[DeeVee]

Completely OT, but for those of you with five kiddos or more: What kind of vehicle do you drive?

I currently have a Honda Odyssey, which I love. One of the reasons I chose it is because it can seat up to 8 people; there is a jumpseat for the middle row. Most days it is just fine for my needs. I can fit all five kiddos in the car, with room for me and DH. Here's where we run into problems:

Oldest DS has soccer practice, baseball games, etc; I am a terrible carpooler because I cannot fit anyone else in my car. With the jumpseat, I can take one more, or two, if I put one of my kiddos in the front passenger seat (the front airbag turns off, and it is legal - I checked -though probably not the safest). I am blessed that Gabriel's friends all have terrific moms who don't mind at all that I can't help carpool, but they drive Gabriel around quite a bit and I feel bad I can't reciprocate.

When Grandma and Grandpa come to visit, we cannot go anywhere as a family except if we take two cars. And if DH is at work, we cannot go anywhere at all because he needs his car for work, and I have the minivan which doesn't have enough seats. (The jumpseat is fine for a child or adolescent, but a little tight for an adult when two car seats are on either side of it.)

When my pre-schoolers start kindergarten, they are going to want to have playdates like their older brother, and then I will really be out of room - no way at all to fit a couple more friends in my car.

Am I being silly to want to have enough room for all the contingecies that come up? Our family fits fine in the minivan. But that's it. No room for anyone else. And there is at least one time per week that I'm wishing I had room for "just one more" in the car.

So, what do you drive? Should I just make do with the minivan? Is there something out there that seats 9 or 10 that doesn't get horrible gas mileage and doesn't feel like driving a truck?

[annaguat]

We have more then five children but our second car is a Toyota Sienna because it seats eight. The Honda Odyssey would be my second choice. Also all mini vans are not the same size. All my kids just get bigger and I want lap shoulder belts and head supports plus head space and leg room for all seats not just first two rows. I can take my quilt group ladies on a trip in the Sienna too and we are all comfortable. Looking to see what others have found. I know originally we looked at some bigger SUVs but I was dissapointed in the physical space and safety of the "extra" seats. Anna

[becky]

I don't know of any 'regular' car that seats more than 8. So...if you need that option, you might have to look into the bigger extension vans.

I have an 8 year old Ford Expedition that I love. It has been the best car I have ever had. My hubby keeps trying to convince me to trade it in for a new van...but why? It's paid for, and other than the terrible gas mileage, there isn't any reason to get rid of it. I told him I will buy something new when this car dies...which I hope won't be for another 3-5 years!

[dspakowsky]

We just researched all this... the highest you can go is 8 people, after that its a passanger van, etc. We're looking for something with 7-8 people seating and like the Traverse, Yukon, and an Escalade. BUT... I can't get over the sticker shock - so we haven't bought yet. I just don't want a car payment, even though we're hardly fitting in my car any longer.

[DPline]

I loved my Expedition, but I don't think that will really gain you a ton. Yes, maybe seating 8 more comfortably, but not more than 8. The Ford E-Series vans will seat from 7 to 15 people with their different seating configurations. No, it doesn't get great gas mileage, but nothing seating 8 or more people does. I am always glad to get anyone Friends and Family pricing if it helps.

[momraine]

I love my Sienna, it seats 8 fairly comfotably. My other car is a big wheelchair van, but it only seats 8 if two are in wheelchairs. Bigger than that all I could find were 15 passenger and bus type vehicles.

[mommytoEli]

my friend got a bus. lol. i think it seats 15...but it is HUGE! i have a tahoe, seats 8 and there are 7 of us, so only if my mom comes to visit do we have room. i want one more kid, so soon that seat will be taken as well, but i refuse to drive a bus, so our guests will have to take their own car, or dh will have to take them in his.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by mommytoEli

my friend got a bus. lol. i think it seats 15...but it is HUGE! i have a tahoe, seats 8 and there are 7 of us, so only if my mom comes to visit do we have room. i want one more kid, so soon that seat will be taken as well, but i refuse to drive a bus, so our guests will have to take their own car, or dh will have to take them in his.

You would probably have to have some retro-fitting done to install car seats, but you would have plenty of space and the price is good.


1995 International Yellow School Bus 65 Passenger:eBay Motors (item 330366534549 end time Oct-15-09 10:23:01 PDT)

[mevertin]

I drive an Excursion. Terrible mileage but it seats 8 and has a decent sized carge area for hockey bags, groceries, stroller. My older kids are bigger so I can have someone sit in the front seat when we are hauling kids and friends. I think a YukonXL or a Suburban will seat 8 if you have a second bench seat instead of the captain's chairs. The one thing about the big SUV is the height. You have to lift the kids up because it is a big step. Since you have so many little ones you will be lifting them up for a long time.It's a good way to stay in shape. What about a van like the one they drive on Jon and Kate plus 8?
Mary
mom to Bobby 12, Bridget 11, Angela 9, Eddie 4 (home in 2005) and Naldo 2 (home Feb. 08)

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by DPline

You would probably have to have some retro-fitting done to install car seats, but you would have plenty of space and the price is good.


1995 International Yellow School Bus 65 Passenger:eBay Motors (item 330366534549 end time Oct-15-09 10:23:01 PDT)

room for SIXTY FIVE! fabulous...i don't have to stop at 6 kids! lol. i'll let my dh know...he'll be thrilled.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by mommytoEli

room for SIXTY FIVE! fabulous...i don't have to stop at 6 kids! lol. i'll let my dh know...he'll be thrilled.

Watch out Duggers!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by mevertin

What about a van like the one they drive on Jon and Kate plus 8?

I believe it is a Dodge Sprinter. Pricey, but seating for 12! (And probably more comfortable than the school bus. )

[DeeVee]

Originally Posted by DPline

You would probably have to have some retro-fitting done to install car seats, but you would have plenty of space and the price is good.


1995 International Yellow School Bus 65 Passenger:eBay Motors (item 330366534549 end time Oct-15-09 10:23:01 PDT)

Debbie, you are too funny! What you probably don't know is that DH and I are musicians -- A little 70s-style paint and just call us the Partridge Family

[DeeVee]

OK, so if I do choose to drive a "bus" that would seat, say, ten people, what are my choices? And does anyone know how these things hold up in the long run? And are there any that are "affordable?" (around the price of a minivan)

[DPline]

If the bus and Partridge Family remake doesn't work out, the Dodge Sprinter starts at $36,190 and the Ford E-Series Van starts at $27,470 new. General Motors has the Chevy Express and the GMC Savana that start at $28,475. Of course used is also an option.