Family car that's not a minivan?
What are some options that seat 6 or more and aren't minivans? That work with carseats. That either have good gas mileage or some awesomeness that makes up for having crappy gas mileage?
We've managed as a 1-car household for awhile now, but soon - with the advent of a far-away job - we may need a second vehicle. What do you recommend?
I recall a moment of shock and pain while buying a minivan, viewing it as the pariah of vehicles lauded only by the proverbial soccer mom. I'm that guy who doesn't think cars should have more than 4 doors (preferably 2) or fewer than 8 cyclinders, and should be more akin to art on wheels than a receptacle for lost Cheerios.
My bigger shock? I love the minivan. It's not flashy or fast, but drives reasonably well (basically like any average sedan). And being able to push buttons to open doors, having lots of space in back to haul gear for kids, flexible seating arrangements, etc -- awesome. I can't imagine an alternative. With family visiting, we could transport 7 people (including 3 car seats).
Get one. Why not?
- davidm, Sep 27, 2011
Not bad, David, not bad! :)
- andrea, Sep 27, 2011
Andrea, borrow ours for a bit and see how you like it!
Why were you thinking "not a minivan" to begin with?
- Stephen M., Sep 30, 2011
1 Answers
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The 2 smallest cars I know of that can seat 6 do so with seats in the trunk area that make an optional 3rd row. It means when you seat 5 or 6, you don't have much trunk space. I think this is OK when you don't have a lot of baby gear any more.
They are the Mazda 5 and the Toyota RAV4. I don't know about gas mileage. But if you get one of these, look into getting something to secure your trunk items, like a net accessory. It's quite a hazard during a collision to have things flying around the cabin.
Oh, nice, hadn't thought of these!
- andrea, Sep 27, 2011
You can also talk us into a minivan. Or you can try ;)
- andrea, Sep 25, 2011