[greatlyblessed]

Hi,
I am new here and could really use some input. What kind of vehicles do you all drive that seat your entire family. I need to find something that can safely seat 7 children (3 infant car seats, 1 toddler car seat, 1 booster) and at least 2 adults. Ideally I would like to find somehting that can seat 3 adults rather than 2 as I would like room to bring along my mother. Is a 15 passenger van my only option or do you all have other ideas? Thank you for your imput.

[Mel in NEPA]

The thing about a vehicle that big is that it's a gas hog. We have a Pontiac Montana, which has 8 seats in it, which accomodates our 8 member family quite nicely. We have two boosters in the van, along with a large teen. It's very roomy.

[bjhv5]

we are looking at a 12 passenger or a 15 but with our family that is what we need.

I would love a 15 passenger ,we would take out the back seat for a large cargo area.

[blessedmomee]

I would love a 15 passenger ,we would take out the back seat for a large cargo area.

Exactly what we did! We have outgrown a minivan and a 9 passenger suburban, so we knew we were down to driving a "bus". I really, really hesitated gettting a 15 passenger van! I was so thrown by the idea of driving a "bus" that I laughed the entire time I was test driving one...the salesman thought I was off my rocker!
We decided to purchase a 15 passenger, because there would be absolutely no cargo space in a 12 seater. At least with the 15 we can take the back seat out. It is really nice having the cargo space, but with six carseats, we usually keep the back seat in unless we are going on vacation, or camping.
The cost of gas is high, but we drive smaller vehicles when we aren't out with the whole gang. I love that our van has several extra seats, giving us room to grow !

C-mom to 8

[momof6plus]

We love our Ford Expedition it seats 8 comfy (including 2 carseats and a tall teen) lots of leg room and room for bags and groceries. We fold down the seats (easy) to get large amts of groceries. And have to be somewhat choosy in driving when gas is high. Great for Iowa winters too.

[SAHmom]

We have a 15 passenger van and I love it! Was worried prior to buying it, but it has worked for our family of nine children.

[2manyks]

we have a 15 pass. van. we had it converted to 4wd cause we live in the snow. with 11 children and awaiting birth of #12 we need the space. the good thing about the van over the suburban is that no one has to climb over the seat and kick their sister in the head to get in the back seat. i know you are supposed to lay the seat down, but no one ever does. yes, it guzzles gas like we guzzle food. no there is never anywhere to put the pallets of stuff we buy from costco.