[bluebird38]

I was wondering if there are any other vehicle options besides a passenger van or suburban for families that have more than five children. Are there 8 passenger mini-vans?

For those that do have suburbans, is it hard to get in the back seat?

We currently have five children, including bios. I was considering opening for another placement but don't have room in our mini van. I'm worried that the suburban would use so much gas. My husband is worried that a passenger van would not drive well in the winter.

We also do not have much money to buy a vehicle (don't believe in car payments ). So, it can not be a newer model.

Any suggestions? I may have to just stay with our current number of placements.

Thank you,
bluebird38

[Sam-N-Tony]

You can always, tie a stroller to the back of the car and tow them, LOL!

Disclaimer: It was simply a joke and I do not suggest trying it at home.

Now, I do believe that there are 8 passenger mini-vans, I believe the older Town & Country is a 8 passenger with 2 bench seats vs the captain seats.

I have a minivan but a 7 passenger. I would think it would be really a pain to get into the back with little ones. It really all depends on the ages of your kids.

I live in FL, so we don't have a snow problem but we ALL have the same gas problem. I would think a suburban and passenger van will use the same amount of gas and would be equally gas guzzelers.

[jbee]

an astro van can have seats for 8 two up front and two three seat benches. some are awd or 4wd. we had two. if you get a mid 90's one they are about 2000 dollars sometimes. depends if you can get a deal. one of ours was a 98 and had 230k on it. we paid 1500. our 96 only had 150k and we paid 600 for it.
they are not so great on gas...but to fit you gotta do it
we have a grand caravan now and it is squishy with 3 little bios and two 17 fs. we are looking into a 11 pass. or 15 pass. van.

[onhazier]

If you're concerned about gas mileage, check out the government's fuel economy website as you evaluate the various options to you. It has fuel mileage for the last 13 years I believe. If I remember correctly, they're all using the current EPA calculations so you're comparing apples to apples. The website is Fuel Economy.

[mama-2-3]

I drive a Ford SUV with third row seating, so it seats 8, but I will admit that gas is a KILLER. We live in Southern California where gas is VERY expensive and things are so spread out around here, we go through gas like crazy.

[AuntT]

The Honda Odyssey (I have one and LOVE it) and the Toyota Sienna both have an 8 passenger option.

Our Odyssey has an eighth seat that can be removed and stowed if needed.

[momofbgtwins]

The Toyota Sienna (mini-van) does have the option to get the 8th seat.

[MommyAlysia]

what kind of van do you have? i think with any model you can take out the 2 middle row seats and replace it with a 3 seater. my parents did it with their dodge caravan in '97. A new seat will be much cheaper than a new van.

[lostboys]

Honda odysee is an 8 passenger Van. We love ours.

[aedems]

The Honda Pilot is an 8 passenger as well. It not only gives you the seating, but also gives you the 4-wheel drive capability. My neighbor has one and says it runs about 25-mpg.

[luvmykids4]

How well does the Honda Odyssey do on gas mileage? We have a grand caravan, but need more space. We got a large 12 passenger, but it is a gas guzzler. By the way, does anyone think that gas mileage reimbursement will be raised with all the insanity re: fuel? We certainly are not doing this for the money, but the high price of fuel is so outrageous! Just curious.