Which vehicle for a family with three kids? (No Minivans)

Kooch · 03-18-2019, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kooch

I have 3. 10, 8 and 6. We looked around a bit before our third and did not want a minivan. Honda Pilot did it for us. Space for three car seats wide in the second row was the main selling point. We are now on our third pilot and have my F80. I will say that the Honda minivan has better creature comforts(large screen for movies, etc) but we have been happy so far with the Pilot. You can go bigger but for the money and the residual on the lease with the fully loaded version we have been happy. I have been in the same monthly payment for the past 8 years with three different fully loaded pilots. Wife ultimately wants a suburban but that's for running the kids and their friends around. Btw once you get out of rear facing seats things get better. We have actually taken the f80 on a couple road trips and all three have been good in the back seat.

thanks...btw way you having 4 kids and your alias just left a different impression with me.

Haha. Just to clarify I only have 3 kids. And the alias is a misspelling of the first part of my last name. Basically my nickname at college - unrelated to any sort of activity...🙂

King Rudi · 03-18-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

i had a glk350 and couldnt do much as a family once number 2 got here. x5 did the trick with 2 kids but the bench is too small to fit all the car seats.

I'm looking at GLK's. What are/were your likes/dislikes?

UncleWede · 03-18-2019, 12:08 PM

When we had 3 boys of sports age, we had 2 Caravans. I was so happy when the older 2 got their own cars and we went back to a sedan.

Recently, the wife was saying she wanted something like an x5. Why? So we can haul more people and stuff. Still not taking her to look at X5s . . .

svt1998gt · 03-18-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

i had a glk350 and couldnt do much as a family once number 2 got here. x5 did the trick with 2 kids but the bench is too small to fit all the car seats.

I'm looking at GLK's. What are/were your likes/dislikes?

with our first born the stroller took over thw entire trunk. you had to pack groceries around it.

also with the rear facing seat you had to put in the middle if you wanted some leg room.

with a newborn they take up much more space than older kids.

blau iii · 03-18-2019, 12:28 PM

We have three (boys 10 and 6) and my daughter is 4. Both boys play Lacrosse and Baseball. We hike a lot. Bike, etc. Got an f15 x5 with the third row and it works well for us. I'm eyeing a jeep gladiator to take over the weekend duties and to help with splitting kids evens (and to take the doors off) so my 335 can live a quiet retirement.

King Rudi · 03-18-2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

with our first born the stroller took over thw entire trunk. you had to pack groceries around it.

also with the rear facing seat you had to put in the middle if you wanted some leg room.

with a newborn they take up much more space than older kids.

Sorry, I should have clarified. My kids are now 19 & 20 and no longer live with me. I'm currently driving an '08 E93 and I'm 42. Getting in and out of the car plus hauling stuff is getting cramped. I meant more along the lines of reliability, comfort, ride, etc.

svt1998gt · 03-18-2019, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

with our first born the stroller took over thw entire trunk. you had to pack groceries around it.

also with the rear facing seat you had to put in the middle if you wanted some leg room.

with a newborn they take up much more space than older kids.

Sorry, I should have clarified. My kids are now 19 & 20 and no longer live with me. I'm currently driving an '08 E93 and I'm 42. Getting in and out of the car plus hauling stuff is getting cramped. I meant more along the lines of reliability, comfort, ride, etc.

i gotcha,

i think 4 adults in a glk is a stretch and the 350 i had didnt make enough power but i also prefer a sportier ride so that is all preference

King Rudi · 03-18-2019, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

i gotcha,

i think 4 adults in a glk is a stretch and the 350 i had didnt make enough power but i also prefer a sportier ride so that is all preference

Gotcha, appreciate the input. It would only be me and the girlfriend in it and not looking to get on it too much. Just at an age where I want something a little bigger but not massive there isn't much out there that impresses me at the $20-25k range.

