Hellobee Boards

I think I'm going to have to make the switch to a van this summer - and I'm not sure how I feel about it! I just think the convenience with a 3 year old, 2 year old, and a newborn probably couldn't be beat.

We have two and our next car will most likely be a odyssey or Sienna. We just road trip way too often.

@Rainbow Sprinkles: I loved my CR-V. I gave it to my sister. I have a Subaru Forester now.

I'm obsessed with my Sienna.

We have a 2016 Honda Pilot and while there is plenty of room for 3 kids in the 2nd row, it basically makes the 3rd row inaccessible unless you climb in through the trunk or get captain chairs in the 2nd row. Just something to consider for SUVs!

I looooove my Honda Odyssey. I wasn't a van person before but I had a Toyota Highlander and it was too cramped (DS was in a booster by that point too). So we decided to bite the bullet and finally get a van.

The Odyssey is super roomy and the features are awesome. They thought of everything a family could possibly need/want in a car. We keep snacks in the cool box for long road trips, there's tons of compartments and storage and it's so comfortable. I kind of like that it looks sleeker than minivans use to!

@HLK208: Yes. I know I'm going to get something in the six months - I'm due for something newer anyways, mine's an '08 I've had since I graduated HS - but not sure what it will be! J really wants to get a minivan though so I'm sure that's what it will be! We may look at bigger SUVs just to be sure, but I have no idea if they would even be convenient/it would be worth it. eta - I think if we switched our carseats we could fit 3 across with my model according to this site http://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2015/01/3-across-installations-highlander.html/ but honestly, if we're going to spend $$$ on nice new seats I might as well just bite the bullet and make the upgrade anyways!!

@coopsmama: yes! We looked into buying new car seats and we did try several different boosters. We made it work for about 7 months after having #3! I had a hard time loading the kids in (opening the car door while holding the infant car seat and trying to get every in was tough). The sliding doors have been a life saver!
So not only the space but safety issues with getting everyone in the car were enough for us to go with the Odyssey.

@kodybear: how is the trunk space in the new pilot when you're using the third row? We only plan on two, but need a third row for when we are with my family, as I'd prefer all in one car. They live in same city, so it's often. We could take two cars on trips, but I'd love to take one! Usually 6-7ppl.

We are expecting our third and I think deciding on a new car will be the most stressful thing for me. We have a Rav-4 now and have no choice but to get rid of it because you can't fit 3 across. DH drives my old Corolla and I keep telling him that I'm just going to get new car seats and steal back my car! We definitely need at least one car that is good in the snow and I HATE huge SUV's. It would be nice to have a third row because sometimes my mom will go places with us and it doesn't matter if it eats into the storage room because on those occasions we don't need the trunk space. I was hoping the Nissan Rogue would be the perfect fit for us but it turns out that you can't put 3 seats across (does not allow for car seat in the middle) and if you use the third row, you can't use a seat with a top tether. Now I have not clue what we'll do - probably a Honda CRV type car for now and forgo the option for additional passengers.