We are trying to decide which car to buy for our family vehicle. Mom, dad, and three kids.
A little history. We had a Prius on order about 18 months ago. When it came in, the carseats wouldn't fit. It was to be our only transportation, so we decided on a mini-van instead. Since then, we bought a farm, and an older used pickup truck that fits the family. So, now we have a gas-hog Honda Odyssey that gets less than 20 mpg and I HATE IT! I regret the purchase every time I fill up. We drive nearly 20k a year, so it really hits us in the pocketbook, ya know. Now that we have the pickup, which we need for feed store trips, etc., we really don't need the cargo-hauling ability of the van. We use the truck if we need to carry anything large. What we really need is a small run-around-town car that will fit three kids in the backseat. We have made some carseat changes, and they'll fit in the Prius now.
What to get??? We really like the Prius, but I'm also wondering about the current or the upcoming new Civic, and even a used Jetta TDI. I would love to hear from folks who use any of these cars for a family vehicle.
Also, would we be better off waiting until January and see what comes out. And also, would we get better tax breaks if we wait.
I rented a Honda Odyssey for a couple of days and the quality was fine, but the only thing I might say good about the fill-up is it's probably better than other mini-vans.
Try searching this forum for "Civic 2006" - it sounds like it would be good for going to town with 4-5, but no stuff. I think it's due next month.
Maybe the Accord hybrid? They are sitting on the dealers' lots, and you can get one at/below invoice. OK, it costs 8k more than a Civic and doesn't get 50mpg- but it does fit 3 car seats in the back, and you will get >30mpg with a nice bit of power and luxury to boot.
Or, if you can hold off a year or so...once the kids shift to booster seats which take up much less lateral space. 3 boosters easily fit into a Civic and Prius.
I have a 2004 HCH. My twins are 7 years old, using booster seats. To fit a third into the middle would be rough, especially if one of those were a full car seat.
I tried to put three booster seats in once and contrary to what gonavy said, I couldn't make it work.
The configuration is not much better on my FEH, when we recently watched a friend's three year old, we had one of the twins in the middle without a booster (he is tall enought for that), it was tight, but acceptable.
You're right about 3 boosters not fitting. It probably depends on the specific ones. A neighbor has 3 in the back of his, but the middle one is a glorified phone book-type.
Do yourself a favor and take a look at and at least test drive the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid. The back seat is spacious and can easily fit 3. You should be able to get a deep discount this time of year if you do your homework and hold your ground with the salesman.
I love my HAH...best driving car that I have owned...engine and transmission as smooth as silk with instant power (255 HP) when you need it. The interior feels like a luxury car and the suspension is excellent. The double wishbone configuration really irons out rough roads and potholes. High scores in safety and crash tests. I routinely get 28 mpg in rush hour stop and go traffic in a big city. On longer stretches of open road when traffic is light I can easily get 35 mpg without trying very hard. It's like having a luxury car with a V-8 engine but with 4 cylinder gas mileage. I love it and recommend it highly. One test drive and you will be hooked. To me, the Prius is just too small. I can't imagine loading my wife and two children and luggage in a Prius and heading off on a trip to the beach...one or two people around town might be OK, but I wouldn't call the Prius a "family sedan".
The Accord looks very nice, but it's not for us. We would end up paying more a month for the Accord (in gas and car payments) than we do on the van we have now. I'll just keep the van in that case. We won't be taking this car on long trips. It's just for around town, running the kids to activities, etc. We have farm animals, we don't get to travel. LOL.
I want something that's going to get 40 mpg or better or I'll probably just stick with what we've got.
I tried the three seats in the Prius yesterday. Two seats are boosters and one is a full-size carseat. They fit, but barely. It's a tight squeeze. The Civic actually looks wider in the back, but we didnt' get a chance to try the seats. I'm also looking into a skinnier carseat for the youngest.
The VW Passat doesn't get good enough mileage either. The Jetta TDI is a possibility though.
I think we're going to take our time. Maybe look at the new Civic before we decide.
I have an 03 HCH and two kids 11 and 9. Car seats are really just the first issue when it comes to fitting 3 in a back seat. Eventually, they won't need the seats, but they will grow and get bigger. In my Civic, three kids (ages 8+) would practially be on top of eachother. Not to mention the contstant, "He's touching me! He's touching me!" I know all kids are different - maybe that's not a big deal. However we went from a van to a smaller family vehicle (Subaru Outback), thinking that now the kids are bigger and don't need seats, we didn't need the extra space. Wrong. Not only do they require more space, we couldn't take any of their friends anywhere either. Anyway, my car works for the two of them for around-town trips. I think three would be uncomfortable - for them, and for me. :-)
Have you tried the SUVs. Escape Hybrid might be an option. So would Highlander Hybrid.
Your problem is really an issue of useable space in the vehicle. Hybrid autos, aside from the Accord, are all smaller vehicles right now. If the Accord isn't for you, and the smaller vehicles won't work, then the only other options you have are going to be the SUVs.
It sounds to me like your price limitations are going to limit you out of the hybrid market, let alone some other vehicles which will do the job properly.
It has been said: Hybrid drivers come in 3 flavors, greenie, techie and cheapie. Pick any 2.
2005 Prius, Melinium Silver over gray, package 5 (AI)
Help with decision. Which one and when?
