need advice from parents?

Question

My friend has 2 kids and is now pregnant with twins. She needs a car that all of them can fit in safely- she doesn't want a van, obviously if she has to she will- but she'd rather get an SUV....also she doesn't have a lot of money...

any suggestions?

the oldest is 2...the youngest is 9 months. The twins are due in may. so there will be 4 car seats.

Answer 1

Check out the Saturn Outlook or GMC Acadia. These are brand new crossover SUV models introduced by GM that have state of the art safety features like stability control and side window airbags, seating for 7 in three rows, great fuel economy from GM's high tech VVT v-6 and wicked good looking interiors and exteriors. They are the new benchmarks.

Answer 2

A suggestion for you. Consider a crossover vehicle instead of a van. I can put two grandchildren and their seats in my Buick Rendavous and still have room for 2 more. The vehicle can accomodate 2 in the back seat and 2 in the third row plus the 2 adults in front. The vehicle offers good visbility and handling for the driver.
The oldest can be placed in the 3rd row seat and the twins in the back seat (2nd row). That would make it easier to get them in and out.
You can jpurchase good used ones with relatively low mileage in the mid-upper teens. They are availabale iwtheither 2 wheel drive or all wheel.

Answer 3

Well, with 4 kids i would recomend a Van, either a Dodge Caravan or a Honda Oddosy. They are both very nice riding vehicles and they have quite a bit of room inside. SUV's really don't get good safty records, and they arn't that big on the inside and with 4 kids with 2 (?) carseats, there is not going to be any room for anyone else.

Answer 4

I would get a Suburban, SUV type. I have driven one as my personal vehicle for 32 years. They have 3rd. row seating. Just don't get buckets in the rear seats. As for this rollover stuff I feel much safer in it then any car.Thought I wanted a " car" @ 1 time. Got a Jaguar. It was a great car but I only kept it for a month. Just didn't feel as safe in it. Felt like I was on the ground.

Answer 5

Hmmm... Did the US get the old Volvo estates with the fold-out kiddie seats in the back? They're pretty tough, dependable and cheap.

With any non-van type car, though, the extra seats are often afterthoughts. She really needs to go round a few places and see how practical they are. Take a child seat - if they're at all interested in making a sale, they'll let you try and fit one to see how easy it is.

Most reasonable-sized 4x4s had a seven-seat option, so she should have a lot of choice.

Answer 6

If she wants a SUV instead of a Van and want safety also, go with a Crossover vehicle. That is a SUV built on the base of a car. check these web site for some iformation.

http://www.edmunds.com/

http://consumerguide.com/

Answer 7

with 4 car seats she needs something with a third row seat as you will never fit 4 car seats in one back seat in a suv and then when you get that third row seat there will be no room for diaper bags and strollers or anything, did she ever consider a bus?

Answer 8

A mid to late 90's Jeep Cherokee would be a great vehicle for her, as they will go anywhere (4WD version) they are very reliable, comfortable to ride in, and easy to get the kids into and out of and have plenty of room for strollers, baby items, etc. Easy to repair yourself (if you have to) and get great gas mileage (inline 6 cylinder). I have a 96 grand cherokee 4WD and I get an average of 26MPG with full time 4WD. So if she gets one that has the part time 4WD system in it instead of full time she would gain about 4-5MPG. Good luck on your vehicle quest. Bill

Answer 9

SUVs actually have poor safety records (they tend to tip over easier than anyother vehicle), so I wouldn't recommend them. I like my van so I guess I like those.