@cars

[Deleted]

What kind of car do you drive? 2007 Honda civic

What do you love? Absolutely everything about.

What do you hate? Nothing

How does a carseat fit? It fits great a little tight for my husband but he deals.

Room to haul around everything you need? Yep.

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again? I'd buy a Honda Pilot.

[picksthemusic]

Moms:

What kind of car do you drive? 2011 Subaru Forester

What do you love? Size (I'm short and I don't have to get on a ladder to get in or out), safety features, automatic everything, gas mileage, all-wheel drive, and I feel safe driving it.

What do you hate? Not much. I'm kind of in love with this car. Maybe a couple more bells and whistles would be nice, but this is the nicest car I've ever owned.

How does a carseat fit? Great! It has the LATCH system, which makes it super secure. Plus, it's not too high off the ground, so getting an infant seat in and out is super easy.

Room to haul around everything you need? Yep! It's got a roomy back, which holds our big stroller and groceries.

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again?

Absolutely. I'd miss it!

[InBetweenDays]

What kind of car do you drive?
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
2003 Toyota 4Runner

What do you love?
Honda - It gets great gas mileage, it is compact which is nice for parking/driving in the city.

Toyota - I don't think we've brought it in for more than an oil change or general maintenance in the 7 years we've owned it. It does great in the snow/mountains, is big enough to haul our two dogs and any equipment we need (camping, skiing, travelling, etc.) but isn't a beast like some of the bigger SUVs.

What do you hate?
Honda - It is SO light that traction can be an issue. It slips on hills on wet streets, and is terrible in any snow. With two car seats there is no room for a third person in the back seat.

Toyota - The gas mileage isn't great. Usually around 20mpg.

How does a carseat fit?
Honda - Fine with two car seats. When we had a rear facing convertible seat we had to move the passenger seat forward a little but it wasn't too bad. Now with both kids forward facing the only issue is we can't fit anyone else in the back seat.

Toyota - No issues at all.

Room to haul around everything you need?
Honda - Everything I need day to day? Yes. We even did a trip to Leavenworth with the four of us in October and it was great. But if we're taking the dogs or any sort of gear - no. Not enough room.

Toyota - Yes and then some. It has way more room than I need on a day to day basis which is why I normally drive the Honda.

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again?
Honda - probably not. I'm not sure the extra cost of the hybrid was worth it. I'd probably get some sort of smaller hatch back like a Subaru or Audi A3 (our neighbors have one that I covet )

Toyota - Definitely. I love that car and we'll probably drive it into the ground. If we were to get a new one though I'd look into 4Runner with an optional 3rd row.

[jennlin]

2004 mazda 6

Love it. I always called it my "realistic dream car", then turns out h owned one (coincidence!). It's sporty, but not over the top, luxurious, but not expensive, and very roomy!

Dislike that there's a computer glitch that keeps the check engine light on. Long story about that, but the car runs fine otherwise.

Britax boulevard, which is a BIG seat, fits comfortably on any side or middle, + 2 adults comfortably. We also brought home 3 sets of shelving from ikea, +us and bjl home in it.

I want a mini van, but h doesn't! I wouldn't be disappointed if I got the same car.

[dana86]

Moms:

What kind of car do you drive? 2002 Chevy Tahoe

What do you love? Just about everything. It's big, fits both my dogs in the back. On a regular basis I have our stroller (bob) in the back but I can fit a ton of other stuff back there even with it in there. Not to mention I have 3rd row seat and they are roomy as well.

What do you hate? Nothing

How does a carseat fit? I have a large Britax for M and it fits in all positions in the back seat, even behind H when he is driving and he sits back farther.

Room to haul around everything you need? Yep, everything I need p,us some which is great

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car? Yes, accept I wouldn't mind getting a newer one but I'd be ok with this same style as well

[karebear219]

Dec 31, 2012 15:57:18 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

Moms:

What kind of car do you drive? 2011 Subaru outback

What do you love? space, safety, awd, heated seats

What do you hate? nothing

How does a carseat fit? Excellent

Room to haul around everything you need?
for sure
If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again? Yup

[omangie]

Moms:

What kind of car do you drive? 2006 scion xb ( yes, the toaster

What do you love? How it's so easy to see out of, the seats are the perfect height from ground level - don't have to jump up or bend over too much - great for my husband with bi-lat fake hips

What do you hate? The gas mileage is not as great as you'd think a little 4-banger should get

How does a carseat fit? Great. There is a ton of room in the backseat, both leg room and head room. I had 3 six foot plus people back there kinda comfy

Room to haul around everything you need? It's def on the smaller side as far as storage area. My big stroller takes up the whole trunk. my 50 # dog fits, with stroller in backseat

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again? Probably not, just because i need to upgrade my storage space, with a 13 yo, 2 yo, dog, plus stuff but the car has served us very well over the years, and if there was only one kid, it fit us much better

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=seattle&action=display&thread=113142#ixzz2GhHfB5GS

[omangie]

Wow, sorry for all the smileys... Guess wine makes me happy!

[<removed>]

What kind of car do you drive? 2008 Honda Fit and 2009 Toyota RAV4

What do you love?
Fit -
The versatility. The seats can be adjusted in so many different configurations and there is so much more room inside that tiny car than you would think. That said, once you have car seats strapped in, that feature is a moot point.
The size. I fall in love with my car again every time I'm in a tight parking garage or parking lot.