RedlinePSI · 03-18-2019, 01:21 PM

I currently have 2 kids and a Q5. Third on the way, and we are shopping for a size up when lease is up. We also are not down with the minivan. The SUV for now is the nicer of our 2 cars, and we still want something decent to roll out on date night with. Planning to get a price on a Q7 just b/c loyalty pricing, but I don't see spending that much on an SUV. Out of all 3rd row SUV's, i'm 90% going with the MDX. Most likely with 2nd row captains chairs b/c I don't even know if you can get 3rd row access with 2 car seats in the 2nd row. Besides it will be better for trips so he's not trapped back there for hours if he needs something. So oldest kid in one of the 3rd row seats, and the other will basically stay folded down to help with storage space.

svt1998gt · 03-18-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt1998gt

i gotcha,

i think 4 adults in a glk is a stretch and the 350 i had didnt make enough power but i also prefer a sportier ride so that is all preference

Gotcha, appreciate the input. It would only be me and the girlfriend in it and not looking to get on it too much. Just at an age where I want something a little bigger but not massive there isn't much out there that impresses me at the $20-25k range.

if that is the case then it is great car.

srey · 03-18-2019, 04:38 PM

I have three kids and did the crew cab pickup thing. My Tundra was fantastic with three car seats, and cargo was never an issue with the bed. My wife had a Rav4 back then, which was not good for three car seats, to no one's surprise. One day she got rear ended in the Rav4. The insurance company gave us a new Sienna as a rental car while the Rav4 was being repaired, and it was so much better for us in every way.

I won't go on about what made it a better family vehicle than the truck, as you've already decided against a minivan, but it is better. The truck was great too, but in terms of everyone's comfort and sanity it falls short of the vehicle built to specifically do that job. We were anti-minivan until we had one for a week.

In your situation a truck would probably work just fine. A full-size SUV would work too. My household vehicle situation is a Sienna, my E90, and a beater F150 for doing truck stuff in. No regrets.

Alfisti · 03-18-2019, 04:41 PM

What's full size SUV though? To me there's the 3-row option MDX/Q7/X5 etc then there's the Escalade, Yukon, Expedition ... .BIIIIIIG fuck off 7 and 8 seaters.

pokerface · 03-19-2019, 06:25 AM

I’m in a Highlander with 7 seats: captains chairs on the second row and a three seater third row bench.

Humdizzle · 03-19-2019, 11:30 AM

Why is no one mentioning a wagon ? way cooler than any SUV, truck, or minivan imo. I'm pretty sure my parents had me sit in the back cargo area of Taurus wagon as a kid. so maybe i'd do a used 5series touring / A6 / or CTS wagon.

i wouldn't spend money on a kid hauler, that things is gonna look nasty inside in no time.

Alfisti · 03-19-2019, 11:41 AM

You're not getting three kid seats in a wagon.

Red Bread · 03-19-2019, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You're not getting three kid seats in a wagon.

Why not? I can fit three in a Golf. E63 with the third row retro fitted (not a factory option) would easily hold two in the penalty box, one in the middle of the rear row and leave room for two adults in the outside rear seats.

cvstar9M3 · 03-19-2019, 12:19 PM

Couldn't an e90m3 handle 3 kids since they aren't teenagers?

srey · 03-19-2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvstar9M3

Couldn't an e90m3 handle 3 kids since they aren't teenagers?

Only if you don't need them in car seats. Car seats take up a ton of width.

Humdizzle · 03-19-2019, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You're not getting three kid seats in a wagon.

back of an e63 touring. not sure if the 3rd row comes factory but it can be retrofitted. Would rather do this than a lame SUV/truck/minivan.

Red Bread · 03-19-2019, 12:40 PM

What sort of monster doesn't tuck the Diono red strap behind the cover?

And as noted above, you have to retro fit the third row to an E63, but it's not impossible.

svt1998gt · 03-19-2019, 12:44 PM

I would like something that can tow with, which is why i am looking for a full size suv or supercrew. hopefully i will get to test drive some this weekend.

Alfisti · 03-19-2019, 12:51 PM

A) As i have said in other threads, i ain't strapping my kid into the Diono all in one until he's 5 or 6, no side impact support

B) OP has a baby on the way so seat is reverse and super wide, so not gonna fit in the E63.

The answer is a minivan unless towing.

