I need a vehicle to seat at least 9 - What should I get?

Question

Mechanic tell me my beat-up 97 Suburban needs expensive repairs, again. Seems like time to think of getting something else. I have seven children, live in a mountainous area with snow, and haul lots of groceries and home renovation materials, and the old Suburban has been perfect -- although the children think I need something bigger, and it's tight when we travel. Should I get another one (used -- 3-5 years old, under 60K miles), or is there another vehicle out there that I should consider that would meet my needs? (I really hate vans -- too hard to park, boring to look at, etc. , but feel free to try to convince me I'm wrong on that)

Answer 1

big van.....

Answer 2

Suburbans, Hummers & minivans aren't going to cut it. Several folks have recommended a full size passenger van and they're right on the mark. It's the ONLY thing that will hold 9 people legally and safely. That's the IMPORTANT issue. You need a seatbelt for EVERY OCCUPANT to keep them safe and you can't get that with anything but a full size passenger van.

Your kids are right, you need something bigger. For once, listen to them, at least on this issue!

Unfortunately full size vans are not available in 4x4 configuration; at least I've not been able to find any. But a set of good snow tires all around and chains for the rear wheels will give you the traction that you need to get around safely in winter.

Answer 3

You need a bus! LoL Just kidding

I have 5 kids and feel the same way as you. But we drive a van. In fact, my husband and I both own a van. It may seem boring, but it sure meets our needs. If we need to haul something, we just take the seats out and have plenty of room. They get better gas mileage than a Suburban too, I think. Anyway, If you find something else that meets your needs, cheap on gas, and looks exiciting, email me! I'd love to have one too!

;o)

Answer 4

get a 15 person van, your kids will love travelling in it. that only like 2 people per bench. TONS OF ROOM!. and the seats can be taken out when you need extra room for hauling groceries and stuff.

oh yaa.. and also and this is a big bonus that your kids will love... they can rock the van.. when sitting at a stop light, they just sway from side to side and it makes the van move.. SO much fun. and it makes people laugh so thats always a good thing.

Answer 5

if you do not want a van; getting a newer 'burban is our best bet.
Unless you want to try a school bus. (makes the van sound not so bad doesn't it)
there are a lot of things that can be done to dress up a van (just look at what "cheech and chong" did in the movies) OK bad example. but rims and a few stripes can do a complete 180 for the styling. and as far as the hard to park they really aren't much different than the 'burban.

Answer 6

Chevy Express passenger van or similar Ford. You can check the Chevy website. Suburbans may still be available in 9 pass. seating, but only in a base model.

Answer 7

wow i would say you need another suburban. hauling you do ?seven children ? snow? you need a 4x4 thats for sure,
my friend has a mercury mountaineer. but he has 5 children. doesnt haul materials but does haul a ton of groceries.
i was going to say a town and county van seats go down. for hauling can haul all thoes kids and the groceries. but its front twheel drive so dont know about the snow. my wife drives one. up here in minnesota handles ok in the snow? but its your money and your ride.

Answer 8

consistent with what us of a you're in, the regulation differs - the 1yr and 20lbs purely applies interior the U. S., yet I regarded into this presently - my son is 11m and became fairly squished in his toddler service and unhappy with it. the main reason at the back of attempting to maintain your son rear dealing with as much as a 12 months (or longer if achieveable) is that throughout a crash a forward dealing with toddler has a a lot greater risk of suffering a broken neck than if rear dealing with as their vertabrae are not besides stepped forward as a grown up and whiplash might desire to be deadly and subsequently rear dealing with is safer until a minimum of a 12 months. in case you could locate the money for it, look into getting a mix vehicle seat - this faces backwards to start up with and is a lot extra spacious than an toddler service and additionally facilitates the toddler to sit down down extra upright. as quickly as your son is over a 12 months previous then the seat turns around to stand forward and can do him until he's approximately 4. it is what we are making plans on doing, and he's a lot happier with the super vehicle seat than with the toddler service. wish this facilitates.

Answer 9

Maybe a van. That would be good or a full size van. Who cares what they look like they are very practical for 9 people.

Hope this helps

Answer 10

OUCH! Nine people to sit?? I thought you were kidding! I was about to tell you a bus.

Honestly tho, I would get a van if you can find one that can seat 9 people. Needs before wants. Might be cheaper.

Answer 11

Something like a big van. Like a church bus or something. That kind of size. Or you could buy a short school bus.