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Cars for Moms - comments, concerns and wants!

147 messages,  Last post on Jan 22, 2008 at 8:40 AM

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#144 of 147 Looking around by mattandi Jan 14, 2008 (9:55 am)
Sorry I'm not a mom. Hope it is ok for a dad to seek feedback here.   Currently driving a Saturn LW2. Car has served it's purpose well. Especially like the cargo capacity. It is getting a little long in the tooth, however, at 102k miles. The drive train seems to be holding up well, but have had many issues recently with other components. Have put about $3500 in repairs over the last 10 months or so, and got stuck out of town once recently (EGR valve broke). So, we're looking for another vehicle. We bought the Saturn used with 49k miles on it four years ago. For a short while had another vehicle, so we average 13-14k miles per year. Not sure if we will hold on to the Saturn or not.   We are a family of four with a 3 and 5 year old (there is an outside chance we may add another). Routinely have another 6 year old in tow. Currently have two boosters and a full size car seat in the second row. My wife and I are decidedly average size folks. We frequently travel around NC to visit family. Many more kids/cousins that often pile into cars, usually not ours since we can only add one more. Have been warned that as kids age they often have a playmate tagging along. Travel between NC and MD four to six times a year to visit grandparents, an 800+ mile round trip. We go tent camping 2 to 3 times a year hauling a full compliment of equipment and supplies..   Issues for consideration. Reliability Safety MPG Seating flexibility Road trip comfort Cargo capacity   Here is our current short list of possibilities.   Chrysler T&C / Dodge GC Toyota Sienna Honda Oddy Kia Sedona / Hyundai Entourage GMC Acadia Ford Taurus X Toyota Highlander   Definitely NOT selling points for us. (just won't be part of the decision, but ok if included) Navigation systems - we both can read a map. Rented an Explorer last year with NAV. Think the novelty would wear off in about a week, and can only honestly see using it maybe twice in the life of the car. I don't begrudge anyone who needs/wants it, just not for me. DVD/Entertainment options - We have a portable DVD system that gets used on long trips. Usually only listen to talk radio. Extended trip time is often used for family interaction. Play lots of games. Maybe I'm just old school that way.   So, is there anything not on our list that anyone would suggest? Thx. Replies to this message: la4mead (Jan 14, 2008 2:58 pm) mattandi (Jan 15, 2008 8:00 am)
#145 of 147 Re: Looking around [mattandi] by la4mead Jan 14, 2008 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: mattandi (Jan 14, 2008 9:55 am) Those are all great cars, but they are big, perhaps a little clumsy compared to what you are used to, and use a lot of fuel. How do you feel about giving up the wagon, which is not a "tall" vehicle?   Have you considered other wagons, or do you need the size increase because wagons like the SW2 have been phased out in favor of less nimble, taller vehicles?   Also, see message number 141 in this forum. The Mazda 5 is roomy and versatile on the inside, small on the outside, inexpensive, sporty in comparison, and good on fuel. It's just not as stylish as a crossover SUV, nor as lux-laden as a full size "mini"-van.   I'm not a mom, either. But I've been impressed with Mazda designs (function, not styling) recently. Something to add to your list to consider, if cost is a factor, and you want to retain nimble handling, and don't mind the "funky" styling. Replies to this message: mattandi (Jan 15, 2008 8:00 am)
#146 of 147 Re: Looking around [la4mead] by mattandi Jan 15, 2008 (8:00 am)
Replying to: la4mead (Jan 14, 2008 2:58 pm) Thanks! We are taking our time to make a careful and informed decision. I was initially concerned a bit about the "bigness" of these. We borrowed my dad's Excursion for a camping trip this passed summer (sister also borrowed it for another camping trip). We drove it for 2 weeks. I liked it, but my wife found it just clumsy and never got comfortable driving it. Now, that is a monstrous vehicle, and I really would not want to feed it on a regular basis. As a result she is turned off to full sized SUV's, which we do not really need anyway (nothing to tow and 4WD not much of a concern around here). My dad suggested a Tahoe for us which we quickly dismissed.   So, I was worried about how she would take to a larger buggy. Upon driving both a Dodge GC and a Kia Sedona though, she was quite comfortable with how they handled. I was pleasantly surprised. She remarked how they felt very different from the Excursion, not too surprising. We have not driven the other vehicles on the list, but we will.   On numerous occasions the Saturn has been packed to overflowing, including shoving smaller items into the second row floor space. We use all five seats daily. My mom rides with us frequently, so my wife often rides in the back with the girls, uncomfortably squeezed between 2 car seats. So, we are not considering anything smaller in terms of cargo capacity and seat room. Other than my father, no one in the family currently owns a vehicle with more than five seats. Vans and SUV's have been around before, but now just a few wagons and sedans. Another vehicle in the mix with a couple more seats would be beneficial.   We'll take another look at the Mazda5. Our initial impression was that it just might be a little too small. The price and MPG are enticing though, especially if its 4 banger will hold up for 100k+ under occasional hard work. Yeah, I am disappointed in the MPG of the others, but it might have to accepted as a trade-off. A friend has a Sienna and reports better MPG on average than the group.   Have not completely written off other wagons yet. Concerned a bit about reliability and maintenance costs of some of the offerings. The german stuff and Volvos can get pricey. We have a local car show coming up in a couple of weeks, so we'll get a chance to see lots in one convenient location.   Sorry about the long post. Helps me think through some of this though.
#147 of 147 dvd systems with in dash controls by lnager Jan 22, 2008 (8:40 am)
I currently have a Chrysler Pacifica and love the front load DVD that came with the vehicle but otherwise I haven't been that happy with the 3rd row and actual style. My lease is up next year and I like the Toyota Highlander but I don't like the DVD systems that comes with the car. I would like to know what SUV/crossover has the same in-dash features.

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