03-18-2019, 12:08 PM	#47
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18691 Rep 9,445 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	When we had 3 boys of sports age, we had 2 Caravans. I was so happy when the older 2 got their own cars and we went back to a sedan. Recently, the wife was saying she wanted something like an x5. Why? So we can haul more people and stuff. Still not taking her to look at X5s . . .
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03-18-2019, 12:28 PM	#49
blau iii Lieutenant 134 Rep 451 Posts Drives: 2008 335i schwartz on scwartz Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	We have three (boys 10 and 6) and my daughter is 4. Both boys play Lacrosse and Baseball. We hike a lot. Bike, etc. Got an f15 x5 with the third row and it works well for us. I'm eyeing a jeep gladiator to take over the weekend duties and to help with splitting kids evens (and to take the doors off) so my 335 can live a quiet retirement.
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03-18-2019, 01:21 PM	#53
RedlinePSI Lieutenant 134 Rep 502 Posts Drives: Something else Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (0)	I currently have 2 kids and a Q5. Third on the way, and we are shopping for a size up when lease is up. We also are not down with the minivan. The SUV for now is the nicer of our 2 cars, and we still want something decent to roll out on date night with. Planning to get a price on a Q7 just b/c loyalty pricing, but I don't see spending that much on an SUV. Out of all 3rd row SUV's, i'm 90% going with the MDX. Most likely with 2nd row captains chairs b/c I don't even know if you can get 3rd row access with 2 car seats in the 2nd row. Besides it will be better for trips so he's not trapped back there for hours if he needs something. So oldest kid in one of the 3rd row seats, and the other will basically stay folded down to help with storage space.
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03-18-2019, 04:38 PM	#55
srey Lieutenant 224 Rep 418 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i 6mt Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Idaho iTrader: (0)	I have three kids and did the crew cab pickup thing. My Tundra was fantastic with three car seats, and cargo was never an issue with the bed. My wife had a Rav4 back then, which was not good for three car seats, to no one's surprise. One day she got rear ended in the Rav4. The insurance company gave us a new Sienna as a rental car while the Rav4 was being repaired, and it was so much better for us in every way. I won't go on about what made it a better family vehicle than the truck, as you've already decided against a minivan, but it is better. The truck was great too, but in terms of everyone's comfort and sanity it falls short of the vehicle built to specifically do that job. We were anti-minivan until we had one for a week. In your situation a truck would probably work just fine. A full-size SUV would work too. My household vehicle situation is a Sienna, my E90, and a beater F150 for doing truck stuff in. No regrets.
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03-18-2019, 04:41 PM	#56
Alfisti Brigadier General 6994 Rep 3,289 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	What's full size SUV though? To me there's the 3-row option MDX/Q7/X5 etc then there's the Escalade, Yukon, Expedition ... .BIIIIIIG fuck off 7 and 8 seaters.
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03-19-2019, 06:25 AM	#57
pokerface Colonel 441 Rep 2,531 Posts Drives: F25 X3 N20 / F80 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I’m in a Highlander with 7 seats: captains chairs on the second row and a three seater third row bench.
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03-19-2019, 11:30 AM	#58
Humdizzle Brigadier General 6409 Rep 3,858 Posts Drives: 991.2 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Why is no one mentioning a wagon ? way cooler than any SUV, truck, or minivan imo. I'm pretty sure my parents had me sit in the back cargo area of Taurus wagon as a kid. so maybe i'd do a used 5series touring / A6 / or CTS wagon. i wouldn't spend money on a kid hauler, that things is gonna look nasty inside in no time. __________________ 2018 Porsche GT3 6MT Previous: Ferrari 458 \| R35 GTR \| F80 M3 \| F87 M2c \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3 \| Scion FRS
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03-19-2019, 11:41 AM	#59
Alfisti Brigadier General 6994 Rep 3,289 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	You're not getting three kid seats in a wagon.
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03-19-2019, 12:19 PM	#61
cvstar9M3 Major 293 Rep 1,097 Posts Drives: 2011 MR e90ZCP 6-MT Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: The Bean iTrader: (1)	Couldn't an e90m3 handle 3 kids since they aren't teenagers? __________________ 2011 MR e90ZCP, 6-mt 2011.75 e90 M3 ZCP, DCT, ZP2, ZCV, JB w/ 2Toned FoxRed/Black Interior - SOLD
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03-19-2019, 12:40 PM	#64
Red Bread Major General 4354 Rep 9,135 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	What sort of monster doesn't tuck the Diono red strap behind the cover? And as noted above, you have to retro fit the third row to an E63, but it's not impossible.
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03-19-2019, 12:44 PM	#65
svt1998gt Second Lieutenant 76 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 335i, 2012 X5 M spor Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 550i M Sport [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2012 BMW X5 M Sport [0.00]	I would like something that can tow with, which is why i am looking for a full size suv or supercrew. hopefully i will get to test drive some this weekend.
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03-19-2019, 12:51 PM	#66
Alfisti Brigadier General 6994 Rep 3,289 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	A) As i have said in other threads, i ain't strapping my kid into the Diono all in one until he's 5 or 6, no side impact support B) OP has a baby on the way so seat is reverse and super wide, so not gonna fit in the E63. The answer is a minivan unless towing.
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