How big of a trunk do I really need?

[Gwendolyn]

Uh...I drove a Civic Del Sol for the first year of DS's life (how bad is THAT?).

You don't need a bus. Get what you like.

ITA I had a Civic for my first year of parenthood. We have the Murano for three children... I don't recommend a two-door hat chback if you van avoid it, but really...get what you like. If there are more kiddos, there will be plenty of time for biggo cars.

I didn't say congrats in my first post

[Cumberland]

I think with a RAV or a CRV you are fine with amount of stuff to put in the back. One issue to think about is number of people you transport. In a CRV, you can put you and DH in the front, one kid and one person in the back. There is the option for a second person being very squished in the back. Once you add two carseats it is tight. I have a Honda Pilot which we got over the CRV bc we wanted third row seating - I regularly haul around other kids, adults etc. I just went on a five hour car trip with my parents, plus three kids and all our stuff. It was nice to have the room.

[Flynn]

I think with a RAV or a CRV you are fine with amount of stuff to put in the back. One issue to think about is number of people you transport. In a CRV, you can put you and DH in the front, one kid and one person in the back. There is the option for a second person being very squished in the back. Once you add two carseats it is tight. I have a Honda Pilot which we got over the CRV bc we wanted third row seating - I regularly haul around other kids, adults etc. I just went on a five hour car trip with my parents, plus three kids and all our stuff. It was nice to have the room.

I was just going to say something to this effect. If I were to do it all over again I'd get the third seat option RIGHT AWAY. No question. The versitility is necessary in our life with visitors, kids' friends, extra carseat needs etc. The Pilot is the smallest SUV with the third seat option that I'm aware of. Our friends have one and LOVE it. Me, I'm more of a Suburban girl but we have a dog so with the third seat being used we can still fit three kids, three adults one dog, one stroller, and a pack.

[Deebs]

We have a Hyundai Veracruz, which has the third row option, but is pricey (smaller and sportier than a Pilot, though). The Volvo SUV also has a third row, and I believe the Sante Fe has a third row now. When we have baby #3, the kids will all be in the second row in my car, but it is nice to have two more seats in the back when needed. I think as long as you have four doors, you're okay. I had a Camaro when I got pregnant with DD, and couldn't hope to get into the back to get baby in and out of the car, so that was our first trade in. Happy car shopping (are you aiming for a purchase before 8pm tonight???).

[Vishenka69]

We test drove the Pilot and didn't like it. It felt like a bus. We're not planning on getting any kind of dog for a few years and all our visitors bring their own cars (nobody flies in). I also don't foresee driving kid's friends around for at least the next 3-4 years and we're not big roadtrip kind of people. In 2-3 years we'll be in the market for a new second car and I think can just get something bigger then.

The primary reason for the SUV is our driveway and upcoming winter, not the kid. Although being due in the winter definitely pushed us to start looking this year vs next.

I knew that most of you don't drive huge cars, but just wanted to make sure. All the more reason to stop listening to my mom (who insists that no stroller can fit into a smaller SUV), who also thinks that cribs should cost $1K.

What's at 8pm tonight? We don't qualify for any federal program, so I haven't looked at any of them.

[SuzySunshine]

The federal CARS program ends tonight at 8pm where you can get $4,500 for your "clunker".

There are cars out there that are 4WD if that is the only reason you're wanting the SUV. The Infiniti G35, several subarus (if not all), and several others.

If mom wants a $1,000 crib let her buy it!