Well, it's that time. We need to probably get a new car pretty soon. A Mom/Dad car. We aren't sure who is trading their car in and who will drive the new one so that's why we say a mom/dad car. I got my new car right before I got pregnant and Kevin got his earlier last year too so we're working with two sedans and we'll probably end up getting rid of mine. Makes more sense financially we think.
Whatever we get will more than likely be black with tan or gray interior. And I'm not a minivan Mom. More power to you girls that are (I hear they're fabulous) but that isn't me or us.
Let me know if any of you guys have these and how they are for kids, dogs, driving etc. We've pretty much driven them all but of course will go do test drives once we narrow down to a couple. I know I love Tahoes and Yukons as that is what I usually rent when I'm on work trips.
Here are some of our top choices and Kevin has been on the hunt for a good deal.
Tahoe LTZ
Kevin's top choice is the Range Rover. Not necessarily for practicality but because he LOVES them.
Yukon minus the rims below.
Toyota Sequoia. These run in our family and everyone loves them. They last forever.
Land Rover. A bit cheaper option compared to the Range Rover and we both really like it.
As you can see, we're all over the place. I'm sure we'll get what's right when the time comes in the next month or two. For now, we can certainly survive with what we've got!
(All images are from Google)
My Dad recently got a Range Rover and loves it! Granted, at this point in his life he's only driving around our dog though so I can't speak to its Mom/Dad car features.
ReplyDeleteI have an LR4 and love it. It has more space inside than a Range and price point is better. In a range 3 people don't fit in the back seat comfortably but in the LR4 they do! It also has 3rd row seating that fits everyone! I would get the rubber mats that custom fit the car. They are A life saver, you never realize how much dirt you track into a car on a daily basis until you have them! I also like the LR4 because not everyone else has one and they are sleek looking! Good luck with the hunt!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a Tahoe. It lasted forever and was great for traveling. We got a Range Rover (HSE) 7 years ago. We keep our cars a long time... Anyway, I love it but it has had lots of little things that I have had to take it in for. Most covered by warranty but still kind of a pain. My husband is on his second X5 (M class) which we both love but it is a bit smaller.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely go the Tahoe route. They are so dependable and last forever! My parents and brother have one and that's what Brandon will more than likely get when we get him a new car. I love the look of a Range Rover/Land Rover, but I will say that everyone I know that has one has a lot of trouble with them, so it might not be the most dependable choice with a baby. They were made for the damp/wet weather of the UK and the weather over here, especially in the South, doesn't really sync up.
ReplyDeleteI love the LR4. My SIL has one with three kids and it fits them well. And I love the way they ride/look/drive and how well you can see out of them. I'm also a sucker for a Tahoe/Yukon too though. Just make sure your car seat fits in the seat and your stroller fits in the back. I thought my little SUV would be fine for one kid but it got real small real fast.
ReplyDeleteThe only warning I'll give you is that the "parent" car is going to get dirty. Even if you clean it out every day. There's going to be spilled milk, goldfish dust ground into every seam, toys thrown around, etc. Even if you swear you won't be that mom with goldfish dust in the seams...it'll happen!! :) So maybe y'all should wait on the Range Rover for a few years. Have fun shopping!
I have cousins and friends who have both Land and Range Rovers and they do not like them for dogs/kids. They find them too small for 2 carseats and do not hold up well. My sister has the Yukon XL...she loves it and carts 2 kids and 3 dogs.
ReplyDeleteI love all of these options, my favorite being the Tahoe (I keep telling Coleman one Tahoe will do as a push presents for any and all babies). One word of advice would be to stay away from Range Rovers. My sister just traded hers in (as the end of her warranty period was ending) and she spent 60% of the time she owned her's in a loaner car from the dealership. Brand new and it constantly had issues!
ReplyDeleteI love the land rover! My dream mom car is the Volvo SUV. That seats 7.....it's quite a bit smaller than your options but it's beautiful and super safe
ReplyDeleteI have a GMC Acadia Denali and love it!!! It has lots of space and the third row seat is comfortable for adults. My last 2 vehicles have had a DVD player. It is a God send especially for my toddler grandchildren. I agree that you will need rubber mats even in your cargo area. Good luck finding the right vehicle for your family!
ReplyDeleteI am in the same boat. However, I have an 18month old so just in case you haven't thought of these things I will give you some must haves from my perspective. The car seats get HOT and most cars dont cool the back seat well. Rear vents in the ceiling over the back or a remote start might be deal breakers if you live in the warm south-which I am guessing you do;) The rear vents are never something I would have thought of prior to the birth of my little boy. Something to consider;)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have some great options! I can't wait to see what you pick. The husband and I are hoping to make it work with my VW Beetle once our little one comes along in October, but we will see! Babies just come with so much stuff.
ReplyDeleteOne thing to consider. Car seats are heavy. The safest place for a car seat is in the middle. It's a major pain to hoist a heavy car seat + baby into the middle seat of a full size SUV. Not to mention lifting and attempting to buckle in a squirming toddler. BTDT. After two years we caved and got a minivan. The first month my husband kept joking he was going to wear glasses and a hat if I made him drive it. That didn't last long because we both fell in love with how easy a minivan is. Nine years later we are on our second one.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the interior, I agree that life with children is messy. It just is, even if you are a neat freak, babies and kids are messy. Black interiors are just super hard to keep clean. Also, all-weather (plastic) floor mats are a must. See above about mess, but add in vomit and easy-to-clean is your friend.
The only one I can comment on is the Toyota. I grew up in a Toyota family and now both Andy and I have one. I love my Highlander!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Land Rovers are all that safe, comparatively.
ReplyDeleteI swear by anything Toyota, and so many of my family members have the sequoia and just love it! They have all had them for years and cannot say enough great things about them!
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing choices for family cars! So, which one did you end up with? I understand how it’s difficult to pick one when all your choices are considerably good options. Nonetheless, I hope you ended up picking the best among your preferences. Have a nice day, Annie!
ReplyDeleteMichael Miller @ Butler Kia Fishers
All of them are excellent choices, but I'd choose the Chevy Tahoe LTZ if I were you. When it comes to overall cargo capacity and power, I believe it's second to none (at least in my book). Nevertheless, closely consider your specific needs and you'll find one that best fits your family.
ReplyDeleteVictoria Robbins @ Diviniti Auto
I love all of the cars that you have chosen. We went with a Range Rover because it just was so much more comfortable than any other car we saw. I have had a Jeep before though and I loved that too. I would be very interested in the Sequoia. I can imagine that that would be a nice ride.
ReplyDeletePaul @ Viva Nissan