RAV4 -
The reliability. I drove a first generation RAV4 into the ground and when it was time for a new car, there was no question we were getting a new RAV4. I trust Toyota's reliability in general. Prior to my first RAV4, I drove a 1980 Toyota Tercel and I'm sure that little car is still out there somewhere!
The size is just right for us. Granted, we have a skybox on top for when we go on road trips and really need to pack the car, but the size is a nice compromise between a sedan and a huge gas-guzzling SUV. It gets decent mileage for the size.

What do you hate?
Fit - I don't hate this about it, but it can get annoying... It's not the quietest ride. The wind noise can get pretty bad when you are going fast. I think this has been improved in newer models.
RAV4 - Nothing


How does a carseat fit?
Fit - A rear-facing seat makes for a really cramped ride for the passenger, especially if you're tall. The forward-facing seat fits fine without impeding too much on the seat in front of it - we have a Sunshine Kids Radian (now goes by Diono) in that car, and just re-installed our infant seat base for upcoming baby #2. Both seats appear to fit fine.
RAV4 - No problem with the seats in there. The seat needs to be scooted up a little for a rear-facing seat, but it's do-able and not too uncomfortable. We now have an infant seat (Graco) and a Britax Marathon in there and it seems OK.

Room to haul around everything you need?
Fit - For short trips, yes, unless we want to take the dog. It's a better commuting/errand car.
RAV4 - So far, yes. Room for dog (or dogs) in the back, a kid in back, two passengers, and lots of stuff. Plus we can put the skybox on which is a lifesaver for vacations. Now that we'll have 2 kids in it, though, we'll need to scale back when we pack.

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again?
Both Fit and RAV4 - Yes.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=seattle&action=display&thread=113142#ixzz2Gr9DWRgx

[georgeharrison]

What kind of car do you drive? Ford Flex

What do you love? I love the idea of it, but I think we got kinda a lemon

What do you hate? Just the weird things that are wrong with mine. Also, I thought the third row was completely removable, but really they just fold flat.

How does a carseat fit? Tman is out of a car seat, but I could fit five car seats in there - although it would be difficult to get the two in the back. I use to babysit a toddler in a convertible seat and she went in just fine.

Room to haul around everything you need? Tons of room

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again? I would get a brand new one, but yes, I would get the flex. I would also consider the TSX wagon mentioned above and the Lincoln MKT if those were in my price range - which they are not, at all, even close - especially the Lincoln.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=seattle&thread=113142&page=1#1906716#ixzz2Grc0rtLH

[shevacc]

What kind of car do you drive? 2004 Mazda3 (sedan, mine), 2002 Subaru imprexa WRX (sedan, DH)

What do you love?
Mazda: decent gas mileage, reliable, fun-ish to drive (as compared to other small sedans), deceptively large amount of storage space, car seat fits fine, looks more expensive than it is, DH installed heated seats
Subaru: handles really well in bad weather, DH thinks it's fun to drive, DH can do his own maintenance which he enjoys and saves us a lot of money, both cars are comfortable for long trips

What do you hate?
Mazda: It's not easy to maintain ourselves so we have to pay a mechanic when it needs stuff. It has a lot of corrosion bc of east coast driving so I'm afraid we'll have some upcoming expensive repairs. A/C is broken which bothers me a few days each summer. I wish I could comfortably fit more stuff with a carseat in the back
Subaru: DH loves his car but it's hard to fit a lot of stuff in it. The seats don't fold down at all and with a car seat in the middle, even the middle "pass-through" is blocked. I think it's uncomfortable to ride in sometimes, but that's mainly how DH drives (fast corners, quick acceleration, etc.)

How does a carseat fit?
Mazda: fine if you're not a "gangstah"...I had a Chicco keyfit30 behind me (driver) and now have a Diono radian in the center rear-facing. I have to sit one click more upright than I'd choose (not a big deal) and I'm 5'9". DH used to push the passenger seat all the way back and almost laid down and now he can't which I think is a plus. Plus 2 adults can sit in the backseat with the car seat reasonably comfortably.
Subaru: surprisingly fine...we currently have the Chicco keyfit30 in the center back there and driver and passenger have plenty of room. Though there's not enough room for adults to comfortably sit on either side of the seat.

Room to haul around everything you need?
Both cars: yes, definitely day-to-day for regular Costco runs, etc. though we have to pack smarter now that we can't put both seats down in back and don't want anything to fall on DD. We've gone to Grandma and Grandpa's for a week in both cars but we probably couldn't fit all our camping gear without getting a box for the roof rack (which is currently on DH's car). Mazda has even hauled a bookshelf, some storage bins, and a comforter home from IKEA.

If your car was totaled today and insurance would let you buy a new car, would you buy the same car again? We both love our own cars, but want to have one small car and one larger vehicle as a family. Plus DH couldn't directly replace his WRX because he added a bigger turbo and many other projects...and he's currently in love with electric cars. So maybe we'd get a Volt for the smaller car if cost wasn't an issue. For the larger vehicle we'd definitely get a mini-van. We test-drove SUVs and mini-vans last year and decided that for the price you can't beat the comfort and storage capacity of a mini-van. But we're not going to upgrade until either one car completely dies or we absolutely need more space (maybe after another kid?)