possible with the right seats. Some cars are truly impossible to safely install three seats in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875988 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:34:02 +0000 Foodnerd81 2875988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have only ever planned on two kids and have a small/ midsize suv (Lexus rx350). We lived in the city when we bought it. I’m happy with it and we have enough space for us, but I think when we get a new car I might want a third row. For carpooling, or when family visits and we want to take one car, it’s annoying. I can squeeze in the middle seat but it’s not at all comfortable and I cannot fit a third car seat. </p> <p>But now I live in the suburbs and parking isn’t an issue. That makes it a lot harder. Given that you are hoping for a third and that the extra row would make things easier even as a family of four, I might do it now. But it’s a tough call! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875984 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:10:14 +0000 annem1990 2875984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’d go with the smaller car, especially since you already have a large car with 3 rows. It would seem unnecessary at that point to have 2 cars that big. Unless both you and your SO are adamant about both having big cars. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875983 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:00:08 +0000 JennyPenny 2875983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about leasing a car for now until you’re sure about your family size? I’ve never done it personally but my friend just did because it wasn’t much more expensive compared to interest/trade in than buying. He said it’s very model-specific though, so it may not be a good option on the cars you’re looking at. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875978 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:11:18 +0000 bhbee 2875978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe buy smaller but make sure you think through the three across options? Some cars make it really hard and some are totally doable. </p> <p>We got a mazda5 years ago knowing we might have a third but no guarantees. It’s not sold anymore but fits the idea - it’s on a car base so it’s small, but has sliding doors and a small third row that made it possible to keep it when we did have a third (the middle is captain chairs so no 3 across). I think a lot how much easier it would be to have a true van because sometimes this is like a clown car - but this works for now and it was nice not to have another big expense until we decide it’s time. I would not have wanted to be driving a van for the 4 years between when we bought it and when #3 showed up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-need-a-new-car-but-unsure-about-family-size#post-2875975 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:50:59 +0000 Jennibenni 2875975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would buy the car based on your current family size/current preferences. It’s really not a big deal to trade in later but if you have the third kid you may still be fine with the smaller car. </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>